πŸ’‘ Getting started

_images/Multivibrator.gif

Oscillating circuit

The ElectroLab board is being sold as a kit, which means that you will need to assemble (and solder) it. The first thing to do once you receive your kit, is making sure you find all the components included:

  1. ElectroLab board (green PCB)

  2. Stencil board (purple PCB)

  3. Female-to-female jumper boards (pack of 40)

  4. THT components:

    • 2x Rotary potentiometers

    • 1x Linear potentiometer

    • 1x Speaker

    • 1x 7 segments display

    • 1x RGB led

    • 1x Slide switch

    • 1x USB-C connector

    • 1x NTC thermistor

    • 1x LDR photoresistor

    • 1x Microphone

    • 9x Pushbutton

    • 1x 3.5mm jack connector

    • 1x MQ-2 gas sensor

    • 1x Blue header

    • 1x Red header

    • 10x Black header

and optionally you could have acquired:

  • A 1000mAh LiPo battery

  • A protection enclosure consisting on:

    • 3 transparent acrylic plates

    • 4 screws set (screw, washer & nut)

After assembling it (visit the πŸ›  Assembly section), you will be able to make your own circuits or start exploring the ones on the πŸš€ Learning electronics section.

πŸŽ“How it works?

On the ElectroLab, each component is internally powered and it’s I/O are already routed to an accessible pinhead. This makes it very easy the quick prototyping of electronic circuits since you just need to interconnect them with female-female wires.

While working with the ElectroLab, make sure you follow this steps:

  • βœ… Analyze and understand the schematic you want to assembly with the ElectroLab

  • βœ… Check if you will be using polarized components (like the polarized capacitors or the microphone) for paying extra attention.

  • βœ… Before plugging or unplugging any jumper wires, make sure the board is turned off:

  • βœ… Assembly the circuit following a known order, it will save you time in case you get lost.

  • βœ… Check that there are not any wire connecting 3.3V to GND.

  • βœ… Connect the USB cable or the Auxiliar Interface in order to power the board.

  • βœ… Toggle the switch and check that the power led turns on.

  • βœ… Play with your recently assembled circuit and experiment with safety!

Caution

If the Power LED indicator doesn’t turn on, power off the board and check the circuit: you might have a shortcircuit somewhere!