definitions components

Definitions

Word	Definition	Image
Protoboard	A thin plastic board full of holes used to hold components that are wired together. It is commonly used for prototyping and experimenting with circuit designs.
Resistences	A measurement of the difficulty encountered by a power source in forcing electric current through an electrical circuit, and hence the amount of power dissipated in the circuit. Resistance is measured in ohms.
Circuit	A configuration of electrically or electro magnetically connected components or devices.
Capacitor	A device used in electrical circuits . The capacitor stores an electrical charge for a short period of time, and then returns it to the circuit. Common types of capacitors include tantalum, electrolytic, ceramic, and film capacitors.
Microcontroller	Known as an MCU, a microcontroller is a type of microprocessor that can contain an entire "computer on a chip".
Multimeter	An instrument that measures electrical quantities such as voltage, resistance and amperage.
Photovoltaic Cells	Formerly used exclusively in space, photovoltaic cells convert sunlight into electricity. Photo=Light; Voltaic=Electricity
Relay	A device that responds to a small current or voltage change by activating switches or other devices in an electric circuit.
Sensor	A sensor is a type of transducer. Since a significant change involves an exchange of energy, sensors can be classified according to the type of energy transfer that they detect.
Led
Single pole switch	A switch with one input wire.
Solar cell	A semiconductor device that converts the sunlight into electric energy. Also referred to as a photovoltaic cell.
Paralel port	A cable used to transmit information from a device to another.
Screws	Little metal pieces that are used to attach
Switch	A type of interruptor.
UTP Cable	A bound or sheathed group of mutually insulated conductors.
Motors	The main engine
Soldering Iron	The tool used to melt and apply solder.
Alligator Clips	Used to temporarily hold an electrical connection together for testing or soldering. Often made of nickel plated steel. Can be found with vinyl insulators.
Jumper wires	Cables to conect in the protoboard.
Electric tape	To protect the cables
Cable ties	To attach all the cables in their place.
Light sensor	Used to detect when the light is on or off.
computer	To control all the system.