Field Guide to Identifying Components ?

vonfilm · 15th October 2008, 08:59 PM

I have recently been given a bunch of old circuitboards filled with all kinds of parts- resistors, capacitors, transistors, IC's, microprocessors,etc. I was thinking they might be useful for tinkering and experiments. I am a newbie and can not identify them by sight. I generally know a cap from a resistor, but that is about as far as it goes.

I was wondering if there is any sort of "field guide" that would help me identify them by the shape and whatever numbers might be printed on them. I assume that once I know what they are, I could test them with my multi-meter to see if they are still good.

Mooly · 17th October 2008, 04:06 PM

If you are keen you will learn. You need to be able to identify resistors so learn the colour code

resistors now can have 3, 4, and 5 bands on them, not like the good old days

You have to be able to read them as you would words on a page. You pick one up and see red red orange, you dont think about the colours you just see 22K.
Caps these days are numbered so a 0.1 mfd (micro farad) is 104. That is to say 100,000 pf or pico farad. A 10nF (nano) is 103 or 10000pf. Easy isn't it.
Get library books, as for transistors etc Google them.

johnYks · 17th October 2008, 04:29 PM

Hello Vonfilm

I am also a newbie - this may be of help!

www.eleinmec.com
Read the 'Components Explained' section

www.bcae1.com

These are excellent sites for a beginner.

Yours Sincerely
John

wboyd · 17th October 2008, 04:47 PM

One of my best friends for finding data on odd components, switches, etc has been google as suggested by mooly.

Normally you can just type in the ID number into google and locate manufacturer, type, uses and the like.

Good luck and have fun....and remember to try and be safe when messing with electronic parts, etc - Capacitors (especially large ones can hold a charge for a long while....and give you a good zap (or possbly kill you) if you are not careful.

Wayne

vonfilm · 17th October 2008, 09:59 PM

What is the safe way to remove capacitors from the board and discharge them?

Mooly · 18th October 2008, 06:57 AM

Unless you are working on high voltage stuff like switch mode PSU's etc it's not a problem.
If you do ever need to discharge a large electroylitic ( say 470 mfd charged to 400 volts ) you should always use a resistor, say 22 k 2 watt to do it. Never short out directly.
It's not a problem, don't worry. If in doubt just measure the voltage across them. If they are on a PCB they will be discharged anyway, exception being PSU's as mentioned.

gmphadte · 20th October 2008, 04:52 AM

Parts suppliers catalog often contain photos of the components.

Gajanan Phadte

15th October 2008, 08:59 PM	#1
vonfilm diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2006	Field Guide to Identifying Components ? I have recently been given a bunch of old circuitboards filled with all kinds of parts- resistors, capacitors, transistors, IC's, microprocessors,etc. I was thinking they might be useful for tinkering and experiments. I am a newbie and can not identify them by sight. I generally know a cap from a resistor, but that is about as far as it goes. I was wondering if there is any sort of "field guide" that would help me identify them by the shape and whatever numbers might be printed on them. I assume that once I know what they are, I could test them with my multi-meter to see if they are still good.

17th October 2008, 04:47 PM	#4
wboyd diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Louisville, KY	One of my best friends for finding data on odd components, switches, etc has been google as suggested by mooly. Normally you can just type in the ID number into google and locate manufacturer, type, uses and the like. Good luck and have fun....and remember to try and be safe when messing with electronic parts, etc - Capacitors (especially large ones can hold a charge for a long while....and give you a good zap (or possbly kill you) if you are not careful. Wayne __________________ "I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it"

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Near field vs Far field	Audist	Multi-Way	17	25th May 2007 07:44 PM
Near field / far field?	2litre	Multi-Way	4	2nd January 2006 09:44 AM
Field spotter's guide to capacitors	weinstro	Parts	1	8th October 2003 03:13 PM
Symetrical field, is this?	Raka	Multi-Way	6	14th September 2003 01:21 PM
diy Near Field Monitors	swirv	Multi-Way	11	29th August 2002 03:13 AM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

17th October 2008, 04:06 PM	#2
Mooly diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2007	If you are keen you will learn. You need to be able to identify resistors so learn the colour code resistors now can have 3, 4, and 5 bands on them, not like the good old days You have to be able to read them as you would words on a page. You pick one up and see red red orange, you dont think about the colours you just see 22K. Caps these days are numbered so a 0.1 mfd (micro farad) is 104. That is to say 100,000 pf or pico farad. A 10nF (nano) is 103 or 10000pf. Easy isn't it. Get library books, as for transistors etc Google them.

17th October 2008, 04:29 PM	#3
johnYks diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2006	Hello Vonfilm I am also a newbie - this may be of help! www.eleinmec.com Read the 'Components Explained' section www.bcae1.com These are excellent sites for a beginner. Yours Sincerely John

17th October 2008, 09:59 PM	#5
vonfilm diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2006	What is the safe way to remove capacitors from the board and discharge them?

18th October 2008, 06:57 AM	#6
Mooly diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2007	Unless you are working on high voltage stuff like switch mode PSU's etc it's not a problem. If you do ever need to discharge a large electroylitic ( say 470 mfd charged to 400 volts ) you should always use a resistor, say 22 k 2 watt to do it. Never short out directly. It's not a problem, don't worry. If in doubt just measure the voltage across them. If they are on a PCB they will be discharged anyway, exception being PSU's as mentioned.

20th October 2008, 04:52 AM	#7
gmphadte diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Dona paula, Goa	Parts suppliers catalog often contain photos of the components. Gajanan Phadte

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)