Ok, maybe this is a loaded question and because I can't articulate
just how much or little (probably more accurate) I know about
electronics, what's a good book to learn for a beginner? I want to
learn so I understand how to use my future dmm better.

On Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:30:03 -0800, Steve Barker
wrote:

On 1/10/2012 9:27 AM, Doug wrote:
Ok, maybe this is a loaded question and because I can't articulate
just how much or little (probably more accurate) I know about
electronics, what's a good book to learn for a beginner? I want to
learn so I understand how to use my future dmm better.

what's a "dmm" ?


digital multimeter

Well, you could look it up in a book about beginner electronics.

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

"Steve Barker" wrote in message
...
electronics, what's a good book to learn for a beginner? I want to
learn so I understand how to use my future dmm better.

what's a "dmm" ?

--
Steve Barker
remove the "not" from my address to email

On Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:07:22 -0500, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote:

Well, you could look it up in a book about beginner electronics.

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.



Cute !!! Maybe he needs more than I do???
Just kidding if he reads this...

On 1/10/2012 9:27 AM, Doug wrote:
Ok, maybe this is a loaded question and because I can't articulate
just how much or little (probably more accurate) I know about
electronics, what's a good book to learn for a beginner? I want to
learn so I understand how to use my future dmm better.

what's a "dmm" ?

--
Steve Barker
remove the "not" from my address to email

On Jan 10, 11:27*am, "Doug" wrote:
Ok, maybe this is a loaded question and because I can't articulate
just how much or little (probably more accurate) I know about
electronics, what's a good book to learn for a beginner? *I want to
learn so I understand how to use my future dmm better.

Where can you find the most books of any type? Your local library,
that's where. And there are intelligent people there to help you
cruise the possibilities.
FWIW, too many libraries these days are underused by the taxpayers
that support them. The internet is not the be all and end all of
information, and often is too indiscriminating as a way of solving an
information problem. IMO, what you need is right there in your
library.
Your ideal book could be something like a teaching textbook for a
beginners course. Master that and then move on to whatever level of
complexity you are comfortable with. Good luck.

Joe

"Doug" wrote in message
...
Ok, maybe this is a loaded question and because I can't articulate
just how much or little (probably more accurate) I know about
electronics, what's a good book to learn for a beginner? I want to
learn so I understand how to use my future dmm better.

Start with the ABC's. Books are written from things that all come down to
the ABC's. Go to the local library and look for the simplest books you can
find. You won't understand 3 phase wiring until you understand E=I/R.
Voltage, resistance, amperage, direct current, alternating current, and it
builds on those basic building blocks. There are no shortcuts, unless you
want to be like some union electricians who understand low voltage light
systems to the nth degree, yet can't explain what a home run is. Or how to
wire a room with multiple switches. You may concentrate on any area, but
you have to grasp the fundamentals, and then it goes from there.

MHO, YMMV, and all that.

Steve

"Doug" wrote in message
Ok, maybe this is a loaded question and because I can't articulate
just how much or little (probably more accurate) I know about
electronics, what's a good book to learn for a beginner? I want to
learn so I understand how to use my future dmm better.


Search google.com for the words...
book beginning electronics

Also go to Radio Shack and buy an "Electronics Learning Lab"...
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=3814337

Joe wrote:
On Jan 10, 11:27 am, "Doug" wrote:
Ok, maybe this is a loaded question and because I can't articulate
just how much or little (probably more accurate) I know about
electronics, what's a good book to learn for a beginner? I want to
learn so I understand how to use my future dmm better.

Where can you find the most books of any type? Your local library,
that's where. And there are intelligent people there to help you
cruise the possibilities.

Don't be absurd. Libraries are no longer repositories of knowledge, but they
do have video games, art work, puppets, puzzles, historical romances,
paperbacks (leave two, take two), and so on. There's even a public library
in Berkeley that will loan out TOOLS (saws, scaffolding, pressure washers,
post-hole diggers, etc.). Don't believe me? Sashay down to your local
library and ask for the Congressional Record or the Federal Register,
Marquis Who's Who, Encyclopedia Judaica, the CRC Handbook, or more.

My last visit to the library was to get my passport renewed! WTF?

No, most libraries should be shut down, burnt, and the ashes scattered. Take
no chances.

FWIW, too many libraries these days are underused by the taxpayers
that support them. The internet is not the be all and end all of
information, and often is too indiscriminating as a way of solving an
information problem. IMO, what you need is right there in your
library.

My point exactly. Underused? Then abolish them.

Doug wrote:
Ok, maybe this is a loaded question and because I can't articulate
just how much or little (probably more accurate) I know about
electronics, what's a good book to learn for a beginner? I want to
learn so I understand how to use my future dmm better.

Books? ya go to youtube.com now days.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzjMIcER4EU keep clicking and clicking
there are a bunch of videos about them.

On Jan 10, 10:27*am, "Doug" wrote:
Ok, maybe this is a loaded question and because I can't articulate
just how much or little (probably more accurate) I know about
electronics, what's a good book to learn for a beginner? *I want to
learn so I understand how to use my future dmm better.

try Usenet group
sci.electronics.basic
they are a 'user friendly' group

"Doug" wrote in
:

Ok, maybe this is a loaded question and because I can't articulate
just how much or little (probably more accurate) I know about
electronics, what's a good book to learn for a beginner? I want to
learn so I understand how to use my future dmm better.


google for:
Navy Electricity and Electronics Training Series

That is a very readable Navy course for recruits,
and it is nicely compartmented on subjects.

And it is free.

On 2012-01-10, Doug wrote:
Ok, maybe this is a loaded question and because I can't articulate
just how much or little (probably more accurate) I know about
electronics, what's a good book to learn for a beginner? I want to
learn so I understand how to use my future dmm better.

There's a lot of websites with this info. If you have money to burn
and are a difficult learner, I would suggest the ARRL Introduces
Understanding Basic Electronics, second edition. I think they are a
bit pricey for what they provide , but they're well written and easily
understood. Get a basic calculator or learn how to use the one on
your computer, cuz all electronics courses involve heavy math and
eventually some algebra. This ARRL book includes math lessons as
needed.

http://tinyurl.com/864kn25

nb

--
vi --the root of evil

HeyBub wrote:
Where can you find the most books of any type? Your local library,
that's where. And there are intelligent people there to help you
cruise the possibilities.

Don't be absurd. Libraries are no longer repositories of knowledge,
but they do have video games, art work, puppets, puzzles, historical
romances, paperbacks (leave two, take two), and so on. There's even a
public library in Berkeley that will loan out TOOLS (saws,
scaffolding, pressure washers, post-hole diggers, etc.). Don't
believe me? Sashay down to your local library and ask for the
Congressional Record or the Federal Register, Marquis Who's Who,
Encyclopedia Judaica, the CRC Handbook, or more.
My last visit to the library was to get my passport renewed! WTF?

No, most libraries should be shut down, burnt, and the ashes
scattered. Take no chances.

You sound more stupid every post.

On 1/10/2012 8:11 PM, Bob F wrote:
HeyBub wrote:
Where can you find the most books of any type? Your local library,
that's where. And there are intelligent people there to help you
cruise the possibilities.

Don't be absurd. Libraries are no longer repositories of knowledge,
but they do have video games, art work, puppets, puzzles, historical
romances, paperbacks (leave two, take two), and so on. There's even a
public library in Berkeley that will loan out TOOLS (saws,
scaffolding, pressure washers, post-hole diggers, etc.). Don't
believe me? Sashay down to your local library and ask for the
Congressional Record or the Federal Register, Marquis Who's Who,
Encyclopedia Judaica, the CRC Handbook, or more.
My last visit to the library was to get my passport renewed! WTF?

No, most libraries should be shut down, burnt, and the ashes
scattered. Take no chances.

You sound more stupid every post.



Guess I'm stupid too.
Federal Register or Code of Federal Regulations were not available at
local library last time I checked years ago. We had better libraries at
work when I retired many more years ago. Now all this stuff is on line.
Why go to a library?

Bob F wrote:
HeyBub wrote:
Where can you find the most books of any type? Your local library,
that's where. And there are intelligent people there to help you
cruise the possibilities.

Don't be absurd. Libraries are no longer repositories of knowledge,
but they do have video games, art work, puppets, puzzles, historical
romances, paperbacks (leave two, take two), and so on. There's even a
public library in Berkeley that will loan out TOOLS (saws,
scaffolding, pressure washers, post-hole diggers, etc.). Don't
believe me? Sashay down to your local library and ask for the
Congressional Record or the Federal Register, Marquis Who's Who,
Encyclopedia Judaica, the CRC Handbook, or more.
My last visit to the library was to get my passport renewed! WTF?

No, most libraries should be shut down, burnt, and the ashes
scattered. Take no chances.

You sound more stupid every post.

Exactly what is "stupid?" Calling names is trivial ("You're a porcupine!").
Coming up with a reasoned argument is more difficult and, in this case,
impossible.

I do, however, apologize. The statement "... burnt, and the ashes scattered.
Take no chances." is a quote for which I omitted the attribution. It was
said by Winston Churchill.

ARRL Handbook can start you with the basics, or better yet, find a ham
radio club in your area and get an amateur radio license. You will
immediately be surrounded by new friends that have decades and life
times of electronics knowledge, most, if not all willing to share that
knowledge with you.

http://www.arrl.org/courses-training

On Jan 10, 3:58*pm, Sjouke Burry s@b wrote:
"Doug" wrote :

Ok, maybe this is a loaded question and because I can't articulate
just how much or little (probably more accurate) I know about
electronics, what's a good book to learn for a beginner? *I want to
learn so I understand how to use my future dmm better.

google for:
Navy Electricity and Electronics Training Series

That is a very readable Navy course for recruits,
and it is nicely compartmented on subjects.

And it is free.

The Navy series is an excellent starting point.

On Jan 10, 7:34*pm, "hr(bob) "
wrote:
On Jan 10, 3:58*pm, Sjouke Burry s@b wrote:

"Doug" wrote :

Ok, maybe this is a loaded question and because I can't articulate
just how much or little (probably more accurate) I know about
electronics, what's a good book to learn for a beginner? *I want to
learn so I understand how to use my future dmm better.

google for:
Navy Electricity and Electronics Training Series

That is a very readable Navy course for recruits,
and it is nicely compartmented on subjects.

And it is free.

The Navy series is an excellent starting point.

The idea of the local ham club is very good. They will They will teach
you everything you need to use your DMM for adjusting your new radio
and getting on the air.
If you can teach yourself with little or no external help try "Teach
Yourself Electricity and Electronics, Fourth Edition by Stan
Gibilisco"

On Jan 10, 10:27*am, "Doug" wrote:

what's a good book to learn for a beginner?

www.SparkFun.com
www.Williamson-Labs.com
www.ePanorama.net

I want to learn so I understand how to use my future dmm better.

Fluke provides really good user manuals with its multimeters, and I
think they're available online.

Those $3 Harbor Freight digital meters are pretty accurate, but I'd be
reluctant to use one to measure high voltage, especially because I had
a test lead tip pull out when I tried to measure an AC outlet.

Some meters, including at least one from Sears, have shutters over the
socket holes where the test leads plug in, and that prevents you from
accidentally inserting the leads into the amp socket and creating a
short when you want to measure volts or ohms.

Joe wrote:

Where can you find the most books of any type? Your local library, that's where.

Not in Phoenix. They started to dumb down the library even way before
the Internets became popular. They toss out any book that hasn't been
checked out within the past 2 years, even if it's the only one they
have on a subject and it can't be replaced with a comparable title.

And there are intelligent people there to help you cruise the possibilities.

Not in Phoenix. The librarians here are only functionally literate
and will give up if an obvious search with Google or Wikipedia doesn't
immediately provide an answer.

On 1/10/2012 8:11 PM, Bob F wrote:
HeyBub wrote:
Where can you find the most books of any type? Your local library,
that's where. And there are intelligent people there to help you
cruise the possibilities.

Don't be absurd. Libraries are no longer repositories of knowledge,
but they do have video games, art work, puppets, puzzles, historical
romances, paperbacks (leave two, take two), and so on. There's even a
public library in Berkeley that will loan out TOOLS (saws,
scaffolding, pressure washers, post-hole diggers, etc.). Don't
believe me? Sashay down to your local library and ask for the
Congressional Record or the Federal Register, Marquis Who's Who,
Encyclopedia Judaica, the CRC Handbook, or more.
My last visit to the library was to get my passport renewed! WTF?

No, most libraries should be shut down, burnt, and the ashes
scattered. Take no chances.

You sound more stupid every post.



+1

On 1/10/2012 8:48 PM, HeyBub wrote:
Bob F wrote:
HeyBub wrote:
Where can you find the most books of any type? Your local library,
that's where. And there are intelligent people there to help you
cruise the possibilities.

Don't be absurd. Libraries are no longer repositories of knowledge,
but they do have video games, art work, puppets, puzzles, historical
romances, paperbacks (leave two, take two), and so on. There's even a
public library in Berkeley that will loan out TOOLS (saws,
scaffolding, pressure washers, post-hole diggers, etc.). Don't
believe me? Sashay down to your local library and ask for the
Congressional Record or the Federal Register, Marquis Who's Who,
Encyclopedia Judaica, the CRC Handbook, or more.
My last visit to the library was to get my passport renewed! WTF?

No, most libraries should be shut down, burnt, and the ashes
scattered. Take no chances.

You sound more stupid every post.

Exactly what is "stupid?" Calling names is trivial ("You're a porcupine!").
Coming up with a reasoned argument is more difficult and, in this case,
impossible.

You would know this better than anyone. So you just weave stories and
bizarre replies to screw with people...


I do, however, apologize. The statement "... burnt, and the ashes scattered.
Take no chances." is a quote for which I omitted the attribution. It was
said by Winston Churchill.


See above...

To more directly answer your question. As others have suggested, visit your
local library. Second thought is to fire up Ebay or Amazon, and look for
titles that seem to fit. "Electronics for dummies", though I would hardly
call you dumb. It's a fun series of books, though. Well written, and good
information.

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

"Doug" wrote in message
...

Cute !!! Maybe he needs more than I do???
Just kidding if he reads this...

On Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:28:44 -0500, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote:

To more directly answer your question. As others have suggested, visit your
local library. Second thought is to fire up Ebay or Amazon, and look for
titles that seem to fit. "Electronics for dummies", though I would hardly
call you dumb. It's a fun series of books, though. Well written, and good
information.

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.


It's alright to call me dumb as it probably comes close for me in
electronics... I do know tho how to turn on and off the computer
switch which is based upon horror stories I read from pc techs about
clients. Thanks for the help !

To my way of looking at it, dumb is "unable to process information".
Compared to ignorant "doesn't yet know the answer". I sense that you're not
dumb, by my definition.

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

"Doug" wrote in message
...

It's alright to call me dumb as it probably comes close for me in
electronics... I do know tho how to turn on and off the computer
switch which is based upon horror stories I read from pc techs about
clients. Thanks for the help !

George wrote:
You sound more stupid every post.

Exactly what is "stupid?" Calling names is trivial ("You're a
porcupine!"). Coming up with a reasoned argument is more difficult
and, in this case, impossible.

You would know this better than anyone. So you just weave stories and
bizarre replies to screw with people...


Then, evidently, I know more than you.

Please defer to superior knowledge.

Thanks.

On Jan 11, 10:18*am, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote:
To my way of looking at it, dumb is "unable to process information".
Compared to ignorant "doesn't yet know the answer". I sense that you're not
dumb, by my definition.

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
*www.lds.org
.

"Doug" wrote in message

...

It's alright to call me dumb as it probably comes close for me in
electronics... * I do know tho how to turn on and off the computer
switch which is based upon horror stories I read from pc techs about
clients. * Thanks for the help !

Agreed, and the fact that you know enough to ask for help is a BIG
PLUS for most of us that lurk in this group. When you do have some
specific questions, post here, throw out the insulting replies, and
distill the more reasonable ones and you should have a good answer.

On Jan 10, 2:47*pm, "Steve B" wrote:
"Doug" wrote in message

...

Ok, maybe this is a loaded question and because I can't articulate
just how much or little (probably more accurate) I know about
electronics, what's a good book to learn for a beginner? *I want to
learn so I understand how to use my future dmm better.

Start with the ABC's. *Books are written from things that all come down to
the ABC's. *Go to the local library and look for the simplest books you can
find. *You won't understand 3 phase wiring until you understand E=I/R..
Voltage, resistance, amperage, direct current, alternating current, and it
builds on those basic building blocks. *There are no shortcuts, unless you
want to be like some union electricians who understand low voltage light
systems to the nth degree, yet can't explain what a home run is. *Or how to
wire a room with multiple switches. *You may concentrate on any area, but
you have to grasp the fundamentals, and then it goes from there.

MHO, YMMV, and all that.

Steve

The last time I looked, it was I=E/R. Has Ohm's law suddenly become
Ohmigosh's law? ; - )
JimCo

On Jan 10, 9:27*am, "Doug" wrote:
Ok, maybe this is a loaded question and because I can't articulate
just how much or little (probably more accurate) I know about
electronics, what's a good book to learn for a beginner? *I want to
learn so I understand how to use my future dmm better.

check this like out

http://bit.ly/w923rt

cheers
Bob

On Jan 11, 8:07*am, "Doug" wrote:
On Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:28:44 -0500, "Stormin Mormon"

wrote:
To more directly answer your question. As others have suggested, visit your
local library. Second thought is to fire up Ebay or Amazon, and look for
titles that seem to fit. "Electronics for dummies", though I would hardly
call you dumb. It's a fun series of books, though. Well written, and good
information.

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
*www.lds.org
.

It's alright to call me dumb as it probably comes close for me in
electronics... * I do know tho how to turn on and off the computer
switch which is based upon horror stories I read from pc techs about
clients. * Thanks for the help !

When confronted with a HUGE learning task, it sometimes helps to focus
the energy by trying to accomplish one task. Like in the huge task of
trying to learn software, instead, write a program to do something you
want and you will 'walk' your way through the morass. Parallel to
learning electronics, see if there is ONE thing you'd like to do,
learn what it takes to do that, and you'll quickly branch your
knowledge out into the larger knowledge base, ...without feeling like
you're trying to take a drink from a firehose.

In article ,
"Doug" wrote:

Ok, maybe this is a loaded question and because I can't articulate
just how much or little (probably more accurate) I know about
electronics, what's a good book to learn for a beginner? I want to
learn so I understand how to use my future dmm better.

Get a D-cell battery, a toggle switch, and a flashlight bulb. Mount them
on a cardboard box and wire them appropriately, with the wiring behind
the cardboard where you can't see it. Now measure voltages at various
places with the light on and with it off. Once you understand that, have
a friend disconnect a random connection point, and then you troubleshoot
the circuit using your DMM, checking voltages and continuity at
appropriate places.

Once you understand why there is voltage across a working switch when
the light it off, and no voltage across it when the light is on, and a
few other corollaries, you'll know more about troubleshooting electric
problems than 99% of a.h.r. folk. Then you might be ready to start
learning electronics. The first step of that is to use two flashlight
bulbs in series and then in parallel, and repeat tests until you
understand the test results.

When you're done with all that, then you can seek out a book. Like
flying or sailing or cooking or screwing, troubleshooting skill comes
from experience, not reading.

Doug wrote:
Ok, maybe this is a loaded question and because I can't articulate
just how much or little (probably more accurate) I know about
electronics, what's a good book to learn for a beginner? I want to
learn so I understand how to use my future dmm better.

I have used this site for years, as their explanation of various circuits is
well described, and laid out in an easy to understand format (with frequent
images and not a lot of math). The pages are also short, so you don't get
buried.

http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/

Start at Volume I - DC, and read the first chapter; that should get you up
to speed on the basics.

Jon

On Jan 11, 10:07*am, "Doug" wrote:
It's alright to call me dumb as it probably comes close for me in
electronics... * I do know tho how to turn on and off the computer
switch which is based upon horror stories I read from pc techs about
clients. * Thanks for the help !

You want to learn about ELECTRICITY, not electronics. Basics such as
Ohm's Law, DC vs. AC, voltage, resistance, current... These will give
you the knowledge you need to make better use of your multimeter.

Electronics is all about the little silicon doodads inside the meter.

On Jan 10, 12:27*pm, "Doug" wrote:
Ok, maybe this is a loaded question and because I can't articulate
just how much or little (probably more accurate) I know about
electronics, what's a good book to learn for a beginner? *I want to
learn so I understand how to use my future dmm better.

Wouldn't that all depend on what you plan to use the meter for?

Studying up on a multi-winding multi-phase transformer model with
staturable core would pretty much be a waste of time if you plan on
tracking down a loose ground in 2003 Honda Civic.

You said it's a "future dmm". What prompted you to want to buy a
meter? What are your plans for its use?

"JimCo" wrote in message
...
On Jan 10, 2:47 pm, "Steve B" wrote:
"Doug" wrote in message

...

Ok, maybe this is a loaded question and because I can't articulate
just how much or little (probably more accurate) I know about
electronics, what's a good book to learn for a beginner? I want to
learn so I understand how to use my future dmm better.

Start with the ABC's. Books are written from things that all come down to
the ABC's. Go to the local library and look for the simplest books you can
find. You won't understand 3 phase wiring until you understand E=I/R.
Voltage, resistance, amperage, direct current, alternating current, and it
builds on those basic building blocks. There are no shortcuts, unless you
want to be like some union electricians who understand low voltage light
systems to the nth degree, yet can't explain what a home run is. Or how to
wire a room with multiple switches. You may concentrate on any area, but
you have to grasp the fundamentals, and then it goes from there.

MHO, YMMV, and all that.

Steve

The last time I looked, it was I=E/R. Has Ohm's law suddenly become
Ohmigosh's law? ; - )
JimCo

My intent of the other 997 letters and numbers in the post was to convey to
the OP that it would be good to get some basic books, and to start at the
beginning. It is sad that you have to, and have the time to have to, pick
apart every tiny nit in the post, and correct it.

I made a mistake. You're an adult. Cope. If you are relying on my
formulas, it just indicates the depth of your lack of your own knowledge.

BTW, thank you ever so much for the correction. I can now get my life back
on the correct track.

Steve

On 1/11/2012 1:20 AM, larry moe 'n curly wrote:


Joe wrote:

Where can you find the most books of any type? Your local library, that's where.

Not in Phoenix. They started to dumb down the library even way before
the Internets became popular. They toss out any book that hasn't been
checked out within the past 2 years, even if it's the only one they
have on a subject and it can't be replaced with a comparable title.

And there are intelligent people there to help you cruise the possibilities.

Not in Phoenix. The librarians here are only functionally literate
and will give up if an obvious search with Google or Wikipedia doesn't
immediately provide an answer.

So when modern civilization comes to an end, don't count on being able
to rebuild a civilization from books stored in a Phoenix library. Gosh
there is a great ironic pun in there, I see it , do you? ^_^

TDD

On 1/11/2012 1:10 AM, larry moe 'n curly wrote:
On Jan 10, 10:27 am, wrote:

what's a good book to learn for a beginner?

www.SparkFun.com
www.Williamson-Labs.com
www.ePanorama.net

I want to learn so I understand how to use my future dmm better.

Fluke provides really good user manuals with its multimeters, and I
think they're available online.

Those $3 Harbor Freight digital meters are pretty accurate, but I'd be
reluctant to use one to measure high voltage, especially because I had
a test lead tip pull out when I tried to measure an AC outlet.

Some meters, including at least one from Sears, have shutters over the
socket holes where the test leads plug in, and that prevents you from
accidentally inserting the leads into the amp socket and creating a
short when you want to measure volts or ohms.


One of the meters I had would complain if you had the leads in the wrong
socket for the wrong range. I don't remember the brand but it detected
if a lead was plugged in or not. My everyday electrical service meter
is a Sperry DSA-600 DIGISNAP that been unfailingly reliable for years.
I picked it up on sale at Home Depot. It my telecom and data tool bag I
have a small Triplett 2200 DMM that's never let me down. We did have a
$1,300.00 purpose built telecom meter that vanished when a certain moron
left the van unlocked and an Urban Camper saw something shiny and
expensive looking and decided to appropriate it to decorate his little
cardboard hut. I have a Beckman Industrial RMS225 DMM on the desk next
to me and I have all sorts of expensive meggers, phase meters and all
kinds of test equipment but the meters I've used the most as of late
have been the cheap little Harbor Freight DMM's and I have six of the
darn things. o_O

TDD

On 1/11/2012 12:25 PM, Smitty Two wrote:
In ,
wrote:

Ok, maybe this is a loaded question and because I can't articulate
just how much or little (probably more accurate) I know about
electronics, what's a good book to learn for a beginner? I want to
learn so I understand how to use my future dmm better.

Get a D-cell battery, a toggle switch, and a flashlight bulb. Mount them
on a cardboard box and wire them appropriately, with the wiring behind
the cardboard where you can't see it. Now measure voltages at various
places with the light on and with it off. Once you understand that, have
a friend disconnect a random connection point, and then you troubleshoot
the circuit using your DMM, checking voltages and continuity at
appropriate places.

Once you understand why there is voltage across a working switch when
the light it off, and no voltage across it when the light is on, and a
few other corollaries, you'll know more about troubleshooting electric
problems than 99% of a.h.r. folk. Then you might be ready to start
learning electronics. The first step of that is to use two flashlight
bulbs in series and then in parallel, and repeat tests until you
understand the test results.

When you're done with all that, then you can seek out a book. Like
flying or sailing or cooking or screwing, troubleshooting skill comes
from experience, not reading.

A person with a lot of experience with electrical/electronics repairs,
is someone who burned up thousands of dollars in gear early in his
career and learned from those mistakes so it never/rarely happens again.
That sick feeling and the quiet "pop, zaaaap" and escape of the
magic smoke contained by all things electrical/electronic is something
I experienced often at one time but never lately. The sound and vision
of the life essence of a piece of gear escaping still haunts my soul. ^_^

TDD

JimCo wrote:
On Jan 10, 2:47 pm, "Steve B" wrote:
"Doug" wrote in message

...

Ok, maybe this is a loaded question and because I can't articulate
just how much or little (probably more accurate) I know about
electronics, what's a good book to learn for a beginner? I want to
learn so I understand how to use my future dmm better.

Start with the ABC's. Books are written from things that all come
down to the ABC's. Go to the local library and look for the simplest
books you can find. You won't understand 3 phase wiring until you
understand E=I/R. Voltage, resistance, amperage, direct current,
alternating current, and it builds on those basic building blocks.
There are no shortcuts, unless you want to be like some union
electricians who understand low voltage light systems to the nth
degree, yet can't explain what a home run is. Or how to wire a room
with multiple switches. You may concentrate on any area, but you
have to grasp the fundamentals, and then it goes from there.

MHO, YMMV, and all that.

Steve

The last time I looked, it was I=E/R. Has Ohm's law suddenly become
Ohmigosh's law? ; - )

It can be remembered (or not) as follows:

The [i]ndian sees the [E]agle above the [R]abbit I=E/R
The [E]agle sees the [i]ndian and the [R]abbit on the same level E=IR
The [R]abbit sees the [E]agle above the [i]ndian R=E/I

I'm currently working on a similar mnemonic for E=mc^2. I'll publish it here
when perfected.