component identification

[devo]

I know some of you are into breaking down low value boards, and some of you want to, but aren't sure whats what. I thought with the recent break out of skippyism around here I would throw up a post that might be useful to one or two.

I'm not going to hand hold here, some of the stuff is pretty basic. If it looks like a big ball of copper, it is, take it. I'm hoping to help you identify some of the harder hidden stuff. Before I was a carpenter, I went to school and worked as an electrical engineer, just a little background for you.

A lot of the time there will be some sort of designation printed right on the board, this goes back to the days when boards were hand assembled. Here are some common abbreviations found:


BT = Battery
C = Capacitor
CB = Circuit Breaker
CR = Diode
D = Diode
F = Fuse
FL = Filter (also a coil - copper)
IC = Integrated circuit
K = Relay (copper coil inside)
L = Inductor (copper)
Q = Transistor, Semiconductor
QA = Transistor array (on older stuff this can look like an IC)
R = Resistor, Potentiometer
RA = Resistor array
S = Switch
T = Transformer
TB = Terminal Block
U = Integrated Circuit
VR = Zener Diode
X = Socket
Y = Crystal Unit



If there is no indication on the board, sometimes you can determine what the component is from the symbols on the side:

OHM : either written as "ohm" or more likely a symbol that looks like an upside down horse shoe. This is a resistor.

Farad: symbol (F) almost always preceded by a funny looking "u" (micro). This is a capacitor.

Henry: (yes really), Symbol (h), this is a coil.


This is far from a definitive list, nor is it always exact. If there is interest I'll add more with pics of the symbols. Anyway maybe someone can benefit a bit from this.

[Mick]

Interest is shown.

[Mechanic688]

Just to add to what you have started this is a very good explanation of the different parts.

[vijunk]

Devo,

Very helpful. I was just looking at an odd-ball board last night.... it had the printed letters and while most were fairly obvious, a few had me stumped. You're list has given me immediate results. Thanks!

[parrothead]

The colored lines on the resistors indicate the resistance value in ohms. There were 2 sayings to help remember the order if I can remember them

Bad Beer Rots Our Young Guts But Vodka Goes Well
or
Bad Boys Rape Our Young Girls But Violet Gives Willingly

[Mechanic688]

I really hope they make a sticky out of this thread so I don't have to keep posting this.

Answers——————

1 Diodes
2 Piezo Buzzer
3 Transistor
4 Transformer
5 Relay
6 Inductors
7 Integrated Circuits (IC’s)
8 Capacitors
9 Crystal
10 Resistors

[Mechanic688]

Here's a resistor calculator for anyone who needs to use one.
http://www.dannyg.com/examples/res2/resistor.htm

[Mick]

[QUOTE=Mechanic688;62213]I really hope they make a sticky out of this thread so I don't have to keep posting this.

No sooner said than done.

[Mechanic688]

Thank you Mick, I owe you a cold one,,,

[Mechanic688]

Identification Pictures for Surface Mount Devices (SMD) : Capacitors

Resistors: In these pic's their using a 1/4 watt resistor for scale. (The one without a number).

IC's

1. 20 Pin DIP (Reference) 2. 20 Pin (WIDE) SO-IC 3. SO-IC 8 with heat sink tab 4. SOIC-8 5. 20 Pin SSOP

1. SMT Power Transistor 2. SMD Led 3. Melf Diode 4. 4 Leg SOT 5 - SMB Diode 6. SOT-223

1. 1008 Inductor (Wire Wound) 2. 1210 Ferrite Bead 3. Variable Ind 4. RF Transformer 5. Ferrite Bead

[devo]

Wow this turned out well in a hurry, nice change from the antics of the last couple days. I just checked what I had laying around that might be of interest and found quite a bit that I should take some pics of. I will this evening, time for a Sunday nap for now though.

Ps Thanks Mechanic688 for helping with those pics, going to help a lot of people out I think.

[Mick]

Closed