Week 2 | Electronics: Connecting Materials
This week is the first week where we really got started. The assignment is to assemble a working speaker. We will experiment with coils and materials that may make the speaker sound louder.
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This week is the first week where we really got started. The assignment is to assemble a working speaker. We will experiment with coils and materials that may make the speaker sound louder.
Last updated
Besides the assignment, Desiree and I where responsible for editing the zine this week.
Before I started working, I got a lot of information in the tutorial given in the lessons. Below I have summarized what I have taken from this in my process.
To work with electromagnets, I first need to know how a circuit works. An electrical circuit is a path or line through which an electrical current flows. There are three types of circuits:
Proper circuits When using a voltage source we add what is known as a āloadā to the circuit. This can be LEDās, resistors, etc. Basically anything that will cause a voltage drop because the electrical current wants to ļ¬ow from a higher voltage to a lower voltage.
Short circuits If no load is present in the circuit, it's a short circuit. This is dangerous, because there is nothing to restrict the current flow, and you can end up with burned wires, damage to the voltage source or a quickly-drained (or exploded!) battery.
Broken circuits This is an open or broken circuit, which is a circuit that is incomplete. Although not dangerous like the short circuit, it will ultimately fail to work because voltage canāt reach the components.
Kirchhoff's Law says the following: The voltage drop across the resistor, in addition to the forward voltage drop of the LED always equals the supply voltage (when in series). So, all the voltage generated is and should be used up by components in the circuit energy build-up, or unlimited current flow produces heat to release the excess energy (Kirchoffās Voltage Law). Also, Current is the same across the entire circuit (Kirchoffās Current Law).
In short, Ohm's law is a formula used to calculate the relationship between voltage, current and resistance in an electrical circuit. The formula is as follows: V=I*R. Voltage is the difference in electric potential between two points, current is rate at which electric charge flows and resistance is the ****measure of a materialās ability to block electric current.
Some other, basic things I learned about electricity, is that electricity always flows from + to -. Also, electricity follows the path of least resistance, conductive materials allow electricity to flow and resistive materials allow electricity to flow, but with a smaller current. Source: & lessons in class
Before we start working on the main assignment: the DIY speaker, we first got some simple assignments that made us understand the basics of how electromagnets work. With every exercise, the intention was to conduct electricity and turn on a light.
Everyone has received an a5 page with the instructions of the assignment. This same page also shows exactly which elements you need and where they should be placed. You can paste the elements exactly on the image on the page and assemble them.
To make the circuit work, I had to be sure that the circuit would be a loop, so that the electrodes can flow from Anode (+) to Cathode (-). This is called a current. Only the components that are connected in the loop are functional. Important thing to keep in mind that electricity will flow through the path of least resistance. An unintended connection between the + and the - can lead to a short circuit.
The first paper circuit worked quite simple. With the example printed on the paper, I prepared a battery of 3 volt electricity, an LED light, copper tape and a resistor. The resistor is necessary to prevent the LED from burning out.
The second assignment is a little bit different. Also here, I use copper tape, a resistor, a 3 volt battery and an LED light. Only a velostat has been added here. The assignment is to make a dimmer light. The harder you press, the brighter the light should shine. We will do that by adding a material with variable resistance (a pressure sensitive material called Velostat).
By pressing the sheet of pressure sensitive material, conductive particles come closer together, so more current can flow through. Velostat is a plastic combined with carbon and can be found in electronics packaging material. After placing the copper tape and components unto the circuit I cut the line with a scissor so that I can fold the flap. Then, I place the piece of velostat on top of the copper tape in the defined area. Now, I can close the flap and apply varying pressure by pinching and releasing the fold.
The last excersize was almost the same as the first one. For me, it was very easy and I had no troubles with it. The difference was that it's not one LED light that has to turn on, but two. In the first exersize I already turned two lights on so this was almost the same but then with some space between them. Unfortunatley, I lost the picture where I made this circuit, but here you can see how it worked.
This week was a nice start of the Minor. Besides working with electronics, it also had a creative side: choosing materials and making a pattern for a coil. Although the sound was very soft, I found it very interesting to see that sound could come out of a coil like that.
Besides learning the basics of electronica, I also liked being an editor. I learned how the RISO printer works and how difficult it can be to disconnect all pages and reassemble them like a book.
Practicing experiment with different types of hot and cold soldering, and learn how to use a to test and debug electronic circuits.
