Electrical Engineering and Electronics
Electrical engineering is the practical application of electricity to create new tools and devices.
Terminology
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) | A converter that changes an analog signal to a digital signal. |
| Baud Rate | The number of bits per second that can be sent over a serial connection |
| Digital Pin | A type of pin that can only be in an "on" or "off" state. |
| Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) | A converter that changes a digital signal to an analog signal. |
| Electrical Contact | An electrical circuit component that consists of a conductive material (typically metal) that, when touched to another contact, can pass an electrical current. |
| Electrical Load | The portion of a circuit that uses electrical power |
| Electrical Signal | An variation in voltage or current frequency, phase, or duration used to represent information |
| Pin | A type of electrical contact in which the connection is designed to be pressed together (i.e. a plug) to form a reliable, low-resistance connection. |
| Power Supply | Av electrical device that supplies power to a circuit |
| Serial Port | An interface through which an electrical signal is transferred sequentially, one bit at a time |
| Two Wire Interface (TWI) | A communication protocol consisting of a data line and a clock line. |
Conventions
- Red wires are typically used for power and connect to positive terminals
- Black wires are typically used for ground and connect to negative terminals
- Other colors are typically used for electrical signals
Deeper Knowledge on Electrical Engineering
Arduino
The open-source electronics platform for interactive projects and prototypes
Pololu
A robotics and electronics online catalog
Broader Topics Related to Electrical Engineering
Electricity
Energy that results from charged particles