Elenco XP&trade - Manual (Page 8)

-7-
DO’s and DON’Ts of Building Circuits
After building the circuits given in this booklet, you may wish to experiment on your own.
Use the projects in this booklet as a guide, as many important design concepts are
introduced throughout them. Every circuit will include a power source (the batteries), a
resistance (which might be a resistor, capacitor, motor, integrated circuit, etc.), and wiring
paths between them and back.
You must be careful not to create “short circuits” (very low-
resistance paths across the batteries, see examples at right) as this will damage
components and/or quickly drain your batteries.
Only connect the U21 microcontroller IC
(the PICAXE 08M) using configurations given in the projects, incorrectly doing so may
damage it. ELENCO
® is not responsible for parts damaged due to incorrect wiring.
Here are some important guidelines:
ALWAYS USE EYE PROTECTION WHEN EXPERIMENTING ON YOUR OWN.
ALWAYS include at least one component that will limit the current through a circuit, such
as the speaker, capacitors, ICs (which must be connected properly), motor,
microphone, photoresistor, or resistors.
ALWAYS use LEDs, transistors, and switches in conjunction with other components that
will limit the current through them. Failure to do so will create a short circuit
and/or damage those parts.
ALWAYS connect capacitors so that the “+” side gets the higher voltage.
ALWAYS disconnect your batteries immediately and check your wiring if something
appears to be getting hot.
ALWAYS check your wiring before turning on a circuit.
ALWAYS connect U21 microcontroller IC using configurations given in the projects or as
per the connection description on page 5.
NEVER connect to an electrical outlet in your home in any way.
NEVER touch the motor when it is spinning at high speed.
Placing a 3-snap wire directly
across the batteries is a
SHORT CIRCUIT.
This is also a
SHORT CIRCUIT.
When the slide switch (S1) is turned on, this large circuit has a SHORT
CIRCUIT path (as shown by the arrows). The short circuit prevents any
other portions of the circuit from ever working.
NEVER
DO!
NEVER
DO!
NEVER
DO!
NEVER
DO!
Examples of SHORT CIRCUITS - NEVER DO THESE!!!
Warning to Snap Circuits ® owners: Do not use
parts from other Snap Circuits ® sets with this kit. Other
sets use higher voltage which could damage the
microcontroller and other parts.
You are encouraged to tell us about new programs and circuits you
create. If they are unique, we will post them with your name and state
on our website at www.snapcircuits.net/kidkreations.htm. Send
your suggestions to ELENCO
® : [email protected].
ELENCO ® provides a circuit designer so that you can make your own
Snap Circuits ® drawings. This Microsoft ® Word document can be
downloaded from www.snapcircuits.net/SnapDesigner.doc or
through the www.snapcircuits.net website.
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_ WARNING: SHOCK HAZARD - Never connect Snap Circuits ®
to the electrical outlets in your home in any way!
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