Elenco Circuit Maker Sound Plus 200 - Manual (Page 7)

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About Your Circuit Maker Sound Plus 200 Parts
SPEAKER
WHISTLE CHIP
The whistle chip (WC) contains two thin plates. When
an electrical signal is applied across them they will
stretch slightly in an effort to separate (like two
magnets opposing each other), when the signal is
removed they come back together. If the electrical
signal applied across them is changing quickly, then
the plates will vibrate. These vibrations create
variations in air
pressure that
your ears feel
just like sound
from a speaker.
(+)
OUT
Mic +
Space War IC:
IN1
(+) OUT
IN2 (–)
Some types of electronic components can be super-
miniaturized, allowing many thousands of parts to fit into an
area smaller that your fingernail. These “integrated circuits”
(ICs) are used in everything from simple electronic toys to the
most advanced computers. The space war and recording IC
modules (U3 & U6) in Circuit Maker Sound Plus 200 are
actually modules containing specialized sound-generation ICs
and other supporting components (resistors, capacitors, and
transistors) that are always needed with them. This was done
to simplify the connections you need to make to use them.
The descriptions for these modules are given here for those
interested; see the projects for connection examples:
Connections:
(+) - power from batteries
(–) - power return to batteries
OUT - output connection
IN1, IN2 - control inputs
Connect each control input to
(–) power to sequence
through 8 sounds.
Recording IC Module:
Connections:
(+) - power from batteries
(–) - power return to batteries
RC - record
Play - play
OUT - output connection
Mic + - microphone input
Mic – - microphone input
See Project #4 for example of
proper connections.
The speaker (SP2) converts
electricity into sound by making
mechanical vibrations. These
vibrations create variations
in air pressure, which travel
across the room. You “hear”
sound when your ears feel
these air pressure vari-
ations.
CAPACITORS
Capacitors are components that can store electrical
pressure (voltage) for periods of time, higher values
have more storage. Because of this storage ability
they block unchanging voltage signals and pass fast
changing voltages. Capacitors are used for filtering
and oscillation circuits. This kit includes 0.1mF (C2),
10mF (C3), and 100mF (C4) capacitors. The whistle
chip (WC) also acts like a 0.02mF capacitor in addition
to its sound
properties.
Microphone
(X1)
The microphone (X1) is actually a resistor that
changes in value when changes in air pressure
(sounds) apply pressure to its surface.
MICROPHONE
LAMP
A light bulb, such as in the 4.5V lamp (L4), contains a
special thin high-resistance wire. When a lot of
electricity flows through, this wire gets so hot it glows
bright. Voltages above the bulb’s rating can burn out
the wire.
Lamp (L4)
Speaker (SP2)
LED
The red LED (D1) is a light emitting diode and may be
thought of as a special one-way light bulb. In the
“forward” direction, (indicated by the “arrow” in the
symbol) electricity flows if the voltage exceeds a turn-
on threshold (about 1.5V); brightness then increases.
A high current will burn out an LED, so the current
must be limited by
other components in
the circuit. LEDs
block electricity in the
“reverse” direction.
TRANSISTORS
The PNP transistor (Q1) and NPN transistor (Q2)
are components that use a small electric current to
control a large current, and is used in switching,
amplifier, and buffering applications. Transistors are
easy to miniaturize, and are the main building blocks
of integrated circuits including the microprocessor and
memory circuits in computers.
NPN Transistor (Q2) PNP Transistor (Q1)
INTEGRATED CIRCUITS (ICs)
LED (D1)
Whistle Chip (WC)
Mic –
(–) RC Play
Capacitors
(C2, C3, & C4)
CM-200_Manual_031914.qxp_CM-200_Manual_031914 4/2/14 12:04 PM Page 7