About your snap circuits, Parts – Elenco Snap Circuits® Deluxe Sound & Light Combo User Manual
Page 10
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About Your Snap Circuits
®
Parts
RESISTORS
Adjustable Resistor (RV)
Resistors (R1, R3, & R5)
SLIDE & PRESS SWITCHES
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 variations.
SPEAKER
Speaker (SP)
The adjustable resistor (RV) is a 50kW resistor
but with a center tap that can be adjusted
between 200W and 50kW.
Resistors “resist” the flow of electricity and are
used to control or limit the current in a circuit.
Snap Circuits
®
LIGHT includes 100W (R1), 5.1kW
(R3), and 100kW (R5) resistors (“k” symbolizes
1,000, so R5 is really 100,000W). Materials like
metal have very low resistance (<1W), while
materials like paper, plastic, and air have near-
infinite resistance. Increasing circuit resistance
reduces the flow of electricity.
The slide & press switches (S1 & S2) connect
(pressed or “ON”) or disconnect (not pressed or
“OFF”) the wires in a circuit. When ON they have no
effect on circuit performance. Switches turn on
electricity just like a faucet turns on water from a pipe.
Slide & Press
Switches
(S1 & S2)
CAPACITORS
The 0.1mF, 1mF, 100mF, and 470mF capacitors
(C2, C7, C4, & C5) can store electrical pressure
(voltage) for periods of time. This storage ability
allows them to block stable voltage signals and
pass changing ones. Capacitors are used for
filtering and delay circuits.
Microphone (X1)
The microphone (X1) is actually a resistor that
changes in value when changes in air pressure
(sounds) apply pressure to its surface. Its
resistance typically varies between 1kW and
10kW.
MICROPHONE
The photoresistor (RP) is a light-sensitive
resistor, its value changes from nearly infinite in
total darkness to about 1000W when a bright light
shines on it.
Photoresistor (RP)
The 500kW adjustable resistor (RV3) is a
500kW resistor that can be adjusted between
200W and 500kW.
500kW Adjustable Resistor (RV3)
Capacitors (C2, C4, C5, & C7)
SCC-350_Manual_Part_A.qxp 7/25/14 2:39 PM Page 10