Inventor Book Reviews

Practical Electronics

by Paul Scherz, 2000, 604 pages, $39.95, ISBN 0-07-058078-2.  Published by McGraw-Hill.

Quite often today's inventor finds he can solve all or a part of his problems by using electronic circuits.  Unfortunately, it may have been years since the inventor took that science class that explained how these circuits work.  This book can bring you up to date and does it without continually losing you in a maze of theoretical mumbo jumbo.  The book is filled with hand-drawn illustrations that give you a clear insight into what is going on when your device is plugged into a wall socket or a battery power supply.  Like with a cross-section drawing of an automobile engine, you can "feel" the pistons moving in the block, but you don't need to know what metal alloys are required to do the job.

The first 55 pages present electrical theory, perhaps deeper than you want to know, but you can refer back to it when a need for a fuller understanding arises.  Each of the following chapters starts with practical, hands-on information.  Each word unique to electronics is defined in everyday language and simple sketches explain how devices work.  For example, current flow in a transistor is shown compared with water flow in a faucet.

Next the basic electronic circuit components, such as wires, batteries, and switches are described in detail.  The simple circuit for the on/off switching that householders use to turn a light on or off from two locations is shown.  (As simple as it is, many have been confused when replacing a failed switch.)  Basic facts and applications for relays, resistors, and capacitors are given.  The water analogy for a capacitor (water filled balloons for plates) is a beautiful example of how this book gives you an insight and "feel" for how a component works.

The chapter on semiconductors, the lifeblood of today's world, takes you through how they work, how they are manufactured, and how you can apply them to solve your problems.  Again simple sketches, circuit diagrams, and plain English definitions give you the opportunity to learn what semiconductors are all about.

This same hands-on approach is used in the chapters on optoelectonics, integrated circuits, operational amplifiers, filters, oscillators and timers, power supplies, audio and digital electronics, DC motors, RC (remore control) servos, and stepper motors.  In each case you will find yourself going from wondering what these devices are to not only understanding how they work, but feeling you can apply them to solve problems.

You may, for example, find yourself inspired by seeing remote control model airplanes in flight and see a possible application in your work.  The chapter on RC servos will give you an understanding as to how they work and perhaps enable you to modify a commercial unit to work in your device.

The last chapter, "Hands-on Electronics", is a must read.  In fact, its safety section is an absolute must read.  Always remember even a 100 mA (1/10 amp) current can be fatal passing through the human body.

The 125 page appendix is a gold mine of information.  Home wiring, electronic symbols, component data, using logic to drive loads, displays, memory, microprocessors and micro-controllers, and making a robot, to mention a few.  The finding components section lists not only companies but also their web sites and telephone numbers.  It notes the Grainer Catalog as listing "almost anything an inventor would find useful."

This book is not only up-to-date and educational, but it is also a great reference to keep on hand.  Whether you need to refresh your memory on that two way switching, resistor color coding, or are making a robot using the BASIC Stamp II, this book is a quick and clear source of information.