De Werkbank
Relay or triac: which one should you use for AC control?
You have a microcontroller, a Raspberry Pi, or an Arduino. You want to use it to control a lamp, a heating element, or a motor operating on 230 V. ...
Understanding flyback converters: building your own power supply
Building an isolated power supply sounds like something for advanced makers. Yet, the flyback converter is one of the most elegant circuits in powe...
Choosing capacitors: what is the difference and which one do you need?
A capacitor is a capacitor — until you notice that two capacitors with the same capacitance value behave completely differently in a circuit. The t...
The NPN transistor as a switch: BC547 vs KSC1845
The transistor as a switch is one of the most fundamental circuits in electronics. Not spectacular, but indispensable. With a small control signal ...
Protecting your project: fuses and RCDs explained
Protection is the least glamorous part of a project. You don't think about it until things go wrong — and by then, it's too late. A fuse is not a c...
Schottky diode: when should you choose one and why?
A diode is a diode — until you notice that not every diode behaves the same way. The Schottky diode is one of those components you come across in m...
Soldering tools: what do you really need at the workbench?
Many makers invest seriously in components but cut corners on the tools they use to assemble them. Understandable — until a solder pad lifts, a com...