The Circuit Diagram

Circuit Diagram of the Alarm

circuit
ItemDescriptionQty
R1, R26k8 0.25 watt resistors2
R3220 ohm 0.25 watt resistor1
C10.15µF 15v capacitor1
C20.1µF 15v capacitor1
C3100µF 15v capacitor1
D11N914 diode1
TR1BDX35 transisitor1
IC1555 timer IC1
LS8 ohm 0.25w speaker1
-On/Off switch1
-9v battery and clips1
The circuit diagram of the alarm, together with a tabulated list of most of the components is shown above. Notice that the table contains a more complete list - for example, the 9v battery and clips - and gives more complete information about some of the components. For example, the circuit diagram simply shows "R1 6k8" whereas its corresponding entry in the table shows "R1 6k8 0.25 watt resistor."

We'll be referring to the circuit diagram and the table of components on subsequent pages so it may be worth printing this page.

Resistors

Resistors are simple electronic components which impede, or resist the flow of electrical current. The degree to which they impede the flow is determined by their resistance value, measured in Ohms - the greater the value, the greater the resistance and the less electrical current that flows. They're available in a vast range of values from less than 1 Ohm to many millions of Ohms. R1 and R2, in our circuit, are both 6,800 Ohms or 6.8kOhms - more usually written as 6k8. R3, towards the right hand side of the circuit, has a much lower resistance of just 220 Ohms.

resistors

Different wattage resistors (pencil for size comparison)

In common with many components connected across an electrical supply, they dissipate energy - they get hot. In addition to being available in a range of resistance values, resistors are also available in a range of power-handling capabilities. Resistors designed for use in high power circuits will be physically large so they can dissipate large amounts of surplus energy. Those in low power circuits, such as ours, will be physically very small.

Very often, circuit diagrams don't give the power rating of resistors so it's worth working it out very roughly. Imagine, for our circuit, a 6,800 Ohm resistor connected directly across the 9 volt supply. The current flowing through the resistor would be 9 ÷ 6800 = 0.00132 amps. The power dissipated by the resistor would be 9 x 0.00132 = 0.012 watts. So, in our circuit 0.25 watt resistors will be more than adequate.

Contrast that with the 220 Ohm resistor. The same calculation results in a figure of 0.37 watts so, isn't our specified value for the 222 Ohm resistor, of 0.25 watts, too small? Well, in this particular circuit, the voltage across the resistor is switching on and off (at the frequency of the alarm sound) and it turns out that the average voltage across it is less than 2 volts and, if you do the calculation again at 2 volts, you'll see that a 0.25 watt resistor is more than adequate.

OK, enough theory, let's get the project under way!

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