Electricity
Project Process
Schematic Diagrams
As you build circuits, you should be following a schematic diagram.
This diagram can be of your own making, or it could be from some web or printed resource.
The diagram helps you before the construction by allowing you to think through the circuit.
All components of the circuit should be clearly labelled. Values of resistors and capacitors should be indicated.
Connections between conductors should be indicated with a dot.
Conductors that cross without connecting should be shown crossing.
When you build a circuit you must have at least one schematic diagram, the one you used before you began.
You will likely also have a second or third diagram indicating the changes that you made to the circuit.
Text
You should have text describing what the circuit is supposed to do.
As you work on the circuit, make notes about what changes you make and how you think they will affect the circuit.
As you work on the circuit, you will need to check resources.
Indicate the name and location of the resources you use.
Write down information from the resources.
Keeping this information in a manilla folder is the minimum level or organization.
A bound notebook, organizer or three ring binder is recommended.
Your name should be on every piece of paper.
Photos
Take a picture of your original schematic diagram.
Take pictures of your circuit being built.
Take a picture of your finished circuit.
Take a picture of your modified schematic diagram.
Documentation
Each major project that you do must have a documentation element to it.
This documentation does not need to be done inside the classroom, but it may become neccesary.
The schematic diagrams, text and photos described above should be gathered together to summarize the project.
What did you intend to do?
How did you approach it?
How did it end up working?
What did you learn?
Web documentation is posted in your webspace on the TechEd server.
Web documentation may also be posted on an internet accessible web server.
This can help as a place to store work and have it accessible outside school.
Links
page with tips and diagrams of how to and how not to: http://bach.ece.jhu.edu/~tim/programs/xcircuit/goodschem/goodschem.html
Notes on schematics - http://www.reprise.com/host/electricity/schematic1_notes.asp
Electricity index for Electrical and Computer Engineering - http://www.technology.niagarac.on.ca/courses/elnc236/
