Curriculum and Labs for Engineering Education
Overview: This document describes lab techniques to be used with the projects in Electrical Circuits with NI myDAQ as well as recommended accessories and suppliers.
Accessories included with NI myDAQ: USB cable, combicon connector, screwdriver, DMM probes, stereo audio cable
Recommended accessories: Precut jumper wire, solderless breadboard, alligator clip test leads (some with clips on both ends, other with one end stripped and tinned for combicon connector)
Recommended hand tools: Wire cutter and stripper, long-nose pliers
Recommended technique to connect circuitry to NI myDAQ: myDAQ >> combicon >> stripped and tinned end >> alligator clip end >> small jumper wire (no insulation) >> breadboard
Preferred method for stripped end of alligator clip test lead: At a minimum, strip the wire to about 1/4 inch and twist the strands together. If possible, use a soldering iron to heat the wire and flow some solder into the wire; this "tinning" procedure keeps the strands from fraying and makes it easier to insert into the combicon connector.
Inserting wire into the combicon connector: Holding the combicon upright so that you can view the screws, insert the wire above the metal tab and then tighten the screw to hold the wire in place.
NOTE 1: You only need to turn the screw about a half turn counter-clockwise (to the left) to sufficiently loosen the tinned wire).
NOTE 2: The combicon screw does not electrically connect to NI myDAQ until the wire is inserted and tightened. For example, probing the screws for the 5-volt supply with the DMM voltmeter will not yield a correct measurement when you have no wire connected to the combicon.
Recommended equipment and parts suppliers:
Operational amplifiers and other other analog ICs: Texas Instruments FREE Analog ICs Program
Resistor Kits
| Supplier | Description | Part Number (links to online catalog) |
|---|---|---|
| Jameco | RESISTOR ASST,1/4W,5%, 540 PIECES | 103166 |
| Digi-Key | 1/4W (.25W) 5% Carbon Film, 365 pcs - 5 ea of 1.0 ~ 1.0M | RS125-ND |
| RadioShack | 500-Piece 1/4-Watt Carbon-Film Resistor Assortment | 271-312 |
Solderless Breadboard
| Supplier | Description | Part Number (links to online catalog) |
|---|---|---|
| Jameco | BREADBOARD 6.5 X2.125 830PNTS 100/CS | 20723 |
| Digi-Key | Solderless Breadboard | 923252-ND |
| RadioShack | 6" Modular IC Breadboard Socket | 276-002 |
| Circuit Specialists | Solderless Breadboard w/Jumper Wires | WB-102+J |
Precut Jumper Wire Kits
| Supplier | Description | Part Number (links to online catalog) |
|---|---|---|
| Jameco | WIRE JUMPER KIT,350EA,22AWG, 10 COLORS WIRE JUMPER KIT 22AWG,140PCS, 10PCS X 14 LENGTHS,10 COLORS | 19290 2096018 |
| Digi-Key | Jumper Wire Kit (140 pcs) Jumper Wire Kit (350 pcs) | 438-1049-ND 923351-ND |
| RadioShack | Solderless Breadboard Jumper Wire Kit (140 pieces) | 276-173 |
Alligator Clip Test Leads
| Supplier | Description | Part Number (links to online catalog) |
|---|---|---|
| Jameco | ALLIGATOR CLIP TEST LEADS,10PK 24AWG WIRE(19/36)5 SETS | 10444 |
| Digi-Key | WIRE JUMPER KIT 22AWG,140PCS, 10PCS X 14 LENGTHS,10 COLORS | BU-00286-ND |
| RadioShack | 14" (35.3cm) Insulated Test/Jumper Leads | 278-1156 |
| Circuit Specialists | Alligator Test Clips, 10 pieces, 24", 28AWG | M000F0003 |
Wire Cutter and Stripper
| Supplier | Description | Part Number (links to online catalog) |
|---|---|---|
| Jameco | TOOL,STRIPPER,WIRE,10-24 AWG 5" WIRE CUTTER / STRIPPER | 215889 |
| RadioShack | Adjustable Wire Stripper | 64-074 |
| Circuit Specialists | Economy 5" Cutter & Stripper | HT-108 |
Long-Nose Pliers
| Supplier | Description | Part Number (links to online catalog) |
|---|---|---|
| Jameco | TOOL,PLIERS,LONG NOSE,4.7" | 177608 |
| RadioShack | 4.5" Mini Long-Nose Pliers | 64-062 |
| Circuit Specialists | Long Nose Plier | HH02075-A |
