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WHAT'

Knowledge of Electricity and Electronics is extremely valuable nowadays.

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WHAT'

Knowledge of Electricity and Electronics is extremely valuable nowadays.

Electronic circuits are everywhere, from computers and smartphones, to home appliances and cars. Think of all the everyday objects that are becoming “smart”... in the future, most of the things that we own will contain some electronics. Jobs in electronics are in high demand and well paid in almost every country.

Building electronic products is incredibly rewarding, whether you do it professionally or just as a hobby. There is just something different and exciting about designing something physical that can be hold in one’s hand and that interacts with the outside world, and today it has become incredibly easy to get started thanks to cheap development boards such as the Arduino and Raspberry Pi, combined with the right knowledge.

Differently than what happens in other disciplines, knowledge of Electronics does not become obsolete, but it is always current as it is intimately connected to physics and to the fundamental laws of nature. Hence, while new components and chips might come along every year, the fundamental principles of Electronics always stay the same.

WHAT'

While most of the material and courses available online tend to be high-level and focused on applications (for instance, it shows students how to connect components on a breadboard to create a circuit), the goal of this course is to explain the fundamental concepts of Electricity and Electronics, to allow you to fully understand how circuits work. Every topic is addressed starting from the first principles of the underlying physics and fundamental laws, and only later the acquired knowledge is used to explain how to design more complex circuits for different applications.

  • Fundamental concepts of Electricity (Current, Energy, Voltage, Power)

  • Most important electronic components (Resistor, Capacitors, Diodes, etc)

  • The main laws governing currents and voltages in circuits (Ohm’s law, Kirchhoff’s laws, etc)

  • Interface with Microcontrollers (coming soon)

This is an introductory course about the theory of Electricity and Electronics, so no previous knowledge is required. To get the best out of the lessons, students should be comfortable with some basic arithmetic as I will often write and solve equations, in particular when analyzing simple circuits. Understanding a bit of physics can help too, but it is not required. Most importantly, no special hardware or software is required.

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Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Provides a strong foundation for beginners in the fundamentals of electricity and electronics
Covers the most important electronic components, including resistors, capacitors, and diodes
Teaches the main laws governing currents and voltages in circuits, such as Ohm's law and Kirchhoff's laws
Can serve as preparation for future courses on microcontrollers
Assumes no prior knowledge, making it accessible to a wide range of learners
Requires only basic arithmetic and physics knowledge, making it suitable for those new to the subject

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Complete Basic Electricity & Electronics Course with these activities:
Read 'Principles of Electronics' by Sadiku
Build a strong foundation in the fundamental concepts of electricity and electronics by reading this introductory textbook.
Show steps
  • Purchase the textbook and set aside dedicated time for reading.
  • Read each chapter thoroughly, taking notes and highlighting key concepts.
  • Complete the end-of-chapter exercises to test your understanding.
Follow along with the Khan Academy Electronics Course
Reinforce your understanding of electrical and electronic concepts through interactive tutorials and videos.
Browse courses on Circuit Analysis
Show steps
  • Create a Khan Academy account and access the Electronics course.
  • Watch the video tutorials and follow along with the interactive exercises.
  • Complete the practice problems to test your knowledge.
Create a mind map of electronic components
Enhance your understanding of different electronic components and their functions by creating a visual representation.
Browse courses on Resistors
Show steps
  • Gather information about various electronic components, such as their symbols, functions, and applications.
  • Use a mind mapping tool or draw on paper to create a diagram that connects different components based on their relationships.
  • Add notes and annotations to provide additional details about each component.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Participate in a study group for electronics
Engage with fellow learners to discuss concepts, share insights, and reinforce your understanding.
Browse courses on Circuit Analysis
Show steps
  • Find or create a study group with students enrolled in the same course.
  • Meet regularly to discuss course material, solve problems, and work on projects together.
  • Actively participate by sharing your knowledge, asking questions, and providing feedback to others.
Solve circuit analysis problems
Develop your problem-solving skills and deepen your understanding of circuit behavior by solving a variety of problems.
Browse courses on Ohm's Law
Show steps
  • Find practice problems in textbooks, online resources, or problem-solving platforms.
  • Set aside dedicated time to work through the problems, showing all your steps.
  • Check your solutions against provided answers or consult with an instructor/tutor for feedback.
Build a simple electronic circuit
Apply your knowledge to a practical project by designing, building, and testing an electronic circuit.
Browse courses on Circuit Design
Show steps
  • Choose a simple circuit design, such as an LED flasher or a transistor amplifier.
  • Gather the necessary components and materials.
  • Build the circuit on a breadboard or perfboard, following the design.
  • Test the circuit to ensure it functions as expected.
  • Troubleshoot any issues and make adjustments as needed.
Read 'Art of Electronics' by Horowitz and Hill
Expand your knowledge of electronics design and troubleshooting by exploring this comprehensive and practical resource.
Show steps
  • Purchase or borrow the book and set aside dedicated time for reading.
  • Read each chapter thoroughly, focusing on the design principles and troubleshooting tips.
  • Work through the end-of-chapter exercises and projects to apply the concepts you learn.

Career center

Learners who complete The Complete Basic Electricity & Electronics Course will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Electrical Engineer
Electrical Engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the installation of electrical systems. They work on a wide range of projects, from power plants to consumer electronics. This course can help you prepare for a career as an Electrical Engineer by providing you with a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electricity and electronics. You will learn about the different types of electrical components, how they work, and how to design and build electrical circuits. This knowledge will be essential for success in this field.
Electronics Engineer
Electronics Engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the installation of electronic systems. They work on a wide range of projects, from medical devices to aerospace systems. This course can help you prepare for a career as an Electronics Engineer by providing you with a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electricity and electronics. You will learn about the different types of electronic components, how they work, and how to design and build electronic circuits. This knowledge will be essential for success in this field.
Telecommunications Engineer
Telecommunications Engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the installation of telecommunications systems. They work on a wide range of projects, from telephone networks to satellite systems. This course can help you prepare for a career as a Telecommunications Engineer by providing you with a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electricity and electronics. You will learn about the different types of telecommunications components, how they work, and how to design and build telecommunications systems. This knowledge will be essential for success in this field.
Computer Hardware Engineer
Computer Hardware Engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the installation of computer hardware. They work on a wide range of projects, from personal computers to supercomputers. This course can help you prepare for a career as a Computer Hardware Engineer by providing you with a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electricity and electronics. You will learn about the different types of computer hardware components, how they work, and how to design and build computer hardware systems. This knowledge will be essential for success in this field.
Instrumentation Engineer
Instrumentation Engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the installation of instrumentation systems. They work on a wide range of projects, from medical devices to industrial control systems. This course can help you prepare for a career as an Instrumentation Engineer by providing you with a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electricity and electronics. You will learn about the different types of instrumentation components, how they work, and how to design and build instrumentation systems. This knowledge will be essential for success in this field.
Control Systems Engineer
Control Systems Engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the installation of control systems. They work on a wide range of projects, from industrial automation systems to medical devices. This course can help you prepare for a career as a Control Systems Engineer by providing you with a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electricity and electronics. You will learn about the different types of control system components, how they work, and how to design and build control systems. This knowledge will be essential for success in this field.
Power Systems Engineer
Power Systems Engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the installation of power systems. They work on a wide range of projects, from power plants to distribution networks. This course can help you prepare for a career as a Power Systems Engineer by providing you with a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electricity and electronics. You will learn about the different types of power system components, how they work, and how to design and build power systems. This knowledge will be essential for success in this field.
Mechatronics Engineer
Mechatronics Engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the installation of mechatronic systems. They work on a wide range of projects, from industrial automation systems to medical devices. This course can help you prepare for a career as a Mechatronics Engineer by providing you with a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electricity and electronics. You will learn about the different types of mechatronic components, how they work, and how to design and build mechatronic systems. This knowledge will be essential for success in this field.
Robotics Engineer
Robotics Engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the installation of robots. They work on a wide range of projects, from industrial robots to medical robots. This course can help you prepare for a career as a Robotics Engineer by providing you with a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electricity and electronics. You will learn about the different types of robotic components, how they work, and how to design and build robots. This knowledge will be essential for success in this field.
Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical Engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the installation of biomedical systems. They work on a wide range of projects, from medical devices to diagnostic equipment. This course can help you prepare for a career as a Biomedical Engineer by providing you with a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electricity and electronics. You will learn about the different types of biomedical components, how they work, and how to design and build biomedical systems. This knowledge will be essential for success in this field.
Product Development Engineer
Product Development Engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the installation of new products. They work on a wide range of projects, from consumer electronics to medical devices. This course can help you prepare for a career as a Product Development Engineer by providing you with a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electricity and electronics. You will learn about the different types of product development components, how they work, and how to design and build new products. This knowledge will be essential for success in this field.
Technical Writer
Technical Writers create and edit technical documentation, such as user manuals, white papers, and training materials. They work on a wide range of projects, from software documentation to medical device instructions. This course can help you prepare for a career as a Technical Writer by providing you with a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electricity and electronics. You will learn about the different types of technical documentation, how to write and edit them, and how to use technical writing tools. This knowledge will be essential for success in this field.
Patent Attorney
Patent Attorneys help inventors obtain patents for their inventions. They work on a wide range of projects, from electrical inventions to medical devices. This course can help you prepare for a career as a Patent Attorney by providing you with a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electricity and electronics. You will learn about the different types of patents, how to write and file them, and how to defend them in court. This knowledge will be essential for success in this field.
Teacher
Teachers educate students in a variety of subjects, including electricity and electronics. They work in a variety of settings, from elementary schools to universities. This course can help you prepare for a career as a Teacher by providing you with a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electricity and electronics. You will learn about the different types of electrical and electronic components, how they work, and how to teach them to students. This knowledge will be essential for success in this field.
Researcher
Researchers conduct research in a variety of fields, including electricity and electronics. They work in a variety of settings, from universities to government labs. This course can help you prepare for a career as a Researcher by providing you with a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electricity and electronics. You will learn about the different types of research methods, how to conduct research, and how to publish your findings. This knowledge will be essential for success in this field.

Reading list

We've selected 11 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in The Complete Basic Electricity & Electronics Course.
Provides a comprehensive overview of analog and digital circuits, covering topics such as semiconductor physics, circuit analysis, and design techniques. It good choice for readers who want a deeper understanding of the underlying principles of electronics.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of microelectronics, covering topics such as semiconductor devices, integrated circuits, and microfabrication. It good choice for readers who want to learn about the latest advances in microelectronics.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of power electronics, covering topics such as power semiconductor devices, power converters, and power system analysis. It good choice for readers who want to learn about the design and application of power electronic systems.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of digital electronics, covering topics such as logic gates, combinational circuits, and sequential circuits. It good choice for readers who want to learn how to design and build digital circuits.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of electronic devices and circuit theory, covering topics such as semiconductor devices, digital logic, and analog circuits. It good choice for readers who are preparing for engineering examinations.
This textbook provides a thorough introduction to electronics, covering topics such as basic circuit analysis, semiconductor devices, and digital logic. It good choice for readers who are new to electronics or who want to review the basics.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of electric circuits, covering topics such as circuit analysis, network theorems, and Laplace transforms. It good choice for readers who want to learn about the fundamentals of electric circuits.
Provides a hands-on approach to learning electronics, with over 200 projects that readers can build. It good choice for readers who want to learn about electronics by doing.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of electronic principles, covering topics such as semiconductor devices, digital logic, and analog circuits. It good choice for readers who are preparing for engineering examinations.
Provides a gentle introduction to electronics, covering topics such as basic circuit analysis, electronic components, and practical applications. It good choice for readers who are new to electronics.

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