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electrician's guide for the scientifically apt (technique + theory)


MonDie

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What books on electrical engineering go into depth on technique as well as theory? I was reading the electrical chapters of a highschool-level automechanics textbook only to find the descriptions shallow and confusing. The book's explanation of semiconductors was appallingly incomplete, and then my chemistry textbook filled the gap on band theory and doping. Unfortunately the chemistry textbook barely mentions diodes. I need an electrician's guide that assumes that I want to know the theory too and already do to an extent. Along those same lines, the book should be broadly applicable. Many of these books focus on household projects, but I will be doing automotive electricity. Compared to household wiring, car wiring has about ten-fold lower voltage and about ten-fold higher amperage, and it has to withstand constant vibration. Thus I probably want a bottom-up guide that goes from theory (bottom) to technique (top) and has wide-range applicability. At the same time, I don't want to spend too much time reading to prepare for my project.

Edited by MonDie
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I think you need a book on electronic engineering.

 

For some reason, electrical and electronic engineering are often combined at (pre-university) college level (at least in the UK). The electrical side skips over theoretical details beyond ohms law (other than those associated with complex impedance and Z-transforms) but the electronic side does explain how devices like diodes work.

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Hello Mondie, it is a long time since we shared a thread.

 

Anyway I am somewhat confused as to what you are seeking.

 

Are you saying you understand the electrical/electronic engineering aspect from a point of view of connecting appropriate devices together, but not how the devices work and would like to understand how they work.

 

Or do you need help with auto electrics as well?

 

 

The main difference between auto electricity and domestic wiring is that domestic wiring is AC or alternating whilst autos run on DC or Direct current.

It is true that modern autos use an alternating generator (alternator) rather than a direct generator (dynamo) but this is converted in a module mounted on or within the alternator.

But yes the voltage is lower and the current higher for the same power requirement, but not otherwise.

 

Modern vehicles also have a plethora of sensors (transducers) which measure/monitor all sorts of activity in the vehicle its mechanics and surroundings.

Do you wish to know how these work, for example the lambda sensor in the cat converter?

This is the province of control engineering.

 

So tell us a bit more about your intended project so we can offer focused help and references.

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I think you need a book on electronic engineering.

 

For some reason, electrical and electronic engineering are often combined at (pre-university) college level (at least in the UK). The electrical side skips over theoretical details beyond ohms law (other than those associated with complex impedance and Z-transforms) but the electronic side does explain how devices like diodes work.

 

Thank you. I figured any such book would include electronics (solid-state devices and circuit boards) in addition to electrical (wiring, power sources, digital multimeters).

 

Hello Mondie, it is a long time since we shared a thread.

 

Anyway I am somewhat confused as to what you are seeking.

 

Are you saying you understand the electrical/electronic engineering aspect from a point of view of connecting appropriate devices together, but not how the devices work and would like to understand how they work.

 

Or do you need help with auto electrics as well?

 

 

The main difference between auto electricity and domestic wiring is that domestic wiring is AC or alternating whilst autos run on DC or Direct current.

It is true that modern autos use an alternating generator (alternator) rather than a direct generator (dynamo) but this is converted in a module mounted on or within the alternator.

But yes the voltage is lower and the current higher for the same power requirement, but not otherwise.

 

Modern vehicles also have a plethora of sensors (transducers) which measure/monitor all sorts of activity in the vehicle its mechanics and surroundings.

Do you wish to know how these work, for example the lambda sensor in the cat converter?

This is the province of control engineering.

 

So tell us a bit more about your intended project so we can offer focused help and references.

 

Immediately, I want to start wiring devices into my car for security. They don't have to run off of the car battery, but I would prefer that they aren't easily removed. It's a long story that others find hard to believe. Someone is entering my car repeatedly, leaving behind mostly innocuous items, the worst being a baggy of piss snow under the seat that I was lucky to find. (You would think this wouldn't happen living across the street from the sheriff.) I want a basic alarm system, a light to keep my car lit at night, and an encrypted transponder for keyless entry if that wouldn't be too complicated.

 

I will have a more long-term interest as well, but I am extremely low on money. I seem to understand better or at least remember better when the theory is also explained. Furthermore, I find the theory interesting in its own right. I am becoming increasingly interested in Linux, networking, and all forms of security: device encryption, network security, home security, car security. Lastly, I have always enjoyed the natural sciences, but I know a lot more biology than chemistry.

 

Depends on how long you have. It will takes ages to learn I would recommend you follow this tutorial first https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/

 

Hmm!...

I think I will pass. I have to use the library Internet ever since my dad retired our home connection for some reason. I do have a laser printer, and I could print it at home. I would download the AAC PDFs to a flashdrive along with the printer driver. However, I will still be spending about $8.00 on printer paper for each volume—volume one is 560 pages as a PDF, and a new cartridge will cost more than $50.00 if I run out of ink. In addition, the publication is probably more in-depth than I require at the moment.

Edited by MonDie
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volume one is 560 pages as a PDF​

 

 

Yeah the entire thing is over 2000 pages with video lectures etc it is a university level reference so don't expect to learn that quickly. Each volume should take about a year to learn properly so you can expect to spend about 4 years on it.

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The knowledge might come in handy, but it is supposedly easy to wire an alarm switch into the door so that it will activate when the door opens. In contrast, a volumetric alarm probably has to be sitting in the open to work.

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