Electronics/Mechatronics Lab

Electronics/ Mechatronics
Hosted Since:	2012
Location:	upstairs and to your right, when entering from the front door
Equipment:	Category:Electronics_Equipment
Area Host Contact Details
Name:	Anna Yu
Phone:
Email:	[email protected]
Other Contact:
Office Hours:
Certifications:	non

Area Rules

1. Clean up after yourself! It's difficult to use a soldering iron at a messy workspace. Please leave your workspace at least as clean as it was when you arrived.
2. Please don't leave your projects in Electronics Avenue. There will be project storage eventually, but right now we're out of space! If you have a locker, please store your projects there. If not, please take them home with you.
3. Put things back when you're done! Ideally it would go back to the place it belongs, but if you don't know, put it where you think it goes. Also, if things aren't clearly labelled enough, then label them! Or you can leave a note for the Area Host in the feedback/suggestion box.
4. Respect all the tools - We have expensive, precision equipment. If you break it, no one will be able to use it, and who knows if we'll get another one. If you don't know how to use a tool, ask someone who does, or contact the Area Host!
5. If something breaks, put a note on it and contact the Area Host, don't just leave it for the next person to find.
6. Make awesome things!

Project Storage

1. Projects cannot be left in the shop. (If you absolutely MUST leave it there, please contact the Area Host and make sure it is alright first.)
2. If a project is left in the shop for more than 7 days, the project will be considered abandoned and be made available to the membership as scrap, or thrown away.

For best results, have all the materials on hand when you start a project and set aside time to finish it quickly so we don't have projects laying all over the shop, half done, for months.

Safety

Electrical Hazards

Electricity carries two main dangers: Shock and Fire.

Causes of Electrical Fire

Fire can be caused by: • overloaded wiring, as in the case of a too-small extension cord overheating from excessive load. If in designing a circuit, you are unsure of the proper wire diameter to use for a given amperage load.

• dirty, loose, or undersized connectors carrying heavy current

• arcing when an electrical supply is partially short circuited

• insulation breakdown from excessive voltage (dielectric puncture)

• component failure due to parts being operated outside of their capabilities

• All of these issues are matters of technique.

Possible Effects of Electric Shock

• Electric shock can stop your heart if the current path from the hot conductor to the ground conductor crosses your chest.

• If sufficient current flows through body tissue, it will heat very rapidly, causing internal and external burn.

• The powerful stimulation of muscles by shock produces sudden, uncontrolled, and forceful body movements which can cause you to hit yourself, hit someone else, throw any objects which may be in your hand, or fall down and hit your head. It can also cause your grip to latch on the wire which is delivering the shock. This means you can't let go of the wire. If someone is unfortunate enough to get into this situation, either a bystander will have to shut of the power or try to use a non-metallic object (like a broom handle) to knock the person's hand off the wire. The strength and speed of the muscle action is almost superhuman. It is also uniquely painful.

Things You Should and Should Not Do to Avoid Electric Shock

• Always cover your 110 Volt power connections. Use wire-nuts or electrical tape, not masking tape or Scotch™ tape.

• Disconnect the power before opening an electrical chassis

• When working on circuits operating above 50 volts, keep one hand in your pocket. This reduces the chance of an accidental electrical pathway being formed across your heart.

• Know where the disconnect or power plug is for your piece.

• Don't use power cords as a “handle” to pick up things.

• Use insulated tools when working with electricity. (Almost all of our tools have insulated handles).

• Don't put your hands into circuitry if you can't see what you're doing (e.g. in the dark).

• Keep water and other liquids out of your work area. Don't try to use electricity in wet locations.

• Don't allow yourself to become grounded (e.g. by touching metal fixtures) while handling potentials above 50 volts.

• Before you power up your circuit for the first time, have your instructor check it.

• Consumer grade 2-conductor extension cords are not to be brought into the lab. Don't overload extension cords. Use good quality 3-prong cords only.

Tools Available

All equipment in the workshop has been tagged Category:Electronics_Equipment.

Only the laser cutter and the Prusa Rep-Rap require certification. Please contact the Area Host to schedule a certification time.

Using the tools

If it belongs to PS:One, please be nice to the tools. If they belong to a member who is awesome enough to loan us their personal gear, make sure you treat it extra nice and also, get their permission first.