Electricity and Electronics

Electronic Circuit Repair

 Introduction
The purpose of this video is to help you quickly learn the most common methods used to trou-
bleshoot electronic circuits. Electronic troubleshooting skills are needed to diagnose and repair
several types of devices. These devices include stereos, cameras, VCRs, and much more. As
mentioned, the program will explain how to diagnose and repair different types of electronic com-
ponents and circuits. Viewers will also learn how to use the specialized tools and instruments
needed to test these particular types of circuits and components. If students plan to enter any
type of electronics field, viewing this program will prove to be beneficial.

The program is organized into major sections or topics. Each section covers one major segment
of the subject. Graphic breaks are given between each section so that you can stop the video for
class discussion, demonstrations, to answer questions, or to ask questions. This allows you to
watch only a portion of the program each day, or to present it in its entirety.

This program is part of the ten-part series Electricity and Electronics, which includes the
following titles:

• Electrical Principles
• Electrical Circuits: Ohm's Law
• Electrical Components Part I: Resistors/Batteries/Switches
• Electrical Components Part II: Capacitors/Fuses/Flashers/Coils
• Electrical Components Part III: Transformers/Relays/Motors
• Electronic Components Part I: Semiconductors/Transistors/Diodes
• Electronic Components Part II: Operation—Transistors/Diodes
• Electronic Components Part III: Thyristors/Piezo Crystals/Solar Cells/Fiber Optics
• Electrical Troubleshooting
• Electronic Circuit Repair

To order additional titles please see Additional Resources at www.filmsmediagroup.com at

the end of this guide.

Student Objectives
After viewing this program, the student will be able to:
• Describe how to begin properly troubleshooting electronic circuits.
• Detect certain circuit malfunctions in a VCR.
• List several types of electronic circuit problems.
• Properly inspect the condition of an electronic circuit and its components.
• Explain the function of an electronic power supply.
• Describe how to test the operation of a diode.
• Explain how to test the operation of a transistor.
• Describe the applications of an oscilloscope.
• List the two types of integrated circuit chips and their functions.
• Remove and install an integrated circuit chip.
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Copyright © 2006 Shopware®
 Discussion Topics
1. Describe the basic procedures used to troubleshoot a malfunction in a VCR.
2. Why is the use of service manuals so important when working on any type of electronic
device?
3. Why is an intermittent electronic circuit malfunction difficult to detect?
4. What instruments should be used to inspect an electronic circuit for problems?
5. Explain how to properly clean an electronic circuit board.
6. Describe the basic procedures used to test a diode in an electronic power supply.
7. What normally causes an integrated circuit to malfunction?
8. Describe the basic procedures used to replace a component on an electronic circuit board.

Short Answers
Briefly answer the following questions in your own words:

1. Where can you obtain the proper service manuals for the particular electronic unit being
repaired?
2. List four types of electronic circuit faults.
3. How should you begin diagnosing an electronic circuit for problems?
4. What type of testing instrument should be used to compare operating temperatures of elec-
tronic components in a circuit?
5. What normally causes an electronic power supply malfunction?
6. Why do transistors fail more often than other components in a circuit?
7. Why is it important for an electronic replacement part to be the same type and specs as the
original?
8. Describe some of the testing applications of an oscilloscope.
9. List the two types of integrated circuit chips.
10. Explain the term “diagnostic software.”

Technical Terms
Write definitions for the following terms. Use a textbook or review the video if needed.

electronic circuit VCR DC voltage AC voltage

fuse circuit board circuit board conductor
capacitor resistor transistor ohmmeter
condensers coils integrated circuit digital thermometer
oscilloscope forward bias reverse bias multimeter
collector emitter base waveform
color bars IC pins short open
static electricity ground strap logic devices logic probe
vacuum gun soldering iron computer trouble code numbers
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 Quiz
1. Once you understand the electronic circuit and equipment being serviced, you can use
_______ and a logical sequence of tests to detect the source of trouble.
a. circuit testers b. diagnostic scanners
c. deductive reasoning d. none of the above

2. When diagnosing problems in a VCR, you should first determine what ______ of the _____
might be causing the symptoms.
a. section; output b. part; rectifier
c. section; chip d. section; circuit

3. What must a student of electronics first understand before attempting to troubleshoot a circuit?
a. The function of the circuit b. The power capabilities of each transistor
c. The power output of each chip d. The types of rectifiers used

4. A(n) _____________ electronic fault is one that changes with operating conditions.
a. logic b. intermittent
c. permanent d. parameter

5. A(n) ______ fault is caused when a(n) ______________ produces an incorrect output.
a. intermittent; circuit board b. permanent; IC chip
c. intermittent; power transistor d. logic; logic gate

6. A(n) ___________ electronic fault is one that causes the ___________ or ___________ to
operate out of specs.
a. permanent; rectifier; transistor b. intermittent; circuit; chip
c. parameter; component; circuit d. conductive; diode; transistor

7. When inspecting an electronic circuit for problems, you should use a _____________ to apply
light pressure to the circuit board and components to locate bad connections.
a. short screwdriver b. plastic screwdriver
c. digital probe d. none of the above

8. A ______ will often show high or low resistance in both directions.

a. faulty transistor b. faulty IC
c. bad diode d. all of the above

9. A(n) ___________ converts 120 _______ volts into low voltage __________ for the electronic
components in the circuit.
a. power supply; AC; DC b. power transistor; DC; AC
c. NPN transistor; AC; DC d. none of the above

10. A(n) ________ will often swell up when shorted or burned.

a. variable resistor b. circuit board
c. NPN transistor d. capacitor case
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 11. A small line across a circuit board _____________ might indicate a crack and ________ in
the circuit.
a. component; high voltage b. chip; high current
c. conductor; high resistance d. conductor; high current

12. ______ are good for testing diodes because they use their battery to send current through
the diode to turn it on.
a. Test lights b. Analog meters
c. Circuit testers d. Digital probes

13. To check a transistor still in the circuit, measure _____________ across the transistor.
a. input resistance b. output resistance
c. voltage drops d. current input

14. A(n) _________ measures voltage levels over time.

a. ohmmeter b. oscilloscope
c. voltmeter d. all of the above

15. Today’s trend is to perform ____________ repairs when ICs or other components in the
circuit fail.
a. circuit level b. component level
c. circuit conductor d. board level

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 Answer Key
Use your own judgment to evaluate the Discussion Topics, Short Answers, and Technical Terms.

Quiz Answer Key:

1. c 2. d 3. a 4. b 5. d

6. c 7. b 8. c 9. a 10. d

11. c 12. b 13. c 14. b 15. d

Useful Web Sites

IEEE Virtual Museum—The History of Electricity, Electronics, and Computers
www.ieee-virtual-museum.org

Community Learning Network

Click on "Technology Education" for educational resources in Electronics and Electricity
http://www.cln.org/subject_index.html

Greatest Engineering Achievements of the 20th Century

Click on "Electrification," "Electronics," and more
http://www.greatachievements.org

Superconductor Information for Beginners

http://superconductors.org

Additional Resources at www.filmsmediagroup.com

Available from Films Media Group • www.filmsmediagroup.com • 1-800-257-5126

Electricity and Electronics

• VHS/DVD
• Preview clip online
• Viewable/printable teacher’s guide online
• Item # 34798
The program you have just viewed is part of the ten-part series Electricity and Electronics. The
series provides a comprehensive guide to the study of electronics, ranging from the fundamental
laws and principles of electricity at the atomic level to troubleshooting and repair of electronic
components. Lively computer animation and hands-on demonstrations make these videos an
ideal resource for the classroom. A Shopware Production. (18-24 minutes each)
The series includes: Electrical Principles; Electrical Circuits: Ohm's Law; Electrical
6 Components Part I: Resistors, Batteries, and Switches; Electrical Components Part II:
Capacitors, Fuses, Flashers, and Coils; Electrical Components Part III: Transformers, Relays,
 and Motors; Electronic Components Part I: Semiconductors, Transistors, and Diodes;
Electronic Components Part II: Operation—Transistors and Diodes; Electronic Components
Part III: Thyristors, Piezo Crystals, Solar Cells, and Fiber Optics; Electrical Troubleshooting;
Electronic Circuit Repair

Electric Power on the Move

• VHS/DVD-R
• Viewable/printable teacher’s guide online
• Produced in association with the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
and the Junior Engineering Technical Society
• Item # 34288
This Science Screen Report looks at the production, transportation, and consumption of electrici-
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students with vital electrical concepts, including ohms, volts, and amperes. © 2004. (18 minutes)

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• Preview clip online
• Viewable/printable teacher’s guide online
• Correlates to the National Center for Construction Education and Research standards.
• Item # 32070
This eight-part series is filled with information on installing, upgrading, and updating residential
electrical service, walking students through all the major processes they’ll need to know.
A Shopware Production. © 2004. (16-21 minutes each)
The series includes: The Service Entrance; Panelboards; Wiring Methods; Grounding;
GFCIs and AFCIs; Receptacles and Switches; Wiring Light Fixtures; Wiring for Appliances

Electricity
• VHS/DVD-R
• Viewable/printable teacher’s guide online
• Item # 3548
This six-part series covers many of the fundamental concepts in the study of electricity. It
explores the mystery of electricity’s causes and effects, and enable students to visualize—and
thereby understand—abstract and sometimes difficult concepts in physics. (10 minutes each)
The series includes: Conductors and Insulators; Charging and Discharging; Charging by
Induction; Current Electricity; Potential Difference; Resistance

7
 Electricity and Magnetism
• CD-ROM (Windows/Macintosh)
• Activity sheets
• Preview clip online
• Correlates to the National Science Education Standards developed by the National Academies of Science
and Project 2061 Benchmarks for Science Literacy from the American Association for the Advancement of
Science.
• Item # 10267
This program examines the principles of electricity and magnetism and gives students insight into
this fascinating topic, covering such subjects as: static electricity; attraction/repulsion; current
electricity and electrical circuits; measuring electricity—current, voltage, meters; electrical calcula-
tions; magnetism—materials, fields, rules, Earth’s field; field around a current-carrying wire; the
link between electricity and magnetism—induction. A Cambridge Educational Production.

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The basic principle of electromagnetic generation of electric current is demonstrated in the labo-
ratory; the principles behind the rather complicated construction of AC and DC generators is
elucidated by means of a single coil; the use of slip rings and commutators is demonstrated; and
a demonstration shows the relationship between the amounts of mechanical energy input in a
generator and the electrical energy output. Sequences at a 2,000-megawatt coal-fired generator
demonstrate that the same basic principles are operative, but the processes in a large industrial
electricity generator are far more complex. Part of the series Physics in Action. (19 minutes)

Understanding Electricity
• VHS/DVD-R
• Preview clip online
• Item # 11937
From the lighting of homes to the beating of a heart, electricity is an integral and fundamental
force in human life. In this program, a variety of experts discuss the study and wide-ranging uses
of this pervasive phenomenon, from the physics of motors and neon lights to the output of the
Hoover Dam. Engaging computer graphics are used to explain voltage, amps, and watts. Dr.
Martin Uman of the University of Florida Lightning Research Lab conducts modern versions of
the experiment Ben Franklin made famous. Dr. Hugh Calkins, Director of Electrophysiology at
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patient. A Discovery Channel Production. © 1997. (53 minutes)

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