This is only a preview of the December 2022 issue of Silicon Chip. You can view 42 of the 112 pages in the full issue, including the advertisments. For full access, purchase the issue for $10.00 or subscribe for access to the latest issues. Items relevant to "Dual-channel Breadboard PSU":
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SILICON
SILIC
CHIP
www.siliconchip.com.au
Publisher/Editor
Nicholas Vinen
Technical Editor
John Clarke – B.E.(Elec.)
Technical Staff
Jim Rowe – B.A., B.Sc.
Bao Smith – B.Sc.
Tim Blythman – B.E., B.Sc.
Advertising Enquiries
(02) 9939 3295
adverts<at>siliconchip.com.au
Regular Contributors
Allan Linton-Smith
Dave Thompson
David Maddison – B.App.Sc. (Hons 1),
PhD, Grad.Dip.Entr.Innov.
Geoff Graham
Associate Professor Graham Parslow
Dr Hugo Holden – B.H.B, MB.ChB.,
FRANZCO
Ian Batty – M.Ed.
Phil Prosser – B.Sc., B.E.(Elec.)
Cartoonist
Louis Decrevel
loueee.com
Founding Editor (retired)
Leo Simpson – B.Bus., FAICD
Circuit labelling consistency
There are many valid, logical schemes for labelling
components on circuit diagrams and PCBs, but we need
to stick to one system. It would be very confusing for
different designs in the same issue (or subsequent issues)
to use the same letters for different purposes.
As Silicon Chip was started by ex-EA staff, the labelling
scheme we use is derived from that of EA but with changes
that they considered improvements. For example, in EA,
transistors were generally labelled as “TR” followed by a
number, but we use “Q” followed by a number. That might only save one letter,
but any space saved is helpful on a cluttered circuit or PCB.
The problem we have is that we often receive circuit submissions from
contributors that use different schemes. Not only are their schemes different
from ours, but they are also different from each other. There are many pitfalls in
changing their labels to match ours, such as the possibility for mistakes to creep in.
It is also difficult for us to change the silkscreen labelling on submitted PCBs
because we don’t necessarily have the required software. We can modify files that
can be opened by Altium Designer or Eagle (and possibly other free packages like
KiCad). But it is time-consuming to modify PCB files produced by other packages.
Due to this, I would like to ask anyone considering sending us a circuit or design
to either use the same scheme we do, or modify your ECAD files before submitting
them to match our scheme. That way, we minimise the chance of errors and can
ensure that readers and constructors can figure out which components are which.
It is not unknown for the labels on PCBs we supply to have mismatches with
the information published for this reason. At times, that has caused considerable
confusion, so I’m hoping we can avoid that in future.
I can’t list our entire scheme here (you can always e-mail us and ask) but briefly,
here are the common designator prefixes we use:
Resistor: R
Capacitor: C
Inductor: L
Silicon Chip is published 12 times
a year by Silicon Chip Publications
Pty Ltd. ACN 626 922 870. ABN 20
880 526 923. All material is copyright ©. No part of this publication
may be reproduced without the written
consent of the publisher.
Switch or button: S
Fuse: F
Bridge rectifier: BR
Diode: D
Zener diode: ZD
LED: LED
Transistor: Q
Crystal/resonator: X
Integrated circuit: IC
Transformer: T
Relay: RLY
Potentiometer: VR
Optocoupler: OPTO
Regulator: REG
Voltage reference: REF
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For overseas rates, see our website or
email silicon<at>siliconchip.com.au
Receiver: RX
Transmitter: TX
Battery/Cell: BAT
Thermistor: NTC/PTC
Link: LK (on/off) or JP (multiple options)
Modules: MOD
Antenna: ANT
Infrared receiver: IR
Connector (header or other): CON
Recommended & maximum price only.
Editorial office: Unit 1 (up ramp), 234
Harbord Rd, Brookvale, NSW 2100.
Postal address: PO Box 194,
Matraville, NSW 2036.
Phone: (02) 9939 3295.
ISSN: 1030-2662
Printing and Distribution:
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2
Editorial Viewpoint
Silicon Chip
Test point: TP
Postage cost increase
We have been charging the same $10 per order for postage and packing in our
Online Shop for around 13 years (since 2009). The costs of postage, packing and
labour have all increased significantly since then (by around 30%). So, from
January 1st 2023, our P&P prices will be:
• Regular Post within Australia: $12 (was $10)
• Guaranteed tracking within Australia: from $14 (was $12)
• Express Post within Australia: from $16 (was $15)
It isn’t all bad news; these days, you’re far more likely to get a tracking number
even if you pay the lowest postage cost (but it is only guaranteed if you choose
one of the tracked options). Overseas postage depends on the size and weight of
the order; you can get a quote via our website. Note that our PO Box address has
changed, mail sent to the old address will still be collected for now.
Cover image: NGC 3324 inside Carina Nebula
NASA, ESA, CSA and STScl
Australia's electronics magazine
by Nicholas Vinen
siliconchip.com.au
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