Manual

-11-
About Your E-Blox
®
Circuit Blox™ Parts
(Part designs are subject to change without notice).
The base grid functions like the printed circuit boards found
in most electronic products. It is a platform for mounting
parts and wire blocks (though the wires are usually “printed”
on the board).
The blue wire blocks are just wires used to connect other
components, they are used to transport electricity and
do not affect circuit performance. They come in different
lengths to allow orderly arrangement of connections on the
base grid.
The batteries (91) produce an electrical voltage using
a chemical reaction. This “voltage” can be thought of as
electrical pressure, pushing electrical “current” through a
circuit. This voltage is much lower and much safer than that
used in your house wiring. Using more batteries increases
the “pressure” and so more electricity ows.
The switch (62) connects (ON) or disconnects (OFF) the
wires in a circuit.
The press switch (61) connects (pressed) or disconnects
(not pressed) the wires in a circuit, just like the switch does.
The LED (69) is a light emitting diode inside the heart, and
may be thought of as a special one-way light bulb. In the
“forward” direction (indicated by the “arrow” in the symbol)
electricity ows if the voltage exceeds a turn-on threshold
(between 1.8V to 3.3V typically); brightness then increases.
LEDs block electricity in the “reverse” direction.
The bi-directional LED (71) is like the others but has red
and blue LEDs connected in opposite directions.
The colorful LED (72) slowly changes colors (red-green-
blue) when connected to a power source.
The 4.5V lamp (76) contains a special wire (lament) that
glows bright when a large electric current passes through
it. Voltages above the bulb’s rating can burn out the wire.
The alarm (78) converts electricity into sound by making
mechanical vibrations. These vibrations create variations in
air pressure which travel across the room. You “hear” sound
when your ears feel these air pressure variations.
A reed switch (83) is an electrical switch operated by an
applied magnetic eld. When exposed to a magnetic eld,
the switch closes (ON). When the magnetic eld is removed
the switch opens (OFF).
A ber optic tree (40) is used with the LED to enhance the
light effects.
The motor (95) converts electricity into mechanical motion.
Electricity is closely related to magnetism, and an electric
current owing in a wire has a magnetic eld similar to
that of a very, very tiny magnet. Inside the motor are three
coils of wire with many loops. If a large electric current
ows through the loops, the magnetic effects become
concentrated enough to move the coils. The motor has a
magnet inside, so as the electricity moves the coils to align
them with the permanent magnet, the shaft spins.