Data Sheet

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 spring wire (9) is two single blocks connected by a
wire used to make unusual connections.
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.
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).
The LEDs (69 & 70) is a light emitting diode inside the
star, 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. A high current will burn out the LED, so
the current must be limited by other components in the
circuit. 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 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.
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 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.
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