Introduction

In electronics, it is sometimes required to have a signal that consistently creates a continuous pulse (like the second hand on a clock which ticks every second). Examples of where this would be useful would include:

• Digital clock (to track time)
• Computers (the CPU needs to be triggered by pulses)
• Most digital systems (usually require a central clock that synchronizes all parts)

A circuit which produces a pulse every so often is called an oscillator. Once powered, an oscillators output will turn on and then turn off. Once this cycle has been completed it repeats itself indefinitely (so long as there is power). But how is an oscillator made? How do you get some components to keep on pulsing? In this kit you will be creating a two transistor oscillator which uses two transistors and a few other components to create a oscillator that generates a few pulses every second so that it flashes (that is why it is called a flasher).

Included in this kit

• 2N3904 (x 2)
• 100uF Capacitors (x 2)
• 680Ω Resistors (x 2)
• 5.6kΩ Resistors (x 2)
• Red LED (x 2)
• PP3 Connector
• PCB

What makes this special?

MitchElectronics kits are designed with education in mind and as such use high quality double sided PCBs. The through-hole plating of each pad means that even the most novice of builders will not be able to tear traces or break pads (unlike many other professional kits which only use single sided boards to save costs). These kits are also RoHS compliant which make them safe to use and no kits use non-RoHS components such as LDRs (which contain Cadmium).