Practical Electronics for Inventors
by Paul Scherz · first published 2000
80% recommend17% neutral3% critical
Why HN recommends it
Approachable, self-contained electronics primer for hobbyists that starts from basics and covers many circuits with real examples. Explains the physics of each component; useful later as a prototyping reference.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
'Here's the book for every hobbyist who wants to be an inventor, but needs to learn the basics of electronics to get there. Paul Scherz's reassuring step-by-step approach teaches the fundamentals in a way that requires no background in electronics. The ultimate inventor'sguide to the essentials of electronic basics, this book covers everything from electronics equipment, devices, components, and products, and skillfully describes each from a simple "what-it-is and what-it-is used for" perspective. Profusely illustrated with elaboratedetailed drawings, this-easy-to follow how-to book offers all
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…how to solve specific problems with real examples. The theoretical side of electronics can be quite daunting because of the sheer number of concepts and understanding of mathematics that are required. Practical Electronics for Inventors covers a large number of important circuit/electronic concepts but grounds them in real world application. Perfect for getting your hands dirty while learning the most pragmatic aspects of electronic…
on “Ask HN: How to self-learn electronics?” ↗I recommend having a look at "Practical Electronics for Inventors" by Paul Scherz and Simon Monk. The book offers a very good introduction about the basics of electricity with many helpful illustrations, written in a down-to-earth style. In case you are interested in…
on “Ask HN: What are some good resources to learn how electricity works?” ↗"Practical Electronics for Inventors" by Paul Scherz [0]. Not only does it have practical circuits it also has chapters on theory presented in such a way as to have me understand it. I think many of the books I read in the past shied away…
on “Ask HN: Best Layman's Book on Electricity” ↗I think these 2 favorites of mine will help you: - Tony Kuphaldt's books: http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/ and related forum http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/ - "Practical Electronics for Inventors" by Paul Scherz Both books start at explain-like-I'm-5 level and build up the narrative from there. The forum too is a great resource; lots of questions and good answers on fundamentals just like yours.
on “Ask HN: Books to read on electricity” ↗I think in this case The book practical electronics for inventors / Paul Scherz McGraw-Hill would be a winner.
on “Show HN: Learn how to build electronics with monthly kits” ↗There's not a huge difference between modular electronics and plain old electronics. When you dig into it a bit you still need to understand the same sort of stuff. Practical Electronics for Inventors is a really good book to get started with this sort of stuff: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Practical-Electronics-Inventors-Fou... Once you realise that under the modules there's the same MOSFET input stages,…
on “Ask HN: Where did you learn modular electronics?” ↗Practical Electronics for Inventors by Paul Scherz and Simon Monk.
on “Ask HN: Can you recommend a book to learn basic electrical concepts/engineering?” ↗…misc. circuit stuff, I would experiment using Arduino. (I learned to solder my first circuit for an Arduino project of my mine last year.) The one book on my bookshelf that I reference very often is "Practical Electronics for Inventors" by Paul Scherz
on “Ask HN/YC: Seeking advice for building a physical hardware device (esp. Picwing)” ↗Practical Electronics for Inventors is pretty good. http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Electronics-Inventors-Paul-S...
on “Ask HN: Reccomend an interesting and fun book to learn electronics.” ↗Speaking as someone who picked up hobby electronics not too long ago, I recommend Paul Scherz's "Practical Electronics for Inventors" [1]. Good mix of theory as well as practice. [1]: http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Electronics-Inventors-Paul-S...
on “Ask HN: What are some nice electronics courses that blend theory and practice?” ↗It is a fantastic book. I'd also like to recommend Practical Electronics for Inventors by Paul Scherz and Simon Monk (http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Electronics-Inventors-Paul-S...). I'm in the crowd that's getting into analog electronics and digital circuits backwards, as it were, by…
on “The Art of Electronics, 3rd Edition, to be released April 2015” ↗I've used Practical Electronics For Inventors by Scherz Monk. I really like this book, it explains things well and simply. There's a lot of content, but chapter 3 alone is really helpful.
on “Lessons in Electric Circuits” ↗BTW if you are interested in learning some of the theory, check out Practical Electronics for Inventors: http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Electronics-Inventors-Paul-S...
on “Why Learn Basic Electronics? [video]” ↗Try Practical Electronics for Inventors: https://www.amazon.com/Practical-Electronics-Inventors-Third...
on “Show HN: Learn how to build electronics with monthly kits” ↗Practical Electronics for Inventors https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/687619.Practical_Electro... Title is slightly wanky, but it's the best non-textbook beginner guide I've found, since it actually does contain all the math & theory…
on “Rabbit Holes: The Secret to Technical Expertise” ↗