Electronics-Lab.com Blog

Fujitsu relays are known for their high reliability, excellent properties and a quality construction.

If you ever have saw opened a quality monitor, TV set, power source or other device using a relay, you could with a big likelihood find there a relay marked Fujitsu-Takamisawa. Fujitsu relays are a real synonym of reliability already for many decades. If you consider to use or you already have used Fujitsu relays in your devices, then we have for you an another reason for their purchase in a form of lower prices of selected types, for 10 % at an average.

Those are types JS-12NK, FTR-LYCA012Y, FTR-LYCA024Y and NY-12W-K. JS-12NK relays can be shortly described as a mid-power 8/10A/250VAC relay with a high isolation. Rest 3 types are narrow 5mm relays with 5-6A/250VAC contacts. All 4 types are environmentally friendly with cadmium-free contacts. To the trouble-free usage in modern devices also contributes their very low power consumption – all types have sensitive coils with a power consumption of only 120-220 mW depending on a type. Detailed information will provide you datasheets at given types. General application notes for usage of relays can be found in the Engineering reference. On the Fujitsu website you can also find replacements for the relays from other companies.

Decreased prices of selected Fujitsu relays - [Link]

The actual Arduino compiler is not able to compile correctly sketches that require data areas larger than 64kWord. This version is an important enhancement in respect of the one included in the Arduino IDE and offers many advantages: – supports all the 8bit ATMEL microcontrollers families; – overcame the 128kB limit and compiles correctly sketches up to 256kB; – includes best and newest libraries; – outputs a most compact and efficient compiled object code.

Arduino Full Memory: upgrade to the last ATMEL Toolchain version - [Link]

Saeligʼs new USB2ISO is an isolated USB 2.0 adapter with built-in 400mA/5V power source which eliminates USB ground loops and protects equipment.  No external power supply needed for this USB 2.0 FullSpeed (12Mbps) galvanic isolator, which provides data and power isolation to 1kV.

Ideal for protecting computers from the ground loop hazards of attached USB devices, USB2ISO is suitable for lab as well as field use since it is so compact (2 x 1 x ½ in). The USB2ISO features a standard USB-A plug for the PC connection, and a USB-A socket for the USB cable or device, and has an operating temperature range of -40degC to 50degC. The USB2ISO is designed around Analog Devicesʼ Adum4160/Adum3160, which produces a high grade Class 3 isolated 5V power supply.

Simply plug a USB device into the USB2ISOʼs connector and then plug the USB2ISO into a hub or PC: the PC and the USB device now have no electrical connection but can still communicate at up to 12Mbps. No special software is required since the USB2ISO is transparent to the USB communication. USB2ISO also supplies up to 400mA from the PC to the USB device – with no direct electrical connection – to drive external sources.  (Note that 400mA may be insufficient to charge cellphones, etc.)

USB devices can now be protected and detached from other ground potentials without the ground loops that could harm PCs, USB devices, or other attached electronic devices. This is most helpful for protecting electronic circuits when performing critical measurements (e.g. with USB logic analyzer, USB A/D measurements, oscilloscope, I/O ports, etc.) or connecting with USB printers, soundcards, or amplifiers.

USB2ISO is FCC and CE-compliant and comes with a one-year warranty and is available now at $59.95 from Saelig Company, Inc.  For detailed specifications, free technical assistance, or additional information, please contact Saelig 1-888-7SAELIG, via email: info@saelig.com, or visit www.saelig.com

USB2ISO USB 2.0 Galvanic Isolator Adaptor - [Link]

Panel feed-through terminal blocks Euroclamp MPT series enable to guide the desired signal through a housing panel. From a wide range of sizes, you can easily choose the right type for your application.

MPT series terminal blocks are universally usable, providing a possibility to connect a given device by solid or stranded wires. MPT are suitable for example as input and output terminals and in general everywhere, where it is desired to maintain a maximum connection flexibility of a device.

With a nominal voltage of 450-750V (depending on a type), they suit in all common applications. They also feature a relatively high current rating – already the smallest type MPT 275 has the maximum current up to 24A. Available are types for wires with a 2,5 to 50 mm2 cross section. It is possible to compose terminal blocks of the same size into a row, thus creating a whole array of blocks with a big mechanical robustness and stability. Most of types are available with various rear terminals and also with various methods of mounting to a panel. A reliable mounting of terminal blocks is ensured by a retaining key (sold separately), nut or screws (included). Detailed information will provide you datasheets at given types.

Panel feed-through terminals Euroclamp in sizes from XS to XXL - [Link]

This is the fraAngelico synth by Standuino. He writes – [via]

FraAngelico 8-bit PWM digital synth is unique by the means of its sound generation. It does not use any D/A convertor but the sound is generated by just one digital output pin using Pulse With Modulation which means that by fast changing of different lenghts of pulses we can make different output voltages. Resolution of this technique to achieve different voltage levels is 8-bit but in the true essence the output form the synth is just 1-bit because the output pin does jus 1 or 0 which makes distinctive digital character to its sound.

Although this puristic and minimalistic approach to sound generation, FraAngelico is able to make wide range of different sound colours from powerfull bass to glitchy noises as well as complex rhithmic structures.

This unprocessed raw digital output can be also synchronised with any MIDI device through its MIDI input. To connect standart midi cable use the Standuino MIDI conector (coming very soon) or see tutorial how to connect more standuino devices to you soundcard (coming soon).

fraAngelico Synthesizer by Standuino - [Link]

OpenBeam – An open source miniature construction system by Terence Tam @ Kickstarter. [via]

Hello Limor and staff,

Long time Adafruit customer here; I really liked your presentation at the Open Source Hardware Summit where you talked about why people should do open source hardware projects.

I’m reaching out to you for help in publicizing my project, OpenBeam.  I feel that there is a genuine demand for an extrusion that is stiffer than MicroRax /but still smaller than an 80/20 extrusion, and I don’t think the 80/20 prices are reasonable for hobbyist use with the cost of their speciality fasteners.  I’ve also been very frustrated at the technical flaws in Makerbeam’s fasteners (that to my knowledge, is still uncorrected after 2 years), the lack of project progress, and their availability.

I’ve worked very hard to engineer OpenBeam to have all the features of 80/20 (including the hole for edge tapping), being able to price-match against MicroRAX even though MicroRAX has 1/3 the material as OpenBeam, and still have enough margin to sustain this as a business.  So far, everyone at the local hackerspace that’s played with the prototype extrusions likes what they see.

4 days into the 30 day funding campaign, we managed to raised 1/6 of the goal.  As we approach “The Trench” in the funding cycle, it is crucial to try to keep the interest level up.

Will you be so kind to mention this project in your blog posts

OpenBeam – An open source miniature construction system by Terence Tam? - [Link]

Photoduino | The opensource camera controller based on Arduino. [via]

This is the eagerly awaited 3.0 version of Photoduino. Photoduino is an open source camera controller based on the Arduino platform which you can use to automatically take pictures with your DSLR camera.

It serves as technical support for shooting high speed photos but you can also use it as an intervalometer to make Timelapse videos or for animals and insects photography.

Photoduino is an electronic circuit that is placed on an Arduino board as a Shield taking all the inputs, outputs and power pins. It has all the necessary electronic components and connectors for connecting the camera, flashes and sensors. You can control the shutter and camera autofocus, and you can also trigger two flashes. It also has a sound sensor, a shock/impact sensor and a laser or infrared barrier that can be used to take pictures when you register an event on any of the sensors. The configuration is done entirely through a small LCD screen using only two buttons, so it works independently without the need for a computer (except for firmware updates).

This system currently supports a wide range of DSLR cameras with a remote shutter cable connector.

Both hardware and firmware are completely open (like the Arduino platform on which it is based) and it is released under an open license.

Photoduino – The opensource camera controller based on Arduino - [Link]

Quectel launched on the market another quad-band GSM/GPRS module – M95. In an easily solderable LLC package offers M95 a reliable solution in a very compact size.

Besides all features, which can be required from a modern GSM/GPRS module, provides M95 high performance at an extremely low power consumption. M95 has a built-in class AB audio amplifier, which further simplifies hardware design of a target device. The module is able to operate reliably at an extended temperature range from -40 to +85 °C. With embedded powerful internet service protocols, represents M95 a complete solution usable as an embedded module in many M2M applications. An advantage of the M95 module is also a very competitive price. For support of development is the M95 module also available on an adaptor board M95TE-A, which can be inserted into the development kit M10EVB-KIT.

Quectel M95 will provide you SMS, voice, data and a simple usage - [Link]

In our portfolio you can also find a DIN rail socket for the ultra slim relay Finder 34 series. It enables to use various relays thus to simply adapt an interface module to a given application.

From nowadays offer of relay interface modules, it is already no problem to choose a type meeting requirements of a given application. But if you need to change a configuration of a device, it is often convenient to change only a relay type. Series 93.01 socket enables this easily, because the protection and indication circuit is designed for a wider range of input voltages. This enables to use a 5V, 12V and 24V Finder relays 34.51 series. A green indication diode indicates presence of a control voltage and the protection circuit protects relay against reverse voltage and suppresses voltage spikes appearing at its switching off. When using 93 series socket, it is even possible to use an AC voltage to supply a DC coil of a relay.

Finder 34 series relays are ultra slim 6A relays with a sensitive DC coil. High 6kV isolation provides a safe disjunction of relay coil from contacts. Finder 34.x can be mounted directly to a PCB, via a PCB socket or to a DIN rail by means of the above mentioned socket. In some applications can also be convenient relatively short switching times – 5/3 ms.

Create a relay interface module according to your needs - [Link]

SolarWorld solar modules excel in efficiency and moreover the producer provides an above-standard guarantee of performance.

Company SolarWorld AG Group is a top German producer of solar (photovoltaic) panels. From the raw silicon, through silicon wafers, to the complete modules, SolarWorld produces all this on its automated production lines with a stringent quality control. Sorting of modules ensures, that only modules meeting a declared performance are dispatched for sale. A big advantage is the 25-year linear power guarantee – SolarWorld guarantees max. 0.7% degradation of the module performance p.a. for over 25 years. It is a considerable difference in comparison to a standard 2-stage guarantee, as you can see in the enclosed picture.

SW80 modules use polycrystaline high efficiency cells. High performance of modules was confirmed also in independent tests, where SolarWorld modules provided 10-12% higher performance. Currently, we offer you SW80 modules for a special price, directly from our stock.

Further information will provide you the SW80 datasheet, user manual and the overview of SolarWorld modules.

Top quality solar panels with a 25-years performance guarantee - [Link]