I found this tutorial to be extremely accessible http://developer.wildernesslabs.co/Hardware/Tutorials/Electr...
Ask HN: What are some good resources to learn how electricity works?
111–120 of 184 posts
Re: Ask HN: What are some good resources to learn how electricity works?
#112The 'hydraulic analogy' can help with basic intuition about the terms - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydraulic_analogy
Re: Ask HN: What are some good resources to learn how electricity works?
#113I'm just going to put my two cents in and say if you start learning on "electron flow" materials instead of "conventional current" materials you'll have a much easier time understanding how just about every electronic component works.
Re: Ask HN: What are some good resources to learn how electricity works?
#114Take a look at these articles - they start with first principles: http://amasci.com/ele-edu.html
This is the best resource I found that really explain what this whole electricity stuff is.
I spent years at in engineering programs and none explain as well as it is by William.
Re: Ask HN: What are some good resources to learn how electricity works?
#115Earlier quoted context omitted.
I'm genuinely amazed he's not been found burned to a crisp in his workspace. The same goes for Photonic Induction, how he's not burned down his street, let alone his house is a miracle: https://www.youtube.com/user/Photonvids/videos
That's how you know he actually knows what he's doing: he knows precisely how to shock himself for comedic effect without causing any damage.
This, most of the dangerous mistakes are just gags.
IIRC Mehdi admitted on reddit that the one time he really screwed up and was genuinely scared was when the Jacob's Ladder fell on him[0].
Re: Ask HN: What are some good resources to learn how electricity works?
#116Although, not exactly what you're hoping for, there's a good documentary on the history of electricity called "Shock and Awe - The Story of Electricty".
It sometimes helps me understand better if I get some context on things, how people were thinking before it was discovered, what kinds of hyptothesis and experiments led to another and such.
Re: Ask HN: What are some good resources to learn how electricity works?
#117What are you trying with self left study, and why do you want to learn?
These are important questions.
Re: Ask HN: What are some good resources to learn how electricity works?
#118I got a lot from the articles on amasci.com by Bill Beaty. He's done a lot of experimenting, reading, and thinking about this stuff and how to explain it. And is a gifted communicator. Articles on Electricity http://amasci.com/ele-edu.html Great essays on understanding electricity, current, voltage, capacitors, transistors, batteries, static electricity etc etc, and popular misconceptions.
Bill’s “What Is Electricity?” essay [1] was discussed on HN two weeks ago [2].
Re: Ask HN: What are some good resources to learn how electricity works?
#119If you want to begin with the basics then I highly recommend Khan Academy, starting with "Electric charge, field, and potential" [0], then "Circuits" [1], followed by "Electrical engineering" [2].
[0]: https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics/electric-charge-...
[1]: https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics/circuits-topic
[2]: https://www.khanacademy.org/science/electrical-engineering
Re: Ask HN: What are some good resources to learn how electricity works?
#120The Minecraft mod Electrical Age is surprisingly useful to (literally play around and) get a feel for things. It was originally designed to teach electrical engineers once upon a time. Currently it's been a bit gamified -sure-, but the core MNA solver is still there. Still somewhat surprising to me, this kind of simulation actually does help. It turns out that you actually do pick up a lot of intuitive feel that can…
Problem: there is a difference of velocity of understanding between guided experimentation vs study vs mentorship... (Many fail and are put off to learning the subject whenthere is no person they personally know to guide them through speed bumps)
That's where Electrical Age comes in, at least when it comes to power systems, generation etc.
All the stuff you're learning is in a way directly useful, whereas try to get a steam turbine IRL for learning at home...