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 blue level blocks (100 & 200) are non-conductive
and just used as building blocks.
The touch plate (80) is a type of switch when both
electrodes are touched together using your nger, shorts
the two electrodes and a small amount of current ows,
activating the circuit.
The LED (69) is a light emitting diode inside the heart,
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. LEDs block electricity in the “reverse” direction.
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 speaker (93) converts electricity into sound. It does
this by using the energy of a changing electrical signal to
create mechanical vibrations (using a coil and magnet
similar to that in the motor). These vibrations create
variations in air pressure which travel across the room.
You “hear” sound when your ears feel these air pressure
variations.
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
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