Cathleen Shamieh

Cathleen Shamieh is an electrical engineer and a writer with extensive engineering and consulting experience in the fields of medical electronics, speech processing, and telecommunications.

Articles & Books From Cathleen Shamieh

Cheat Sheet / Updated 02-02-2023
Electronics is more than just schematics and circuits. By using various components, such as resistors and capacitors, electronics allows you to bend electric current to your will to create an infinite variety of gizmos and gadgets. In exploring electronics, use this handy reference for working with Ohm’s, Joule’s, and Kirchhoff’s Laws; making important calculations; determining the values of resistors and capacitors according to the codes that appear on their casings; and using a 555 timer and other integrated circuits (ICs).
Article / Updated 09-17-2021
You need a closed path, or closed circuit, to get electric current to flow. If there's a break anywhere in the path, you have an open circuit, and the current stops flowing — and the metal atoms in the wire quickly settle down to a peaceful, electrically neutral existence. A closed circuit allows current to flow, but an open circuit leaves electrons stranded.
Article / Updated 06-18-2020
The figure shows the front and back of one type of mini-speaker. Speakers usually come with leads attached. The leads are twisted together to keep things neat and tidy. You attach the leads to components in your circuit so that electrical current passes from your circuit into the speaker. The speaker then converts the current into sound.
Electronics For Dummies
Build your electronics workbench—and begin creating fun electronics projects right awayPacked with hundreds of diagrams and photographs, this book provides step-by-step instructions for experiments that show you how electronic components work, advice on choosing and using essential tools, and exciting projects you can build in 30 minutes or less.
Article / Updated 08-29-2016
A capacitor is a pretty simple device. It consists of two electrical conductors (known as plates) that are separated by a special type of insulator (that is, a nonconductor) known as a dielectric (pronounced "die ih LECK trick").Leads are attached to each plate and a coating or other case is placed around the capacitor.
Article / Updated 08-29-2016
You may be familiar with LEDs if you have an LED flashlight or use LED bulbs in your home. An LED, or light-emitting diode, is a device made of a special material known as a semiconductor. A diode is the simplest type of semiconductor device (meaning, component). Diodes, LEDs, and other semiconductor devices have unique properties that make them useful.
Article / Updated 08-29-2016
In scientific terms, radio is the transmission of a certain kind of electromagnetic energy through the air. Electromagnetic energy is energy that is radiated (meaning emitted) by an object and travels in waves, similar to the way sound is transmitted. X-rays, microwaves, visible light, and ultraviolet light (think sunburn) are other types of electromagnetic energy.
Getting Started with Electronics
Fun and engaging electronics projects just for kids!Do you have a cunning kid who's curious about what goes on inside computers, phones, TVs, and other electronic devices? You may just have a budding Edison on your hands—and what better way to encourage their fascination with electronics than a book filled with projects they can complete on their own?
Article / Updated 08-29-2016
A pushbutton switch is a type of tactile (meaning touch) switch, which is an on/off switch that is activated when pressure is applied to it (usually by a finger).The figure shows one type of pushbutton switch. Each of the eight switches is a normally open, momentary single-pole, single-throw (SPST) pushbutton switch.
Article / Updated 08-29-2016
Diodes do a simple but important job: They allow current to flow in just one direction. A special kind of diode — a light-emitting diode, or LED — is often used for the purpose of, well, lighting up. You have to be careful to orient the LED the correct way, or current won't flow at all.Another kind of diode performs the important task of preventing current from flowing the wrong way in your circuit.