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THE DEVIL SUGGESTS

Identify the components inside a broken electronic device

30–60 minutes · Use what you have · Easy

A small, properly bounded project: Identify the components inside a broken electronic device. Start with a working first version, pay attention to what you notice, and leave yourself with something you can use, understand or show someone.

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Do it

  1. Read the component labels and make a simple plan before connecting power.
  2. Set up a clear, ventilated and stable work area.
  3. Build or repair the simplest part first, with power disconnected.
  4. Inspect the work, then test carefully at the lowest sensible voltage.

What next?

Keep the useful notes, photograph the result if there is one, then go and find something else to do.