Help with starting out in electrical design

[BrackenFernso]

Hi guys, ugrad electrical engineer here. I've never designed before and I'm thinking of starting out with something simple, like say, a timer that flashes a LED at a certain frequency. I know there are ICs out there that can do this, but can you guys point me in the right direction if I want to build it from simple components? (Instructions, websites, books, etc would all be much appreciated)

Thanks again.

 

[dlgoff]

Welcome to PF BrackenFernso.

A good place for you to start might be with some http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/" .

You mention flashing LEDs, so http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/cgi-bin/commerce.exe?preadd=action&key=MK176" might be a good start.

 

[bassplayer142]

You could look into the 555 timer ic chip. It is very common and has many applications. You could replace the led with a speaker.

 

[rolerbe]

Here are two references that I found very practical and valuable for 'real world' design:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0521370957/?tag=pfamazon01-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0071452818/?tag=pfamazon01-20

 

[otto9K9otto]

Some helpful sites:
http://www.circuitstoday.com/"
http://www.sentex.net/~mec1995/"
http://www.epanorama.net/"
http://www.interfacebus.com/index.html"
http://www.electronics-tutorials.com/"
http://www.ecircuitcenter.com/"
http://www.aaroncake.net/circuits/"
Otto