- Disassembly Overview
- Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)
- EMI (Electromagnetic Interference)
- Disassembly
- Tools
- Opening the Case
- Cables and Connectors
- Storage Devices
- Motherboards
- Mobile Device Issues
- Reassembly
- Preventive Maintenance
- Basic Electronics Overview
- Electronics Terms
- Power Supply Overview
- Power Supply Form Factors
- Purposes of a Power Supply
- Power Supply Voltages
- Mobile Device Travel and Storage
- Mobile Device Power
- ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface)
- Replacing or Upgrading a Power Supply
- Symptoms of Power Supply Problems
- Solving Power Supply Problems
- Adverse Power Conditions
- Adverse Power Protection
- Surge Protectors
- Line Conditioners
- Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
- Standby Power Supply (SPS)
- Phone Line Isolator
- Electrical Fires
- Computer Disposal/Recycling
- Soft Skills?Written Communications Skills
- Chapter Summary
- Key Terms
- Review Questions
- Exercises
- Activities
Basic Electronics Overview
A technician needs to know a few basic electronic terms and concepts when testing components. The best place to start is with electricity. There are two types of electricity: AC and DC. The electricity provided by a wall outlet is AC (alternating current), and the type of electricity used by computer components is DC (direct current). Devices such as radios, TVs, and toasters use AC power. Low-voltage DC power is used for a computer’s internal components and anything powered by batteries. A computer’s power supply converts AC electricity from the wall outlet to DC for the internal components. Electricity involves electrons flowing through a conductor, similar to the way that water runs through a pipe. With AC, the electrons flow alternately in both directions. With DC, the electrons flow in one direction only.