A companion Lab Manual (ISBN 1-58450-318-1) is available for additional hands on practice. Click HERE for more information.

Computer networks permeate every institution across the globe and are becoming more and more complex. As this happens, the need for professionals with the skills to repair and maintain these networks increases. Essential Electronics for PC Technicians is a primary textbook for the first course in electronics and covers the basics that are common to the PC and networking industry. It teaches students the fundamental electrical and electronic concepts needed to work successfully with personal computers and networking equipment, including wireless PC devices, on an installation or maintenance level. The book also addresses typical circuits and devices encountered when installing, upgrading, or repairing PCs and network equipment, such as Ethernet cards, hubs, switches and routers, power supplies and power line-conditioners. The book can also serve as a refresher for those working in the field who need to learn about wireless as the fundamentals of radio transmission and reception, as they apply to wireless PC devices, are also covered.

Features

• Teaches the fundamental electrical and electronic concepts needed to work as a PC technician
• Prepares students for the electronics portion of the A+ training exam
• Explains the material at an easy to understand technical level, with practical examples used to present the concepts
• Stresses the use of hand calculators, and does not require any high-level mathematics; college algebra is sufficient
• A list of key words and key ideas, as well as review questions and answers are provided with each chapter
• Includes a CD-ROM with the full color photos from the book and PowerPoint presentations that each chapter in the book and provide students with an interactive way to learn the material

TOPICS INCLUDE

• Electrical safety and ESD
• Types of grounds
• The electric circuit
• Shorts and opens
• Voltage sources
• Current
• Conventional current flow
• Voltage
• Basic AC and DC circuits
• Resistance
• Basic electronic devices
• Power
• Impedance and the need to match impedances

John Farber (Los Gatos, CA) is a professor at Foothill College (Los Altos Hills, CA), where he teaches a variety of courses to prepare students to pass the CompTIA A+ PC Certification examinations. He is a CompTIA A+ PC Certified Professional and has taught electronics technology courses since 1978, and PC repair and upgrading courses since 1992. He is a co-author of six other textbooks on electronics technology and taught at San Jose State University, private technical schools, and Lockheed Missiles and Space Co. before teaching at Foothill College.