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SILICON SILIC CHIP www.siliconchip.com.au Publisher/Editor Nicholas Vinen Technical Editor John Clarke – B.E.(Elec.) Technical Staff Jim Rowe – B.A., B.Sc. Bao Smith – B.Sc. Tim Blythman – B.E., B.Sc. Advertising Enquiries (02) 9939 3295 adverts<at>siliconchip.com.au Regular Contributors Allan Linton-Smith Dave Thompson David Maddison – B.App.Sc. (Hons 1), PhD, Grad.Dip.Entr.Innov. Geoff Graham Associate Professor Graham Parslow Dr Hugo Holden – B.H.B, MB.ChB., FRANZCO Ian Batty – M.Ed. Phil Prosser – B.Sc., B.E.(Elec.) Cartoonist Louis Decrevel loueee.com Founding Editor (retired) Leo Simpson – B.Bus., FAICD Circuit labelling consistency There are many valid, logical schemes for labelling components on circuit diagrams and PCBs, but we need to stick to one system. It would be very confusing for different designs in the same issue (or subsequent issues) to use the same letters for different purposes. As Silicon Chip was started by ex-EA staff, the labelling scheme we use is derived from that of EA but with changes that they considered improvements. For example, in EA, transistors were generally labelled as “TR” followed by a number, but we use “Q” followed by a number. That might only save one letter, but any space saved is helpful on a cluttered circuit or PCB. The problem we have is that we often receive circuit submissions from contributors that use different schemes. Not only are their schemes different from ours, but they are also different from each other. There are many pitfalls in changing their labels to match ours, such as the possibility for mistakes to creep in. It is also difficult for us to change the silkscreen labelling on submitted PCBs because we don’t necessarily have the required software. We can modify files that can be opened by Altium Designer or Eagle (and possibly other free packages like KiCad). But it is time-consuming to modify PCB files produced by other packages. Due to this, I would like to ask anyone considering sending us a circuit or design to either use the same scheme we do, or modify your ECAD files before submitting them to match our scheme. That way, we minimise the chance of errors and can ensure that readers and constructors can figure out which components are which. It is not unknown for the labels on PCBs we supply to have mismatches with the information published for this reason. At times, that has caused considerable confusion, so I’m hoping we can avoid that in future. I can’t list our entire scheme here (you can always e-mail us and ask) but briefly, here are the common designator prefixes we use: Resistor: R Capacitor: C Inductor: L Silicon Chip is published 12 times a year by Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd. ACN 626 922 870. ABN 20 880 526 923. All material is copyright ©. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Switch or button: S Fuse: F Bridge rectifier: BR Diode: D Zener diode: ZD LED: LED Transistor: Q Crystal/resonator: X Integrated circuit: IC Transformer: T Relay: RLY Potentiometer: VR Optocoupler: OPTO Regulator: REG Voltage reference: REF Subscription rates (Australia only) 6 issues (6 months): $65 12 issues (1 year): $120 24 issues (2 years): $230 Online subscription (Worldwide) 6 issues (6 months): $50 12 issues (1 year): $95 24 issues (2 years): $185 For overseas rates, see our website or email silicon<at>siliconchip.com.au Receiver: RX Transmitter: TX Battery/Cell: BAT Thermistor: NTC/PTC Link: LK (on/off) or JP (multiple options) Modules: MOD Antenna: ANT Infrared receiver: IR Connector (header or other): CON Recommended & maximum price only. Editorial office: Unit 1 (up ramp), 234 Harbord Rd, Brookvale, NSW 2100. Postal address: PO Box 194, Matraville, NSW 2036. Phone: (02) 9939 3295. ISSN: 1030-2662 Printing and Distribution: 24-26 Lilian Fowler Pl, Marrickville 2204 2 Editorial Viewpoint Silicon Chip Test point: TP Postage cost increase We have been charging the same $10 per order for postage and packing in our Online Shop for around 13 years (since 2009). The costs of postage, packing and labour have all increased significantly since then (by around 30%). So, from January 1st 2023, our P&P prices will be: • Regular Post within Australia: $12 (was $10) • Guaranteed tracking within Australia: from $14 (was $12) • Express Post within Australia: from $16 (was $15) It isn’t all bad news; these days, you’re far more likely to get a tracking number even if you pay the lowest postage cost (but it is only guaranteed if you choose one of the tracked options). Overseas postage depends on the size and weight of the order; you can get a quote via our website. Note that our PO Box address has changed, mail sent to the old address will still be collected for now. Cover image: NGC 3324 inside Carina Nebula NASA, ESA, CSA and STScl Australia's electronics magazine by Nicholas Vinen siliconchip.com.au