Practical Electronics No 3 2024

Digital Volume Control Potentiometer by Phil Prosser. We got tired of volume control potentiometers going scratchy after just a few years, and very poor balance at low volumes. This drop-in replacement uses a digital IC, so it tracks exceptionally well and will give top performance for decades.
Advanced SMD Test Tweezers - Part 2 by Tim Blythman. This new design adds many features to the SMD Test Tweezers concept. No longer only for testing passive components, the new Tweezers can also act as a voltmeter, logic probe, basic oscilloscope, square wave generator and serial protocol analyser. This concluding article has all the construction and usage details.
Active Mains Soft Starter - Part 2 by John Clarke. Our Active Mains Soft Starter is ideal for eliminating the switch-on kick from power tools rated up to 750W. You can also use it to avoid high inrush currents for stationary equipment that can trip circuit breakers or wear out switches. This month, we cover the assembly, testing, adjustment and calibration of this new Soft Starter.