Circuit Blox 11S Instruction Manual

WARNING:
SHOCK HAZARD

Never connect E-Blox® Circuit
Blox™ to the electrical outlets in
your home in any way!

WARNING:

!

Only use the battery holder with
the cover securely in place.

WARNING:
CHOKING HAZARD

!

Small parts. Not for children
under 3 years.

WARNING:
MOVING PARTS

!

Do not touch the fan while it is
spinning.

-1-

WARNING: Always check your wiring before turning on a circuit. Never leave a circuit

unattended while the batteries are installed. Never connect additional batteries or any
other power sources to your circuits. Discard any cracked or broken parts.

Adult Supervision:

Because children’s abilities vary so much, even with age groups, adults should exercise
discretion as to which experiments are suitable and safe (the instructions should enable
supervising adults to establish the experiment’s suitability for the child). Make sure your
child reads and follows all of the relevant instructions and safety procedures, and keeps
them at hand for reference.

This product is intended for use by adults and children who have attained sufcient
maturity to read and follow directions and warnings.

Never modify your parts, as doing so may disable important safety features in them, and
could put your child at risk of injury.

FCC Notice: Please note that changes or modications not expressly approved by the

party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed
and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in
a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user
is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. • Increase the separation between the equipment
and receiver. • Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which
the receiver is connected. • Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Batteries:

!

l Use only 1.5V “AA” type, alkaline batteries (not

included).

l Insert batteries with correct polarity.

l Non-rechargeable batteries should not be

recharged.

l Rechargeable batteries should only be charged

under adult supervision, and should not be
recharged while in the product.

l Do not mix old and new batteries.

l Do not mix alkaline, standard (carbon-zinc), or

rechargeable (nickel-cadmium) batteries.

l Remove batteries when they are used up.

l Do not short circuit the battery terminals.

l Never throw batteries in a re or attempt to

open its outer casing.

l Batteries are harmful if swallowed, so keep away

from small children.

Basic Troubleshooting

1. Most circuit problems are due to incorrect assembly, always double-check that your circuit exactly matches
the drawing for it.

2. Be sure that parts with positive/negative markings are positioned as per the drawing.

3. Be sure that all connections are securely made.

4. Try replacing the batteries. Note: Rechargeable batteries do not work as well as alkaline batteries.

E-Blox® is not responsible for parts damaged due to incorrect wiring.

Note: If you suspect you have damaged parts, you can follow the Advanced

Troubleshooting procedure on page 15 to help determine which ones need replacing.

-2-

About Electricity (Science)

1. What is Science?

Q: What do we mean when we say “Science”?

A: Science is dened as the intellectual and practical
activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure
and behavior of the physical and natural world through
observation and experiment.

Early scientists were curious people
that wondered what made lightning.
They decided to experiment to see if
they could understand lightning and
even make their own somehow.

3. What Other Ways Does Science Help Us?

Q: What do we mean when we say “Science”?

A: A few other major Sciences are Biology, Chemistry,
Astronomy, and Physics.

Biology is the study of living things like plants & animals.
Chemistry is the study of substances & how they

react when you combine them. Things like the
plastic in your remote and the batteries that make
it work.

Astronomy is the study of the universe.
Physics is the study of matter, energy, and

forces that are on structures like a tall tower.
The science of Electronics is considered a
branch of Physics.

2. Who Discovered Electricity?

Q: Who was the rst scientist to study electricity?

A: In ancient Greece, it was found that rubbing fur on amber

produced an attraction between the two. This discovery is
credited to the philosopher Thales of Miletus. One day, when
he was polishing his amber at home, he found that a piece
of fur was attracted by the amber after he put it on the desk.
Then he split them, but it happened again. So he
made a record about the phenomenon. It took
many centuries before anyone was able to
connect this phenomenon with electricity and
a century before electrical current was put to
practical use.

4. Can Science Help Predict the Weather?

Q: What Sciences were used to help weather prediction?

A: Putting a satellite into orbit that could monitor the

weather required the use of almost all the Sciences.
Astronomy and Physics were needed to understand the
forces of gravity and how objects stay in orbit.
Chemistry was needed to make materials that
could withstand the heat and cold and to make
fuels to get the satellite into orbit. Electronics
was used to study the weather and transmit
it back to earth. Biology was needed to study
how repair people could work in orbit.

-3-

About Electricity (Technology)

5. What is Technology?

Q: What is technology and who used technology in the past?

A: Technology is the application of scientic knowledge for

practical purposes. Dating back to the 18th century, Benjamin
Franklin (a famous American) proved that lightning was caused
by electricity by performing an experiment in which an electrical
conductor would be used to extract power from a thundercloud. In the
experiment, he ew a kite with a metal key
attached to it into a suitable cloud. The precise
historical details are unclear, but he may have
then retrieved the key and discharged electricity
from it. He later, in 1799, invented the lightning
rod, a device that served a practical purpose.

7. Technology in Everyday Life

Q: Where do we see Technology?

A: Since Technology is the

application of scientic knowledge,

we see it every day when

we watch television, cook in an

electric pot, ride on a train that is

powered by electricity, and more.

Repairmen that x our furnaces or our

air-conditioning units are technicians

because knowledge of how the science

was used to make things hot and cold

helps us repair a broken device.

6. Technical Terms

Q: What terms do electrical technicians need to know?

A: When technicians work on circuits and appliances there

are some terms they need to know. Current is the movement
of electrons and is measured in Amperes (Amps), which is named
in honor of André-Marie Ampère. Resistance
is measured in Ohms, which is named after
George Ohm. Electro-Motive Force EMF that
pushes the electrons through the resistance is
measured in Volts, named after Alessandro
Volta. Electrical Power is measured in Watts,
named after the famous technical inventor
James Watt.

8. Is There an Age Requirement to be a Technician?

Q: How old do you have to be to become a Technician?

A: Let me tell you a story about a girl named Becky. She

was only 10 years old when she was attempting to do her
homework in her mom’s car. As it got darker outside, she had
the idea that there should be a way to make
her paper easier to see in the dark. She began
playing around with phosphorescent materials,
which exhibited light without heat. She then used
phosphorescent paint to cover an acrylic board
and The Glo-Sheet was created. At the ripe old
age of 12, Becky became the youngest woman
to be approved for a U.S. patent for her Glo­Sheet invention.

-4-

About Electricity (Engineering)

9. What is Engineering?

Q: What is Engineering? What do engineers do?

A: Engineering is the application of Science, Technology,

and Mathematics to make products that are useful to
people. Engineers are skillful in using their knowledge to make
products. For example, surge protectors transfer current from
the electrical wall outlet to the electrical
appliances plugged into it while protecting
the appliances from large spikes of
electricity which could damage them.
Some surge protectors have many sockets
to plug computers and TVs into them,
while others only have two. The design is
an engineer’s job.

11. Engineering and Electricity Generation

Q: Do engineers help make electricity for daily use?

A: Yes! So far they have designed systems that use the

seven fundamental methods of directly transforming

other forms of energy into electrical energy: Fossil-fuel,

biomass, hydro/tidal, wind, nuclear,

mechanical power generation, and

solar thermal energy. Certainly there

will be more methods for electricity

generation to be found, since the

engineers, like artists, are always

creating.

10. Is Engineering only about Electronics?

Q: Besides Electronics what else do Engineers do?

A: Engineers must design the products to be the most

appealing at the best price. Product appearance helps
marketing sell the product. Product performance is also
important and engineers are given specications by marketing
to meet their requirements. Safety is always very important. An
audio device should only be loud enough
to serve the specications. Production
Engineers use electronic and magnetic
sensors to automate production. Civil
engineers design roads and bridges
that are safe for everyone to use.

12. Environmental Engineering - Battery Recycling

Q: How do Engineers help protect our environment?

A: Batteries contain a number of toxic chemicals and

their improper disposal may cause soil contamination and

water pollution. Engineers know that most typical kinds of

batteries can be recycled, especially lead-acid automotive

batteries which are nearly 90% recycled today. Nickel-

cadmium (Ni-Cd), nickel metal hydride

(Ni-MH), lithium-ion (Li-ion) and nickel

zinc (Ni-Zn) can also be recycled.

Engineers are always looking for ways

to make products safe like integrating

fuses into their designs to prevent

overheating and res.

-5-

About Electricity (Mathematics)

13. Ohm’s Law

Ohms Law states that Voltage equals Current multiplied by
Resistance. If V = Voltage, I = Current, and R = Resistance,
then mathematically Ohms Law is V = I x R where “x” stands
for “multiplied by”. Since the law starts with Voltage, we need
a voltage source or a Power Supply. There are both DC (direct
current) and AC (alternating current) power supplies. Batteries
are also a source of DC
voltage. Using Algebra, any
one unknown can be calculated
if the other two variables are
known. For example, if V=9
Volts and R=1000 Ohms, then
I=0.009 Amp or 9 milliamps.

15. Using Mathematics to Calculate Fuses

Many different appliances can be connected to draw current from
the outlets in your homes. If these outlets are all connected to
one fuse, then the fuse must
be able to handle the sum of
all the currents being drawn.
Fuses are used in the battery
holder that comes with this
product. Each current drawn
from any outlet in your home
will add up as the appliances
are turned ON because they
are all connected in parallel.

14. Switches and Power

A switch is a device that may control other components in
the circuit. It is used for power connection and disconnection.
A switch is a device that is either ON or OFF and used often
in digital electronics. Power is the product of the current in a
device multiplied by the voltage across it. Electronic Power is
expressed in Watts. Mathematically this
is expressed as W = V x I. If you have a
60 Watt light that is on a voltage of 120
Volts, then the current can be calculated
to be 60 Watts divided by 120 Volts,
which equals 1/2 Amp. Some switches
are controlled by magnets and others by
temperature.

16. Calculating Resistance

Conductive paths are used to connect circuits and transfer
electricity. If the voltage on one end of the conductor is lower than
on the other end when current is owing, then the conductor
has resistance. The voltage drop on the conductor divided by
the current in the conductor is the Resistance of the conductor
or wire. In Mathematical
terms and from Ohms law,
this would be stated as
R = V ÷ I. If the voltage drop
is 2 Volts when 4 Amps is
owing, then the resistance
of the conductor is 1/2
Ohm.

-6-

About Electricity (STEM)

17. Circuit Blox™

For Circuit Blox™, the denition of an electrical circuit is: The
complete path for an electric current ow, usually including the
source of electric energy. The path shown in the circuit below
is from the battery, through the blue 2-wire, through the motor
under the fan, through the blue 4-wire, through the switch,
through the blue 2-wire, and then back to the battery. If the
switch in this circuit is closed, then current will ow from the
battery through all the components
and back to the battery. If enough
current ows, the motor will spin and
launch the fan. If the switch is open,
nothing will happen since it is an open
circuit with no current.

19. Sound and Light

There are many modules in Circuit Blox™ that will produce
different sounds and different light effects.
The Three-in-One module, for example, has t wo
control inputs (T1, T2), a speaker connection (SP1,
SP2), and music & space sound selects (I/O1, I/O2).
By proper connection of parts with the
Three-in-one module many special effects
can be generated and t riggered in dif ferent
ways. This module will be used to simulate
many of the dif ferent interesting problems
in the elds of Sound Technicians, Medical
Engineering, Communication Engineers,
Home Security, and much more.

18. Short Circuits in Circuit Blox™

The battery holder that comes with your Circuit Blox™ Kit is fully
protected. A short circuit indicator LED lights and a beeper sounds
if any of the outputs are shorted or under a high current draw. It
is important that you always use this battery holder in the circuits
you build to protect the batteries and prevent damage to parts.
Even shorts from one voltage output to another is protected by a
patented circuit and will indicate an excessive
current. This circuit uses resettable Positive
Temperature Fuses (PTCs). Circuit Blox™ kits
are always approved by independent safety
laboratories to insure all users will be able to
experiment without worry of harm to parts or
themselves.

20. Semiconductors

Semiconductors have properties that can control current owing
through a conductor similar to a faucet controlling the ow of
water in a pipe. A diode acts like a check valve in a water pipe by
only letting current ow in one direction. A Light Emitting Diode
(LED) produces light when very little current ows. Different
colored LEDs are made and some LEDs can
even produce Laser light similar to hand­held pointers or gun scopes. Transistors
have three leads and one is used to control
the current between the other two.

-7-

Parts List (colors and styles may vary) Symbols and Numbers

Important: If any parts are missing or damaged, DO NOT RETURN TO RETAILER. Call toll-free (855) MY EBLOX (693-

2569) or e-mail us at: [e-mail]. Customer Service: 880 Asbury Dr., Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 U.S.A.

Qty. Name Symbol Part #

1-wire

2

6

2

3

1

1

1 Switch

1 Lamp

Block

2-wire

Block

3-wire

Block

4-wire

Block

5-wire

Block

Press

Switch

6EB2X01

6EB2X02

6EB2X03

6EB2X04

6EB2X05

6EB2X61

6EB2X62

6EB2X76

Qty. Name Symbol Part #

1

1

1

3

3

2

2

1 LED

Touch

Plate

Reed

Switch

Spring

Wire

Motor

Shaft Cap

Motor

Top

Level

1-Block

Level

2-Block

6EB2X80

6EB2X83

6EB2X09

6EB2X60A

6EB2X64

6EB2X100

6EB2X200

6EB2X69

-8-

Qty. Name Symbol Part #

Qty. Name Symbol Part #

1 Speaker

1 Magnet

3

Fan

Blade

1 Motor

6EB2X93

6EB2X07

6EB2X60

6EB2X95

1

1

1

1

Base

Grid

Three-in-

One

Battery

Holder

Battery

Cover

6EB2X39

6EB2X11

6EB2X91

6EB2X91C

-9-

How to Use Your E-Blox® Circuit Blox™ Set

E-Blox® Circuit Blox™ parts contain a PC board with
connectors so you can build the different electrical and
electronic circuits in the projects. Each block has a
function: there are switch blocks, a light block, battery
block, wire blocks, etc. These blocks are different colors
and have numbers on them so that you can easily identify
them.

For Example:

This is the press switch, it is green and has the marking
61 on it. The part symbols in this booklet may not exactly
match the appearance of the actual parts, but will clearly
identify them.

This is a wire block which comes in 5 different lengths.
The part has the number 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 on it depending
on the length of the wire connection required.

There are also 1-post and 2-post blocks that are used as
a spacer or for interconnection between different layers.

You need a power source to build each
circuit. The part is marked 91 and
requires three (3) 1.5V “AA” batteries
(not included). The four connections are
marked −, 1.5V, 3V, and 4.5V.

A short circuit indicator LED lights and
beeper sounds if any of the outputs are
shorted or under a high current draw.

Only use the battery holder when the cover is securely
in place.

A large clear plastic base grid is included with this kit to
help keep the circuit blocks properly spaced. You will see
evenly spaced posts that the different blocks plug into.

Next to the assemble drawing may be a part with an
arrow and red circle as shown below. This indicates that
the part is installed below other parts and which level it
is on.

2nd level

-10-

About Your E-Blox® Circuit Blox™ Parts

(Part designs are subject to change without notice).

The base grid functions like the printed circuit boards
found in most electronic products. It is a platform for
mounting parts and wire blocks (though the wires are
usually “printed” on the board).

The blue wire blocks are just wires used to connect other
components, they are used to transport electricity and
do not affect circuit performance. They come in different
lengths to allow orderly arrangement of connections on
the base grid.

The spring wire (9) is two single blocks connected by a
wire used to make unusual connections.

The batteries (91) produce an electrical voltage using
a chemical reaction. This “voltage” can be thought of as
electrical pressure, pushing electrical “current” through
a circuit. This voltage is much lower and much safer than
that used in your house wiring. Using more batteries
increases the “pressure” and so more electricity ows.

The switch (62) connects (ON) or disconnects (OFF) the
wires in a circuit.

The press switch (61) connects (pressed) or
disconnects (not pressed) the wires in a circuit, just like
the switch does.

A reed switch (83) is an electrical switch operated by
an applied magnetic eld. When exposed to a magnetic
eld, the switch closes (ON). When the magnetic eld is
removed the switch opens (OFF).

-11-

The blue level blocks (100 & 200) are non-conductive
and just used as building blocks.

The touch plate (80) is a type of switch when both
electrodes are touched together using your nger, shorts
the two electrodes and a small amount of current ows,
activating the circuit.

The LED (69) is a light emitting diode inside the heart,
and may be thought of as a special one-way light bulb.
In the “forward” direction (indicated by the “arrow” in the
symbol) electricity ows if the voltage exceeds a turn-on
threshold (between 1.8V to 3.3V typically); brightness then
increases. LEDs block electricity in the “reverse” direction.

The 4.5V lamp (76) contains a special wire (lament)
that glows bright when a large electric current passes
through it. Voltages above the bulb’s rating can burn out
the wire.

The speaker (93) converts electricity into sound. It does
this by using the energy of a changing electrical signal to
create mechanical vibrations (using a coil and magnet
similar to that in the motor). These vibrations create
variations in air pressure which travel across the room.
You “hear” sound when your ears feel these air pressure
variations.

The motor (95) converts electricity into mechanical
motion. Electricity is closely related to magnetism, and
an electric current owing in a wire has a magnetic eld
similar to that of a very, very tiny magnet. Inside the

About Your E-Blox® Circuit Blox™ Parts

motor are three coils of wire with many loops. If a large
electric current ows through the loops, the magnetic
effects become concentrated enough to move the coils.
The motor has a magnet inside, so as the electricity
moves the coils to align them with the permanent
magnet, the shaft spins.

Some types of electronic components can be super­miniaturized, allowing many thousands of parts to t into
an area smaller that your ngernail. These “integrated
circuits” (ICs) are used in everything from simple
electronic toys to the most advanced computers.

The three-in-one (11) modules contain specialized
sound-generation ICs and other supporting components
(resistors, capacitors, and transistors) that are always
needed with them. This was done to simplify the
connections you need to make to use them. The pin
descriptions are given here for those interested, see the
projects for connection examples:

Three-in-One

T1, T2 - control inputs
SP1 - speaker – connection
SP2 - speaker + connection
I/O1 - music select
I/O2 - space sound select
(+) - power from batteries
(–) - power return to batteries

-12-

DOs and DON’Ts of Building Circuits

After building the circuits given in this booklet, you may wish to experiment on your own. Use the projects in this booklet
as a guide, as many important design concepts are introduced throughout them. Every circuit will include a power
source (the batteries), a resistance (which might be an LED, lamp, motor, integrated circuit, etc.), and wiring paths
between them and back. You must be careful not to create “short circuits” (very low-resistance paths across

the batteries, see examples below) as this will damage components and/or quickly drain your batteries. Only

connect the parts using congurations given in the projects, incorrectly doing so may damage them. E-Blox® is not
responsible for parts damaged due to incorrect wiring.

Here are some important guidelines:

DO

USE EYE PROTECTION WHEN EXPERIMENTING ON YOUR OWN.

DO

include at least one component that will limit the current through a circuit, such as the speaker, lamp, LED,

integrated circuit (IC, which must be connected properly), or motor.

DO

disconnect your batteries immediately and check your wiring if something appears to be getting hot.

DO

check your wiring before turning on a circuit.

DO

connect the IC using congurations given in the projects or as per the connection descriptions for the part.

DON’T

DON’T

DON’T

-13-

connect to an electrical outlet in your home in any way.

leave a circuit unattended when it is turned on.

touch the motor when it is spinning at high speed.

Examples of SHORT CIRCUITS – NEVER DO THIS!

Placing a wire block directly across the battery holder is a SHORT
CIRCUIT, indicated by a ashing LED in the battery holder.

When the switch (S1) is turned on, this large
circuit has a SHORT CIRCUIT path (as shown
by the arrows). The short circuit prevents any
other portions of the circuit from ever working.

!

NEVER DO

THIS!

!

!

NEVER DO

THIS!

WARNING: SHOCK HAZARD! Never connect E-Blox® Circuit Blox™ to the electrical

outlets in your home in any way!

NEVER DO

THIS!

-14-

Advanced Troubleshooting (adult supervision recommended)

E-Blox® is not responsible for parts damaged due to
incorrect wiring.

If you suspect you have damaged parts, you can
follow this procedure to systematically determine
which ones need replacing:

1. Lamp (76), LED (69), Battery Holder (91): Place

part directly across the battery holder as shown, it should
light. If none work, then replace
your batteries and repeat, if still
bad then the battery holder is
damaged. Make sure the LED is
installed in the correct direction.

2. Wire Blocks (1-5), Spring Wire (9), and Speaker
(95): Use this mini-circuit to test each of the Wire Blocks

and Speaker (95), one at a time. The lamp (76) should light
if the part is functioning properly. Follow the steps below:

Spring Wire test - Build the circuit shown
below. The lamp (76) should light.

Wire Block tests - Insert the Wire

Blocks between the spring wire to
lamp connection shown in the gure.
The lamp should light.

Speaker test - Insert the speaker (95) between the spring

wire to lamp connection shown in the gure. The speaker will
not sound, but the lamp will light.

3. Motor (95): Place the motor across

the battery holder (95 at top) as shown; it
should spin clockwise.

4. Switch (62), Press switch (61), Reed Switch
(83), Touch Plate (80):

switch and the touch plate (80). The lamp (76) should light.
If the lamp doesn’t light, then the switch is bad.

Switch - Up position the lamp off, Down position lamp on.
Press - Light when switch is

pressed.

Reed - When you place the

magnet on the switch the
lamp should light.

Touch Plate - Wet your nger;

when you touch the contacts, the lamp should light.

Use this circuit to test each

5. Three-In-One (11): Siren & Machine Gun - Build project

#49, you should hear a siren sound from the speaker.

Space Battle - Build project #52, you should hear a space

battle sound from the speaker.

Music - Build project #47, you should hear a music from the

speaker.

880 Asbury Dr., Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 U.S.A.

E-Blox

Phone / Fax: (855) MY EBLOX (693-2569)

e-mail: [e-mail] l Website: www.myeblox.com

®

You may order additional / replacement parts at:

www.pickabrick.com

-15-

Project Listings

# Description Page # Description Page

1. Closed Circuit 18

2. LED, the Check Valve Light 18

3. Magnetic Switch 18

4. Alarm Switches 18

5. The ‘Momentary’ Switch 19

6. Electrical to Mechanical Energy 19

7. Proximity Sensor 20

8. Newton’s First Law of Motion 20

9. Newton’s Second Law of Motion 21

10. Launching versus Latching Forces 21

11. Magnet-controlled Flying Saucer 21

12. Parts Connected in Series 22

13. Inertia 22

14. Parts Connected in Parallel 22

15. Electrical Current Indicators 23

16. Power ‘ON’ Indicator 23

17. Electronic Efciency 24

18. House Wiring 24

19. Ohm’s Law 25

20. Kirchhoff’s First Law 25

21. Kirchhoff’s Second Law 26

22. The Resettable Fuse 26

23. Motor Speed 27

24. Simulation of a PTC-fused Lamp 28

25. Fused Motors 28

26. Ohm’s Law Revisited 28

27. Magnet Does Two Jobs 28

28. Magnet 2-speed Fan 29

29. Speed-controlled Fan 29

30. Testing Conductors 29

31. Ship-to-Ship Morse Code 30

32. Reversing a DC Motor 30

33. Electronic ‘AND’ Gate 31

34. Electronic ‘OR’ Gate 31

35. Triple Input ‘AND’ Gates 32

36. Triple Input ‘OR’ Gate 32

37. Series-Parallel Circuit Paths 33

38. Series-Parallel Connection 2 34

39. Individually Switch-controlled Electrical Appliances 35

40.

Main Switch with Motor Press Switch-controlled Electrical Appliances

41. OR Gate Controlling Parallel Electrical Appliances 37

42. AND Gate Controlling Parallel Electrical Devices 38

43. Three-Person Rocket Launch 39

44. Siren 40

45. Machine Gun Sounds 41

46. Space Battle Sounds 42

47. Music (I) 43

48. Emergency Fire Siren 44

49. Touch-controlled Sound Effects 45

50. Siren Sound Effects 45

51. Magnet-controlled Alarm Siren 45

52. Space Battle Sounds 46

53. Touch-controlled Sound of Space Battle 46

54. Magnet-controlled Sounds of Space Battle 46

55. Music (II) 47

56. Reset Switch 47

57. Touch Reset 47

58. Proximity Music Or Warning 47

36

-16-

Project Listings

# Description Page # Description Page

59. Siren & Red Light Warning 48

60. Gun with Flash on Shot 48

61. Fire Siren & Red Light Warning 48

62. Magnet-controlled Fire Siren with Red Light Warning 48

63. Five Space Battle Sound Effects 49

64. Cycling Through Space Battle Sounds 49

65. Proximity Warning of an Alien Craft 49

66. Music with a Red Beat 50

67. Repeat Button 50

68. One Finger Disc Jockey 50

69. Proximity Music Interrupt 50

70. Distant Siren with Indicator 51

71. Battle Far, Far Away 51

72. Many Sirens in the Distance 51

73. No Touch Special Effects 51

74. In a Galaxy Far, Far Away 52

75. Control Drone in Battle 52

76. Mixing and Repeating Sound Effects 52

77. Automated Sound Effect 52

78. Soft Playing Heartbeat Music 53

79. Quiet Musical Chairs Game 53

80. Stop the Music Game 53

81. One Finger Restart 53

82. Nearby Siren 54

83. Bank Robbery Starts 54

84. More Sound Engineering Tricks 54

85. Magnet Helps Sound Effect Engineer 54

86. Engineering a Space Battle 55

87. Sound Technicians 55

88. Perfect Timing Counts 55

89. Changing Power ON Effect 55

90. Music Loudness Reduction 56

91. Parallel LED Resistance 56

92. Mr. Magnet’s Birthday 56

93. Birthday Party Disc Jockey 56

94. Flickering Candle 57

95. Silent Morse Code 57

96. Automated Code 57

97. Magnet Lights the Candle 57

98. Two-channel Monitor 58

99. Silent Search for Signals 58

100. Geiger Counter 58

101. Four Beats per Second 59

102. Taking a Rest 59

103. Touch-controlled Slow Flashing Lamp 59

104. Magnet-controlled Slow Flashing Lamp 59

105. Erratic Heartbeat 60

106. Heart Failure and Shock 60

107. Simulating CPR 60

108. The Pacemaker 61

109. Different Heartbeats 61

110. Attention Please 61

111. Proximity-controlled Sign 61

112. Normal Heartbeat 62

113. Morse Code Heartbeat 62

114. Flashing Quick Sale Sign 62

115. Flashing Alarm Light 62

-17-

1. Closed Circuit

E-Blox® Circuit Blox™ uses electronic blocks that plug into a
clear plastic grid to build different circuits. These blocks have
different colors and numbers on them so that you can easily
identify them.

Build the circuit shown on the left by placing all the parts
that plug into the rst layer base. Then, assemble the parts
that connect to the secondary layer. Install three (3) “AA”
batteries (not included) into the battery holder (91). Secure

the battery cover before using it.

Pressing the switch (62) creates a closed circuit; the lamp
(76) will turn on. Press it again to open the circuit and the
lamp (76) will turn off.

2. LED, the Check Valve Light

Replace the lamp (76) with the LED (69), making sure it’s in the
correct direction. Press the switch (62) to turn it ON and OFF.
Reverse the LED (69) and repeat. Notice that the LED does not
light when in the circuit in the reverse direction, demonstrating
how LEDs only allow current to ow in one direction.

3. Magnetic Switch

Build the circuit on the left. Put the magnet (7) near the reed
switch (83) and the lamp (76) will turn on. Move the magnet (7)
away and the lamp (76) will turn off. This is a “no touch” switch!

4. Alarm Switches

Replace the lamp (76) with the LED (69), making sure it’s in
the correct direction. Put the magnet (7) near the reed switch
(83) and the LED (69) will turn on. Move the magnet (7) away
and the LED (69) will turn off. House alarms sometimes use
reed switches to detect when a door or window is open.

-18-

5. The ‘Momentary’ Switch

Build the circuit to the left. Press and hold the press switch
(61) and the lamp (76) will turn on. Release the press switch
(61) and the lamp (76) will turn off. Replace the lamp (76) with
the LED (69) making sure the LED is in the correct direction,
and repeat above directions. This type of switch is called a
‘momentary’ switch since it is only on when pressed.

6. Electrical to Mechanical Energy

Assemble the fan by following the assembly diagram below.
Build the circuit to the left. Press the switch (62) and the fan
will spin as long as the switch is pressed. Electrical energy
from the batteries (91) has been changed to mechanical
energy by the motor (95).

Fan Assembly

Motor shaft cap

Fan

Motor top

Motor

-19-

WARNING: Moving parts. Do not touch

the fan or motor during operation. Do

!

not lean over the motor.

7. Proximity Sensor

Build the circuit on the left, then move the magnet (7) near
the reed switch (83) and the motor (95) will turn on. Move the
magnet (7) away and the motor (95) will turn off. Proximity
sensing like this is often used to control things like blow drying
your car in a car wash.

WARNING: Moving parts. Do not touch

the fan or motor during operation. Do

!

not lean over the motor.

8. Newton’s First Law of Motion

Build the circuit on the left, press and hold the press switch
(61) and the fan (60) will start spinning. Release the press
switch (61), the fan will slow down and nally stop due to
friction in the motor (95). This demonstrates Newton’s First
Law of Motion: An object either remains at rest or continues
to move at a constant velocity, unless acted upon by a force.

WARNING: Moving parts. Do not touch

the fan or motor during operation. Do

!

not lean over the motor.

-20-

9. Newton’s Second Law of Motion

Remove the cap (59) that is on the fan blade (60). Hold the press switch (61) for ten seconds. Release the press switch
(61) and the ying saucer should take off (Caution! Never let it y near your face!). If the fan does not y, make sure the
batteries are fresh, the motor (95) is in the correct direction, and give the fan a tap from underneath with the top of your
ngernail. This circuit demonstrates Newton’s Second Law of Motion: acceleration is produced when a force acts on a
mass. In this case, air pressure under the fan blade forces it to rise.

Reminder: Remove the shaft cap (59) before
launching the ying saucer.

1st level

WARNING: Moving parts. Do not touch

the fan or motor during operation. Do

!

not lean over the motor.

10. Launching versus Latching Forces

Replace the press switch (61) with the switch (62) and turn the motor (95) on. Wait for the motor (95) to reach top
speed. If the fan does not launch, then the force in the motor latch is greater than the air pressure. Press the switch
(62) again and the fan should launch. If the fan does not y, make sure the batteries are fresh, the motor is in the correct
direction, and give the fan a tap from underneath with the top of your ngernail.

11. Magnet-controlled Flying Saucer

Replace the press switch (61) with the reed switch (83) and move the magnet (7) towards the reed switch (83). Wait for
a few seconds, then move the magnet (7) away to launch the saucer. A reed switch is typically made from two or more
ferrous reeds (thin strips) encased within a small glass tube-like envelope, which become magnetized and move together
or separate when a magnetic eld is moved towards the switch.

-21-

12. Parts Connected in Series

Build the circuit to the left. When the switch (62) is ON, the
same current will ow through the motor (95) then through
the lamp (76) and both will be active. When the switch (62) is
OFF, the circuit is open and current will be zero, so everything
will stop. Notice that the fan spins slower in this circuit than
in project #6. This is because the lamp (76) has resistance
so when put in series with the motor (95), it limits the current
owing in the circuit.

13. Inertia

Replace the switch (62) with the momentary switch (61).
Press the press switch (61) to make fan spin and the lamp
(76) light. Release the press switch (61) and the fan will keep
spinning, but the lamp (76) will turn off immediately. This circuit
demonstrates the concept of Inertia: a property of matter by
which it continues in its existing state of rest or uniform motion
in a straight line, unless that state is changed by an external
force. The fan has inertia but the lamp does not.

2nd level

1st level 2nd level

14. Parts Connected in Parallel

Build the circuit on the left and turn ON with the switch (62).
The fan will start spinning & the lamp (76) will be on as well.
Notice that the fan spins faster in this circuit than in project
#12. This is because the lamp (76) and motor (95) in this
circuit are in parallel, allowing each to have separate paths for
current ow. Thus the resistance in the lamp (76) does not limit
the current ow through the motor (95).

WARNING: Moving parts. Do not touch

the fan or motor during operation. Do

!

not lean over the motor.

-22-

1st level

15. Electrical Current Indicators

Build the circuit to the left and turn ON with switch (62). Both
the lamp (76) and the LED (69) will light up. This demonstrates
that electrical current is owing through both parts. Turn OFF
the power and turn both the lamp (76) and LED (69) around.
Turn ON the switch (62) and the LED (69) will be OFF but the
lamp (76) will be ON. This demonstrates that current is only
owing through the lamp. The lamp (76) and the LED (69)
are very simple devices that can be used to detect current
ow. A more advanced device, called an ammeter, is used to
measure the amount of electrical current owing in a circuit.

-23-

Level block

1st level

16. Power ‘ON’ Indicator

Build the circuit to the left. Press the switch (62), the LED (69)
will light up and the motor (95) will start spinning. Without
the fan blade it is difcult to see if the motor is ‘ON’ when
far from the circuit. With the LED in parallel with the motor,
a visual indicator that the motor is ‘ON’ can be seen from a
distance. Red LEDs are often used on electrical devices to
show they are ‘ON’. Wasted “Watts” cost money and is bad
for the environment.

1st level

17. Electronic Efciency

Electronic Efciency is dened as the Useful Power Output
divided by the Total Power Input.

Build the circuit to the left and press the switch (62). The
LED (69) will light, but the lamp (76) will not light. There is
resistance built into the LED (69) to protect it (too much
current could damage an LED), and this resistance is limiting
the current in the circuit. Yet this circuit shows that the
LED (69) is more efcient than the lamp (76) because it still
produces light (useful output power) even at the lower current.

1st level

1st level

2nd level

2nd level

18. House Wiring

Build the circuit to the left. Turn ON the
switch (62) and the LED (69), the lamp (76),
and the motor (95) will all be on at the same
time. In this circuit the LED (69), the lamp
(76), and the motor (95) are in parallel.
Pretend the LED is a television, the motor is
a ceiling fan, and the lamp is a house lamp on
an end table. Just like in your home, you can
turn any one of these OFF by removing them
from the circuit and the rest will stay ON.
This demonstrates why your house wiring
uses parallel circuits and not series circuits.

-24-

2nd level

2nd level

19. Ohm’s Law

Using Ohm’s Law the resistance of each part could be
calculated.

Build the circuit to the left. In this circuit the motor (95),
the LED (69), and the lamp (76) are in series so they all see
the same current. If you had a voltmeter and measured the
voltage drop across each component, you would see that the
voltage drop across the LED (69) is much greater than the
voltage drop across the lamp (76) or motor (95).

According to Ohm’s Law, R = V÷I which means the internal
resistance of the LED (69) is much greater than the internal
resistance of the lamp (76) or motor (95). The high internal
resistance of the LED (69) is limiting the current in this circuit,
which is why the motor (95) spins very slowly and the lamp
(76) does not light. Each part is designed using Ohm’s Law to
perform best when they have full battery voltage.

20. Kirchhoff’s First Law

Kirchhoff’s rst law states: At any node (junction) in an
electrical circuit, the sum of currents owing into that node is
equal to the sum of currents owing out of that node.

Build the circuit on the left. The top block shown in red as
“2nd level” represents a node. If a positive current is coming
into a node and a negative current is leaving a node, then:

I

+ I

switch

motor

+ I

This shows that the current owing into node E1 from the
switch is equal to the current owing out of node E1 to the
motor and lamp&LED.

lamp&LED

= 0 or I

switch

= –I

motor

– I

lamp&LED

-25-

1st level

1st level

21. Kirchhoff’s Second Law

Kirchhoff’s second law states: The sum of the voltages around
a closed network is zero.

Build the circuit to the left. If a drop in voltage is considered
as a negative voltage and a rise in voltage a positive voltage,
then the following equation is a mathematical representation
of Kirchhoff’s second law:

V

+ V

H44 H1

This shows that the voltage drop across the battery module
(91) of 4.5V must equal the voltage drop across the LED (69)
plus the voltage drop across the motor (95). From project
#19 we saw that the voltage drop across the LED (69) was
high, and thus the voltage drop across the motor (95) was
small, which is why the motor spun slowly. But a similar
Kirchhoff equation shows that the voltage drop across the
lamp (76) is the full 4.5V, which is why the lamp (76) is bright.

H14 A1

+ V

A14 A4

+ V

A44 H1

= 0

1st level

1st level

22. The Resettable Fuse

Positive-Temperature-Coefcient, or PTC, thermistors – also
known as resettable fuses are devices that have very low
resistance until a current is reached, then they get warm and
the resistance changes limit the current.

Build the circuit to the left. Notice that the lamp (76) is not
lit and the motor (95) does not spin. In this circuit the red
glowing LED (69) is acting like a warm activated PTC fuse by
limiting the current to the motor (95) and lamp (76). Replace
the LED (69) with a 4-wire (4) and the lamp (76) and motor
(95) will now get the current they need to operate properly.

-26-

2nd level

1st level

23. Motor Speed

Build the circuit to the left
and press and hold the press
switch (61). The LED (69) will
light indicating the motor has
voltage, the lamp (76) will light
dimly showing that current is
coming from the motor (95) and
the motor (95) will spin slowly.
The motor (95) spins slower in
this circuit than in project #8.
Remove the LED (69) from the
circuit and place the fan blade
on the motor (95) to make the
reduction in speed even more
obvious. Because the lamp (76)
has resistance, current owing
through the lamp (76) produces
a voltage drop and the motor (95)
gets less voltage due to Kirchhoff’s
second law. Less voltage on the
motor (95) explains why the fan
spins more slowly.

1st level

-27-

1st level

1st level

1st level

1st level

24. Simulation of a PTC-fused Lamp

Build the circuit to the left and turn ON the switch (62).
The LED (69) will glow red simulating the PTC fuse is warm.
Pretend the magnet (7) is a piece of ice and place it near the
reed switch (83). The PTC fuse cools down, allowing current
to ow and the lamp (76) to light.

25. Fused Motors

Replace the lamp (76) with the motor (95). Some motors
have fuses that pop-out when they are triggered. Move the
magnet (7) away from the reed switch (83) to simulate a fuse
that has popped, making the motor (95) spin more slowly.
Simulate resetting the fuse by moving the magnet back next to
the reed switch (83). Motors are designed with fuses to limit
the current that can be seen by the motor to prevent res.

26. Ohm’s Law Revisited

Build the circuit to the left. Press the switch (62), the lamp
(76) will turn on very dimly and the motor (95) will turn on at
the same time. Remove the motor resistance by pressing the
press switch (61) and the lamp (76) will become brighter. Per
Ohm’s Law, given the same voltage (4.5V), a lower resistance
in the circuit leads to a larger current in the circuit which is why
the lamp (76) gets bright when you press the press switch (61).

27. Magnet Does Two Jobs

Replace the press switch (61) with the reed switch (83), by using
the magnet (7) you can control the brightness of the lamp (76)
and turn the motor (95) OFF at the same time. You may have
noticed that the magnet (7) can be attracted to the motor (95).
This is because motors have magnets inside to create a magnetic
eld that spins the motor when current ows through the motor.

-28-

WARNING: Moving parts. Do not touch

the fan or motor during operation. Do

!

not lean over the motor.

-29-

1st level

1st level

28. Magnet 2-speed Fan

Build the circuit to the left. Press the switch
(62), the lamp (76) will turn on dimly and the
fan will spin slowly. Did you notice that the lamp
(76) started out being bright and then got dim?
This is because motors have very high startup
currents, but once they gain speed the current
through the motor drops. You can increase the
speed of the motor (95) and fan in this circuit by
moving the magnet towards the reed switch (83).

29. Speed-controlled Fan

Replace the reed switch (83) with the press
switch (61). By pressing the press switch
(61) you can control the speed of the fan. This
demonstrates how the fan speed in the ceiling
fan in your house is changed when you pull the
chain on the ceiling fan.

30. Testing Conductors

Build the circuit to the left. This tester can check whether a material is
conductive or not. You just need to connect the material across the touch
plate’s (80) shiny area. If the LED (69) turns on it means the material is a
conductor. If the LED (69) does not turn on, it means the material is an
insulator. The brightness of the LED (69) also tells how good a conductor
the material is, where better conductors make the LED (69) brighter and
poorer conductors make the LED (69) dimmer. You may be able to see
the brightness level of the LED (69) better in a dark room.

31. Ship-to-Ship Morse Code

Press the press switch (61), the LED (69) will blink. This can
be used as a Morse code typing simulator. Morse code uses
various sequences of long and short on-off tones, lights or
clicks to represent letters, numbers, and text. Since World
War II, the process for sending messages using signal lamps
has barely changed. It requires someone trained in Morse
code to operate the lamp’s shutter by hand, receiving,
decoding, and replying to messages.

32. Reversing a DC Motor

Build the circuit to the left. Press and hold the press switch
(61) and the fan blade (60) will spin clockwise. Release the
press switch (61), the motor (95) will stop. Now put the
motor (95) in backwards using 3-wires (3) instead of 2-wires
(2). Press and hold the press switch (61) and the fan blade
(60) now spins counterclockwise. Notice that the direction the
motor (95) spins is related to the direction the current ows
through the motor (95). This is because the force created on
the motor shaft is related to the direction that the current
ows through the magnetic eld in the motor (95). You can
look up Fleming’s left hand rule for more details on how the
relationship between the current ow, magnetic eld and
force that creates motion.

WARNING: Moving parts. Do not touch

the fan or motor during operation. Do

!

not lean over the motor.

-30-

33. Electronic ‘AND’ Gate

Build the circuit to the left. Note that the
lamp (76) only turns on when both the
switch (62) and press switch (61) are
ON. In digital electronics there are seven
logic gates: AND, OR, XOR, NOT, NAND,
NOR, and XNOR. This circuit represents
an AND gate. If ON = True and OFF =
False then an AND gate is best dened
as: The output is TRUE only when both
inputs are True. Therefore, the two inputs
represented by the press switch (61) and
the switch (62) must both be ON (TRUE)
in order for the output represented by the
lamp (76) to be ON (TRUE).

-31-

1st level

1st level

34. Electronic ‘OR’ Gate

Build the circuit to the left. This circuit
represents an OR gate. If ON = True and
OFF = False, then an OR gate is best
dened as: The output is TRUE when any
input is True and False only when all the
inputs are False. In this circuit the output
represented by the lamp (76) is ON (True)
if either input represented by the press
switch (61) or the switch (62) or both is
ON (TRUE). The lamp (76) is OFF (False)
only when both switches are OFF (False).

1st level

1st level

35. Triple Input ‘AND’ Gate

Build the circuit on the left, turn the
switch (62) ON, press and hold the press
switch (61) to turn it ON, and move the
magnet (7) towards the reed switch (83).
Only when all three switches (INPUTS) are
ON (True) will the lamp (OUTPUT) be ON
(True). Electronic AND Gates can have
two or more inputs but the function is still
the same. All inputs must be True (ON)
for the output to be True (ON).

36. Triple Input ‘OR’ Gate

Build the circuit on the left, making sure
all switches are OFF. The lamp (76)
should be OFF. Turn ON any one of the
switches and the lamp will be ON. To turn
off the lamp, all of the switches must be
OFF. Electronic OR Gates can have two or
more inputs but the function is still the
same. All inputs must be False (OFF) for
output to be False (OFF).

1st level

-32-

37. Series-Parallel Circuit Paths

Build the circuit above. In this circuit, the lamp (76) that indicates current ow cannot turn on by just turning the switch
(62) ON. If you turn the switch (62) ON and press and hold the press switch (61), then current will ow. Or if you turn
the switch (62) ON and move the magnet (7) towards the reed switch (83), then current will ow. Since switch (62) is in
series with the other two switches that are in parallel, this makes a series-parallel circuit path for the lamp (76). This kind
of circuit could be used in a hotel room where your key card must be inserted in a card holder near the door to enable
a closed circuit, but you still need to turn on switches in the room to have certain lights or devices close the circuit and
turn on.

-33-

2nd level

2nd level

38. Series-Parallel Connection 2

Build the circuit above. There are two ways to light the lamp (76) in this circuit. You can either press the switch (62), or
place the magnet (7) next to the reed switch (83) and press the press switch (61). Using the hotel analogy from the last
project, the reed switch (83) could represent the key card holder and the press switch (61) could be a light in the room.
But this room now has a master key card holder that only the employees (e.g. maids) at the hotel have keys for that turns
on all the lights in the room regardless of which switches are turned on or off in the room.

-34-

WARNING: Moving parts. Do not touch

the fan or motor during operation. Do

!

not lean over the motor.

39. Individually Switch-controlled Electrical Appliances

Build the circuit above. Press the switch (62) and the motor (95) will start spinning. Press the switch (62) again and the
motor (95) will stop. Press and hold the press switch (61) and the lamp (76) will turn on. Release the press switch (61)
and the lamp (76) will turn off.

In rooms with ceiling fans there are typically two switches on the wall with a circuit like this where one switch turns on and
off the fan and one switch turns on and off the light in the room.

-35-

WARNING: Moving parts. Do not touch

the fan or motor during operation. Do

!

not lean over the motor.

40. Main Switch with Motor Press Switch-controlled Electrical Appliances

Build the circuit above. Press the switch (62), the lamp (76) will light up. Press and hold the press switch (61), the motor
(95) will turn on. Now press the switch (62) again, both the lamp (76) and the motor (95) will turn off. Switch (62) is
the Main Switch. You could think of the switch (62) in this circuit like the circuit breaker in your house (if you turn off the
circuit breaker in your house then no devices or switches will work in your house).

-36-

1st level

1st level

1st level

WARNING: Moving parts. Do not touch

the fan or motor during operation. Do

!

not lean over the motor.

1st level

41. OR Gate Controlling Parallel Electrical Appliances

Build the circuit above. Press either the press switch (61) OR the switch (62) to turn on the lamp (76) and the motor
(95). If you want to turn off the lamp (76) or turn off the motor (95), both the press switch (61) and the switch (62) must
be OFF. You might think this type of circuit could be used to have multiple switches in a room control the same device(s).
However, this type of circuit is not ideal because the switches do not toggle with each other. In your house, if you pushed
the switch (62) ON to turn on your lights, then if you pressed the press switch (61) you would want your lights to go OFF.
Your house uses three-way switches to do this, not the circuit above.

-37-

1st level

WARNING: Moving parts. Do not touch

the fan or motor during operation. Do

!

not lean over the motor.

42. AND Gate Controlling Parallel Electrical Devices

Build the circuit above. In the paralleled connection, to start the motor (95) and light the lamp (76), turn the switch (62)
ON, AND turn ON switch (61) at the same time. The motor (95) and the lamp (76) will turn on. Sometimes, for safety
reasons, it is required that two switches be ON before machinery will run.

-38-

1st level

43. Three-Person Rocket Launch

Build the circuit above. In this circuit, pretend the lamp (76) and the LED (69) are a rocket. To launch the rocket the
switch (62) must be ON, AND the press switch (61) must be ON, AND the reed switch (83) must be turned ON with the
magnet (7). Systems like this are used to prevent accidental rocket launching by having the switches placed far enough
apart that it requires three people to turn them on simultaneously.

-39-

1st level

1st level

44. Siren

Build the circuit above. Press the switch (62) and you will hear the siren from the speaker (93). The Three-in-One (11)
contains an Integrated Circuit (IC) that produces the siren sound. An IC is a set of electronic circuits on one small at
piece (or “chip”) of semiconductor material, normally silicon. ICs enable much more complicated circuits to be designed in
orders of magnitude smaller, cheaper, and faster manners than those constructed using discrete electronic components.

-40-

2nd level

1st level

1st level

45. Machine Gun Sounds

Build the circuit above. Press the switch (62), you will hear some siren sounds from the speaker (93). When you touch
and release the touch plate (80) you will hear a gun sound. Continually press the touch plate (80) and now you will hear
machine gun sounds. Sound technicians use electronics like this on the job.

-41-

1st level

2nd level

1st level

46. Space Battle Sounds

Press the switch (62), you will hear space battle sounds from the speaker (93). Press the press switch (61) multiple
times and the space battle sounds will change. Note that the 4-wire (4) on the Three-in-One (11) in this circuit is activating
the space war sounds by grounding the I/O2 pin. In electronics this type of input is called “active low”.

-42-

1st level

1st level

47. Music (I)

Build the circuit above. Press the switch (62) and the speaker (93) will play music. This music is electronically generated
and stored in this module during production and usually checked by a quality control technician to insure good audio quality.

-43-

1st level

2nd level

1st level

48. Emergency Fire Siren

Build the circuit above. Press the switch (62) and a siren sound should come from the speaker (93). When you hold the
press switch (61) you will hear a re engine siren. A siren like this is designed by an engineer to cover a large spectrum
of sound so all people can hear it, even if they have hearing problems.

-44-

49. Touch-controlled
Sound Effects

Build the circuit shown. Press the
switch (62) and you will hear the siren
from the speaker (93). Now touch the
touch plate (80) several times and you
will hear gun sounds. Hold the touch
plate (80) and you will hear machine
gun sounds.

1st level

Note that in this circuit your nger is a
good enough conductor to activate the
gun sounds with the touch plate (80)
even though your nger was not a good
enough conductor to activate the LED
(69) in project #30. This is because the
input T2 is a low impedance input, which
means that it has a very low opposition
to current ow. So for input T2, even

2nd level

Level block

1st level

your nger is a good enough conductor
to allow enough current to ow from T2.

50. Siren Sound Effects

Turn the switch (62) ON and you will hear the siren from the speaker (93). Press switch (61) and now you will hear the
Fire Engine Siren. Turn OFF the switch (62) and replace the press switch (61) with the touch plate (80).

Turn ON the switch (62) and you will hear the siren, but now when you touch the touch plate (80) it does not activate
the Fire Engine Siren. This is because T1 has a higher input impedance so your nger is not a good enough conductor to
allow current to ow to T1.

51. Magnet-controlled Alarm Siren

Replace the press switch (61) in the circuit above with the reed switch (83). Move the magnet (7) towards the reed
switch (83) and you will hear the Fire Engine Siren. This circuit simulates motion detection alarms that are in your house.

-45-

52. Space Battle
Sounds

Build the circuit shown here.
Turn the switch (62) ON to

1st level

hear the sounds of space
battle from the speaker (93).
Sounds will change to different
space effects each time you
press the press switch (61).
Many movie sound effects are
made electronically like this.

2nd level

Level block

1st level

53. Touch-controlled Sounds of Space Battle

Press the switch (62), you will hear the sounds of space battle from the speaker (93). Tap the touch plate (80) several
times to change sounds. A touch control helps an Audio Technician quickly change sounds.

54. Magnet-controlled Sounds of Space Battle

Replace the press switch (61) with the reed switch (83). Press the switch (62) and you will hear the sounds of space
battle from the speaker (93). Move the magnet near the reed switch (83) several times and the sounds will change. The
IC in the Three-in-One (11) is programmed so that both T1 and T2 inputs can change the space war sound.

-46-

55. Music (II)

Build the circuit shown. Turn
ON the switch (62) and a song
should play from the speaker

1st level

(93). The IC in the Three-in-One
(11) is programmed to play
music when the I/O1 input is
grounded (connected to 0V).

56. Reset Switch

Press the switch (62), you will
hear some music from the
speaker (93). Hold the press
switch (61) and the music will
restart. Note that the music
stops when you release the
press switch (61).

2nd level

Level block

1st level

57. Touch Reset

Turn the switch (62) ON. Use your nger to touch the touch plate (80) and the music will restart. Finger touching can
be faster than a switch to reset music. The circuits in projects #56 and #57 are often used in infant toys where some
sounds are made by just touching a button while other sounds require the infant to hold the button.

58. Proximity Music Or Warning

Replace the press switch (61) with the reed switch (83), then press the switch (62). Moving the magnet (7) towards
the reed switch (83) will restart the music. Moving the magnet (7) away will stop the music. The magnet (7) on the reed
switch (83) could be like sensors on your car that activate a warning sound when it gets too close to an object.

-47-

59. Siren & Red Light Warning

Build the circuit shown. Press the
switch (62) and the siren will be heard
from the speaker (93). At the same
time you can see the red light ashing
in the LED (69). The voltage changes at

2nd level

the speaker input SP2 are changing the
voltage across the LED (69), causing it

1st level

to icker.

60. Gun with Flash on Shot

Press the switch (62), then use a nger
and tap the touch plate (80). The sound
of a single gun shot should come from
the speaker (93), and the red light LED
(69) should ash like the ash of a gun.

2nd level

1st level

Hold your nger on the touch plate (80),
and a machine gun sound should come
from the speaker (93) with the red LED
ashing at each shot. This type of a
circuit can be used to synchronize lights
and sounds to create special effects.

Note: You may need to
twist the LED (69) heart
attachment to clear the
speaker (93) so it ts
properly.

61. Fire Siren & Red Light Warning

Press the switch (62) and hold down the press switch (61). The sounds of a re siren will be heard from the speaker (93),
with the red light warning on the LED (69). The IC in the Three-in-One (11) uses AND and NAND (Not AND) gate logic to
make the re engine siren sound when T1 is active AND I/O1 and I/O2 are NOT active.

62. Magnet-controlled Fire Siren with Red Light Warning

Replace the press switch (61) with the reed switch (83) and press the switch (62). Now you can hear the siren from the
speaker (93) with the red light warning on the LED (69). Move the magnet (7) towards the reed switch (83) and now the
re siren is on.

-48-

2nd level

1st level

63. Five Space Battle Sound
Effects

Build the circuit shown, and turn ON the
switch (62). The sounds of space battle
may turn on with the red light (LED 69)
ashing with each sound. Press the
switch (61) to step through the ve

2nd level

1st level

different battle sounds.

The IC in the Three-in-One (11) has these
different sounds stored in memory and
accesses them sequentially as you press
the press switch (61).

Note: You may need to
twist the LED (69) heart
attachment to clear the
speaker (93) so it ts
properly.

64. Cycling Through Space Battle Sounds

Turn ON the switch (62). Press the press switch (61) and the sounds of a space battle come from the speaker (93).
Then use one nger and touch the touch plate (80) a number of times. Notice that the press switch (61) cycles to the
next sound while the touch plate (80) cycles to the previous sound. All the logic that determines what sound goes to the
speaker (93) when certain inputs are set is pre-programmed into the IC in the Three-in-One (11).

65. Proximity Warning of an Alien Craft

Replace the press switch (61) with the reed switch (83) and turn ON the switch (62). Move the magnet (7) towards the
reed switch (83), the sounds will change as a warning emulating the proximity of an alien craft. Note that because the
LED (69) is not in series with the speaker (93), it does not affect the volume of the sound.

-49-

2nd level

66. Music with a Red Beat

1st level

Build the circuit and turn ON the
switch (62). Notice how the red
heart beats with the music. This
demonstrates how some devices can
synchronize light patterns to music.

67. Repeat Button

Turn ON the switch (62) and press

2nd level

1st level

the press switch (61) to make the
music skip back to the beginning.
This demonstrates how the repeat
or previous song button operates on
a music device works.

68. One Finger Disc Jockey

Note: You may need to
twist the LED (69) heart
attachment to clear the
speaker (93) so it ts
properly.

Turn ON the switch (62). Touch the touch plate (80) to restart the music. You may nd the touch plate (80) is faster than
the push button switch (61). By letting the song play only a few notes the music is repeated over and over as if you were
a Disc Jockey at a party.

69. Proximity Music Interrupt

Replace the press switch (61) with the reed switch (83) then turn ON the switch (62). You will hear music from the
speaker (93) with the red heart beating. Move the magnet (7) towards the reed switch (83) and the music will be
interrupted and restart. Move the magnet (7) away, the music will turn off. In this case, the disc jockey could hold a
magnet and just wave their hand over the reed switch to restart a song.

-50-

70. Distant Siren with Indicator

Build the circuit and turn ON the switch
(62). A distant police siren will come from
the speaker (93) with the red light indicator
ashing (LED 69). In this circuit the LED

2nd level

(69) is in series with the speaker (93), the
voltage drop across the LED (69) reduces
the voltage across the speaker (93)

1st level

reducing the volume of the sound.

71. Battle Far, Far Away

Turn ON the switch (62). A far away siren
sound effect will come from the speaker.
Touch the touch plate (80) to change the

1st level

sounds of a far away gun shot. The red light
indicator will help indicate sounds from the
speaker if the room is noisy and sounds are
hard to hear. These are special effects for
a space battle in a galaxy far away.

72. Many Sirens in the Distance

Turn on the switch (62). A far away siren should come from the speaker (93). Press the press switch (61) to change
to a re siren in low volume with the ashing red light indicator (LED 69). Try turning the LED (69) around in the circuit.
Notice that the LED (69) still ashes and sound is heard from the speaker (93). This is because the speaker (93) does
not have polarity, meaning current can ow through it in either direction for it to make sound.

73. No Touch Special Effects

Replace the press switch (61) with the reed switch (83), then press the switch (62). You will hear the far away siren from
the speaker (93) while the red light turns on from the LED (69). Move the magnet (7) towards the reed switch (83) to
change sound effect without touching the circuit.

-51-

74. In a Galaxy Far, Far Away

Build the circuit, turn ON with the
switch (62), and the speaker (93) will
produce the sounds of space battle
in a far away galaxy. The ashing red
light from the LED (69) is indicator
that there is sound in case the room
is noisy.

2nd level

1st level

75. Control Drone in Battle

Pretend you are controlling a drone
in the far away battle by pressing the

1st level

press switch (61) several times and
changing the battle sounds. Sound
effect technicians in movie studios
(also known as foleys, named after
the sound-effects artist Jack Foley),
sometimes use this technique.

76. Mixing and Repeating Sound Effects

Use the switch (62) to turn ON the circuit. Touch the touch plate (80) to hear gun shots in the distance. The internal
resistance in the LED (69) limits the current through the speaker (93) thus reducing the volume of the sound.

77. Automated Sound Effect

Replace the press switch (61) with the reed switch (83), and turn ON the switch (62). After the sound stops, pretend a
magnet is in the pocket of a magician on a stage. The magician could perform a trick where he waves his hand to make
a speaker make sounds when in reality he is just leaning the magnet closer to the reed switch (83) to turn it on.

-52-

78. Soft Playing Heartbeat Music

Build the circuit shown, press the switch
(62) and you will hear some music in low
volume from the speaker (93), with the
heart LED (69) beating to the music.
This is a crude example of how an audio
spectrum display works on an amplier/
music system.

2nd level

79. Quiet Musical Chairs Game

Tell players they must be very quiet if they

1st level

want to hear the music. Place chairs in a
circle with backs on the inside, one fewer
than the number of players. All players
stand in circle around the chairs. Press
and hold switch (62). Soft music will play
with the red light (LED 69) ashing. Let
the music play for several seconds then

1st level

release switch (62) and the music will
stop. Each player must sit in a chair, but
one will be left out. Remove that player
and one chair and repeat until only one
player remains.

80. Stop The Music Game

Replace the press switch (61) with the reed switch (83). Blindfold a player and place the circuit nearby in the room. Turn
ON the switch (62) and place the magnet on the reed switch (83) to keep the music playing. Record the time required for
the player to nd and remove the magnet and stop the music. The one with the lowest time is the winner.

81. One Finger Restart

Press the switch (62), you will hear the music play in a low volume from the speaker (93). Then touch the touch plate
(80). The music will be restarted even if it is still playing.

-53-

82. Nearby Siren

Build the circuit and turn ON the
switch (62). You will hear sounds
of a nearby siren and see ashing
lights.

2nd level

1st level

83. Bank Robbery Starts

Use this circuit to simulate a bank
robbery starting just like a sound
technician in a movie production.
Use one nger on the touch plate
(80). You will hear the sounds of
a gun nearby. Then hold the touch

2nd level

1st level

plate (80) and you will hear the
sounds of a machine gun. The lamp
(76) and LED (69) will also turn
on to simulate ashes from the
gun ght. Try and create your own
battle!

Note: You may need to
twist the LED (69) heart
attachment to clear the
speaker (93) so it ts
properly.

84. More Sound Engineering Tricks

Press the switch (62), you will hear the siren from the speaker (93). Then press and hold the press switch (61) and you
will hear the re siren or ambulance coming to the scene. A change like this is used by movie set sound engineers to
indicate the gun battle may be over.

85. Magnet Helps Sound Effect Engineer

Replace the press switch (61) with the reed switch (83) and turn ON the switch (62). Change the siren sound by placing
the magnet (7) on the reed switch (83). Pretend you are watching the movie for the nal shot. Tap your nger on the
touch switch (80) to make a shot that ends the sound effects.

-54-

86. Engineering a Space
Battle

Build the circuit shown and press
the switch (62) to hear the sounds
of a nearby space battle. A sound
technician on a movie set might
start a scene with this effect.

2nd level

1st level

87. Sound Technicians

On movie sets and in many play
theaters there are technicians
that monitor the sound and create
effects. Turn ON the switch (62)

2nd level

1st level

and use the press switch (61) to
make different space battle sounds
that could be used during a movie
or play. You are now acting like a
sound technician.

88. Perfect Timing Counts

Note: You may need to
twist the LED (69) heart
attachment to clear the
speaker (93) so it ts
properly.

Turn ON the above circuit with the switch (62). Place one nger close to the touch plate (80). Assume three events are
going to take place exactly 3 seconds apart. Count to three and touch the touch plate (80) to time sound to event one.
Count to three and touch again for event two. Repeat one last time for third event after another three seconds.

89. Changing Power ON Effect

Replace the press switch (61) with the reed switch (83) and place the magnet in position to trigger the reed switch (80).
Turn ON the switch (62). The power up sound should now be different than when the magnet is not on the reed switch.

-55-

90. Music Loudness
Reduction

Build the circuit shown and turn
ON the switch (62). Music will play
at a reduced volume because the
resistance in the lamp (76) is in
series with the speaker (93) and
reduces the voltage across the
speaker.

2nd level

1st level

91. Parallel LED
Resistance

Press the switch (62), you will hear
some music in medium volume from
the speaker (93) with the lamp (76)
and LED (69) on. Remove the LED
(69) and notice the loudness does
not change. This is because the LED
(69) is in parallel with the speaker
(93) and lamp (76).

2nd level

1st level

Note: You may need to
twist the LED (69) heart
attachment to clear the
speaker (93) so it ts
properly.

92. Mr. Magnet’s Birthday

Replace the press switch (61) with the reed switch (83) and turn the power on with switch (62). Put the magnet (7) on
the reed switch (83) and do not move it. The birthday song will play as long as the magnet is on the switch. Remove the
magnet (Mr. Magnet leaves the party) and the birthday song will stop.

93. Birthday Party Disc Jockey

Turn ON the switch (62). Use one nger and tap the touch plate (80) to make the music start over and over again. You
can make up a birthday rap song while starting over and over.

-56-

1st level

1st level

94. Flickering Candle

Build the circuit and press the switch
(62). The lamp (76) will icker like a
candle in a gentle breeze.

95. Silent Morse Code

2nd level

Turn ON the switch (62), use one
nger and tap the touch plate (80)
and the lamp (76) will go off. You
can now use your nger to tap out a
silent Morse code signal in the dark.

96. Automated Code

Press the switch (62), the lamp (76) will ash steadily. Use one nger and tap the touch plate (80) and the lamp (76) will
turn off. Hold the touch plate (80) and the lamp (76) will ash quickly as if a very rapid Morse code was being transmitted
or received. This is only a simulation and not a real code.

97. Magnet Lights the Candle

Replace the press switch (61) with the reed switch (83) and turn ON the switch (62). Use one nger and tap the touch
switch (80) to turn the lamp (76) off. Put the magnet (7) on the reed switch (83) and the lamp (76) will turn on like a lit
candle and ash like as if it was in a breeze.

-57-

98. Two-channel Monitor

Build the circuit shown and turn ON
the switch (62). The lamp (76) will
simulate Morse code being silently
monitored. Then press the press
switch (61) and the simulated
Morse code signal will change.

This is similar to what a technician
working for the FBI or CIA may see
when they change the channel they

1st level

1st level

are monitoring.

Codes are only simulated, not real.

99. Silent Search for
Signals

Turn ON th e switch (62) and the la mp
(76) will ash slowly simulating a
transmission being monitored. Use
one nger and tap the touch plate
(80) several times. The ashing
speed of the lamp (76) will change
when different transmissions are
found. Lamp brightness indicates
signal strength.

2nd level

100. Geiger Counter

The Geiger Counter is a device for measuring radioactivity by detecting and counting ionizing particles. Replace the press
switch (61) with the reed switch (83) and turn ON the switch (62). The lamp (76) may ash slowly or be off. Move the
magnet (7) towards the reed switch (83) and the lamp (76) will turn on or ashing speed of the lamp (76) will increase
when a magnetic eld is detected. This simulation shows how a Geiger Counter measurement increases when radioactive
particles are detected.

-58-

101. Four Beats per
Second

Build and turn ON the circuit
shown. The lamp (76) will ash
approximately four times per
second.

1st level

1st level

102. Taking a Rest

Turn ON the switch (62) and if the
lamp (76) is ashing press and
release the press switch (61) and

2nd level

the lamp (76) will turn off. Now
hold the press switch (61) and
the lamp (76) will ash the beat
again. Release the press switch
(61) to take a rest.

103. Touch-controlled Slow Flashing Lamp

Press the switch (62) and the lamp (76) will ash slowly. Press the press switch (61) and the lamp (76) will turn off. Touch
the touch plate (80) and the lamp (76) will ash slowly again.

104. Magnet-controlled Slow Flashing Lamp

Replace the press switch (61) with the reed switch (83), press the switch (62) and the lamp (76) will ash slowly. Move
the magnet (7) towards the reed switch (83), the lamp (76) will turn off. Now place the magnet (7) on the reed switch (83)
and do not move it. The lamp (76) will ash slowly, but when you move the magnet (7) away, the lamp (76) will turn off.

-59-

105. Erratic Heartbeat

Build the circuit, press the switch
(62) and see an erratic heartbeat.

106. Heart Failure and
Shock

Press the switch (62) and the heart
LED (69) will ash steadily. Press
the press switch (61) and the

1st level

1st level

heartbeat will fail. Touch the touch
plate (80) to simulate a shock that
makes the heart beat come back
on.

107. Simulating CPR

Turn ON the switch (62) and press
the press switch (61) to simulate a
heart failure. Tap the press switch
(61) every three seconds and watch
the blood being pushed through the
heart. This is the idea behind CPR
which stands for cardiopulmonary
resuscitation.

2nd level

108. The Pacemaker

Replace the press switch (61) with the reed switch (83), place the magnet (7) on the reed switch (80) and turn ON the
switch (62). Tap the reed switch (80) with the magnet (7) if the heart is not beating. Place the magnet (7) back on the
reed switch (80) to simulate a pacemaker is activated. Notice how the heartbeat is now steady. You may have to adjust
the magnet to achieve desired effect.

-60-

1st level

1st level

109. Different Heartbeats

Build the circuit and turn ON the switch
(62). If the heart (69) is not beating,
start by touching the touch plate (80).
Change the heartbeat by clicking switch
(61). There are many different types
of cardiac arrhythmias (pronounced

2nd level

ahr-rith-mee-ahs) ranging from the
completely benign to the immediately
life threatening. Arrhythmia simply
means “abnormal heart rhythm.”

110. Attention Please

Press the switch (62) to turn ON power. Tap the touch plate (80), the ashing speed and brightness of the LED (69) will
be changed with each tap. Changing LED speed and brightness is often used to attract someone’s attention.

111. Proximity-controlled Sign

Replace the press switch (61) with the reed switch (83). Turn power ON with the switch (62). Move the magnet (7)
towards the reed switch (83) several times to simulate a person walking by a proximity activated sign. The speed and
message on the sign could change depending on the time of day.

-61-

112. Normal Heartbeat

Build the circuit and turn ON the
switch (62). Tap the touch plate (80)
if the heart (69) is not beating. A more
normal heartbeat should be seen on
the LED (69).

113. Morse Code Heartbeat

Build the circuit and turn ON the switch
(62). Press the press switch (61) and
the LED (69) will turn off. Now press
the press switch (61) quickly for a “dot”

1st level

1st level

and twice as long for a “dash”. Use the
dots and dashes to see Morse Code in
the heartbeat.

114. Flashing Quick Sale Sign

Turn ON the power with the switch (62)
and tap the touch plate (80) if the LED
(69) is not ashing. Press the press
switch (61) and the LED (69) will go off.
Tap the touch plate (80) and the LED
(69) will ash for a several seconds. An
indicator like this could be used to show
when a quick sale is available in a store.

2nd level

115. Flashing Alarm Light

Replace the press switch (61) with the reed switch (83), then turn power ON with the switch (62). The LED (69) may ash
for a few seconds too as a system test. Place the magnet (7) on the reed switch (83) and the LED (69) will again ash
slowly indicating a door or window in your house is open. This light could be in the alarm pane near your front door indicating
that you need to close the door or window before you can set the alarm. Move the magnet (7) away from the reed switch
to simulate closing the door or window and now the light will go out indicating that you can set the alarm system.

-62-

Other E-Blox® Products More sets available! Visit www.myeblox.com

TM

59 Projects

25 pieces, including a motor,
fan, ber optic tree, LEDs,
buzzer, switches, and more!

800 Projects

78 pieces, including an inductor
coil, magnet spinner, resistors,
capacitors, transistors, and more!

-63-

72 Projects

35 pieces, including a maze,
hand crank generator, LEDs,
buzzer, switches, and more!

120 Projects

49 pieces, including a sound
module, FM radio module, LEDs,
speaker, motor, fans, and more!

Sound activated! Touch activated!

Lights

32 pieces, including 25
transparent spacer blox.

Lights Plus

19 pieces, including 12 LED
blox and USB port.

395 Projects

66 pieces, including resistors,
capacitors, transistors, LEDs,
motor, fans, and more!

Sound and Touch

activated!

Lights Deluxe

147 pieces, including 24 LED
blox and USB port.

Other E-Blox® Products More sets available! Visit www.myeblox.com

Builds Deluxe Builds Plus

TM

Starter

Contains over 100
parts, including 8
LEDs.

Compatible with
other toy brick
sets.

Contains 25
patented parts,
including 6 LEDs.

Compatible with
other toy brick
sets.

Contains over 70
parts, including 6
LEDs.

Compatible with
other toy brick sets.

Flashing Frenzy

Contains over 125
patented parts,
including 50 LEDs.

Online instructions
available for three
models.

Compatible with other
toy brick sets.

-64-

Other E-Blox® Products

TM

Story Blox™ include a storybook with QR codes that create an interactive learning environment using
online resources. Eight models are built one at time in several parts of the story using a fully illustrated
and easy-to-follow assembly manual, further enhancing the learning experience.

Seymour E. Blox and his robot
Robyn investigate a mysterious
light in the distant ocean horizon.
They meet some interesting
characters along the way while
traveling in a boat that you build!

-65-

Ride along with Seymour E. Blox as
he travels in an organic submarine
named Mimi that travels faster
than the speed of sound under
water. Help Seymour repair a
very famous bridge that is being
destroyed by industrial pollution in
a large and ancient city.

An exciting adventure story
where Seymour E. Blox climbs
a mountain on faith alone and
discovers a secret cave that holds
the answers to many mysteries
about the Earth’s history, extinct
animals, old memories, a new
home, and much more.

Your E-Blox® Circuit Blox™ is compatible with other E-Blox

®

products!

Your E-Blox® Circuit Blox™ kit has an available add on
consisting of two tin plated blocks (part # 6EB2X101)
which allow you to connect to other E-Blox® sets. A
simple demo circuit is shown on the right and the
parts needed to build it are shown below.

LED Block (6EB2X69)

Plated Blocks

(6EB2X101)

Battery block (6EB3795)

(from E-Blox

Power Blox™ set)

Plated 1x3 blocks (6EB3622Tin)

(from E-Blox

®

Power Blox™ set)

®

-66-

880 Asbury Dr.
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 U.S.A.
Visit us at: www.myeblox.com

U.S. Patents: 6,805,605 and other patents pending.

Copyright © 2018 E-Blox®, Inc. All rights reserved. Colors and styles may vary. Made in China