components questions ....

[funkamunk]

hi, i am new to electronics and just have a few questions regarding components.

1) im in the process of making a overdrive pedal and ive bought the required BS250 transistors. the manufacturer says they are nMOS, what does this mean? and how do i find the base, collector and emitter as i havent been told where they are?

2) i know i connect the input and output wires to the tip of the guitar lead but there do i connect the shaft part? (earth maybe??) and where don the earth symbols connect to? i was thinking it may all connect to the negative part of the battery but im confused!

3)is it easy to blow a transistor because ive been trying to find the base etc by trial and error (swapping the connecting wires around) and how would i check if it was blown?

4) can anyone give a a link to an easy to build stompbox ... cos i know once ive completed one and it works ill be happy n want to build more!

thanks
kevin

[petemoore]

You['ll be able to find stuff you can use in all the blue print at  the top of page...try them out...FAQ...GEO etc. Root around there's really a ton of stuff [all of it is there but You have to sort it out] all concise and prepared for your learning pleasures!!!
  DMM's go longways...best 40 I ever spent !

[petemoore]

LPB1 or similar parts count booster is a great place to start.
 I use a boost like all the time. I have an LPB on my pedal board.
 Look in the beginners forum for info on booster building...
 Build another and have yer basic 2 tranny boost/OD.
 It is recommended that you start with something simple...take your time and make sure the parts values are correct [I measure most all resistors with a DMM before soldering them in].
 Plan a few moves ahead, [I would imagine you'reuseing perfboard], and look at each nodes connectionS. node is where multiple component leads connect.
 Check out Small Bears Tweak-O or other beginner project with text and pictorials...
  I  Wish You a Happy Build !!!

[funkamunk]

thanks

[smoguzbenjamin]

MOS would mean they are FETs, MOSFETS, I think you started another topic about FETs

Ground is also referred to as 'common' because all these points connect together, and in most cases to the negative battery terminal If you apply 9v without a current limiting resistor to a transistor, yes you're probably running the risk of blowing it. If you are just putting it into a socket of an existing circuit it should be fine.

[eliktronik]

You can find the datasheet for the BS250 here:
http://www.vishay.com/docs/70209/70209.pdf

usually a quick google search will bring this up...