FastTrack
Subsystems
(Scroll down for list)

Input
Sensors


Light
Sensor

Detects when light levels get brighter

 

Dark
Sensor

Detects when light levels get darker

 

Cold
Sensor

Detects when it gets colder

 

Heat
Sensor

Detects when it gets warmer

 

Water
Sensor

Detects water or moisture levels

 

Touch
Sensor

Detects the touch of a finger

 

Position
Sensor

Detects a mechanical turning movement


 

Input
Trigger
Switches

Reed
Switch

Detects when a magnet moves closer

 

Reed
Switch

Detects when a magnet moves away

 

S.P.S.T.
Switch

Triggers when its contacts "close" or come together

 

S.P.S.T.
Switch

Triggers when its contacts "open" or come apart

 

Membrane
Switch

Detects when pressure is applied

 

Membrane
Switch

Detects when pressure is released

 

Tilt
Switch

Triggers when it is tilted at an angle


 

Process
Controllers

NPN
type
Transistor

Low Power Electronic Switch to enable current to flow through the output(s)

.

Darlington
Pair

Sensitive Electronic Switch to enable higher currents to flow through the output(s).

 

Thyristor
(SCR)

Electronic Latch remaining switched on when triggered - enabling current to continue to flow through the output(s) until it is reset.

 

PIC Programmable Microcontroller

Re-Programmable
Microcontroller powered by 9 volt supply

 

Darlington
Pair +
Capacitor /
Resistor

Delaying the switching on of an output

 

Transistor
+ Capacitor

Temporary Latch
holding an output on
for a short time

 

Darlington
Pair +
Capacitor

Temporary Latch
holding an output on
for a chosen time


 

Output
Devices

Smart
Wire

Wire shortens to 80% of its length when current flows through it and when it heats to 70°C.

 

Low Voltage
Motor

Produces a rotating
movement that may be connected to mechanical devices such as pulleys or gears.

 

D.P.D.T.
Relay

Controls separate higher current/voltage circuits. It may be used to reverse the direction of a motor.

 

Fixed
Tone
Buzzer

Produces a clear, constant audible tone

 

Lamp/
Bulb

Traditional light source to illuminate places and see by. Nowadays it has been replaced by more efficient clear/white L.E.D. devices

 

Standard
L.E.D.

Produces a visual indicating or warning signal. It is available in many colours - for instance: red, green, blue, yellow, orange...

 

Flashing
L.E.D.

Produces a slow flashing indicator, with a rate of approximately one flash per second or 1Hz). Typical colours include: red, green, yellow.