Need help understanding data sheets

[windell hylton]

Please can someone give me a tutorial on how to read and understand data sheets of electrical components?
Like what specs to pay attention to.

 

[davenn]

Like what specs to pay attention to.

don't exceed the listed max ratings ... stay well below those and the device will operate as specified

an example

 

[(*steve*)]

Apart from that, the most important specs will depend on what role the component is playing.

For a resistor, it might be tolerance, tempco, voltage, current or power (along with resistance!). Oh, or inductance, or any of the other specs. None of the specs are useless -- they will be important for someone.

 

[AnalogKid]

A datasheet for a capacitor and a datasheet for an opamp are two very different things. What kinds of components are you interested in?

ak