Scouting/BSA/Electronics Merit Badge

The requirements to this merit badge are copyrighted by the Boy Scouts of America. They are reproduced in part here under fair use as a resource for Scouts and Scouters to use in the earning and teaching of merit badges. The requirements published by the Boy Scouts of America should always be used over the list here. If in doubt about the accuracy of a requirement, consult your Merit Badge Counselor.

Reading this page does not satisfy any requirement for any merit badge. Per National regulations, the only person who may sign off on requirements is a Merit Badge Counselor, duly registered and authorized by the local Council. To obtain a list of registered Merit Badge Counselors, or to begin a Merit Badge, please contact your Scoutmaster or Council Service Center.

1. Describe the safety precautions you must exercise when using, building, altering, or repairing electronic devices.
2. Do the following:

   a. Draw a simple schematic diagram. It must show resistors, capacitors, and transistors or integrated circuits, Use the correct symbols. Label all parts.

   b. Tell the purpose of each part.

3. Do the following:

   a. Show the right way to solder and desolder.

   b. Show how to avoid heat damage to electronic components.

   c. Tell about the function of a printed circuit board. Tell what precautions should be observed when soldering printed circuit boards.

4. Discuss each of the following with your merit badge counselor, and then choose ONE of the following and build a circuit to show the techniques used:

   a. Tell how you can use electronics for a control purpose, and then build a control device circuit.

   b. Tell about the basic principles of digital techniques, and then build a digital circuit. Show how to change three decimal numbers into binary numbers, and three binary numbers into decimal numbers.

   c. Tell about three audio applications of electronics, and then build an audio circuit.

5. Show how to read the schematic diagram of the project you choose and, to the best of your ability, explain to your counselor how the circuit you built operates.
6. Do the following:

   a. Show how to solve a simple problem involving current, voltage, and resistance using Ohm's law.

   b. Tell about the need for and the use of test equipment in electronics. Name three types of test equipment. Tell how they operate.

7. Find out about three career opportunities in electronics that interest you. Discuss with and explain to your counselor what training and education are needed for each position.