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Kit (KT) or Assembled (AS)?
Kit Form Products
Products with Order Codes ending with the letters KT are supplied
in kit form and require assembly.
You receive the parts required to complete the project as depicted in
the product picture (unless stated otherwise in the product description).
This generally means a pack of components, printed circuit board (PCB),
assembly instructions (these are not a detailed introduction to electronics
and are written on the assumption that you know the basics), schematic diagrams
and circuit explanations where appropriate. You may need to supply some
additional items like connecting wires, PCB fixing screws, etc.
You will need a soldering iron, some solder, wire cutters, screwdrivers
and preferably some experience to construct the kit. We have a number of
starter tools kits including the HTK300,
HTK362, HTK365 and
HTK368 to name a few - please see our
Tools page for more choices.
Please note that we accept only a limited liability when you purchase
a product from us in kit form. For more information please see the
Project Kit Refund Guarantee and
Project Kit Limit of Liability
details below.
Assembled Format
A large number of our electronic kits are also available ready assembled
and tested. The Order Code for pre-assembled items begin with the letters
AS and are generally supplied as per the product picture (with the
notable exception of ZIF sockets which must be purchased separately).
You will receive the project with the board pre-soldered and boxed (but
ONLY if the kit version is supplied with a box). You will still need to
make any external connections that are required to the board i.e. power
supply, audio inputs and outputs, computer leads, etc.
Boxes (with Order Codes ending BX) are available for a limited
number of projects. Please note that additional items like connection wires,
connectors, screws, lamps, switches, etc. must be supplied by the user.
It may also be necessary to drill holes for switches, etc.
General Kit Information
All of our electronic kits are fully tried and tested, modern designs
that are guaranteed to work when correctly assembled. Our electronic
kits carry a CE mark meaning that they have been tested and approved according
to EC regulations (European Directive 89/336/EC). Please note that our range
of Kit-Form projects are intended for educational and demonstration purposes
only. They are not intended for use in commercial applications. If they
are used in such applications the purchaser assumes all responsibility for
ensuring compliance with all local laws.
 All
kits (i.e. any product with a KT suffix in the Order Code) require assembled
by the purchaser. This involves soldering and the use of a range of small
hand tools. Kits are supplied with the components required to complete the
project as a bare board assembly unless stated otherwise in the kit description.
Most mains powered projects require some additional components like mains
leads, plugs, safety fuses, etc. Boxes and hardware packs are available
for some of these projects. These enable you to produce a safe and professional
looking finished project. Construction, testing and use of these kits should
only be attempted by competent persons, or under supervision of someone
fully experienced in this field.
PCB's are top quality fibre glass boards that have a tinned and solder
resist finish to aid component soldering. A screen printed legend ensures
easy and correct positioning of each component. We don't use cheap and nasty
Tripad strip board offered by some of our competitors
(note the lack of product pictures on their websites!)
Documentation is provided with every kit. You will find step-by-step
assembly instructions, trouble shooting hints and schematic circuit diagrams
PLUS many also have a detailed explanation of the circuit's operation and
other useful information about the components used. This makes it both interesting
and easy to develop your knowledge of many different electronics and the
components used to build them. With their strong emphasis on education,
our kits are ideal for use in schools or colleges as teaching aids.
All of the kits that we sell have been tried and tested by 'Alf', our
resident professor in electronics. We only offer a kit for sale once it
has received Alf's official seal of approval!
New, commercial grade components are used, not odd job lots or factory
seconds. Faulty components will be replaced free of charge.
Printed Circuit Boards
The PCB's supplied with our kits are made to a very high level of quality.
They are produced from 1.6mm fibre glass and include a silk screen printed
overlay guide for easy component placing and a solder mask to aid in soldering.
Wherever possible, solder pads and tracks are generally on the larger side.
Mains Powered Kits and Modules
 To
ensure your safety, please observe these safety measures. In no way are
these complete. As safety requirements vary, please check with your local
authorities, in order to comply with local requirements. If in doubt, seek
the help of a qualified person.
Some kits and modules operate at 110/240V mains voltages. Mains
power may need to be connected either directly to the PCB or to a voltage
transformer. Extreme care should be taken when assembling and testing such
items. Mains power can cause serious injury or death and must therefore
be treated with extreme CAUTION. Construction, testing and use of these
units should only be attempted by competent persons, or under supervision
of someone fully experienced in this field.
Most mains powered projects require some additional components like mains
leads, plugs, etc. Boxes and hardware packs are available most of these
projects. These enable you to produce a safe and professional looking finished
project. Where these are not available, you will need to provide your own
box and hardware.
To ensure electrical safety, and also protection from fire or personal
injury, male sure your mains operated equipment complies with these safety
hints:
- Use a suitable plastic enclosure. If a metal enclosure is used,
make sure it is properly earthed.
- Use a power switch if the device consumes more than 10W. Use a double
pole switch for mains operated, transformer-less kits.
- Mount a fuse in series with the mains switch. Use a slow blow (T)
50mA fuse for transformers up to 10W and a 100mA fuse for transformers
up to 20W.
- Use a mains input connector, or a robust power cord with a clamp.
- Internal wiring carrying mains voltages must have a minimum cross-sectional
area of 0.5mm2.
We accept no responsibility for injury, loss, or damage of any kind as
a result of the purchase, assembly or use of any of our products.
We want your projects to work first time as much as you do. The main
reason for kits not working is poor soldering technique and incorrect placement
of components. Although full assembly instructions are provided with every
kit, they do assume that you know the basics like soldering and basic component
recognition. Component placement should not really be a problem with our
kits as all the components supplied are all clearly identified both in the
instructions and on the PCB legend. So with our kits the most important
skill for the beginner to learn is soldering and the more you practice the
better you get! Here are a few useful sites that will teach you what you
need to know.
Careful attention to these details should help to ensure your projects
work the first time they are powered up. If not then please refer to our
Basic Project Kit Fault Finding Guide.
This outlines some simple fault finding techniques that should get you going.
Technical Support
If, after careful checking, the kit still won't work then please contact
us. We will be glad to provide whatever assistance we can within reason.
We have over 15 years experience in the electrical/electronics industry
and have been involved in the design of a number of kits. If you need further
information or technical support please feel free to email us at
If you feel that you will have difficulty building any Kit-Form product
purchased from us (and you cannot get assistance from a friend) you can
return it for a refund provided a Returns Number is obtained first from
our Customer Services Department by email
or telephone. The items must be returned to us (insured against loss or
damage in transit) at your expense and received by us in original condition
(with all product packaging, documentation and a copy of the original sales
invoice) within 14 days of original invoice date. The returns number must
be clearly stated on the parcel..
Kit-Form products may not be returned for any form of refund or credit
once the inner component packages have been opened or construction has been
commenced. If this is the case please refer to the
Project Kit Limit of Liability
below.
Where a product is supplied in Kit-Form and assembly or construction
has commenced or the inner component packages have been opened we are unable
to offer any form of refund, replacement, exchange or free repair. This
is because we cannot guarantee the labour you provide and components can
be damaged during assembly.
Component packages should be checked against the components list supplied
without opening the plastic bags. Any shortages or breakages must be advised
to the Customer Service Department of Quasar
within 7 days of delivery date and the complete unopened component bag(s)
must be returned for replacement.
It is recommended that if a kit builder does not have enough knowledge to
diagnose faults, that the project should not be started unless assistance
can be obtained. (Unfortunately, one small faulty solder joint or wiring
mistake can take many hours to locate and at normal service rates, the service
charge could well be more than the total cost of the kit).
We do offer a Get You Going service if you
find that you cannot get your project kit up and running without professional
help.
Mains Powered Projects
Due to their nature and function, some kits require Mains Power (110
- 230Vac) to be connected directly to the PCB. Extreme care should be taken
when assembling and testing these kits. They must be placed inside a suitable
box with mains leads fully secured according to general safety standards.
Mains power must be treated very carefully. You must have had appropriate
experience of working with main power before attempting assembly of these
kits. We accept no responsibility for injury, loss, or damage of any kind
as a result of the purchase, assembly or use of any of our products.
Please refer to our Conditions of Sale
for full details.
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