Basic Electrical Engineering

What is it and where does it come from?

Sources of Electrical Energy

DIRECT CURRENT (DC)

Electricity with electrons flowing in only one direction is called Direct Current

ALTERNATING CURRENT (AC)

Electricity with electrons flowing back and forth, negative - positive- negative, is called Alternating Current, or AC

Generation of Electricity

Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Electrical Energy

Voltage
The electrical push which the cell gives to the electrons is called the voltage

Measurement of Voltage
It is measured in volts (V) by a voltmeter

Current
An electric current is a flow of microscopic particles called

electrons flowing through wires and components.

Measurement of Current
Electric current is measured in amps (A) using an Ammeter connected in series in the circuit.

Resistance
Resistance is the property of material by virtue of which it opposes the flow of Electrons i.e. current

Resistance

(a) Conductors

(b) semiconductors

(c) insulators

Factors affecting Resistance of a conductor

Resistance depends on
Temperature Length Cross-sectional area Type of Material

Factors affecting Resistance of a conductor

1. Temperature

The resistance of a metallic conductor increases as the temperature increases e.g. copper The resistance of a semiconductor/insulator decreases as the temperature increases e.g. thermistor.

Factors affecting Resistance of a conductor

2. Length
w h

l
1 A

Resistance of a uniform conductor is directly proportional to its length.

i.e. RwL

Factors affecting Resistance of a conductor

3. Cross-sectional area

Resistance of a uniform conductor is inversely proportional to its cross-sectional area. i.e. R w 1/A

Simple circuits
Here is a simple electric circuit. It has a cell, a lamp and a switch.

cell

wires

switch

lamp

To make the circuit, these components are connected together with metal connecting wires.

Circuit diagram
Scientists usually draw electric circuits using symbols;

cell

lamp

switch

wires

Simple circuits
When the switch is closed, the lamp lights up. This is because there is a continuous path of metal for the electric current to flow around.

If there were any breaks in the circuit, the current could not flow.

Circuit diagrams
In circuit diagrams components are represented by the following symbols;

cell

battery

switch

lamp

buzzer

ammeter

voltmeter

motor

resistor

variable resistor

Ohms Law
I V + _
unknown resistive element

Assume that the wires are perfect conductors and Physical conditions remaining constant. The unknown circuit element limits the flow of current.

Ohms Law
A simple relationship exists between voltage, current, and resistance in electrical circuits. Understanding this relationship is important for fast, accurate electrical problem diagnosis and repair.

Current

When R is Constant

E IE R

Voltage

The current in a circuit is directly proportional to the applied voltage and inversely proportional to the amount of resistance. This means that if the voltage goes up, the current flow will go up, and vice versa. Also, as the resistance goes up, the current goes down, and vice versa.

Three Algebraic Forms of Ohms Law

E=IR
Voltage = Current x Resistance

E I= R E R= I

Power
Power = Voltage X Current

P ! VxI Watt
VxV P! ! R R 2 V

2R P ! IxRxI ! I

1)Find the resistances of following copper wires

i) ii) 1 mm2 cross sectional area, 100 m long 25 cm2 cross sectional area, 200 m long = 1.73 - cm

Given that

l ! . 73 x 0 i) R ! V A

00 x 0 2 6 ! . 73 ; x 2 x 0

ii ) R ! 1 . 73 x 10

6

200 x 10 ! 0 . 00 384 ; x 25

2) Calculate the Resistance of 100m length of wire having uniform crosssectional area of 0.01 mm2 and having resistivity of 50 -cm. If the wire is drawn three times its original length, calculate the resistance.
Given: = 50 -cm = 50 x 10-6 -cm l = 100 m = 100 x 102 cm, area= a = 0.01 mm2 = 0.01 x 10-2 cm2
6

R ! 50 x10

100 x10 2 ! 5000 ; x 2 0 . 01 x10

New cross section area a

New length l= 3 x l,

Since the volume remains same After drawing, a = a/3 volume = c/s area x length = a x l = a x l = a x 3 x l l = 3 x l = 100 x 102 x 3 = 300 x 102 cm

a = a/3 = 0.01 x 10-2 / 3 cm2

Rnew

300 x10 2 l' 6 ! V ' ! 50 x10 x ! 45000 ; 2 0.01 x10 a

Simple circuits
When the switch is closed, the lamp lights up. This is because there is a continuous path of metal for the electric current to flow around.

If there were any breaks in the circuit, the current could not flow.

Types of the circuit

There are two types of electrical circuits;
SERIES CIRCUITS PARALLEL CIRCUITS

SERIES CIRCUITS

The components are connected end-to-end, one after the other. They make a simple loop for the current to flow round. If one bulb blows it breaks the whole circuit and all the bulbs go out.

PARALLEL CIRCUITS

The components are connected side by side. The current has a choice of routes. If one bulb blows there is still be a complete circuit to the other bulb so it stays alight.

Measuring current
This is how we connect an ammeter in a circuit.

SERIES CIRCUIT

PARALLEL CIRCUIT

Measuring current
SERIES CIRCUIT current is the same at all points in the circuit.
2A 2A 2A

PARALLEL CIRCUIT current is shared between the components

2A 1A 1A 2A

Measuring voltage
This is how we connect a voltmeter in a circuit.

V
SERIES CIRCUIT

V
PARALLEL CIRCUIT

Measuring voltage

V V V

Measuring voltage
This is how we connect a voltmeter in a circuit.

V
SERIES CIRCUIT

V
PARALLEL CIRCUIT

Series circuit
voltage is shared between the components

3V

1.5V

1.5V

Parallel circuit
voltage is the same in all parts of the circuit.

3V 3V

3V

Measuring current & voltage

copy the circuits on the next two slides.

complete the missing current and voltage readings. remember the rules for current and voltage in series and parallel circuits.

Measuring current & voltage

a)
6V 4A A

V A

Measuring current & voltage

b)
6V 4A V A A

V A

Answers
a)
6V 4A 3V 3V 4A 2A

b)
6V 4A 6V 4A

4A

6V 2A

Q.1 Which of the two cases shown has the smaller equivalent resistance between points a and b? 1. Case #1 2. Case #2 3. the equivalent resistance is the same in both cases 4. answer depends on the values of the individual resistances R1, R2, and R3

A.1 Which of the two cases shown has the smaller equivalent resistance between points a and b? 1. Case #1 2. Case #2 3. the equivalent resistance is the same in both cases 4. answer depends on the values of the individual resistances R1, R2, and R3

Q.2 A 120-V, 60-W light bulb, a 120-V, 120-W light bulb, and a 120-V, 240-W light bulb are connected in series as shown. If the voltage between points a and b is 120 V, through which bulb will there be the greatest voltage drop?

1. the 120-V, 60-W light bulb 2. the 120-V, 120-W light bulb 3. the 120-V, 240-W light bulb 4. all three light bulbs have the same voltage drop

A.2 A 120-V, 60-W light bulb, a 120-V, 120-W light bulb, and a 120-V, 240-W light bulb are connected in series as shown. If the voltage between points a and b is 120 V, through which bulb will there be the greatest voltage drop?

1. the 120-V, 60-W light bulb 2. the 120-V, 120-W light bulb 3. the 120-V, 240-W light bulb 4. all three light bulbs have the same voltage drop

Q.3 A 120-V, 60-W light bulb, a 120-V, 120-W light bulb, and a 120-V, 240-W light bulb are connected in parallel as shown. If the voltage between points a and b is 120 V, through which bulb will there be the greatest voltage drop? 1. the 120-V, 60-W light bulb 2. the 120-V, 120-W light bulb 3. the 120-V, 240-W light bulb 4. all three light bulbs have the same voltage drop

A.3 A 120-V, 60-W light bulb, a 120-V, 120-W light bulb, and a 120-V, 240-W light bulb are connected in parallel as shown. If the voltage between points a and b is 120 V, through which bulb will there be the greatest voltage drop? 1. the 120-V, 60-W light bulb 2. the 120-V, 120-W light bulb 3. the 120-V, 240-W light bulb 4. all three light bulbs have the same voltage drop

Q.4 Three identical light bulbs are connected to a source of emf as shown. Which bulb is brightest? 1. light bulb A 2. light bulb B 3. light bulb C 4. both light bulbs B and C (both are equally bright and are brighter than light bulb A) 5. all bulbs are equally bright

A.4 Three identical light bulbs are connected to a source of emf as shown. Which bulb is brightest? 1. light bulb A 2. light bulb B 3. light bulb C 4. both light bulbs B and C (both are equally bright and are brighter than light bulb A) 5. all bulbs are equally bright

Q.5 You wish to study a resistor in a circuit. To simultaneously measure the current in the resistor and the voltage across the resistor, you would place 1. an ammeter in series and an voltmeter in series 2. an ammeter in series and an voltmeter in parallel 3. an ammeter in parallel and an voltmeter in series 4. an ammeter in parallel and an voltmeter in parallel

A.5 You wish to study a resistor in a circuit. To simultaneously measure the current in the resistor and the voltage across the resistor, you would place 1. an ammeter in series and an voltmeter in series 2. an ammeter in series and an voltmeter in parallel 3. an ammeter in parallel and an voltmeter in series 4. an ammeter in parallel and an voltmeter in parallel

Problem-Solving Strategy
A complicated circuit consisting of several resistors and batteries can often be reduced to a simple circuit with only one resistor Replace resistors in series or in parallel with a single resistor Sketch the new circuit after these changes have been made Continue to replace any series or parallel combinations Continue until one equivalent resistance is found

Problem-Solving Strategy
If the current in or the potential difference across a resistor in the complicated circuit is to be identified, start with the final circuit and gradually work back through the circuits (use formula V = I R and the procedures describe above)

Find the resistance between A and B

Will Either Bird be Shocked?

Connecting wire has no insulation and negligible resistance

What is the total resistance between Points A and B?

4 + 6 = 10 1 / RCD = 1 / 9 + 1 / 8 + 1 / 10 RCD = 2.98 ; 2.98 + 3 = 5.98 1 / RAB = 1 / 5.98 + 1 / 20 RAB = 4.60 ;

What is the potential difference between Points A and B? Also find current through 5.0 ohm resistance.

1 / RAB = 1/3 + 1/6 RAB = 2 ohm Total: 6 ohm I = 12 V / 6 ohm = 2A VAB = (2 A) (2 ohm ) =4V I5 = 4 V / (5+1)ohm = 2 / 3 = 0.66 A

Find the current in the 12-

resistor in the Figure

I=0.428 Amp