Republic of the Philippines

Surigao del Sur State University

Bislig Campus
Maharlika, Bislig City

ENGINEERING UTILITIES 1 -110

ELECTRICITY
Electricity is a form of energy generated by friction, induction or chemical change having magnetic, Chemical and
radiant effect. In short, electricity is electrons in motion.

Electricity is one of the most useful discovery of man which paved the way to the numerous inventions from the
simple tools to the most sophisticated gadgets making what originally seemed to impossible become a reality.

Contrary to some belief, electricity is not new. It has been here with ever since and its existence is as old as the
universe discovered by the ancient Greeks sometime in 600 B.C. However, the title of “Father of Electricity” was
accredited to William Gilbert an English Physicist, after publishing his studies on the “ Electric Attraction and the
Electric Force.

Electricity is a property of the basic particles of matter which like an atom, consists of

a) Electron,

b) Proton

c) Neutron William Gilbert an English Physicist

ELECTRICITY
The electron is the negatively charged particle of an atom which is sometimes referred to as the negative charge of
electricity on the other hand, the proton is the positively charge particle of an atom which is sometimes referred to
as the positive charge of electricity that weighs about 1850 times as much as the electron.

The neutron is that particle which is not electrically charged and weighs slightly more than the proton.

Theory:

1. That all matters are made up of molecules

2. That the molecules are made up of atoms

3. That the atom contains neutrons, electrons and protons

4. That the neutron is neutral, hence, neither positively or negatively charged

5. That the electron of an atom of any substance could be transformed to another atom.
ELECTRICITY
Definition of Terms

Ion – is the term applied to an atom or molecule which is not electrically balanced. It is an atom or
molecule which is electrically charged. This simply mean that, there is a loss or gain of one or more
electrons. Ions occur when the electrons in the atom is loosened through friction by another atom.
Therefore, the presence of electrons in any substance be it organic or inorganic is a fact that
electricity is always present.

Volt-or Voltage – Is the electrical pressure that cause the electrons to move through a conductor. In
short, voltage is the electromotive force.

Seemingly, to have 12 volts is like having 12 pounds of water pressure inside the pipe of a water
system. Thus, the higher the voltage, the more electricity will be forced to flow.

Volt was named after Alessandro Volta an Italian Scientist who discovered that electrons flow when
two different metals are connected by a wire and dipped in a liquid that conduct or carry electrons.
ELECTRICITY
Definition of Terms

Ampere is the standard unit in measuring the strength of an electric current named after Andre M.
Ampere. It is the amount of current that flow sent by one volt through the resistance of one Ohm. When
there is too much flow of electricity in a small conductor or wire, heat is produced which may eventually
burn the insulator and cause fire or blow-off the protective devise called fuse.

Watt- is the rate or measure of power used or consumed. It represents the equivalent heat volts ampere
consumed by lights, appliances or motors. A term commonly labeled on light bulbs or appliances which
gives us an idea of the kind of circuit that would be installed. The term is named afte James Watt a
Scottish inventor.

Resistance – is the opposition or friction to the flow of current. Similarly, in plumbing installation the
flow of water is subject to resistance caused by friction of water inside the pipe, and the various form of
turns and fittings.

We use the term Resistance for DC electricity5 and Impedance for AC electricity.
ELECTRICITY
Perhaps, the most amazing and life-changing innovation made by humans is electricity. Survival
without electricity is unimaginable now but there was a time when people lived without light and
electronic appliances.
Great minds worked in coordination to create this essential asset for the human race.
Development and generation of electricity changed the lives drastically, starting from domestic use
to industrial activities.
Talking about domestic usages there is hardly any task that does not require electricity like cooking,
cleaning, entertainment, and whatnot.
On the other hand, if we look at the commercial and industrial sectors all the technology is
dependent on the extraordinary creation of man. Without the discovery of electricity, life wouldn’t
be what is it today.
Let’s take an in-depth view of how electricity has affected our lives. The home life greatly depends
on electrical devices like TV, kitchen appliances, computers, video games vacuum cleaners and
much more.
ELECTRICITY
There are several ways to produce electricity and the users must have some knowledge of the
production of this major dependency.

• Hydroelectricity production from water

• electricity Windmills generate through wind
• Burning of coal produces electricity
• Solar panels are used to make energy through the sun.
HYDRO-ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION FROM WATER
Hydroelectric power is produced with moving water
Because the source of hydroelectric power is water, hydroelectric power plants are usually located on or near a
water source. The volume of the water flow and the change in elevation—or fall, and often referred to as head—
from one point to another determine the amount of available energy in moving water. In general, the greater the
water flow and the higher the head, the more electricity a hydropower plant can produce.

At hydropower plants water flows through a pipe, or penstock, then pushes against and turns blades in a turbine to
spin a generator to produce electricity
WINDMILL ELECTRICITY GENERATION
How wind turbines work. Wind turbines use blades to collect the wind's kinetic energy. Wind flows
over the blades creating lift (similar to the effect on airplane wings), which causes the blades to
turn. The blades are connected to a drive shaft that turns an electric generator, which produces
(generates) electricity.
BURNING OF COAL PRODUCES ELECTRICITY
How is coal converted to electricity?
Steam coal, also known as thermal coal, is used in power stations to generate electricity.
First coal is milled to a fine powder, which increases the surface area and allows it to
burn more quickly.
1. In pulverized coal combustion (PCC) systems, the powdered coal is blown into the
combustion chamber of a boiler where it is burnt at high temperature.
2. The hot gases and heat energy produced converts water – in tubes lining the boiler – into
steam.
3. The high-pressure steam is passed into a turbine containing thousands of propeller-like
blades.
4. The steam pushes these blades causing the turbine shaft to rotate at high speed.
5. 5. A generator is mounted at one end of the turbine shaft and consists of carefully wound wire
coils.
BURNING OF COAL PRODUCES ELECTRICITY
6. Electricity is generated when these are rapidly rotated in a strong magnetic field.
7. After passing through the turbine, the steam is condensed and returned to the boiler to be
heated once again.
8. The electricity generated is transformed into the higher voltages – up to 400,000 volts – used
for economic, efficient transmission via power line grids.
SOLAR PANELS
How Does a Solar Cell Generate Electricity?
• A solar cell is made up of two layers of silicon that are treated to let electricity flow through
them when exposed to sunlight.
• One layer is positively charged, the other negatively charged.
• As photons enter the layers, they give up their energy to the atoms in the silicon in the form of
electrons.
• When photons hit the layers of silicon, electrons pass through the junction between the
positive and negative layers, generating electric current.
SOLAR PANELS

Solar Photovoltaic Cells

Photovoltaic = Photo (Light) + Volt (Electric Potential)
Photovoltaic solar cells are made of layers of crystalline silicon, covered with a very hard,
protective layer of non-reflective glass. Solar cells connected together create a solar panel