Electric Circuits Theory I

1
Circuit Elements, Power and Energy

Circuit Elements, Power and Energy

An element is the building block of an electric circuit. An interconnection of

elements will form an electric circuit. The process of determining voltages
across or the current through an electric circuit is called circuit analysis.
At the conclusion of this learning module, the learners are expected to:
1. Discuss and differentiate active and passive elements.
2. Define and solve power.
3. Define and determine energy.

Active Elements
Elements capable of generating energy. Typical active elements are
generators, batteries and operational amplifiers. Voltage and current sources
are the most active elements that deliver power to the circuit. In general,
There are two main types of sources: Independent and Dependent Sources.

Independent (Voltage and Current) Sources

Independent Sources are active elements that deliver its own voltage or
current that does not depend on other elements in the circuit.

Figure 2.1. Schematic Symbol of an independent voltage source

a)constant or time-varying voltage b) constant dc voltage

As shown in Figure 2.1 is the schematic symbols of the ideal independent

voltage source. Ideal independent voltage source has a terminal voltage
which is independent of the variations in load. The supply current alters with
changes in load but the terminal voltage, VL always remains constant.

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 Figure 2.2. Schematic Symbol of an independent current source

As shown in Figure 2.2 is the schematic symbol of the ideal independent

current source. Ideal independent current source delivers specified current
completely independent of the voltage across the source. It delivers to the
circuit whatever voltage is necessary to maintain the designated current.

Dependent (Voltage and Current) Sources

Dependent Sources are active elements that provide voltage or current that
is controlled by another voltage or current. The output of dependent sources
is subject to certain parameter (voltage or current) change in a circuit
element. They are useful in modeling elements like transistors, operational
amplifiers and integrated circuits. It is usually designated by diamond-
shaped symbols.
There are four possible types of dependent sources:
1. Voltage-controlled voltage source
2. Current-controlled voltage source
3. Voltage-controlled current source
4. Current-controlled current source

Passive Elements
Passive Elements are not capable of generating energy.

Resistor
A passive circuit element that resist the flow of current in the circuit.

Inductor
A passive circuit element that is a piece of wire generally wrapped around a
core of a ferromagnetic material.

Capacitor
A passive circuit element that has the capacity to store charge in an electric
field.
 Electric Circuits Theory I
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Circuit Elements, Power and Energy

Power and Energy

A 100-W bulb gives more light than a 60-W bulb. We pay our electricity bills
for the electric energy consumed over a certain period of time. Thus, the
power and energy calculations are important in circuit analysis. Even though
the current and voltage are the basic variables in an electric circuit, they are
not sufficient by themselves.

Power
Power is the time rate of expending or absorbing energy. Its unit is measured
in Watts (W).
𝐸𝑞 2.1: 𝑃 = 𝑉𝐼

Where:
P is the power measured in Watts (W)
V is the voltage measured in Volts (V)
I is the current measured in Ampere (A)

Example 2.1
If the power dissipated in a circuit element is 200 W and a current of 20 A is
flowing through it, calculate the voltage across and resistance of the element.

Given:
a) 200 W = power
b) 20 A = current

Find:
a) Voltage (V)
b) Resistance (Ω)

Solution:
a) Voltage
1 1
(𝑷 = 𝑽𝑰 )
𝐼 𝐼
𝑃
𝑉=
𝐼

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 200 𝑊
𝑉=
20 𝐴
V = 10 V

b) Resistance

𝑉
𝑅=
𝐼
10 𝑉
𝑅=
20 𝐴
R = 0.5 Ω

Example 2.2
A light bulb draws 0.5A current at an input voltage of 230V. Determine the
resistance of the filament and also the power dissipated.

Given:
a) 230 V = voltage
b) 0.5 A = current

Find:
a) Resistance (Ω)
b) Power (W)

Solution:
a) Resistance
𝑉
𝑅=
𝐼
230 𝑉
𝑅=
0.5 𝐴
R = 460 Ω

b) Power (W)
(Alternate Expressions for Power Using Ohm’s Law)

P = VI
P = (230 V) (0.5 A)
P = 115 W
 Electric Circuits Theory I
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Circuit Elements, Power and Energy

P = VI
P = (IR) I
P = I2R
P = (0.5A)2 (460 Ω)
P = 115 W

P = VI
𝑉
𝑃=𝑉( )
𝑅
P = V2
R
P = (230 V)2
460 Ω
P = 115 W

Energy
Energy is defined as the capacity to do work.
𝐸𝑞 2.2: 𝑤 = 𝑃𝑡

Where:
w is the energy measured in Joules (J)
P is the power measured in Watts (W)
t is the time measured in seconds (s)

Example 2.3
How much energy does a 100-W electric bulb consume in two hours?

Given:
a) 100 W = Power
b) 2 hrs = time

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 Find:
a) Energy (J)

Solution:
𝑤 = 𝑃𝑡
60 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑠 60 𝑠
𝑤 = (100 𝑊) (2 ℎ𝑟𝑠)( )( )
1 ℎ𝑟 1 𝑚𝑖𝑛
w = 720 kJ

same as,
𝑤 = 𝑃𝑡
𝑤 = (100 𝑊) (2 ℎ𝑟𝑠)
w = 200 Wh

Glossary
Batteries Consists of one more cells, in which
chemical energy is converted into
electricity and used as a source of power.

Ferromagnetic Materials Materials that exhibit a strong attraction

to magnetic fields and are able to retain
their magnetic properties after the
external field has been removed.

Generators A machine that converts mechanical

energy into electrical energy.

Operational Amplifier Linear devices that have all the properties

required for nearly ideal DC amplification.

References
Alexander, C.K. & Sadiku, M.N.O. (1973). Fundamentals of Electric Circuits, 5th
Ed. New York: McGraw-Hill
https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=batteries+means&rlz=1C1CHZL_enP
H714PH714&oq=batteries+means&aqs=chrome..69i57.2510j0j1&sourceid=
chrome&ie=UTF-8
https://www.nde-ed.org/EducationResources/CommunityCollege/MagPar
ticle/Physics/ MagneticMatls.htm

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/generator
 Electric Circuits Theory I
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Circuit Elements, Power and Energy

http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/opamp/opamp_1.html

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