Lecture 1 - TERMINOLOGIES

Electricity
It is a form of energy generated by friction, induction or chemical change, having magnetic, chemical and radiant effect. In short
it is the Electrons in motion.

William Gilbert
An English Physicist accredited the title of “Father of Electricity” after publishing his studies on the “Electric Attraction” and
“Electric Force”.

Electricity is a property of the basic particles of matter which like an atom, consists of;
Electron, Proton, Neutron

Electron
It is the negatively charged particles of an atom, sometimes referred to as the negatively charge of electricity.

Proton
It is the positively charged particle of an Atom which is sometimes referred to as the positively charged of electricity that weighs
about 1850 times much as the Electron.

Neutron
It is that particle of an Atom which is not electrically charged and weighs slightly more than a proton.

Ion
It is the term applied to an atom or molecule which is not electrically balanced. It is an atom or molecule that is electrically
charged. It is simply mean there is a loss or gain of one or more electron.

Volt or Voltage ( V )
It is the electrical pressure that causes the electrons to move through a conductor (wire). In other words, it is the electromotive
force.

Note: Comparatively, 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.

It is named after Alessandro Volta, an Italian scientist who discover that electrons flow when two different metals are connected
by a wire and then dipped into a liquid that conduct or carry electrons.

Ampere ( I )
It is the standard unit used in the measuring the strength of an electric current, named after Andre M. Ampere.
It is the amount of 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 eventually may blow-off the protective devise called fuse, or burn the wire
insulator and create fire.

Watt
It is the rate or measure of power used or consumed. It represent the equivalent heat volts and ampere consumed by lights,
appliances or motors. The term is named after James Watt a Scottish inventor.

Circuit
It refers to the wire installation that supply the current to light and convenient outlets.

Resistance
It is the friction or opposition to the flow of current by the wires and transformers, analogous to plumbing installation, where
the flow of water is subjected to resistance caused by friction between water and the inside wall of the pipe, and the various
form of turns and fittings.
For direct current (DC), the term Resistance is used for friction, and Impedance for alternating current (AC).

Factors that Influence Conductor Resistance

1. Composition of the Conductor Refers to a conductor having free electrons that has low resistance

2. Length of wire The longer the wire, the higher is the resistance.

3. Cross-sectional area of Wire The bigger the cross section of wire, the lower the resistance.
4. Temperature Metals offers high resistance to high temperature (heat).

Electric Current
It is the flow or rate of flow of electric force in a conductor. A current will only flow if a circuit is formed comprising a complete
loop and contains all the ff. components;
Source of Voltage
A closed loop wiring
An electric load
A means of opening and closing circuits

Electric Current is classified as

Direct Current (DC)
Alternating Current (AC)

Direct Current
The electricity flows in one direction. The flow is said to be from negative to positive. The normal source of DC electricity, is the
dry cell or storage battery.

Alternating Current
It is a constant reverse of electric flow. It is generated by machine called generator.
This type if current is universally accepted because of its unlimited number of applications with the ff. advantages;
It is easily produced
It is cheaper to maintain
It could be transformed into higher voltage
It could be distributed to far distances with low voltage drop
It is more efficient compared with the direct current

Under the principles of direct current electricity, Power is the product of voltage and current.
Watts = Volts x Ampere

Under the principles of alternating current electricity, the product of voltage and ampere is equal to the quantity of called volt-
ampere which is not is not the same as watts
Volt-Ampere = Volts (Ampere)

To convert volt-ampere to watts or power, a power factor (pf) is introduced. To get Power in an AC circuit, we have the
following formula;

Watts = Volts (Ampere) (power factor)

Watts = V ( I ) ( pf )

Ohms Law
“The higher the voltage, the larger the current, and the higher the resistance, the lower the current”.
The relationship between the current, voltage and resistance is presented in the following equations known as the
OHMS LAW.

𝐈 = 𝐕⁄𝐑 where: I = Current Flow ( amperes)

V = Electromotive force (volts)
R = Resistance (Ohms)

It will be noted that the current is inversely proportional to the resistance. Thus, as resistance decreases, current increases.

Series and Parallel

Series Circuit Connection , a single path exist for current flow, that is, the elements are arranges in a series one after the other
with no branches.

𝑉𝑡 = 𝑉1 + 𝑉2 + 𝑉3 + . . ..

𝑅𝑡 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2 + 𝑅3 + . . ..
Under a series arrangement where only one path of current is supplying the light, failure of any one of the bulbs will cause a
break in the circuit, cutting off the entire circuitry. Example is a string of Christmas lights having a single wire supplying current.
When a single bulb breaks off, the flow of current also cut off.

Parallel Circuit Connection, sometimes called multiple connections where loads are placed across the same voltage constituting
a separate circuit. It is the standard arrangement of house wiring connections wherein the lights constitute one parallel grouping
and the convenience wall outlets constitute the second parallel grouping. The fundamental principle under this type of
circuitry is that; “loads in parallel are additive for current and that each has the same voltage imposed”.
When current rises instantly to a very high level, the condition will constitute a Short Circuit.

Volt Transformation
Transformer is a simple static device consisting of a magnetic core wherein the primary and secondary winding are
made.
The voltage is directly proportional to the number of winding or turns.

The Input Side is classified as the primary while the Output side is classified as a secondary. Under this condition, the
transformer is said to be 120 / 240 volts set up transformer with 120 primary and 240 volt secondary.
The same transformer could be used as step down transformer by reversing the supply and the load. The 240 volts will be the
primary and the 120 volts the secondary. In short, transformers are reversible.

Power and Energy ( in electrical concept)

Power is the technical term for the common work.
Energy is the product of power and time.

Energy or Work = Power x Time

= horse power, BTU/hr, watt and kilowatt (English)
= joule/sec, calories/sec , watt and kilowatt (S I)

Power in Electric Circuit

The measuring unit of electric power is the Watt. Power has a several forms; an electric motor produces mechanical power that
is measured in terms of horse power. An electric heater produces heat or thermal power, and light bulb produces both heat and
light that is measured in terms of candle power.
The power input (watt) to any electrical device having a resistance R with the current 𝐈 is expressed to;
Watt = 𝐈 𝟐 𝐑 where: W= units in watts
R = units in Ohms
By Ohms Law I = units in amp
𝐕 = 𝐈 𝐑 V = units in volts
Thus,
𝐖 = 𝐕 𝐈

Voltage and Voltage Drop

For the following branch circuits:

Series Circuits - current is the same throughout but voltage differs.

Parallel Circuit - voltage is the same but the current differs.

Another important principle that is worthy to note is, “the sum of the voltage drop around a circuit is equal to the supply
voltage”. This principle is important in series circuit.

On a parallel circuit, each item has the same voltage across it, which constitute a circuit itself.
The voltage drops on wire carrying current is:

Voltage drop = carried current x resistance of wire

The power loss in the wire conductor can be calculated as the product of the voltage and the current. It is equal to the
component’s resistance times the current squared.

𝐏 = 𝐈(𝐈 𝐑 ) = 𝐈𝟐 𝐑
Problem Solving

1. A 12 amperes electric fan and blower with a power factor of 0.85 was connected to a 240 volts convenient outlet.
Compute the current and power in the circuit.
Solution:
Power (watts) = Volts (Ampere) (power factor)
= 240v (12 amp) (0.85)
= 2 448 watts

2. An electric motor has a trade mark label of 2 horse power, 240 v, 15 amp. Compute the motor power factor.
Solution:
Assume motor efficiency of 85%

1 horse power is 746 watts, covert HP to watts

2 HP ( 746watts/HP ) = 1 492 watts

Efficiency = Output / Input

= 1 492 watts /0.85
= 1 755.29 watts

For AC circuit
Power = Volts (Ampere) (power factor)

power factor = power / volt (ampere)

= 1 755. 29 / 240v (15 amp)
= 0. 4875

Volt-Ampere = 240v (15 amp) = 3 600 v-a

3. Determine the current flow in a circuit having a resistance of 5 Ohms on a 120 volts and 240 volts current supply.
Determine between the two current supply is the better choice.

Solution:
For 120 volts

I = V⁄R = 120⁄5

= 24 amperes

For 240 volts

= 240⁄5
= 48 amperes

It can be concluded that 240 volts circuit, is better choice than using 120 volts circuit as computed with 48
amp and 24 amp respectively.

4. A circuit has a resistance of 20 Ohms and the current flows at 12 amperes. Determine the voltage.

Students Solve This!

5. Two automobile headlights are connected in series to a 12 volts battery each having a resistance of 2.0 Ohms.
What is the current flowing in the circuit?
Solution:
Given:
V = 12 volts

Total Resistance:
𝑅𝑡 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2

I = V⁄R = 12⁄2 = 6 amperes

6. A mercury lamp having a hot resistance of 50 Ohms, is connected to a socket with 240v current supply.
How much current flows through the lamp?
Calculate the power drawn.

Solution:
I = V⁄R = 240⁄50 = 4.8 amp

Where power factor (pf) in a purely resistive circuit, such as those with only electric heating elements,
impedance or resistance power (pf) is equal to 1.0.

𝐖 = 𝐕 𝐈 (pf)
= 240 ( 4.8 ) (1.0) = 1, 152 watts

Checking:
Watt = 𝐈 𝟐 𝐑
= ( 𝟒. 𝟖 )𝟐 ( 50 ) = 1, 152 watts

7. A water heater draws 10 amp at 240v current supply. Determine its heat resistance.
𝐈 = 𝐕⁄𝐑 (student solve this!)

8.
Energy Calculation

Appliance Load Daily used

Electric Iron 1 200 watts 2 hours
Water Heater 1000 watts 3 hours
Toaster 1 300 watts 30 minutes

Solution:
Electric Iron 1200w = 1.2 kw (2 hrs) = 2.4 kwh
Water Heater 1 000w = 1.0 kw (3 hrs) = 3.0 kwh
Toaster 1 300w = 1.3 kw (.5 hr) = .65 kwh
Total = 6.05 kwh

If the average cost of energy ( not power) is Php 8.50 per kwh, for 30 days consumption, multiply:

30days ( 6.05kwh ) ( Php 8.50 ) = Php 1 542.75