ELECTRICAL ENG.

Introduction to Basic Electrical

Circuit Materials

Conductors
Pathways that allow electrons to flow
through an electrical circuit.
Materials for conductors:
Copper (great conductor and fairly
cheap)
Brass (Strong and good conductor)
Aluminum (cheap, light & good
conductor)
Silver (awesome conductor, but
expensive)

Conductor Size

Cross sectional area

Determines how much current it can handle
without overheating.
Circular conductors size American Wire Gauge
System larger the number, the smaller the
cross-sectional area. No. 14 is larger than No. 20
wire.

Circular Mils
The cross sectional area of a conductor.
1 mil = 1/1000th of an inch (0.001)
Circular mils (cmil) = D2 [diameter squared]
Useful when expressing a conductor size other
than r2. Such as rectangular

Insulation
Materials with few free electrons does not conduct electrons
well.
Keeps electrons harnessed.
Rubber
Plastic
Synthetics
Neoprene, Teflon, nylon, polyethylene

Types of conductors

Resistance in a Conductor
Four factors that effect the resistance of a
conductor.
Cross-Sectional area
Type of material
Length of conductor
Temperature of material

Copper

Aluminium

Circuit Devices
Switches Control circuit
Actuator mechanical
device that controls the
opening and closing of the
switch.
SP/ST Single-pole (one
path); single throw (one
circuit)

Connector
s

Ring terminal
Insulated ring terminal
Flange terminal
Inline splice
Termination Block
Fork terminal
Stranded connector
Wire nut
Split bolt connector

Circuit Protection Devices

Fuses
Circuit Breakers

Lighting

Incandescent Lamp
Current flowing through a tungsten filament gives off heat and light.

Discharge lamps

Lighting

Halogen Lamp Tungsten filament is inserted through a glass tube, which

is filled with helium.

Florescent lamp

Resisto
rs
Resistor is a device used to
create desirable voltage
Drops and limit current
values in
electrical circuits.

Resistors

Carbon composition
Thin film
Film
Chip resistors
Wire wound
Metal oxide

Resistor
standard
Color Code