ECEA020 8/19/2020

ECEA020
Electrical Concepts,
Terms and Units

Mapua University
School of EECE

ELECTRICAL UNITS
• BASE UNITS in S. I.
Base Quantity Unit Symbol
Length meter m
Mass kilogram kg
Time second s
Thermodynamic Temperature kelvin K
Electric Current ampere A
Electric Power Watts P
Amount of Substance mole mol
Luminous Intensity candela cd

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SI UNIT PREFIXES

NOTATIONS
Scientific Notation
it is the shifting of the decimal point either to the left or to the right of the given number
until there is only one significant digit to the left of the decimal point and then
multiplying the number with the appropriate power of 10 to retain its original value.
A way of expressing a number in terms of the power of 10.
Example: 58,000 m = 5.8 x 104 m
Engineering Notation
It is an exponential format of specifying numbers in which the powers of 10 are limited
to the multiples of three so that it corresponds to an S.I. prefix.
It is the application of decimal prefixes and their abbreviations to simplify language
when dealing with very small or very large units.
Example: 58,000 m = 58 km

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Circuits and Important Quantities

• An electrical circuit is a collection of components connected via
metal wires. Electrical components include but are not limited to
resistors, inductors, capacitors, generators (sources), transformers,
diodes, and transistors.
• In circuit analysis, wire shapes and geometric arrangements are not
important and they can be changed, provided that the connections
between the components remain the same with fixed geometric
topology.
• Wires often meet at intersection points; a connection of two or more
wires at a point is called a node.
• Before discussing how circuits can be represented and analyzed, we
first need to focus on important quantities, namely, electric charge,
electric potential, and current, as well as energy and power.

Electrical Network
• An electrical network is an interconnection of electrical components (e.g.,
batteries, resistors, inductors, capacitors, switches, transistors) or a
model of such an interconnection, consisting of electrical elements (e.g.,
voltage sources, current sources, resistances, inductances,
capacitances)

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Electrical Circuit
An electrical circuit is a network consisting of a closed loop, giving a
return path for the current. Linear electrical networks, a special type
consisting only of sources (voltage or current), linear lumped elements
(resistors, capacitors, inductors), and linear distributed elements
(transmission lines).
All circuits are network but not all networks are circuit

Electric Charge
•Symbol : (q)
•Unit : Coulomb (C)

• Electric charge is a fundamental property of matter to describe force interactions among

particles. According to Coulomb's law, there is an attractive (negative) force between a
proton and an electron given by

which is significantly larger than (around 1.2 x 1036 times) the gravity between these
particles.

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Electrical charge

There is a force (F) between electrical charges. Like charges repel; unlike
charges attract.
• The force is directly proportional to charge.
• The force is inversely proportional to square of distance.

1 Coulomb = 6.25 x 1018 electrons

+ +
_
+ 1 electron = 1.602 x 10-19 coulomb

Electric Potential (Voltage)

•Symbol
•Unit
• Potential difference across
two terminals in a circuit
“across variable.”
• In order to move charge from
point A to point B, work needs
to be done.
• Like potential energy at a
water fall.
:V
: Volt
• Let A be the lower
potential/voltage terminal –
• Let B be the higher
potential/voltage terminal o
• Then, voltage across A and B is
the cost in energy required to
move a unit positive charge
from A to B.

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Conventional vs. Electron Flow

Conventional Flow: By
convention, current flows from
the positive to negative
terminals (many technical
texts)

Electron Flow: Current follows

electron flow, from the negative
to positive terminals
(scientifically correct texts)

Voltage
Force is required to move a
- + charge against the electric field.
- + When force is applied over a
- + distance, work is done. Work
- + done in moving a charge
e-
against the electric field leads to
- +
the definition of voltage:
- +
- +
Voltage is the work per charge
- + done against the electric field
- +

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Voltage

The defining equation for voltage is

W
V
Q

One volt is the potential difference (voltage)

between two points when one joule of energy is
used to move one coulomb of charge from one
point to the other.

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Voltage

Voltage is responsible for establishing current.

Ammeter
e–
Sources of voltage include –
A
+ e–
e–
batteries, solar cells, fuel Salt bridge e–

cells, and generators. A Cu- Zinc

(anode)
Copper
(cathode)
Zn + 2e–
Zn battery, such as you Zn 2+ Cu 2+ + 2e
–

might construct in a
2+

chemistry class, is shown. ZnSO4

solution
Zn
2+
SO4
2-
Cu

2+

This is an example of a Zn
CuSO4
solution
single cell battery.

Batteries

An automobile battery is an example of a multiple cell battery. Like all

batteries, the automotive battery does not store charge – it stores
chemical energy that can be converted to current when an external path
is provided to allow the chemical reaction to proceed.

Rather than saying “charging” a

battery, it is more accurate to say
Battery “reversing the chemical reaction” in
a battery.

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Fuel cells
A fuel cell is a device that converts chemical energy into dc voltage directly by
combining a fuel (usually hydrogen) with an oxidizing agent (usually oxygen).
The hydrogen and oxygen react to form
water. The process differs from batteries in
that the reactants constantly flow into the
cell where they combine and produce
electricity.

Voltage

Ideally, a voltage source can provide a constant

voltage for any current required by a circuit.
The IV curve for an ideal voltage
I
source has a constant voltage
for all current.

In practice, ideal sources do not

exist, but they can be closely
approximated by actual sources.
V

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Current
•Symbol :I
•Unit : Ampere
Current (I) is the amount of charge (Q) that flows past a point in a unit of
time (t). The defining equation is:
Q
I
t
One ampere is a number of electrons having a total charge of 1 C moving through a
given cross section in 1 s.

What is the current if 2 C passes a point in 5 s? 0.4 A

Current

Ideally, a current source can provide a constant

current for any load.
I
The IV curve for an ideal current
source has a constant current as
indicated by the straight line.

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Current
Current sources are not as common as voltage sources, but they
are useful for production testing. The units shown here include
current sources as well as measurement instruments and can
operate using a built-in microprocessor to direct a test sequence.

Network Analysis
Defined as the quantitative or mathematical analysis of voltage
and current behavior when electrical devices are connected at
least one closed path.
• Network
Defined as an interconnection of electrical elements in which
there may or may not be at least one closed path.
• Circuit
Defined as an interconnection of electrical elements in which
there is at least one closed path in which current may flow.

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Electrical Components
1. Active Elements
• Elements capable of supplying energy.
• Components which are capable of controlling voltages to produce gain
and switching action in a circuit.
a. Voltage Source
• Independent voltage source
• Dependent / Controlled sources
b. Current Sources
• Independent Current source
• Dependent / Controlled sources

Independent Sources

Capable of delivering voltage or current regardless of the

network connection.

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Dependent Sources

Supplies voltage or current controlled by a variable connected

in some other part of the network.

2. Passive Elements
• Elements which are capable of absorbing energy.
• Elements which are capable of storing energy but
does not supply energy.
a. Resistor - absorbs energy
b. Inductor - stores energy
c. Capacitor - stores energy

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Resistance
•Symbol :R
•Unit : ohms ()
Resistance is the opposition to current.
One ohm (1 W) is the resistance if one ampere (1 A) is in a material when
one volt (1 V) is applied.
Color bands
Resistance material
(carbon composition)
Conductance is the reciprocal of resistance. Insulation coating

Leads

1
G
R
Components designed to have a specific amount of
resistance are called resistors.

Resistance of Electrical Conductors

Resistance
The property of a material or circuit
elements to oppose the flow of
electrons.
Factors affecting the resistance of a
conductor:
1. Length
2. Cross-sectional area
3. Nature of the material
4. Temperature

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Resistivity of Copper at 200C

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Effect of Temperature on resistance

 T  T2 
R2  R1  X 
 TX  T1 
where:
R1 = Resistance at temperature T1
R2 = Resistance at temperature T2
T1 = Initial Temperature
T2 = Final Temperature
Tx = Inferred zero resistance temperature
= Inferred absolute zero temperature
=The temperature in which the material inhibits zero resistance or super
conductivity

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Resistance Color Digit Multiplier Tolerance

color-code
Black 0 10 0

Brown 1 10 1 1% (five band)

Resistance value, first three bands: Red 2 10 2 2% (five band)

Orange 3 10 3
First band – 1st digit
Yellow 4 10 4
Second band – 2nd digit Green 5 10 5

Blue 6 10 6

*Third band – Multiplier (number of Violet 7 10 7

zeros following second digit) Gray 8 10 8

White 9 10 9

Gold ±5% 10 -1 5% (four band)

Fourth band - tolerance Silver ± 10% 10 -2 10% (four band)

No band ± 20%

* For resistance values less than 10 W, the third band is either gold or silver. Gold
is for a multiplier of 0.1 and silver is for a multiplier of 0.01.

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What is the resistance and tolerance

of each of the four-band resistors?
1.
5.1 kΩ ±5%
2. 820 kΩ ±10%

3. 47 Ω ±10%

4. 1.0 Ω ±5%

Alphanumeric Labeling

• Two or three digits, and one of the letters R, K, or M

are used to identify a resistance value.

• The letter is used to indicate the multiplier, and its

position is used to indicate decimal point position.

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Variable
resistors
Variable resistors include the potentiometer and
rheostat. The center terminal of a variable resistor
is connected to the wiper. R

Variable resistor
(potentiometer)

To connect a potentiometer as a rheostat, Variable resistor

one of the outside terminals is connected to (rheostat)
the wiper.

Capacitor
The Basic Capacitor
Capacitors are one of the fundamental passive
components. In its most basic form, it is composed of two
conductive plates separated by an insulating dielectric.
The ability to store charge is the definition of capacitance.

Conductors Dielectric

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The Basic Capacitor

VVSS Dielec tric

The charging ++ -
-+++ --
process… Leads +++- +-+
-+++ --- Plates
++ -
+++ +-
- +
Source
Initially
Fully
Charging uncharged - - -++ - - -
-
- +++ +- -
removed
charged - - Elec trons
---+
+
-++-
+ -
- ++ +--- B -
AA +
A BB
- - - + - - - -

A capacitor with stored charge can act as a temporary battery.

Capacitance

Capacitance is the ratio of charge to voltage

Q
C
V
Rearranging, the amount of charge on a capacitor is determined
by the size of the capacitor (C) and the voltage (V).
Q  CV

If a 22 mF capacitor is connected to a
10 V source, the charge is 220 mC

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Capacitance
A capacitor stores energy in the form of an electric field that is
established by the opposite charges on the two plates. The energy of
a charged capacitor is given by the equation

1
W  CV 2
2
where
W = the energy in joules
C = the capacitance in farads
V = the voltage in volts

Capacitor Types

Mica
Mica capacitors are small with high working voltage. The
working voltage is the voltage limit that cannot be exceeded.

Foil
Mic a
Foil
Mic a
Foil
Mic a
Foil

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Ceramic disk
Ceramic disks are small nonpolarized capacitors They have
relatively high capacitance due to high er.

Lead wire soldered

to silver elec trode

Solder

Dipped phenolic c oating

Ceram ic
dielec tric Silv er elec trodes deposited on
top and bottom of c eram ic disk

Plastic Film

Plastic film capacitors are small and nonpolarized. They have

relatively high capacitance due to larger plate area.

High-purity
foil elec trodes

Plastic film
dielec tric

Outer wrap of
polyester film
Capac itor sec tion
(alternate strips of
film dielec tric and
Lead wire foil elec trodes)
Solder c oated end

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Electrolytic (two types)

Electrolytic capacitors have very high capacitance but they are not
as precise as other types and tend to have more leakage current.
Electrolytic types are polarized.

_
Al electrolytic

Ta electrolytic

Symbol for any electrolytic capacitor

Variable

Variable capacitors typically have small capacitance values and

are usually adjusted manually.
A solid-state device that is used as a variable capacitor is
the varactor diode; it is adjusted with an electrical signal.

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Capacitor Labeling

Capacitors use several labeling methods. Small capacitors values are

frequently stamped on them such as .001 or .01, which have implied units of
microfarads.

Electrolytic capacitors have larger

values, so are read as mF. The unit is
usually stamped as mF, but some older
ones may be shown as MF or MMF).

A label such as 103 or 104 is read as 10x103 (10,000

pF) or 10x104 (100,000 pF) respectively. (Third digit is
the multiplier.)

When values are marked as 330 or 6800, the units are

picofarads.

What is the value

of each capacitor?
Both are 2200 pF.

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Inductor
The Basic Inductor
When a length of wire is formed into a coil., it becomes a basic inductor.
When there is current in the inductor, a three-dimensional magnetic field is
created.

A change in current causes the magnetic field

to change. This in turn induces a voltage
across the inductor that opposes the original S N
change in current.

The Basic Inductor

One henry is the inductance of a coil when a current, changing at a rate
of one ampere per second, induces one volt across the coil. Most coils
are much smaller than 1 H.

The effect of inductance is greatly magnified

by adding turns and winding them on a
magnetic material. Large inductors and
transformers are wound on a core to increase
the inductance.

Magnetic core

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Practical inductors

Inductors come in a variety of sizes. A few common ones are shown here.

Electric Circuit
A basic electric circuit consists of
1) a voltage source
2) a path
3) a load.

An example of a basic circuit is a flashlight, which has each of

these plus a control element – the switch.

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The electric circuit

Circuits are described pictorially with schematics. For

example, the flashlight can be represented by

Switches
Switches are commonly used to control circuits by either
mechanical or electronic means.

The pole refers to the movable arm of a switch.

The throw refers to the number of contacts that are affected by

a single switch action.

SPST SPDT DPST DPDT

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Digital Multimeter
The DMM
The DMM (Digital Multimeter)
is an important multipurpose
instrument which can measure
voltage, current, and OFF VH
Hz

resistance. Many include other VH

mV H

measurement options. V

10 A V

40 mA COM

Analog Multimeter

An analog multimeter is
also called a VOM (volt-
ohm-milliammeter).
Analog meters measure
voltage, current, and
resistance. The user must
choose the range and
read the proper scale.

Photo courtesy of Triplett Corporation

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