CHAPTER 1 –DET10013

(ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY) INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

1.1 Remember standard symbols for electrical components

1.1.1 Identify common symbols in electrical circuit diagrams

Symbol Electrical Component

1. Battery
2. DC voltage source

AC AC voltage source

Switch

Fixed Resistor

Variable Resistor

Inductor

Capacitor

1.2 Apply the general features of cells and batteries

1.2.1 Show the differences between cells and batteries

 A battery is type of voltage source that converts chemical energy to electrical

energy.
 A battery consists of one or more electro-chemical cells that are electrically
connected.
 CHAPTER 1 –DET10013
(ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY) INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

 A cell consists of four basic components:

1. A positive electrode
 Has a deficiency of electrons due to chemical reaction
2. A negative electrode
 has a surplus of electrons due to chemical reaction
3. Electrolyte
 Provides a mechanism for charge flow between positive and
negative electrodes
4. Separator
 Electrically isolates the positive and negative electrodes

1.2.2 Show the effects of different cells connections

a. Series

In a series circuit, the current through each of the components is the same, and the
voltage across the components is the sum of the voltages across each component.

E1 E2 E3 E4

Total Voltage, E = E1 + E2 + E3 + E4

Total Current, I = I1 = I2 = I3 = I4
 CHAPTER 1 –DET10013
(ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY) INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

b. Parallel

In a parallel circuit, the voltage across each of the components is the same, and the
total current is the sum of the currents through each component

E1
I1

E2
I2

E3
I3

Total Voltage, E = E1 = E2 = E3

Total Current, IoI = E

I11+ I2 + I3
 CHAPTER 1 –DET10013
(ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY) INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

c. Serial – Parallel

For the series-parallel circuit, we will have to identify which parts of that circuit are
series and which parts are parallel, and then selectively apply series and parallel rules
as necessary to determine what is happening.

I2 I1

E1 E4

E2 E5 R

E3 E6

EA = E 1 + E 2 + E 3

EB = E 4 + E 5 + E 6

Io = I 1 + I 2

1.2.3 Calculate the total voltage of series sources

a. with the same polarities

When the voltage sources are all in the same direction in terms of their polarities, as in
figure below, all the voltages have the same sign when added.

There is a total of 6.0V from terminal A to terminal B.

1.5V 1.5V 1.5V 1.5V

+ - + - + - + - B
A

+ 6.0V -

VAB = 1.5V + 1.5V + 1.5V + 1.5V = +6.0V

 CHAPTER 1 –DET10013
(ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY) INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

b. with the opposite polarities

In figure below, the middle voltage source is opposite to the other three, so its voltage
has an opposite sign when added to the others. For this case the total voltage from A to
B is 3.0V.

1.5V 1.5V 1.5V 1.5V

+ - - + + - + - B
A

+ 3.0V -

VAB = 1.5V - 1.5V + 1.5V + 1.5V = +3.0V

1.3 Remember electric current and quantity of electric current

1.3.1 State the definition of electric current

 If a voltage is placed across a conductive or semi conductive material, one

end becomes positive and the other negative. The repulsive force produced
by the negative voltage at the left end causes the free electrons (negative
charges) to move toward the right.
 The attractive force produced by the positive voltage at the right end pulls the
free electrons to the right. The result is a net movement of the free electrons
from the negative end of the material to the positive end.
 The movement of these free electrons from the negative end of the material
to the positive end is the electrical current.

Electrical current is the rate of flow of charge.

One ampere (1A) is the amount of current that exists when a number of
electrons having a total charge of one coulomb (1C) move through a
given cross-sectional area in one second (1s).

1.3.2 State that the unit of charge

 Electrical charge (Q) is measured in coulombs, symbolized by C.

One coulomb is the total charge possessed by 6.25 x 1018 electrons.

 A single electron has a charge of 1.6 x 1018 C. The total charge Q, expressed
in coulombs, for a given number of electrons is stated in the following formula:
 CHAPTER 1 –DET10013
(ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY) INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

Q = number of electrons
1.6 x 1018 electrons/C

1.3.3 Calculate charge or quantity of electricity Q from Q = It

The charge in coulombs can be determined as follow: Q = coulombs ( C )

I = amperes ( A )
Q  It ,(coulombs, C) t = seconds ( s )

1.4 Remember the main effects of electric current.

1.4.1 Identify the three main effects of electric current, giving practical examples
of each

Three main effects of an electric current are:

 Magnetic effects: bells, relays, motors, generators, transformers,
telephones, car ignition and lifting magnets.
 Chemical effects: primary and secondary cells and electroplating.
 Heating effects: cookers, water heaters, electric fires, irons, furnaces,
kettles and soldering irons.

1.5 Apply resistance and resistivity

1.5.1 Explain that electrical resistance depends on four factors.

The resistance of any material with a uniform cross sectional area is determined
by the following four factors:

1. Material (ρ)
Higher the resistivity, more the resistance.

2. Length
Longer the length of conductor, more the resistance.

3. Cross-sectional area
Smaller the area of a conductor, more the resistance.

4. Temperature
Higher the temperature of a conductor, more the resistance.
 CHAPTER 1 –DET10013
(ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY) INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

1.5.2 Calculate that resistance R = ρl/A where ρ is the resistivity.

At a fixed temperature of room temperature, the resistance is related to the other

three factors by

l
R
A

where ρ is a characteristics of the material called the resistivity, l is the length of

the sample and A is the cross sectional area of the sample.

1.6 Understand Ohm’s Law

1.6.1 Explain Ohm’s Law

1.6.2 Outline the procedure adopted when using Ohm’s Law.

Ohm’s Law stated that the current is proportional to the applied voltage and
inversely proportional to the resistance.
V = voltage in volts (V)
V
I (amperes, A) I = current in amperes (A)
R R = resistance in ohms (Ω)

1.7 Apply Ohm’s Law in circuit

1.7.1 Construct circuit to explain Ohm’s Law. (Practical work)
1.7.2 Use Ohm’s Law to find current, voltage and resistance in a circuit.

Example 1:

Determine the current resulting from the application of a 9 V battery across a

network with a resistance of 2.2Ω.
V 9V
I   4.09 A
R 2.2

Example 2:

Calculate the resistance of a 60W bulb if a current of 500 mA results from an

applied voltage of 120V.

V 120V
R   240
I 500  10 3 A
 CHAPTER 1 –DET10013
(ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY) INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

Example 3:

Calculate the voltage that must be applied across the soldering iron to establish a
current of 1.5A through the iron if its internal resistance is 80Ω.

V  IR  1.5 A80  120V

1.8 Understand series, parallel and series-parallel connection.

1.8.1 Identify a series circuit

a) The schematic in Figure 1 shows three resistors connected in series.

V1

V2
Vs

V3
Figure 1

b) Total resistance (RT) in series circuit is the sum of each of the individual
values.
RT = R1 + R2 + R3 + …

c) A series circuit provides only one path for current between two points so that
the current is the same through each series resistor.

1.8.2 Explain the flow of current and voltage division in the series circuit.

a) Current in a series circuit

i) Figure 1, shows three resistors connected in series to a dc voltage sources.
At any point in this circuit, the current into that point must equal the current
out of that point, as illustrated by the current directional arrows.
ii) Notice also that the current out of each resistor must equal the current into
each resistor because there is no place where part of the current can branch
off and go somewhere else.
 CHAPTER 1 –DET10013
(ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY) INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

iii) Therefore, the current in each section of the circuit is the same as the current
in all other sections. It has only one path going from the negative side of the
source to the positive side.

b) Voltage in a series circuit

i) As stated by Kirchhoff’s voltage law,
The sum of all the voltage drops around a single closed path in a circuit
is equal to the total source voltage in that loop.
ii) Therefore (refer to series circuit in Figure 1), the source voltage (Vs) is equal
to the sum of the three voltage drops across resistance R1, R2 and R3.

Vs = V1 + V2 + V3
FOR SERIES CIRCUIT

CSVD
Tutorial
– CURRENT SAME VOLTAGE DIFFERENT

1.9.2 Calculate the flow of current and voltage division in the series circuit.

1. Find V:

5A
+
V 100Ω
-

2. Find R:

3.08A
+
12V R
-

3. If there is a current of 50µA through a 4.7MΩ resistor, what is the voltage?

4. How much current is produced by a voltage of 24kV across a 12kΩ resistor?

CHAPTER 1 –DET10013
(ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY) INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

5. The ammeter indicates 4.55mA of current and the voltage reads 150V. What
is the value of R?

6. What is the current in each circuit?

Determine the voltage drop across each resistor.

7. Three 470 resistors are connected in series with a 48V source.

a) What is the current in the circuit?
b) What is the voltage across each resistor?

8. Four equal value resistors are in series with a 5V battery, and 2.23mA are
measured. What is the value of each resistor?

9. Determine VR1, R2 and R3.

 CHAPTER 1 –DET10013
(ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY) INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

10. What is the value of each resistor?

1.8.3 Identify a parallel circuit

i) Each current path called a branch and a parallel circuit is one that has more
than one branch. The schematic in Figure 2 shows three resistors connected
in parallel.

VS IT I1 I2 I3

Figure 2

i) Total resistance (RT) in parallel circuits is

RT = R1 × R2
R1 + R2

Or 1 = 1 + 1 + 1 + ..
RT R1 R2 R3

 A rule to identifying parallel circuits is as follow :

 CHAPTER 1 –DET10013
(ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY) INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

If there is more than one current path (branch) between two separate
points, and if the voltage between those two points also appears across
each of those branches, then there is a parallel circuit between those
two points.

1.8.4 Explain the voltage drop and the current division in the parallel circuit.

a) Voltage in a parallel circuit

 The voltage across any given branch of a parallel circuit is equal to the
voltage across each of the other branches in parallel.
VS = V 1 = V 2
VS = Voltage source
V1 = Voltage across R1
V2 = Voltage across R2

b) Current in a parallel circuit

 Kirchhoff’s current law stated as follows :

The sum of the currents into a node (total current in) is equal to the sum
of the currents out of that node (total current out).
 The current out of the source (IT) divides when I1 goes through R1 and I2 goes
through R2.
IT = I1 + I2 + I3
FOR PARALLEL CIRCUIT

VSCD – VOLTAGE SAME CURRENT DIFFERENT

1.8.5 Explain the equivalent resistance for resistors connected in series and
parallel.
1.9.6 Calculate the equivalent resistance in series and parallel.
Tutorial

Find RT for circuit bellow:

a)
CHAPTER 1 –DET10013
(ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY) INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

b)

c)

d)

e)

f)
 CHAPTER 1 –DET10013
(ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY) INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

1.8.6 Identify a combination of series and parallel circuit.

 A series-parallel circuit consists of combinations of both series and parallel

current path.

RA

RB

Figure 3

1.8.7 Explain the total resistance for the combination of series and parallel
circuit.

ii) Total resistance (RT) in series and parallel circuits (refer to Figure 3) is

RA = (R1R2)/(R1+R2)
Resistance in parallel circuit
RB = (R3R4)/(R3+R4)

RT = RA + RB Resistance in series circuit

 CHAPTER 1 –DET10013
(ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY) INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

1.9.7 Calculate the total resistance for the combination of series and parallel
circuit
Tutorial

Find RT for circuit bellow:

a)

b)

c)

d)
CHAPTER 1 –DET10013
(ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY) INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

e)

f)

g)
 CHAPTER 1 –DET10013
(ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY) INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

h)

1.9.8 Use of voltage divider in series circuit and use of current divider in parallel
circuit

a) Voltage divider

i) A set of series-connected resistors as shown in figure below is referred to as

a voltage divider.

i
+ +
R1 V1
-
V R2

R3
- Figure 4

 R1 
V1  V  
 1
R  R2  R3

R1 R2 R3

V1 V2 V3

E
CHAPTER 1 –DET10013
(ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY) INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

ii) Use Ohm’s Law

V1 = IR1
V2 = IR2
V3 = IR3

iii) Use Voltage Divider

R1
V1  E
R1  R2  R3
R2
V2  E
R1  R2  R3
R3
V3  E
R1  R2  R3

Example 1:
Find current and voltage drop for each resistor.

R1 = R1
4Ω = 6Ω
R2 R2 3 = 8Ω
RR3

E = 18 Volt
Solution:

RT = 18Ω, I =V = 18V = 1 A
RT 18Ω

Ohm’s Law Voltage Divider Rules

VR1 = I x R1 VR1 = (4Ω / (4Ω + 6Ω + 8Ω)) x 18V

=1x4 = 4V
= 4V

VR2 = I x R2 VR2 = (6Ω / (4Ω + 6Ω + 8Ω)) x 18V

=1x6 = 6V
= 6V
VR3 = I x R3 VR3 = (8Ω / (4Ω + 6Ω + 8Ω))x 18V
=1x8 = 8V
CHAPTER 1 –DET10013
(ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY) INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

= 8V

Example 2:

Find using Ohm’s Law and Voltage Divider Rules:

i. RT 2Ω
ii. IT
iii. V1, V2, V3

5Ω
15 V
3Ω

Example 3:

Find VAB, VBC, VCG, VBG, VAC, VAG .

A
4Ω
B
3Ω
12 V
C
1Ω

G
b) Current divider

i) The currents flowing through various branches of a parallel circuit can be

predicted using the current divider rule.

IT
I1 I2

E R1 R2
CHAPTER 1 –DET10013
(ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY) INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

ii) Use Ohm’s Law

I1 = V1/R1 I2 = V2/R2
iii) Use Current Divider

R2 R1
I1  IT I2  IT
R1  R2 R1  R2

Example 1:

Find I1 and I2.

IT I1 I2

30V 5Ω 10Ω

Solution:

RT = R1 x R2 IT =V = 30 V = 9 A
R1 + R2 RT 3.33Ω
= 3.33Ω

Ohm’s Law Current Divider Rules

I1 = V/R1 = 30/5 =6A I1 = (10Ω / (5Ω + 10Ω)) x 9A = 6A

I2 = V/R2 = 30/10 =3A I2 = (5Ω / (5Ω + 10Ω)) x 9A = 3A

 CHAPTER 1 –DET10013
(ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY) INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

1.9.9 Solve problems related to series, parallel and combination of series and
parallel circuits.

Tutorial

1. Determine V1 (voltage across R1) and V2 (voltage across R2) using voltage
divider.

2. Calculate the voltage drop across each resistor.

CHAPTER 1 –DET10013
(ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY) INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

3. Determine the voltage between the following points using voltage divider.
a) A to B
b) A to C
c) B to C
d) B to D
e) C to D

4. Determine the voltage between points A and B in each voltage divider.

CHAPTER 1 –DET10013
(ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY) INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

5. Determine the voltage with respect to ground for output A, B and C.

6. If there are 10V across R1, what is the voltage across each of the other resistor?

7. Determine the voltage at each point, with respect to the negative side of the
battery.
 CHAPTER 1 –DET10013
(ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY) INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

8. Find I1 and I2.

I
I1 I2
12V 15Ω 30Ω

9. Referring to the circuit above, determine the current at each node.

I
I1 I2

R1 R2
2A
4Ω 3Ω

1.10 Understand Delta – Star transformation.

1.10.1 Show formula required to transform from Delta to Star and Star to Delta.

a) Delta (∆) to Star () conversion

Rb Rc
R1 
Ra  Rb  Rc
Rc R a
R2 
Ra  Rb  Rc
Ra Rb
R3 
Ra  Rb  Rc
 CHAPTER 1 –DET10013
(ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY) INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

b) Star () to Delta (∆) conversion

R2 R3
Ra  R2  R3 
R1
R1 R3
Rb  R1  R3 
R2
R1 R2
Rc  R1  R2 
R3

1.10.2 Illustrate circuits to show star and delta connection.

Rc
a b
R1 R2

Rb Ra
R3

c
Figure 5 : Delta (∆) and Star () Circuit Connection

1.11 Apply the concept of Delta-Star transformation.

1.11.1 Construct circuit to show star and delta transformation (Practical work).
1.11.2 Solve problem involving Star-Delta transformation

Example 1:
Convert the delta network to star network.
Rc
a b
25Ω
Rb Ra
10Ω 15Ω
c
CHAPTER 1 –DET10013
(ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY) INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

Solution:

Rb Rc 10  25 250
R1     5
Ra  Rb  Rc 15  10  25 50
Rc R a 25  15 375
R2     7.5
Ra  Rb  Rc 15  10  25 50
Ra Rb 15  10 150
R3     3
Ra  Rb  Rc 15  10  25 50

Tutorial

1. Transform the star network in figure below to a delta network

Answer : Ra  140, Rb  70, Rc  35

R1 R2
a b
10Ω 20Ω
R3 40Ω

c
CHAPTER 1 –DET10013
(ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY) INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

2. Referring to figure below, find Requivalent between terminal a and b.

Answer : 15.37Ω

3Ω
a
4Ω 5Ω

6Ω

7Ω
3Ω
b
8Ω

3. Based on the schematic diagram below, calculate the current values across
10Ω resistor using transformation Star-Delta.

R1 R2

4Ω 6Ω
R3 2Ω
R4 R5

8Ω 10Ω

4V
 CHAPTER 1 –DET10013
(ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY) INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

4. Find current through RCD

2

2 E 1
A C
F G
10 V
1 1

B D

1.12 Apply electrical power and energy.

 When there is current through a resistance, electrical energy is converted to

heat or other form of energy, such as light. A common example of this is a
light bulb that becomes too hot to touch.
 The current through the filament that produces light also produces unwanted
heat because the filament has resistance. Electrical components must be
able to dissipate a certain amount of energy in a given period.

1.12.1 Explain electrical power and energy.

a) Electrical power

 Power is an indication of how much work (the conversion of energy from

one from to another) can be accomplished in a specified amount of time,
that is, a rate of doing work.
 Power (P) is a certain amount of energy (W) used in a certain length of
time (t), expressed as follows :

W
P
t
where : P = power in watts (W)
W = energy in joules (J)
t = time in seconds (s)

 One watt (W) is the amount of power when one joule of energy is used in
one second.
 CHAPTER 1 –DET10013
(ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY) INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

b) Energy

 Energy is the ability to do work and power is the rate at which energy is
used.
 The joule (J) is the SI unit of energy. However, there is another way to
express energy. Units of energy called kilowatt-hour (kWh) can be used.
 When you pay your electric bill, you are charged on the basis of the
amount of energy you use, not the power.

1.12.2 Show electrical power expression from Ohm’s Law and it’s unit.

 When there is current through resistance, the collisions of the electrons

produce heat as a result of the conversion of electrical energy. The amount of
power dissipated in an electric circuit is dependent on the amount of
resistance and on the amount of current, expressed as follows :

P = I2R
where : P = power in watts (W)
I = current in amperes (A)
R = resistance in ohms (Ω)

 You can get an equivalent expression for power in terms of voltage and
current by substituting from the Ohm’s Law

V  IR
P  I 2R
P  I  I R
P  I IR 
P  IV

 You can obtain another equivalent expression by substituting from the Ohm’s
Law
V
I
R
P  IV
V 
P   V
R
V2
P
R
 CHAPTER 1 –DET10013
(ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY) INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

 The relationship between power and current, voltage and resistance

expressed in the preceding formula are known as Watt’s law.

1.13 Calculate the electrical power and energy in a circuit

Tutorial

1. A particular electronic device uses 100 mW of power. If it runs for 24 hours,

how many joules of energy does it consume?

2. For how many seconds must there be 5 A of current through a 47 Ω resistor

in order to consume 25 J?

3. If a 75 V source is supplying 2 A to a load, what is the resistance value of the

load?

4. If a resistor has 5.5 V across it and 3 mA through it, what is the power?

5. An electric heater works on 120 V and draws 3 A of current. How much power
does it use?

6. What is the power when there are 500 mA of current through at 4.7 kΩ
resistor?

7. Calculate the power dissipated by a 10 kΩ resistor carrying 100 µA.

8. If there are 60 V across a 680 Ω resistor, what is the power?

9. A 56 Ω resistor is connected across the terminals of a 1.5 V battery. What is

the power dissipation in the resistor?

10. If a resistor is to carry 2 A of current and handle 100 W of power, how many
ohms must it be? Assume that the voltage can be adjusted to any required
value.

11. A 12 V source is connected across a 10 Ω resistor.

a) How much energy is used in two minutes?
b) If the resistor is disconnected after one minute, is the power during the
first minute greater than, less than or equal to the power during a two
minutes interval?