LECTURER: MR PC CHABALALA

SUBJECT: ELECTROTECHNICS N4
CAMPUS: ITEMOHELENG MALUTI TVET
COLLEGE
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Explain how the structures of the atom affects
electrons and current flow
Explain EMF, resistance and power
Calculate resistivity, temperature coefficient of
resistance
Compute and recall Kirchhoff’s laws
THE ATOM AND ITS STRUCTURE (page1-2)
The atom is made up of electrons, protons and neutrons.
The neutron and protons are located in the nucleus of the
atom whilst the electrons are in the electron shells as
shown figure 1.1 of the text-book.
At the centre of the atom is the nucleus consisting of
protons and neutrons bound by extremely powerful nuclear
forces. Rotating in orbits
around the nucleus are electrons.
MOVEMENT OF ELECTRONS IN A CONDUCTOR
(page3)
When electrons drift in a specific direction is known as
current. The electrons flow from “negative” to “positive”
and this is known as electron flow. This electron flow is
used when referring to “light current” or “electronics”.
ELECTROMOTIVE FORCE (EMF) (page 4)
Electromotive force is that force which tends to produce an
electric current in a circuit. The unit of emf is the volt.
RESISTANCE (page 5)
The unit of resistance is that resistance in which a
current of 1 ampere flowing for 1 second generates 1
joule of thermal energy. The unit in which it is measured
is the ohm (Ω). A resistor is said to be linear if the
current through the resistor is proportional to the pd
across its terminals.
Power (page 6)
P= VI
Where;
P is power in watts
I is current in amperes
V is potential difference in volts
Relationship between heat energy and power (page 7)
Heat = I2 RT
where I is the current
R is the resistance of the wire
T is the time during which the current flows
RESISTIVITY
R= pl/a
Where:
p type of a material
l is type of a material
A is cross-sectional area
TEMPERATURE RISE IN ELECTRICAL MACHINES
(page 8)
The temperature of the windings of an electrical machine
may be determined by:
• Calculating the increase of resistance of the windings,
and
• Thermo-couples embedded in one or more of the
windings
TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT OF RESISTANCE
(page 9-11)
The temperature of the windings of an electrical machine
may be determined by:
• Calculating the increase of resistance of the windings,
and
• Thermo-couples embedded in one or more of the
windings
KIRCHHOFF’S LAWS (page 11-17)
• Kirchhoff’s Current Law states that the algebraic sum
of currents entering a point will be equal to the
algebraic sum of the currents leaving that point.
• Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law states that the algebraic sum
of the individual voltage drops in a closed network is
equal to the algebraic sum of the applied voltage.
• If an answer for a current results in a negative
quantity, is simply means that the direction of the
current was assumed incorrectly and is, therefore in
the opposite direction to the assumption made.
Additional notes: This section will familiarise you with
Kirchhoff’s first law (current law) and his second law (voltage
law). When doing the calculations here, you must make sure
of Kirchhoff’s laws. Solutions making use of other methods will
not be accepted during tests and examinations.
NB: Here are the steps to apply when solving circuit problems:
Step 1: Consider the circuit diagram as two separate diagrams
using loops
Step 2: Set up the equations
Step 3: Solve the equation
Work through examples 1.5 to 1.7 on pages 13 to 17 of your
textbook to understand how Kirchhoff’s laws can be applied to
solve the equations.
Complete Exercise 1.5 on page 22
Additional activities
Previous Question Paper:
August 2014 Question 2; 2.2
November 2014 Question 2; 2.3