EEE 121

Circuit Theory 1

Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION

LECTURER : NURAIZA BINTI ISMAIL

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CONTENTS- CHAPTER 1

1. Current & Voltage Conventions

2. Basic Circuit Element
3. Power and Energy
4. Passive Sign Convention
 1. CURRENT & VOLTAGE
CONVENTIONS

1.1 Current
1.2 Voltage
 1.1 Current (1)

• Electric Current (i) is the time rate of change of

charge, measured in amperes (A).

• Mathematically, dq [Amperes, A]
i
dt
where 1 A = 1 Coulomb/ second ( 1 C/s)

 q is charge in coulomb [C]

 t is time in second [s]
 1.1 Current (2)

• Current through a circuit element must have two

informations:
(i) an arrow : gives the current a reference direction
(ii) a value : could be a variable or a known value

• The arrow of current by itself does not indicate which end

of the element is the entrance or exit of the current
 1.1 Current (3)
Two types of current are:
a. Direct Current (DC) is a current that remains
constant with time.

b. Alternating Current (AC) is a current that varies

sinusoidally with time.
 1.2 Voltage (1)

• Voltage (or potential difference) is the energy

required to move a unit charge through an
element, measured in volts (V).
d
• Mathematically, vab  [Volts, V]
dq
where:
▫ w is energy in joules (J)
▫ q is charge in coulomb (C).
 1.2 Voltage (2)
• Voltage across a circuit element must have two
informations:
(i) a plus-minus sign : gives the voltage reference direction
(ii) a value : could be a variable or a known value

• vab > 0 means the potential of a is

higher than potential of b.

• vab < 0 means the potential of a is

lower than potential of b.

Polarity of Voltage Vab

 1.2 Voltage (3)

(a) Voltage at a with respect (b) Voltage at b with respect

to b is 6 V to a is -6 V

Figure: Two representation of the same voltage

 1.2 Voltage (3)

(a) (b)

In each case, the plus sign is placed at the tail of the current direction arrow.
(a) The polarity is looking at a with respect to b.
Hence, V= IR = (3 A)(2 Ω) = 6V
(b) The polarity is looking at b with respect to a.
Hence, V= IR = (-3 A)(2 Ω) = - 6V

 This means that point b is 6 V negative with respect to a, or equivalently, a is 6 V

positive with respect to b. Thus, the two voltages are equal.
 Current vs Voltage

• Electric Current is always through an element

• Electric Voltage is always across an element or

between two points
 2. BASIC CIRCUIT ELEMENTS

Two types of elements are:

2.1 Active elements – capable of generating energy.

 Ex: generators, batteries and operational amplifiers.
 The most important active elements are voltage or
current sources that generally deliver power to the circuit
There are two kinds of sources: independent and
dependent sources.

2.2 Passive elements – do not generate energy.

• Ex: resistors, capacitors and inductors.
 2.1 Active Elements
Two kinds of sources are:

a. Independent Sources
 Is an active element that provides a specified voltage or current
that is completely independent of other circuit variables.

b. Dependent (Controlled) Sources

 is an active element in which the source quantity is controlled
by another voltage or current.
 Diamond shaped symbol
 4 possible types are:
i. Voltage- Controlled Voltage Source (VCVS)
ii. Current- Controlled Voltage Source (CCVS)
iii. Voltage- Controlled Current Source (VCCS)
iv. Current- Controlled Current Source (CCCS)
 2.2 Passive Elements
a. Resistors

b. Capacitors

c. Inductors
Symbol of Basic Circuit Elements
Active Elements Passive Elements

Independent Dependant
sources sources
 3. POWER AND ENERGY (1)

• Power, P is the time rate of expending or absorbing

energy, measured in watts (W).
dw dw dq
• Mathematical expression; P  
dt dq dt
P  vi

• Instantaneous power is a time-varying quantity.

i. Negative power: ii. Positive power:
- Delivering power - Absorbing power
- Supplying power - Dissipating power
- Developing power
 3. POWER AND ENERGY (2)

• The Law of Conservation of Energy is the algebraic

sum of power in the whole circuit at any instant time is
zero.
p0
Pdelivered = Pabsorb

• Energy, W is the capacity to do work, measured in

joules (J).
t t
• Mathematical expression; w   pdt   vidt
t0 t0
 4. PASSIVE SIGN CONVENTION
• Passive Sign Convention is satisfied when the current enters
through the positive terminal of an element and P = + Vi

• If the current enters through the negative terminal, P = -Vi

(a) Absorbing power (b) Supplying power