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UNITChapter
204 1
Principles of
electrical science
11
the principles of
electricity
the principles of basic
electrical circuits
the principles of
magnetism and
electromagnetism
the operating
principles of a range of
electrical equipment
the principles of basic
mechanics
the principles of a.c.
theory
electrical quantities
in Star Delta
configurations.
LO1
Neutron
Nucleus
Key term
Proton
Introduction
Matter
Matter can come in different states and can change from one state to
another. An example is ice turning to water and then steam. All three states
the ice, water and steam have the same molecular chemical structure;
they simply change state when subjected to a temperature change.
The atom
An atom is made up of subatomic particles and it is the properties of an
atom that are of particular interest to an electrician.
Atoms consist of a very small nucleus carrying a positive charge
surrounded by orbiting electrons that are negatively charged. The nucleus
of an atom is made up of small particles called neutrons and protons
(imagine the nucleus to be the Sun and the electrons to be the planets
orbiting it).
Normally, atoms are electrically neutral, that is, the negative charge of the
orbiting electrons is equal to the positive charge on the nucleus. One of
the general rules that applies to electricity (and magnetism) is that like
Chapter
Unit
Key terms
Charge sometimes called
electric charge or electrostatic
charge, it is a quantity of
electricity. Charge can be positive
(+ve) or negative (ve).
Coulomb one coulomb is
6.24 1018 electrons.
Ampere one ampere equals one
coulomb of electrons passing by
every second.
Luminaire a term used in the
electrical industry to describe the
whole light fitting, including the
housing, reflector, lamp and any
internal control gear.
Worked example
If a charge of 180 coulombs (180 C) flows through a luminaire every
minute, what is the electric current in the luminaire?
Q = 180 C
t = 1 minute (or 60 seconds)
Q
I = t
Putting the values in place of the symbols gives:
180
I = 60
I =3A
Or, 3 amps will flow through the lamp if a charge of 180 coulombs
passed through it in 1 minute.
Link
For another worked example,
go to www.pearsonfe.co.uk/
ElectricalInstDiploma.
Activity 1.1
1 If a charge of 180 C flows in a luminaire every 2 minutes, what is the current?
2 What is the charge in coulombs if a current of 3.2 A flows for 2 seconds?
Chapter
Force depends on
how high it falls
Pump moves
water up hill
An electric circuit has a high charge point and a lower charge point.
These are the +ve and ve terminals of a battery of supply. The height in
the circuit is known as the voltage and the difference between the high
point and the low point is called the potential difference (otherwise
known as p.d.). The battery or electrical source acts as a pump, moving
the charge to the top of the hill where it has potential energy and then
it can fall down the hill giving up potential energy in the form of heat
or light (for example, going through a heat element or a luminaire).
Potential difference, often referred to as voltage across or simply voltage,
is measured in volts and the greater the p.d., the greater potential for
current flow in a circuit.
Electrons with high potential energy
Conductor with
electrons moving
through
Electrons pump
or battery moves
electrons up hill
Current/electron flow
depends on resistance
and voltage pressure/
potential difference
Chapter
Key term
Unit
+
E
Base unit
Symbol
Length
metre
Mass
kilogram
kg
Time
second
Electric current
ampere
Temperature
kelvin
Amount of substance
mole
mol
Luminous intensity
candela
cd
Chapter
Unit
As well as the base units you will need to be familiar with others called
derived units. Some base units and derived units can be seen in Table 1.2
below with their meanings, descriptions and some applications.
Base quantity
Base unit
Symbol
Description
Area
metre squared
Used to measure a surface such as a floor area for numbers and types of
circuits required (2 A1 circuits if the floor area is 200 m BS 7671:2008
Onsite Guide Appendix H, standard circuits for households).
Length
metre
Volume
metres cubed
Mass
kilogram
kg
The amount of material. This must not be confused with weight. Building
services (BS) engineers need to know how much energy is required to change
mass from one state to another.
Weight
newton
Weight takes into account the mass of an object and the effect of gravity on it.
Mass is constant but gravity and hence weight can vary (compare Moon and
Earth gravity!).
Temperature (t)
kelvin
Energy (W)
joule
Time
second
Force (F)
newton
Continued
Chapter
Base quantity
Base unit
Symbol
Description
Electric current
(I)
ampere
The symbol I actually comes from the original French name lintensit du
courant, as comparisons were made against the intensity of flow of water (still
a very good analogy).
Luminous
intensity
candela
Cd
You may have heard of the term candle power. This is the light power at a
source of illumination.
Magnetic flux ()
weber
Wb
Magnetic flux
density (B)
Wb/m
or T
An example of how you can actually work out the formula from the units
webers/metres squared or flux divided by area.
Frequency
herz
Hz
The number of full cycles of a sine wave that occur in one second: 50 Hz in the
UK and 60 Hz in the USA.
Resistance
ohm
Voltage pressure
or potential
difference or
simply voltage
volt
Resistivity ()
Name
Symbol prefix
As a power of 10
tera
1 1012
giga
1 109
1 000 000
mega
1 106
1 000
kilo
1 103
unit
0.001
milli
1 103
0.000 001
micro
1 106
nano
1 109
pico
1 1012
Chapter
Worked example
Convert 34 000 000 J into a number with a prefix.
Divided by 1 000 it would become 34 000 kJ.
If you divide 34 000 000 by 1 000 000 it would become 34 MJ.
Link
Unit
Activity 1.2
1 Convert 0.0048 F into a number with a prefix.
2 Convert 4.5 mF into a number without a prefix.
3 Show 1.2 TN as MN.
4 Change 64 f into mf.
5 Represent 0.000 000 135 A as mA.
Chapter
You will use a wide range of formulae by the end of Level 3 training
and the formulae will rarely be ready to use you will have to change it
around to make what you want to find the subject. The rules are fairly
straightforward but the key is lots of practice until it becomes second
nature. Once you have practised and mastered transposition you will
be able to change around the most complex formulae as needed.
Understanding the actual number you have been given or which you
have taken off a meter is also essential, because if you get it wrong you
could put yourself or others at serious risk.
Basic mathematical concepts
For all engineers to get the same correct answers, everyone needs to be
working to the same basic rules.
You may have seen the term BODMAS before. It is used to decide in what
order you should complete a calculation. If you have a mathematical
expression and need to find out what it is equal to, then you need to tackle
it in the right order. If you do it in the wrong order you will get the wrong
answer, as can be seen in the following example:
5 (5 + 5) = 50 (complete what is inside the brackets first to give 5 10 = 50)
If this was done in a different order you could get:
5 5 + 5 = 25 + 5 = 30 (giving a wrong answer)
How does BODMAS work?
BODMAS stands for:
10
Brackets
Other operations
Division
Multiplication
Addition
Subtraction
Chapter
11
Unit
Link
For another worked example,
go to www.pearsonfe.co.uk/
ElectricalInstDiploma.
Activity 1.3
Resolve the following mathematical expressions:
1 (9 + 7) 1 + 3
2 (4 + 4 3 + 1)2 + 3 + 3
3 (7 + 8) 3 + 3
4 (7 + 7 7) (3 + 3)
11
A=B+C
AB=C
AC=B
C = A + B (or C = B A)
B = C A (or B = A + C)
When a number or symbol moves from one side of the equals to the
other, the sign must change from +ve to ve or vice versa.
Multiplication and division operations
Electrical equations are not all simply addition and subtraction: other functions
such as multiplication, division, square roots and squares are common.
Worked example
Rearrange the following formula to make I the subject.
Imagine you have numbers for V and R (V = 100 volts and R = 50 ohms)
but you need to work out what I is equal to.
V = IR
It doesnt matter what side of the = the I is but it needs to be alone. To
do this you need to remove the R by rearranging the formula.
One option is to divide by R. If you divide something by itself the
answer is 1 regardless of whether it is a number or even a symbol!
This means if you divide R by R the answer will be 1. If you divide one
side of the formula by something the rule states you must do the same
to the other side as well. This keeps the formula balanced (like a seesaw). Remember this, as it is very important!
V=IR
V=IR
R R
Both sides have been divided by R. Remember, if you have R divided by
R this is the same as 1 so they must cancel out.
V=IR
R
R
V=I
R
Notice R has moved from one side to the other to leave the I the
subject, all by itself. Also note that in moving from one side to the other
it has turned from multiplication to division (moved from above the
line to below the line). This would be the same if it were to move in the
reverse direction. This means that if something moves from one side of
a formula to the other, the operation becomes the opposite.
Examples:
_
A becomes A and vice versa
Ax becomes 1
A
12
Chapter
Rule 2
If something is divided by itself it is equal to 1 and can be cancelled
out/simplified.
Rule 3
To make something the subject of a formula, you need to get it by itself.
13
Unit
Rule 4
By moving a term from one side of the formula to the other, you reverse
the operation so divide becomes multiply and vice versa.
Trigonometry
One of the most important maths tools that you will need to use is
trigonometry. Trigonometry is used to find missing angles or missing
sides of a right-angled triangle. This is necessary in many electrical
applications such as:
power factors
impedance triangles
a.c. single-phase theory
a.c. three-phase theory
power triangles.
The opposite is always the side opposite the angle being considered.
If the angle being investigated changed to the top right-hand corner
then the opposite and adjacent would swap simply change around
the sides to suit.
)
se
de
nu est si
e
t
g
po
Hy e lon
h
t
ys
lwa
Adjacent
(to the angle)
)
se
de
nu est si
e
t
g
po
Hy e lon
h
t
ays
(alw
The hypotenuse is always the longest side. The adjacent is always the
side that is left after you have worked out the others simple!
Sine, cosine and tangent
Now you know how to work out hypotenuse, adjacent and opposite
sides, the angles can be introduced. Sine, cosine and tangent
functions on your calculator can be used to find the relationship
between the sides of a triangle:
Opposite
Sin = Hypotenuse
Opposite
(to the angle)
(a
Adjacent
(to the angle)
Opposite
(to the angle)
Adjacent
Cos = Hypotenuse
Opposite
Tan = Adjacent
Link
For more information on
Pythagoras theorem, go
to www.pearsonfe.co.uk/
ElectricalInstDiploma.
To remember these formulae use the following name, SOHCAHTOA, which shows:
13
Chapter
Link
For another worked example,
go to www.pearsonfe.co.uk/
ElectricalInstDiploma.
Worked example
The opposite is 4.9 cm and the hypotenuse is 6.9 cm what is the angle?
Opposite
Sin = Hypotenuse
Hypotenuse
4.9
Sin = 6.9
Opposite
Sin = 0.71
(INV) Sin1 0.71 = 45.23
Adjacent
Activity 1.4
1 The opposite is 33 m and the hypotenuse is 80 m what is the angle?
2 The adjacent is 49 mm and the angle is 60 how long is the hypotenuse?
3 The hypotenuse is 1 km and the angle is 24 how long is the adjacent?
LO2
14
Chapter
15
Unit
Worked example
Calculate the resistance of an aluminium cable of length 10 km and
diameter 4 mm.
Firstly, convert all the units to the correct dimensions never mix
dimensions!
10 km = 10 103 (1 000 m in a km)
4 mm = 4 103 (1 000 mm in a m)
Resistivity, , of aluminium is 28.2 109 (see Table 1.4 on page 16).
1
A = 4 d2
1
A = 4 (4 103)2
1
A = 4 4 106 = 3.142 106
(Notice what happens with the powers inside and outside the brackets
when they are combined.)
I
Using the formula R = A , and replacing the symbols with the correct
numbers:
R = (28.2 109 10 103)
(3.142 106)
R = 89.75
Link
For more worked examples,
go to www.pearsonfe.co.uk/
ElectricalInstDiploma.
Activity 1.5
Work out the resistance of the following conductors:
1 a 25 m length of 2.5 mm2 copper
2 400 m of 1.5 mm2 copper
3 50 m of 8 mm2 aluminium
4 25 m of 6 mm2 copper
5 100 m of 1 mm2 copper earth conductor.
15
Chapter
Material
Resistivity (m)
Conductor or insulator?
Silver
15.9 109
Conductor
Copper
17.5 109
Conductor
Gold
24.4 109
Conductor
Aluminium
28.2 109
Conductor
Tungsten
56 109
Conductor
Brass
75.0 109
Conductor
Iron
100 109
Conductor
Sea water
2 101
Poor conductor
Silicon
6.2 102
Semiconductor
Glass
10 1010 to 10 1014
Insulator
Wood
1 108 to 1 1011
Insulator
Hard rubber
1 1013
Insulator
Air
Insulator
The formula for resistance shows that resistivity, length and area directly
affect resistance but there is a fourth thing that can affect resistance,
temperature. Table 1.4 shows resistance specifically at room temperature,
20C. This is not always the case as you will install in very hot locations
such as boiler rooms or very cold locations such as industrial freezers. Heat
excites electrons and makes them move around faster, bumping into each
other on their travels. This movement causes more resistance. If a conductor
is placed in a hot environment, there will be proportionally more resistance
(think how much less gets done on a hot sunny day!). The amount the
resistance changes with temperature is due to the temperature coefficient
of the particular conductor and is given by the formula:
Rf = Ro(1 + t)
where t is the temperature change in C, is the temperature coefficient
(measured in //C: assume copper to have a value of 0.004 //C), Ro is
the resistance at 0C (in ) and Rf is the final resistance (in ).
Worked example
A length of copper has a resistance of Ro = 2 at 0C what would its
resistance change to if the temperature increased to 20C?
Rf = Ro(1 + t)
Rf = 2(1 + 0.004 20)
Rf = 2.16
16
Chapter
17
Unit
V
This means conductors that have a constant value for the ratio of I must
follow Ohms law:
V
R= I
Consider a simple series circuit. If R is constant and the voltage pressure
increases, this means the current must also increase for the balance to
continue. This is just like a tank of water with a tap at the bottom. Imagine
the height of the water in the tank being the voltage pressure and the rate
of flow of the water out of the tap being the current. As the water in the
tank reduces, the flow reduces.
H3
H2
H1
H3
H2
H1
17
Resistance is mostly a constant value, and voltage and current can change.
You have seen that the resistance of a conductor is based on conductor
material, temperature, the cross-sectional area and length. All that needs to
be discussed now is the effect on resistance, current and voltage when you
connect resistive conductors together in different ways.
Imagine the resistance of a conductor is measured using an ohmmeter and
its value noted down. Now take a further identical conductor and connect
the two ends to make it longer you would expect the new ohm reading
to be double. This is correct as you have created a conductive path twice as
long for the electrons to travel along, hence double the resistance.
Series circuits
For a series circuit to exist, resistors must be connected end to end (see
Figure 1.9). It does not matter if the resistors are individual pieces of copper
conductor or discrete resistor components the fact is they have resistance
and they are connected in a line. The current only has one path to flow
down so the electrons cannot be tempted down any other paths.
Resistor R1
Resistor R2
Resistor R3
Supply
The voltage pressure required to force electrons to break free and flow is
across the resistors. If, as per Figure 1.9, there are three resistors, there will
be three voltage pressures, one across each resistor. The supply voltage
is across all three but this will be divided up proportionally across each
resistor, depending on the size of the resistor the current has to overcome.
The resistance in a series circuit must be the total of the individual
resistances added together:
Rt = R1 + R2 + R3
The relationship between R, V and I is also known by the formula:
V
R= I
Based on these two facts and a known supply voltage you will be able to
work out what current is being forced to flow.
18
Chapter
19
Rt = 2 + 2 + 2 = 6
Step 2 now apply the relationship formula called Ohms law
(rearrange to make I the subject, as discussed earlier in the chapter, and
remember current is measured in amps, A).
Unit
Step 3 put the known values into the formula and find the value of
current flowing in this circuit:
V
I=
R
12
=2A
6
Because there is only one path for the current, the current will be
the same wherever it is measured in a series circuit and is said to be
constant. The only way the current will change is if the voltage supply is
changed or the resistors are replaced with other values.
I=
Lets look at this series circuit in a little more detail. If the current is a
constant 2 A anywhere in this series circuit and the resistor values are
all fixed at 2 , it should be possible to work out the individual voltage
pressure across a single resistor by applying Ohms law again. Ohms law can
be applied to each part of the circuit.
The current in resistor 1 is 2 A, the resistor has a value of 2 , so using Ohms law:
V1
I =
R1
V1 = I R1
V1 = 4 V
This calculation is carried out across all three resistors, giving 4 V across
each resistor. The potential difference between one end of the resistor and
the other is known as voltage drop.
If all the individual voltage drops across each resistor were added up, it
would equal the supply voltage for this series circuit:
Vt = V1 + V2 + V3
Vt = 4 + 4 + 4 = 12 V
Voltage drop and the regulations
If there is a very long cable it is effectively made up of lots of series of
connected resistances. If a load is connected to the very end of the cable
you would need to ensure there was a high enough voltage available to
run the device.
Key term
Load refers to any component
or device that requires power in a
circuit, for example a light, motor
or cooker.
19
BS 7671 states that lighting circuits should not exceed 3 per cent and power
circuits should not exceed 5 per cent.
Safe working
Activity 1.6
For each of the five examples below, calculate:
the total resistance
the total circuit current
the voltage drop across each resistor.
1 A series circuit has three resistors: R1 = 3 , R2 = 6 , R3 = 9 and is connected
across a 12 V supply.
2 A series circuit has four resistors: R1 = 1.2 , R2 = 2.6 , R3 = 9 , R4 = 9 and is
connected across a 24 V supply.
3 A series circuit has five resistors: R1 = 12 , R2 = 36 , R3 = 29 , R4 = 5 , R5 = 6
and is connected across a 36 V supply.
4 A series circuit has four resistors: R1 = 2 k, R2 = 3 k, R3 = 6.7 k, R4 = 5 k and is
connected across a 230 V supply.
5 A series circuit has four resistors: R1 = 1.7 M, R2 = 2.3 M, R3 = 2.9 M, R4 = 5.7 M
and is connected across a 400 V supply.
Resistor R1
Resistor R2
I
Figure 1.10: Parallel circuit
Key fact
In a parallel circuit, the current
varies and the voltage is a
constant.
20
Parallel circuits
Instead of connecting the conductors end on to make one long resistive
conductor, imagine connecting them side by side (see Figure 1.10).
In a parallel circuit the voltage source will push the electrons around until
they reach a junction. At the junction the electrons have two choices they
now have two paths to travel down. Current is very lazy and will travel
down the path of least resistance. If the paths were of equal resistance, an
equal proportion of electrons would flow down each one the resistance
is effectively halved. If there were three equal resistors or conductors
connected in parallel (next to each other), then the overall resistance effect
would be one third, allowing the current to split into three equal parts. This
is different to the series circuit where the current was constant. Now the
voltage is a constant pressure as it is connected across the three resistances.
The current is now the thing that varies as it leaves the source, splits into
three at the junction, passes through each of the three resistors and then
joins back together again at the other junction.
It = I1 + I2 + I3
With resistors in series it is straightforward to find the overall effect simply
add them up. Resistors in parallel need to be added up as fractions as we
have seen; two identical resistors in parallel equate to half of one resistor
and three identical resistors in parallel equate to one third of one resistor.
Chapter
21
Unit
Worked example
Now consider R1 = 5 and R2 = 7 :
1 1 1
= +
Rt R1 R2
1 R2 + R1
=
now, put in the values:
Rt R1 R2
Rt 5 7
=
1 7+ 5
35
Rt =
12
Rt = 2.92
If the supply voltage is 12 V, what is the total circuit current?
The total resistance is 2.92 and the total supply voltage is 12 V, so
apply Ohms law to find the total circuit current:
V
I=
R
I=
12
= 4.1 A
2.92
If the total circuit current is 4.1 A and this is the value that leaves the
supply travelling towards the junction between the two resistors what
happens when it reaches this junction? It splits but how much goes
down each branch? Apply Ohms law to each resistor to find out.
Step 1 the total current is 4.1 A and the total voltage dropped across
both resistors in parallel is 12 V. If the voltage across R1 (5 ) is 12 V,
applying Ohms law to resistor R1 gives the following:
V
I1 =
R1
I1 =
12
= 2.4 A
5
Step 2 now applying Ohms law to the other resistor, R2, gives the
following:
V
I2 =
R2
I2 =
12
= 1.7 A
7
21
Step 3 to prove the branch currents are correct, simply add them:
Chapter
Activity 1.7
1 A parallel circuit consists of two resistors: R1 = 2.4 and R2 = 1.2 . If they are
connected to a 12 V supply, calculate:
(a) the total resistance
(b) the total circuit current
(c) the current in each resistor.
2 The circuit in Question 1 has a third resistor connected in parallel of 5.9 . Carry out
the same calculations and find:
(a) the total resistance
(b) the new total circuit current
(c) the current in each of the three legs.
3 A parallel circuit consists of four resistors: R1 = 4 , R2 = 1.8 , R3 = 3.7 and
R2 = 6.7 . If they are connected to a 24 V supply, calculate:
(a) the total resistance
(b) the total circuit current
(c) the current in each resistor.
4 The circuit in Question 3 has a fifth resistor connected in parallel of 12.3 and the
voltage supply is changed to 40 V. Carry out the same calculations and find:
(a) the total resistance
(b) the new total circuit current
(c) the current in each of the five legs.
5 The circuit consists of four resistors connected in parallel. If R1 = 12 , R2 = R1+20%,
R3 = R2+20%, R4 = R3+20% and if the circuit is connected to a 36 V supply, calculate
and find:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
22
Chapter
23
Unit
Worked example
Calculate the total resistance of this circuit and the current flowing
through the circuit when the applied voltage is 110 V.
R1 10
R2 20
R4 10
R3 30
Activity 1.8
For Questions 1 and 2 below, calculate:
the total circuit resistance
the total circuit current
the voltage drop across each resistor in the network.
1 A parallel resistor network containing four equal 4 resistors is connected to a fifth
series resistor, R5, with a resistance of 12 . If the whole circuit is connected across a
12 V supply, carry out the calculations above.
2 The same circuit as Question 1 has all five resistors replaced with 3 resistors and
the supply is changed to 24 V. Carry out the calculations above.
23
Chapter
The basic power formula for a circuit with a known voltage and current is
given by the following:
P=IV
Ohms law can be used to give another power formula:
V=IR
The Ohms law formula for V can be put into the power formula:
P = I (I R)
P = I2 R
By rearranging Ohms law again to make I the subject, you can put this into
the power formula to get a third formula for power as follows:
V
I =R
V
P= R V
V2
P=R
( )
Worked example
A resistor has a current of 20 mA passing through it when a voltage
supply of 200 V is connected across it. What is the power?
Link
For more worked examples,
go to www.pearsonfe.co.uk/
ElectricalInstDiploma.
P=VI
P = 200 20 103
P=4W
Activity 1.9
1 Calculate the power if a 100 m resistor is connected to a 36 V supply.
2 What is the resistor value if the power is 10.2 W when a current of 3.9 A passes
through it?
3 If the voltage across a 1.2 k resistor is 210 V, what is the power dissipated?
4 A voltmeter registers 125 V across a resistor and an ammeter reads 30 A. What is the
power dissipated in the resistor?
5 What is the voltage drop across a 15 resistor when the power measures 120 W?
24
Safe working
Current
Chapter
25
Voltage
Potential difference is the voltage
difference between two points in
a circuit.
Unit
Safe working
R
A
RV
FigureA1.11: Ammeter in circuit
V
RV
V
Figure 1.12: Multimeter in circuit
25
Chapter
Safe working
Never break into a live circuit to
connect a series ammeter the
result could be fatal. Only in
specific circumstances will highly
trained electricians with special
permission work live.
V
V
R
V
V
Figure 1.14: Voltmeter in circuit
R
26
Chapter
27
Unit
Supply cable,
large voltage
Primary
coil
Secondary
coil
V
Instrument
27
Chapter
P = V I (Power factor)
P = VI cos
A full description of the types of power will be expanded on in a later
chapter but at this stage it can be considered as a decimal multiplier
that is a value less than 1 (1 being perfect). Power factor at this stage
can also be considered as a power efficiency multiplier that needs to
be considered in all a.c. circuits that contain a capacitor or coil (power
factor will be covered fully later on in this chapter). You will need to
measure the true power being consumed in a circuit which is why a
specially connected wattmeter is required. The wattmeter usually has
four terminals two for the voltage coil and two for the current coil, as
shown in Figure 1.18.
W1
W2
P1
P2
Load
Br
W2
P1
Wattmeter
P2
Bu
Gy
Bl
Figure 1.19: One-meter method
28
Chapter
29
Unit
Bu
Gy
Bl
Each of the wattmeters readings would then be taken and added to give an
overall value:
True three-phase unbalanced power = power W1 + power W2 + power W3
There are lots of other methods to measure power but they are not covered
at this level of study.
LO3
The physics involved in magnetism is very complex, but even without going
into too much detail it is useful to remember that it is a fundamental force
that attracts or repels certain types of materials, and that it occurs because of
two atomic causes: the spin and orbital motions of electrons. Therefore, the
magnetic characteristics of a material can change when alloyed with other
elements. The unique class of materials that are strongly affected by magnetism
are called ferromagnetic and they will attract anything that contains iron.
A permanent magnet is a material that, when placed into a strong magnetic
field, will exhibit a magnetic field of its own, and continue to exhibit a
magnetic field once it has been removed from the original field. This
magnetic field is continuous without losing strength, as long as it is not
subject to changes in environment such as temperature, a de-magnetising
field or being hit. Magnetism is a difficult concept as all you can see are the
effects of magnetism. The invisible lines, called flux lines, can only be seen by
sprinkling iron filings on to paper that is close to a magnet.
Ferromagnetic metals that are attracted by magnets include iron, steel and
other iron alloys, but also nickel and cobalt.
29
Chapter
Soft magnetic materials like stalloy, a soft iron alloy, can be magnetised
and demagnetised easily. Typically, they are used in transformer cores
and electromagnets.
Hard magnetic materials like alnico and alcomax are very hard and can
be made into very strong permanent magnets.
Rules of magnetism
There are several features that magnets display:
B= A
30
B= A
Chapter
Link
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ElectricalInstDiploma.
2
B = 0.13 = 15.38
31
Unit
Activity 1.10
1 What cross-sectional area does a magnet need to have to produce a magnetic flux
density of 5 T when the magnetic flux is 5 Wb?
2 What is the magnetic flux density of a magnet with a cross-sectional area of 0.3 m
and a flux of 4 Wb?
3 What is the magnetic flux of a 160 mT magnet with a cross-sectional area of 200 mm?
4 A magnet of flux 120 Wb and cross-sectional area 200 mm2 is required to have a
flux density of 1 T to be used as a fire door magnet. Is this magnet strong enough to
hold the fire door open?
5 A motor requires a magnet with a flux density of 0.65 T. If the flux is 200 mWb, what
is the cross-sectional area of the magnet?
Electromagnetism
When current passes through a conductor, a magnetic field is induced
around that conductor. The strength of the magnetic field is proportional
to the amount of current passing through the conductor. It can only exist
while the current is flowing. Control of an electromagnet can be achieved
by simply putting a switch into the circuit.
It is important for lots of applications to know the direction in which the
magnetic field is going. Motor movement is caused by the interaction
of magnetic fields, so it is a good idea to know which way the motor will
start spinning. The concentric circles of magnetic flux lines stretch along
the whole length of a current-carrying conductor and the flux direction is
relative to the direction of current, as can be seen in Figure 1.22.
Direction of
current
Direction
of flux
31
Chapter
Direction of
current
Resultant
force
Direction of
current
If the current is made to travel in the same direction, at the point between
the conductors, the lines of flux would be going in opposite directions
opposites attract so the conductors would move closer together.
This principle is how motor movement is created. Now consider putting
a current-carrying conductor into a permanent magnetic field. With no
current flowing the conductor will not have any magnetic properties but
when the current is switched on, invisible concentric flux lines will appear
along the length of the conductor. What exists now are two magnetic fields:
one from the permanent magnets going from north to south and one from
the conductor with induced electromagnetic field lines. These will interact
and movement will occur the trick is to work out which way.
The solenoid
A solenoid is a number of turns of insulated conductor wire closely wound
in the same direction to form a coil. The coil is held in place by a core
called a former. If the coils are connected to a circuit with a current supply
and a switch, a solenoid is created. The direction of the current dictates
the polarity of the electromagnet. Imagine taking your right hand and
wrapping your fingers around the solenoid in the direction of the current
flow; your thumb will point to the North Pole.
32
Direction of
magnetic force
Cylinder
Chapter
Coil
33
Unit
Low current
controls such
as time switch,
sensor and
thermostat
Pump
Main contacts
coil
e.g. 5 A
Control circuits often use one supply to switch another, e.g. a low
current supply to switch a high current load. An example of this
is a heavy-duty pump operated by a time switch and thermostat.
Figure 1.26: The principle of the solenoid coil and simple control circuit
The solenoid is a temporary magnet that acts like a permanent bar magnet
when switched on. Applications include relays, contactor controls, fire
doors, bells and buzzers, residual current devices (RCDs) and miniature
circuit breakers (MCBs).
Consider replacing the battery source with an ammeter and then pushing a
magnet into the coil at speed what will happen? The ammeter will show a
current is flowing.
Lenzs law for induced current
As shown with the simple generator, for an electromagnetic field (emf) and
current to be generated, there must be movement. With the example shown
in Figure 1.27, you could either move the coil or the magnet. As long as there
is movement, an emf will be generated and subsequently an induced current.
Lenzs law gives a clue as to what direction the current will flow.
Lenzs law states:
The direction of an induced current is such as to oppose the change
causing it.
This can be seen in Figure 1.27: as the magnet moves into the coil, the
ammeter shows a negative deflection. But if the magnet is pulled out of the
coil, the current deflection will be positive.
There are also other factors that can affect the induced emf and current.
have a direct effect on the induced emf and current. The quicker the
movement, the larger the measured current.
A larger number of coils will increase the current generated.
A larger magnet will mean larger current.
Direction of movement
S N
Coil or loop
S
Magnet
Ammeter
33
Chapter
Spring
Off
Supply
On
Supply
Door bell
An energised solenoid is the same as a bar magnet. Like a bar magnet,
if an iron bar was brought close to the solenoid, it would be attracted
and move towards it. This principle is used for a door bell with a springloaded iron plunger sitting close to the de-energised solenoid coil.
When the switch is closed the iron plunger is drawn into the solenoid
coil and hits the bell, as shown in Figure 1.28.
Residual current devices (RCDs)
RCDs, miniature circuit breakers (MCBs) and RCBOs make use of
electromagnetism in their operation. In the heart of an RCD is the toroid
core. Under normal operating conditions this core is not magnetised.
Wound around the magnetic core are two main current-carrying coils:
one for the line conductor and one for the neutral conductor.
Trip coil
Toroid
Supply
Test button
Earth terminal
Earth electrode
34
Load
As long as the current on the line matches the current on the neutral, the
induced magnetism in the toroid core cancels each other out. If, however,
there is a slight leakage to earth (a contact between the live and earth)
there will be an imbalance in the two coils. This imbalance will mean the
induced magnetic flux will not be the same on both sides of the core and
a third coil that sits between the line and neutral coil will detect a new
generated magnetic flux. This search coil will trip a relay and cut the circuit
off instantly, making it safe.
Contactor control and relays
Contactor controls use the electromagnetic principles of a solenoid.
In a domestic situation, to turn a light on and off all that is required is a
light switch. This is because the voltage and current levels involved are
accordingly low. If the requirement was to switch much bigger currents,
a different method might be better. A contactor control will use a small
current to energise a relay which in turn will pull over a much bigger
contactor. As the contactor is pulled over, a contact bridge is made for the
larger load current to flow through. In this way the small control current is
kept very separate from the load current.
Chapter
Force on a conductor
A current-carrying conductor will move with a certain force when placed in
a magnetic field. The force on a conductor is directly related to three things:
35
Unit
Coil
Figure 1.32: One-way switch off position
Coil
Figure 1.33: One-way switch on position
Worked example
A 3 m conductor is placed in a magnetic field of 3 T when a current of
3 A is turned on. What force is exerted on the conductor?
F=BIL
F = 3 3 3 = 27 N
Link
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Activity 1.11
1 Calculate how long a conductor is when placed inside a 4 T magnetic pole pair.
A force of 6 N is experienced when the current is 20.9 mA.
2 What force will a 0.6 m conductor experience if it has a 3 mA current flowing through
it and is placed in a 5 T magnetic flux?
3 Calculate the magnetic flux density of a 22 m current-carrying conductor that is
carrying a current of 2 A and experiences a force of 3 N.
4 What current is flowing in a conductive armature of 0.3 m length when it
experiences a force of 0.68 N when moving through a 2 T magnetic field?
5 How long does a conductor need to be to experience a force of 3 N when a current
of 250 mA passes through it? The magnetic flux density is 350 mT.
35
Chapter
Rotation
Thumb = motion
Output (a.c.)
First finger
= field
The generated voltage and current can be found using Flemings right-hand
or generator rule, as shown in Figure 1.35.
Second finger
= current
To work out the direction of the current flow generated, line up the first
finger in the direction of the permanent magnet field. Now align the thumb
in the direction the conductor is being moved. The second finger will show
the direction of the current generated.
Link
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36
Chapter
37
Unit
Sinusoidal waveform
Instantaneous value
As discussed earlier, an alternator will produce a sine wave, otherwise
known as an alternating current (a.c.). In the UK the a.c. supply is 50 Hz. As
the loop conductor passes through and cuts the largest concentration of
magnetic field lines, the largest current is made. As the conductor rotates to
the vertical point, no flux lines are cut and no emf or current is induced. At
any point in time of the cycle the instantaneous value of voltage or current
can be taken. In electrical terms, this value is called the instantaneous value.
Average value
If the sine wave was split up into a number of time samples, an average
value could be taken. Using the standard method of averages in maths:
Average value (mean) =
If more samples are taken the average value (or mean) could become much
more accurate. Over an entire 360 sine wave, the average value would be
0, as in a symmetrical sine wave the negative part of the wave is identical
and opposite to the positive section so they cancel each other out. Over
half a cycle, say the positive part, the average would work out as follows:
1
Average value (mean of 2 cycle) = Maximum peak value 0.637
Peak value
When the loop conductor is horizontally between the magnet poles it is
cutting the highest concentration of magnetic flux lines. Following the
theory that this is when the largest emf will be generated, then this means
this will be the peak value. The positive part of the cycle will have a peak
value and so will the negative part of the sine wave.
If a measurement is taken from the peak of the positive cycle to the
trough of the negative part, this is the peak to peak value, as can be seen
in Figure 1.36.
Peak to
peak value
360
37
Chapter
Safe working
230 V
Therefore:
The effective rms value of an a.c. waveform = 0.707 Imax
And if the formula is rearranged to find the maximum value of current, it
becomes:
230 V
would need to be to have the same heating effect as the constant d.c.
supply. From this diagram it can also be seen that the domestic 230 V a.c.
supply is actually a lot more than 230 V peak. A domestic 230 V supply has
a peak of 325.22 V and an rms value of 230 V. Most a.c. values and readings
from meters are rms values.
230 V
3
1
In Figure 1.37 a comparison of a constant d.c. supply (1) is made with an a.c.
2supply
3
3 peak value (2). Waveform 3 shows what an a.c. supply
with the same
Link
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38
Chapter
2 If one third of a full sine wave cycle is 33 mS, what is the frequency?
3 A square wave reaches its maximum value of 3 V twice in 20 mS. What is the
frequency of this square wave?
39
4 A 100 GHz signal is measured on an oscilloscope. What is the length of one cycle?
5 If a sine wave has a frequency range 1012 kHz, what is the period range?
Unit
LO6
Electrical equipment
The d.c. generator
A single conductor that is moved through a magnetic field produces
an emf. Providing there is an electrical circuit, a current will flow. That
current will tend to move in the opposite direction to the movement
causing it. This is called Lenzs law for induced current (otherwise
known as Lenzs generator law). If the conductor length, the magnet
or the speed is increased, the induced emf and current will increase.
Imagine taking the conductor and making it into a loop, as shown in
Figure 1.38.
A
Rotating coil
N
Commutator
39
Rotation
Chapter
+
0
As the loop reaches the horizontal position it cuts the highest density of
flux lines that exist directly between the magnet poles. However, as the
loop reaches the vertical position, it is moving parallel to the magnetic
flux lines not cutting any at all! From this you can see that most emf is
generated when the coil is horizontal and little or no emf is generated when
the coil is vertical. To connect the turning loop up to a circuit, a commutator
is used. For a single loop generator, a two copper segment commutator is
required. The commutator is split and separated by an insulated material.
A
Copper segment
180
360
A
(0)
Position
B
(90)
Position
C
(180)
Position
D
(270)
Position
A
(360)
Position
The circuit is now complete and the loop is rotating within the magnetic
field. The commutator allows the current to pass around the circuit in the
same direction, as can be seen in Figure 1.41. As the loop rotates, the brushes
keep contact with the moving commutator until the brushes reach the
insulated divider. At this point the loop is about to start on the second half of
its journey and the direction of the current changes. The commutator/brush
arrangement allows the current to keep flowing in the same direction as the
loop passes the vertical position.
To make a larger emf and current, more loops of wire are required. For each
extra loop, a further connection is required and this is achieved by adding
more segments to the commutator. In reality, lots of loops and segments
will make a much smoother d.c. current. An armature is made up of lots of
loops formed around a core for strength.
The brushes are made of carbon for several reasons. Carbon, as it heats up
with friction, has a negative temperature coefficient. This means that unlike
most metals, as it gets hotter its resistance gets less, making it a better
conductor. Carbon also self-lubricates to minimise friction. Springs behind
the carbon push the brushes on to the commutator segments to keep a
constant pressure and good contact. Timely maintenance is important to
make sure the carbon brushes are replaced when they have worn down.
40
Field
Chapter
Loop
Carbon
brushes
Commutator
41
Unit
Output connections
180
360
The slip rings allow each end of the loop to be continuously connected
to their side of the circuit, so as the loop enters and leaves the magnetic
field, the current changes direction and this is fed to the outside circuit.
As the loop makes one full rotation (360), a full cycle of a.c. current is
generated. One full cycle is called a sine wave and contains a positive and
negative half cycle, as shown in Figure 1.42.
Permanent magnet
producing magnetic field
Induced a.c.
Carbon brushes
press on slip rings
41
Chapter
As can be seen from these figures, the top of the conductor is experiencing
a compression force as the flux lines are going in the same direction, hence
repulsion. However, at the bottom of the conductor, the induced flux lines
of the conductor and the permanent magnet are travelling in opposite
directions. This causes attraction. At the top of the conductor there is a push
and at the bottom a pulling force. This dual action will cause the conductor to
be forced downwards this is the d.c. motor principle.
A simple way to work out the direction of a current-carrying conductor
in a magnetic field is to use Flemings left-hand motor rule, as seen in
Figure 1.47.
First finger pointing
in the direction of
the Field (N to S)
SeCond finger pointing in the
direction of the Current in
the conductor
Line up the first finger with the permanent magnetic field in the direction
of North to South. The second finger is lined up with the direction of
current flow. The direction of movement will now be shown by the
direction of your thumb.
42
Chapter
43
Unit
Key term
RF suppression otherwise
known as radio frequency
suppression it is used to
suppress the high frequency
signal given off by arcing at
switch terminals as they operate.
L I2
2
Primary
coil
Secondary
coil
43
Chapter
Flux
density
Field
strength
Permanent
magnet
Key
Silicon steel
transformer
Hysteresis loss
Transformer cores are made from silicon steel alloys because they can be
magnetised and demagnetised easily by the fast changing magnetic flux.
These silicon alloys have low hysteresis loss compared to harder ferrous
materials such as alnico or alcomax.
The difference between a fixed permanent magnet and a silicon steel
transformer core can be seen in the hysteresis curves (Figure 1.49).
Transformer types
There are various types of transformers available that you will come
across throughout a career in the building services industry. Each
transformer type has a different purpose.
Primary winding
Secondary winding
P
VP
IP
NP
44
NS
IS
VS
LOAD
Chapter
45
Unit
45
Worked example
What is the back emf generated within a 10 coil inductor when the flux
changes from 1.2 mWb to 5 mWb in 3 seconds?
E = N
t
Chapter
(2 1)
3
(5 103 1.2 103)
E = 10
3
E = N
E=
VP
VS
3.8 103
= 1.27 mV
3
Shell transformer
The shell form is a slightly more efficient configuration as there are three
legs to the shape and the coils are around the central pillar. The windings
can either be next to each other or wound on top of each other. As the
varying voltage creates the varying magnetic flux, the outer pillars act as
a parallel magnetic circuit, as can be seen in Figure 1.51.
Transformer calculations
Transformers are all about ratios. If you can find the ratio values and you
have one of the voltages or currents involved, you can work out the rest.
Points to consider:
1 A transformer can be used to step up or step down a current or
a voltage.
2 A voltage transformer will step down if the secondary windings are
less than the primary windings.
3 A voltage transformer will step up a voltage if the secondary windings
are more than the primary windings.
4 A current transformer is completely the opposite to a voltage
transformer.
5 A current transformer will step down a current if the secondary
windings are more than the primary windings.
6 A current transformer will step up a current if the secondary windings
are less than the primary windings.
7 Unless otherwise stated, the power rating on both sides of the
transformer are the same this means that the primary voltage the
primary current = secondary voltage secondary current.
8 The formula for transformers is as follows:
Vp Np Is
= =
Vs Ns Ip
46
Chapter
Step 1
What is this: a voltage or current transformer?
It is a voltage transformer.
47
Unit
Step 2
Is it a step up or step down voltage transformer?
It is a step down transformer as there are fewer turns on the secondary
windings.
Step 3
What is the ratio?
The ratio is 100 : 50.
To simplify a ratio, simply divide both sides by the smallest number, in
this case 50, to give:
100 50
:
=2:1
50 50
This is a 2 : 1 step down voltage transformer.
Step 4
Apply the ratio to the voltage to find what the secondary voltage
should be.
230
= 115 V
2
Link
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ElectricalInstDiploma.
Activity 1.14
1 A transformer has a primary voltage of 230 V and a secondary of 12 V. If the primary
turns are 200, how many turns are there on the secondary side?
2 A core transformer has 3 A at the output and is supplied by 12 A, 400 V. What is the
secondary voltage?
3 A shell transformer has a turns ratio of 20 : 1 and a secondary voltage of 23 V. What is
the primary voltage?
4 A transformer is supplied with 200 V at 3 A. If the secondary current is 15 A, what is
the secondary voltage?
47
Auto-transformer
Winding
Iron core
L
100% of supply voltage
75% of supply voltage
50% of supply voltage
Vs Output
Vp
N
supply
Used for loads which can operate at different voltages, e.g. starting
cage-type induction motors
Isolating transformer
230 V
supply
Extra low
voltage load
24 V
Output
Used for extra low voltage loads, e.g. elv lamps and soldering irons there
is no direct electrical connection (including earth) which means that the
load is completely separated from main voltage
Auto-transformer
The main principle of transformers centres around the amount of coils on
the primary and secondary sides. The output voltage is dependent on the
turns ratio. If you were able to get access to the coils on the secondary side
and decide exactly where you wanted to take your output from, you could
effectively pick the amount of coils that made up your output. By varying the
secondary coils, the output voltage also can be varied. An auto-transformer
is a transformer having a part of its winding common to the primary and
secondary circuits. The advantage of only having one copper winding to pay
for can also be seen as a disadvantage, as there is one point of failure that
could make the transformer very dangerous. There is a direct electrical circuit
between the input and the output that could also lead to the input voltage
appearing at the output under fault conditions.
Auto-transformers are suited to applications such as starting cage-type
induction motors that require a variable voltage. Another type of transformer
design is required where complete electrical separation must be maintained at
all times.
48
Chapter
49
Unit
LO4
Key term
Gravity acceleration due to
gravity can be taken as a constant
value of 9.81 ms2. If you took
your drill to the Moon it would
weigh approximately one sixth in
comparison to its weight on Earth.
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ElectricalInstDiploma.
49
Chapter
Key term
Work done this is the same as
energy used. Both are measured
in joules, J, and 1 joule of energy
is said to have been used if a force
of 1 N moves an object 1 m.
F = 12 N
D = 15 m
W = Fd
W = 12 15 = 180 J
Activity 1.16
1 What energy do you use when moving a street light from a highways depot store to
your van? It requires a force of 16 N and the distance is 25 m.
2 What energy is required when loading your van with three cable drums? Each drum
takes 10 N of force and the distance is 10 m.
3 How far do you move if the total work done moving your site lockup box is 2500 J
and the force used is 3 N?
4 What energy will be spent moving a 200 kg transformer core 12 m into position for
installation?
5 What energy will be used moving 7 25 kg photovoltaic panels 20 m from the
delivery pallet to winch position?
50
Chapter
51
Unit
Key term
Fixed floor level (ffl) the finished
floor level that is the starting
point for measurements. This term
is often abbreviated to ffl.
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Activity 1.17
1 Calculate the potential energy of a cable drum that has a mass of 50 kg and which is
to be lifted 0.75 m into the back of a truck.
2 Calculate the height a cable tray has been lifted if the potential energy is 1 kJ and
the mass is 20 kg.
3 Calculate the mass of a tool chest that has a potential energy of 250 J and requires
lifting 1.75 m back on to the store shelf.
4 Calculate the potential energy of a pallet of solar panels with a mass of 100 kg to be
lifted on to a roof at a height of 6 m.
5 A control panel for a motor is to be lifted up a 30 m riser. The control panel is labelled
up as 2000 N. What is the potential energy of the control panel?
51
Chapter
Worked example
A 25 kg drum of mineral-insulated cable has to be pushed into the
storage lockup 30 m away. You have 2 minutes to complete the move
as your supervisor wants to leave site how much power will you use?
(Keep this simple and ignore considerations such as slopes and friction
in reality these would need to be considered but not at this level.)
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Activity 1.18
1 How much power will you use if you move a 50 kg crate of stripped copper 50 m to
the recycling bin in 5 minutes?
2 You use 500 kJ of energy moving a fluorescent bulb crushing machine from the
tailgate of a delivery truck to your electrical storage area which is 75 m away and it
takes you half an hour. How much does it weigh?
3 How much power will you use if you move a conduit bending machine (mass of
20 kg) a distance of 30 m in 30 seconds?
4 How much power will you use moving a pallet of contactors with a mass of 78 kg
from your van to the installation position 12.5 m away in 2 minutes?
5 You need to move a ground source heat pump 35 m from your secure lockup to the
installation point. The pump weighs 75 kg and you have 20 minutes to do the task.
How much power will you exert doing the move?
52
Chapter
53
Force
Fulcrum
Load
This lever system is similar to a see-saw where the fulcrum or pivot point is
in the middle. The force (person pushing) is at one end and the other end of
the lever is the load you are trying to lift.
Second order lever
Force
Fulcrum
Load
This type of lever system is found on a wheelbarrow. This time the fulcrum
and the force (person lifting) are at either end, with the load in the middle.
Third order lever
This type of lever system is similar to a person lifting a dumb-bell. The load
is at one end and the fulcrum is at the other end, with the force (muscle) in
the middle.
Each one of these systems will give a mechanical advantage and enable
more load to be moved. On a see-saw, for it to be balanced or in a state of
equilibrium, both sides of the pivot have to be identical.
53
Chapter
Force
Fulcrum
Load
There is a rule that states the effort the length to the fulcrum must equal
the load the length to the fulcrum for it to be balanced. This means that if
you are trying to lift something really heavy, it can be done if you move the
fulcrum closer to the load. This can be calculated using the formula:
F1D1 = F2D2
where F1 is the effort, F2 is the load force you are trying to lift, and D1 and D2
are the distances to the fulcrum from the person and the load respectively.
Worked example
F2
?
F1
110 N
D1
230 mm
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F2 =
D2
770 mm
F1 D1
D2
Activity 1.19
1 A first order lever is used to raise a motor off the ground. The lever is 2.75 m long and
you are 1.9 m from the fulcrum. The motor is 200 kg. What force will you exert?
2 The same scenario as Question 1, but this time the motor has increased to 300 kg.
How much force will be required now?
Pulley systems
Levers are a good way of gaining mechanical advantage. Another way is to
use a pulley system. There are several types of pulley system available.
54
Chapter
3m
Applied force
2 kg
Unit
1 kg g
1 kg
Applied force
2 kg
Efficiency
Efficiency is defined as the ratio of useable output energy (or power) to
the energy (or power) you have to put in. The symbol for efficiency is
(Greek, eta). Simply, no machine is perfect and no matter how much
energy you put into it, not all of it will be converted to something useful
like movement. Some energy or power will be lost in the form of heat,
vibration or generation of noise or smoke.
50
50
50
55
50
50
Applied force
50 9.81 = 490.5 N
200 kg
Worked example
If the input power to a motor is 1100 W and the output power is 800 W,
what is the efficiency of the motor?
800
efficiency, = 1100 100% = 72.72%
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55
Chapter
LO7
56
If an a.c. circuit was perfect and just had resistance in it, the voltage and
current sine waves would be completely in phase, that is they would reach
maximum peak values at exactly the same time as shown in Figure 1.58 and
also represented by the phasor diagram in Figure 1.59.
This is not that easy to achieve if there is anything that looks like a coil or
capacitor in the a.c. circuit. Remember, two cables lying next to each other
can be considered a capacitor.
V
I
a.c.
Chapter
360
lamp
57
Unit
I
360
I
90
Figure 1.60: Sine wave and phasor diagrams for capacitive circuit
I
57
Chapter
V
I
360
90
Direction of
rotation
I
Figure 1.61: Sine wave and phasor
diagrams for inductive circuit
Key term
Inductance the ability of a coil
to resist a changing current
measured in henrys, H.
reactive power, KVAr (or VAr) due to the capacitors and inductors
true power, KW (or W) due to the resistive part of the circuit
apparent power, KVA (or VA) due to the overall combined effect of
impedance.
58
Chapter
An efficient a.c. circuit needs to draw the least amount of current possible
for the job it is trying to do. The most efficient a.c. circuit only contains
resistance. You have seen that a capacitor has the opposite effect to an
inductor on voltage and current. If a circuit contains resistance and inductors,
the overall effect on that circuit will be inductive. If a capacitor is added to
this circuit, some of the inductive effect can be balanced out. If it is very
carefully calculated, a capacitor can be put into an a.c. circuit and make it
seem as though it just contains resistance. If this were the case the voltage
and current would be completely in phase with each other. The angle
between the voltage and current in an a.c. circuit is known as the power
factor angle. Power factor correction is achieved by placing a capacitor
in parallel with an inductive load. The capacitor used in this kind of supply
correction is known as a power factor correction capacitor.
Industrial sites may contain very large equipment that runs on a.c. supplies.
Large industrial sites mean a large number of inductors in the form of
machine windings, transformer coils and fluorescent light chokes or ballasts.
All of these inductors will cause the site to have a large phase shift between
the current and voltage (remember, a coil will cause current to lag behind
voltage by up to 90).
Power factor correction can be achieved by a number of different
methods, including:
capacitors
load correction
bulk correction
synchronous motor.
59
Unit
Key terms
Power factor correction also
referred to as pf correction, it is
the ability to bring the current in
phase with the voltage.
Synchronous motor power
factor correction is used on large
induction motors because it has a
leading power factor.
Fluorescent a fluorescent tube
inductive coil is also referred to as
a choke or ballast.
If the current and voltage sine waves were displayed using an oscilloscope,
you would notice the voltage and current are out of phase. This leads to an
overall effect of more current being drawn from the supply than is required
to power the lights. A power factor correction capacitor is therefore required
in each fluorescent tube to counter the effect of the coil. For industrial
sites it may be practical to monitor this as a whole installation and then
correct the site rather than the individual equipment. This is known as load
correction or bulk correction and can be automated with correction added
as the power factor angle drifts in to unacceptable levels.
On a much larger scale, this type of correction is carried out on the
electricity suppliers network and again is automated.
Progress check 1.3
1 Define what effect a capacitor and inductor will have on an a.c. circuit.
2 What is impedance?
3 What is power factor and why does it need correction?
59
LO5
Chapter
S
Bl
Gy
As a loop rotates past a magnetic pole the moving conductor will have a
current induced in it the greater the density of magnetic flux lines that are
cut, the greater the induced current.
As the first loop passes the magnetic pole, the second loop will be
approaching (120 behind). This loop will go through the same growth in
current as it cuts across the most magnetic flux lines. This will occur again
for the third loop. The rotation of all three loops of wire through the magnet
poles produces three identical sinusoidal waveforms but each is separated
by 120. The way in which the three loops are connected together can
be changed. One method is to connect the end of one armature to those
of its two neighbour armatures. This type of connection is called a delta
connection. The other method is to connect one end of each loop together
at a central point and create a star connection.
60
Chapter
VP
VL
IBl
61
IP
Unit
IGy
Figure 1.63: Delta connection
This type of connection has three lines only. Each end of the transformer
phase is connected to another to form a triangle configuration. To get a
supply voltage you connect between any two of the lines. There is only
one level of voltage that can be found. You can see from Figure 1.63 that
no earth or neutral are available on a delta configured system.
The current flowing through the transformer winding is called the phase
current and the current flowing through the line is called the line current.
As the current flows through the line and gets to the junction with the
other two phases, it has two other possible routes to flow down. This means
the current must split. On a delta system there are two different values of
current flowing. The two different currents can be found by the formula
IL = 3 IP. On a delta system there is only one voltage so VL = VP.
Star connection
IBr
VP
IN
IP
IBl
VL
IGy
A star configured supply is the typical supply that can be found in your street.
It consists of three separate line conductors, each with a separate supply on
it. A star system also has a neutral and an earth conductor. You can see from
Figure 1.64 that the centre point of the star is connected down to earth and
also onwards connected to give an extra conductor this is the neutral.
61
Chapter
The current flowing through the phase winding on a star system is also
called the phase current and the current flowing through the line is
called the line current. As the current flows along the line and reaches the
junction with the phase winding, there is only one route so the line current
and the phase current must be the same thing it simply travels along the
line, turns the corner and becomes the phase current. For this reason, IL = IP.
Transformers increase the
voltage to 400 000 volts.This
helps to stop energy being wasted
as heat in the transmission lines.
400 kV
Power station
11kV
33 kV
Transformers in local
sub-stations reduce
the voltage to 400/230V
for homes, shops
and offices.
Transformers reduce
the voltage to 33000 V
or 11 000 V for factories.
230 V
62
11kV
Chapter
1
!
Safe working
63
Unit
Case study
A college experienced such a rapid growth in learners that extra temporary buildings
were built to house them. The extra electricity required for heating, computers and
workshop machinery led to the supply becoming unbalanced. The neutral heated up
because one line in particular was supplying most of the extra current. When it snowed
and even more electricity was required, the path of the underground supply cable
melted the snow with the excessive heat produced. Eventually the supply transformer
fuse blew, putting the whole college into darkness for a few hours! The supply was
redesigned, balanced and a new supply was installed.
Key facts
1 For a star connected network, a balanced load is preferred as no current flows down
the neutral and means the neutral can be small.
2 A star connected supply (three line and neutral) has an advantage over delta because
of the neutral and the two different available voltages.
3 Delta has one voltage and two currents, star has one current and two voltages.
63
Attempt all 15 multiple choice questions, which are based on the basic science covered in this chapter. If you are not successful
in getting all of the answers correct, go back over the chapter and attempt them again.
1 What is the unit for magnetic flux
density?
a
b
c
d
Wb
T
Hz
34 MJ
340 kJ
3.4 MJ
34,000 MJ
3 72 (3 3 + 3) can be simplified to
what?
a
b
c
d
444
120
588
882
1.75
0.175
17.5
175
1.64
162
27
18
617.3 A
6.3 A
16 A
0.617 mA
13.33 T
1.2 T
4.3 T
43 mWb/m2
5
2
4
1
64
10 A
1.5 A
15 mA
15 A
90 T
9.0 T
0.009 T
900 T
50 Hz
500 Hz
200 Hz
20 Hz
23.544 kJ
2.44 kJ
16.67 kJ
16.67 J
16.25 kW
19.4 kW
17.16 kW
1.6 MW
Unity
0.99
0.1
0
9A
3A
0.1 A
1A