Electricity definition

Electric current is a flow of negatively charge electrons.

qElectric current is measured by an Ammeter with a unit Ampere (A).
By connecting an ammeter in series in an electrical circuit the size of the
electrical current can be measured.
It is important to remember that as an electrical current flows through a
component such as a lamp or ammeter it is not used up but flows in a
continuous loop.
Potential difference or Voltage is measured in units called Volts and has
the symbol V.
Potential difference is measured by a Voltmeter.
Resistance is the property of an object or substance of resisting or
opposing the flow of electrical current.
Resistance is measured in units called Ohms and has the symbol
Circuit diagrams showed the current moving from the positive terminal to
the negative terminal or known as conventional current.

Series and Parallel Circuits

Electrical components can be arranged in a circuit either in series or
parallel.
For components connected in series the following rules apply:

1. Electric
Current

The electrical current through each component is

the same, as all the current has to flow through
everything in the circuit.
The potential difference across each component
adds up to the potential difference across the

2. Potential
Differenc
e

battery. This is because the energy transferred from the

battery to the electrons must equal the amount of
energy transferred by the electrons to the components.
The potential difference provided by cells connected in
series is the sum of the potential difference of each cell.
The total resistance across the components in
series is equal to the sum of each resistance

3. Resistan
ce

across the components. The potential difference is

largest across the component with the greatest
resistance as more energy is transferred by the electrons
to overcome the resistance.

Parallel Circuits
For components connected in parallel the following rules apply.

The total current through the whole circuit is the

1. Electric
Current

sum of the current through each electrical

component. The current in a parallel circuit branches
out after leaving the battery and recombines before
entering back in.

2. Potential
Difference
3. Resistanc

The potential difference across each component is

the same.
The combined resistance across the components

in parallel is less than either of the separate

resistance across the components.
e

Circuit Symbol
Compone
nt

Symbol

Function

Wire
Made from a metallic conductor so current can easily pass from one part of the
circuit to another

Switch (open)

On/Off switch in open position the circuit is broken so no current flows

Switch (closed)
On/Off switch in closed position the circuit is complete and current flows

Cell
Supplies the electrical energy to the circuit the larger terminal on the left is the
positive (+) terminal

Battery

A battery is more than one cell.

Lamp

Coverts electrical energy to light.

Fuse

A safety device which melts to break the circuit if the electrical current
flowing through it exceeds a specified value.
Voltmeter

Instrument used to measure potential difference.

Ammeter

Instrument used to measure electrical current

Resistor

Restricts the flow of electrical current can be used to limit the flow of
current to a particular component
Diode
A device which only allows current to flow in one direction

Thermistor

Converts heat to electrical resistance

Variable resistor

Used to control current

Light dependent resistor
Converts light to electrical resistance

Ohms Law
Ohms Law can also be stated for the current through a resistor as:
The current flowing through a resistor held at constant temperature is
directly proportional to the potential difference across the resistor.

CurrentPotential Difference graph for a Filament Lamp

CurrentPotential Difference graph for a Diode

CurrentPotential Difference graph for a Thermistor

CurrentPotential Difference graph for a Light Dependent

Resistor (LDR)

The Diode
A diode allows a current to flow through it in one direction only.
It has the

symbol:

The arrow on the diode symbol indicates the direction in which the
conventional current can flow.

When the arrow of the diode is in the same direction as the

conventional current flow it is said to be forward biased and current
flows.
When the arrow of the diode is in the opposite direction to the
conventional current flow it is said to be reversed biased and no
current flows.

Diodes are used in electric circuits to protect electrical equipment. In

electrical equipment such as radio or computers damage can be caused if
the battery is connected the wrong way round.
A diode in the circuit only allows the current to pass through when the
battery is connected correctly.
If the battery is connected the wrong way round no current passes
through the diode and the electrical circuit for the equipment is protected
from damage.

CurrentPotential Difference graph for a Diode

The Light-Dependent Resistor (LDR)

In a light-dependent resistor the resistance decreases as the light
intensity (brightness of light) increases.
It has the

symbol:

At low light levels or in the dark the resistance of an LDR is high and little
current flows through it.
In bright light the resistance of an LDR is low and more current flows
through it.
The properties of an LDR are put to use in digital camera. The shutter
speed of a camera can be controlled by an LDR. If light levels are low
changes in the resistance of the LDR can be measured causing the shutter
to stay open for longer.
An LDR can also be used in a burglar alarm circuit for e.g. inside a safe.
When the safe is closed it is dark and so the resistance of the LDR is high.
If it is opened and the LDR exposed to light the resistance drops allowing
current to flow which can then trigger a relay circuit which rings an alarm.

Current Potential graph for a Light-Dependent Resistor (LDR)

The Thermistor
A thermistor is an electrical component in which the resistance decreases
as the temperature increases.
It has the following

symbol:

At low temperature the thermistor has a high resistance and little current
can flow through it.
But at high temperatures the resistance of the thermistor is low and more
current flows through it.

It is this property of the thermistor that allows it to be used as a

temperature sensor.
A Thermistor can be used as an electronic thermometer in which the
current flowing through it at different temperatures can be calibrated in
degrees Celsius to give a temperature reading.
A thermistor is also used in a fire alarm. A thermistor is placed into a fire
alarm circuit such that above a set temperature the current through the
thermistor is at an amount to trigger a relay circuit which rings an alarm.

Current Potential graph for a Thermistor

Direct Current (dc) & Alternating Current (ac)

Direct Current (dc)
This is the continuous flow of electrons through a conducting material
such as a metal wire. In direct current the electron flow is always in
the same direction.
Alternating Current (ac)
An alternating current is one which is constantly changing
direction or alternates in direction. The back and forth motion occurs
between 50 and 60 times per second, depending on the electrical system
of the country.

The difference between dc and ac is that dc is continuous and in

one direction, whereas ac alternates in direction

Cells and Batteries

Cells and batteries supply current which always passes in the
same direction and are thus sources of direct current.
The
underlying
principle
of
operation
in
a
battery
is
an ELECTROCHEMICAL REACTION i.e. a chemical reaction that
produces electrons.

Mains Electricity
Mains electricity is the term used to refer to the electricity supply from
power stations to households.
Mains electricity is supplied as alternating current (a.c.)
Alternating current a.c. is one which is constantly changing i.e. the current
flows in one direction and then in the opposite direction, again and again
(continuously). In the UK, a.c. supply goes in one direction and then in the
opposite direction 50 times in one second.
Therefore, the frequency of a.c. supply is 50 cycles per second or
50 hertz.

Fuses
A fuse is an electrical component which is placed in an electrical circuit for
protection against electrical faults such as a current surge.
A fuse is an electrical wire which is thick enough to allow the required
current for the device to pass through it, but thin enough to melt and
break the circuit if too much current flows.
The Earth Wire
Electrical appliances with metal cases usually contain an earth wire. If there is a
fault in the appliance and the live wire makes contact with the metal casing, a
large current flows from the live wire to the earth wire. This larger current melts
the fuse in the live wire breaking the circuit and isolating the appliance from the
live wire.
The earth wire and the fuse together protect the user and the
appliance.

Circuit Breakers
Fuses work on the principal of a large current melting the fuse wire. In
some cases faults can occur in which the current may not be large enough
to melt the fuse but enough to seriously harm the user of the electrical
appliance. For protection against faults of this nature a circuit-breaker is
used in place of a fuse.
Circuit-breakers offer the following advantages compared to fuses.

Circuit-breakers respond quicker than fuses.

Circuit-breakers are more reliable.
Circuit-breakers are more sensitive.
Unlike fuses which only operate once and need to be replaced a
circuit-breaker can be reset.

The Three Pin Plug

It is important to know how to wire a 3 pin plug correctly. 3 pin plugs are
designed so that mains electricity can be supplied to electrical appliances
safely.

A 3 pin plug consists of three pins (hence the name). Each pin must be
correctly connected to the three wires in the electrical cable. Each wire
has its own specified colour so as it can be easily identified.

The LIVE wire is BROWN. This is connected to a fuse on the live

pin. The electric current uses the live wire as its route in.

The NEUTRAL wire is BLUE. This is the route the electric current
takes when it exits an appliance; it is for this reason the neutral wire
has a voltage close to zero.

The EARTH wire is GREEN & YELLOW and connected to the earth
pin. This is used when the appliance has a metal casing to take any
current away if the live wire comes in contact with the casing.

Electrical Power
Electrical appliances transform energy. The power of an electrical
appliance is the rate at which it transforms energy.
Power is defined as the rate of energy transfer. It is measured in watts (W)
with 1 watt being equal to 1 joule per second.

Example Fuse Rating

An electric kettle has a 2500W on a 230V main supply. What fuse
should be fitted in the plug?
Power = P = 2500W
Potential Difference = V = 230V
Current = I = ?
We require I so cover I on the triangle which gives
Thus,

I=P/V
I = 2500 / 230 = 10.87A Therefore a 13A fuse should be fitted.
Remember: Fuse values are only available in 3A, 5A and 13A
values

Energy Transferred
The energy transferred by an electrical appliance can be determined from
the relationship

Energy transferred (joules, J) = Power (watts, W) x Time (seconds, s)

Therefore, if an electric bulb with a power of 60W is on for 10 minutes the
energy transferred as heat and light can be calculated as follows:
Power = P = 60W
Time = t = 10 mins = 10 x 60 = 600s
Energy transferred = 60 x 600 = 36000J = 36kJ

The Electricity Bill

Kilowatt-hours (kWh) is the unit of energy used when calculating the cost
of electricity. It is calculated using the equation;

Energy transferred (kilowatt hour, kWh)

= Power (kilowatts, kW) x Time (hours, h)
Remember a kilowatt is 1000 watts (kilo = 1000)

Example Cost of using an electric iron

A 1500W electric iron is used for 30 minutes. What is the cost of
electricity if the unit price is 9.5p per kW h?
Power of electric iron = P = 1500W = 1500/1000 = 1.5kW
Time = t = 30min = 30/60 = 0.5 h
Energy transferred = power x time = 1.5 x 0.5 = 0.75 kW h

Cost = 0.75 x 9.5 = 7.125p

Example Cost from electricity bill

Calculate the units used and the cost from the electricity bill
below?

Units used = current reading previous reading = 8459 7711 = 748

Cost = units used x unit price = 748 x 9.2 = 6881.6p
Divide the cost by 100 to convert to pounds = 6881.6/100 = 68.816 =
68.82