Agustin, Kimerlene J. Engr.

Jeremy Dalina

AE-202 Avionics

1. What are the basic components of an electrical circuit?

The Basic Parts of an Electric Circuit
Every electric circuit, regardless of where it is or how large or small it is, has four basic
parts: an energy source (AC or DC), a conductor (wire), an electrical load (device), and
at least one controller (switch).
The Energy Source
In an electrical circuit, the power source provides the voltage (the force that pushes
electrons through a conductor measured in volts) and current (the rate of flow of
electrons measured in amperes) to energize a device attached to the circuit.
The Conductor
In a typical electrically powered environment that uses common electrical devices, the
conductor is the wiring in a home or device that provides the path of the circuit, on which
the energy flows. The conductor (conduction) system interconnects all of the other parts
of the circuit.
The Switch
The switch provides the control that closes (continues) or opens (breaks) the electrical
energy flow on the circuit. A variety of circuit switches exist, including wall switches,
push buttons, key toggles, and many biometric devices. A closed circuit switch can have
either a sustained contact or a transient contact. A sustained contact, such as a light
switch, maintains the circuit in a state that allows for a constant flow of energy.
The Load
Any device attached to an electrical circuit that is activated or energized by the flow of
electricity to it, provides the electrical load on the circuit. The load is the amount of
electrical energy the device uses to complete its task. This electrical consumption is
measured in watts, which equals the current (amps) multiplied by the volts on the circuit.
Lights, TVs, motors, heaters and appliances are load devices that consume power.
Other Circuit Components
While most circuit definitions show either three or four basic components, there are other
features and components that can be included in what makes up an electrical circuit.
Various descriptions of electrical circuits may include other electrical components, such
as gates, hinges, transistors, meters of varying types, and so on.
 2. Differentiate series, parallel circuits?
With a series circuit, the same current flows through all the components. In a parallel
circuit each leg has its own current. This is the difference between a light goes out the
rest sat lit in a parallel circuit. In a series circuit if one component fails the whole circuit
no longer works.
3. Differentiate electricity and electronics?
The main difference between electrical and electronic circuits is that electrical circuits
have no decision making (processing) capability, whilst electronic circuits do. An electric
circuit simply powers machines with electricity.
4. Differentiate alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) power?
In direct current (DC), the electric charge (current) only flows in one direction. Electric
charge in alternating current (AC), on the other hand, changes direction periodically. The
voltage in AC circuits also periodically reverses because the current changes direction.

Thermocouple

A Thermocouple is a sensor used to measure temperature. Thermocouples consist of two wire

legs made from different metals. The wires legs are welded together at one end, creating a
junction. This junction is where the temperature is measured. When the junction experiences a
change in temperature, a voltage is created.

Generator

Generators are basically coils of electric conductors, normally copper wire, that are
tightly wound onto a metal core and are mounted to turn around inside an exhibit of
large magnets. An electric conductor moves through a magnetic field, the magnetism
will interface with the electrons in the conductor to induce a flow of electrical current
inside it. Generator is a machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
It works based on principle of faraday law of electromagnetic induction. The faradays
law states that whenever a conductor is placed in a varying magnetic field, EMF is
induced and this induced EMF is equal to the rate of change of flux linkages. This EMF
can be generated when there is either relative space or relative time variation between
the conductor and magnetic field. So the important elements of a generator are:

Magnetic field, Motion of conductor in magnetic field