Basic Electricity

MSTC Diesel Technology Program

Basic Electricity

Atoms
The smallest known particle of an element Everything around us is made up of atoms, including ourselves

Element
A liquid, solid, or gas that contains only one type of atom Example: Oxygen, Hydrogen, Argon

Basic Electricity Cont.

Compounds

A liquid, solid, or gas that contains two or more types of atoms Example: water, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide
The smallest particle of a compound in which all the chemical characteristics of the compound are present Example: One molecule of water=1H and 2O

Molecules

Basic Electricity Cont.

Protons

Positively charged particles located at the center, or nucleus, of each atom

Electrons
Small very light particles with a negative electrical charge These electrons move in orbit around the nucleus of an atom

If

electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?

Basic Electricity Cont.

Neutrons
Do not have an electrical charge These particles add weight to the atom Located at the nucleus of an atom

Basic Electricity Cont.

Electron Movement
The outer ring of an atom is called the valance ring The number of electrons on the valance ring determine the electrical characteristics Current flow may be defined as the mass movement of valence electrons from atom to atom through a conductor

Basic Electricity Cont.

Conductors
An

element with 1, 2, or 3 valance electrons These electrons can be moved easily from one atom to another
Semiconductors
An

element with 4 valance electrons Used to manufacture diodes and transistors Silicone is one of the most common semiconductors

Basic Electricity Cont.

Insulators
Have 5 or more electrons on the valance ring Due to the electrical attraction of the electrons and protons it is very difficult to get the electrons to move

Basic Electricity Cont.

Volts
The pressure used to force the electrons from one atom to another A typical battery has 12.6 volts of pressure Atypical alternator produces 14V Why does the alternator produce more volts than the battery requires?

Basic Electricity Cont.

Amperage
The

amount of electric current flowing in a circuit How would this compare to a water hose?
Resistance
Measured

in Ohms The resistance or opposition, to current flow in an electrical circuit What is the relationship in resistance between a and water hose, each delivering 5 GPM?

6.3.2

Electromotive Force (EMF)

Electromotive force, or EMF, is used to indicate electrical pressure or voltage that causes current to flow. The volt is unit of electrical pressure, similar to pressure used to make gases and liquids flow through pipes. One volt is the force required to push one amp through one ohm of resistance. Abbreviation for volt (EMF) is E.

6.3.2

Voltmeter
Voltmeters measure the electromotive force of a power source. There are DC voltmeters that measure DC voltage and AC voltmeters that measure AC voltage. One kilovolt (kV) is 1,000 volts One millivolt (mv) is 1/1000 (.001) of a volt One microvolt (mV is 1/1,000,000 (.000001) of a volt.

6.3.2

Voltmeter
continued

Moving plate (electrostatic) type.

6.3.2

Voltmeter
continued

Digital type (uses electronic circuitry instead of electromagnetic effects).

6.3.2

Voltmeter
continued Advantages of digital meters include:

No moving mechanical parts.

Easy readability. Smaller size.

Does not affect the circuit you are measuring

6.3.2

Voltmeter
continued Digital meters use solid-state semiconductors and can withstand shock and vibration. Digital meters have a numeric (number) display instead of a pointer. Some designs offer auto-ranging, which automatically selects the voltage range and the proper scale. Voltmeters are always connected in parallel with the circuit.

6.3.3

Coulomb
A coulomb is a count of the number of electrons passing a given point on a conductor in one second.
The number of electrons in a coulomb is 6.24 x 1018 or 6,240,000,000,000,000,000.

One coulomb per second equals one amp. This is the measurement of rate, or how fast the current is flowing.

6.3.4

Ampere
Measures rate of current flow.
The ampere has a one-to-one relationship with the coulomb. Ten amperes flowing past a point in one second is the same as 10 coulombs.

Current is measured with an ammeter.

6.3.4

Ammeter
Instrument that measures the rate of current flow in amperes. There are two types of ammeter: the DC ammeter

the AC ammeter.
In the diesel industry the DC ammeter is most often used.

6.3.4

Ammeter
continued Operation of an ammeter depends on magnetic field that surrounds a conductor when current is flowing through it. An ammeter must always be connected in series with the load being tested.

When using a clamp-on type ammeter, clamp it around one wire of the circuit being tested.

6.3.4

Ammeter
continued

Current that flows through the wire creates a magnetic field around the wire. This field induces a current flow in the jaws of the ammeter and gives a meter reading.
Another type of ammeter is the in-line type. When this meter is used it must be placed in the circuit in series with the load being tested.

6.3.4

Ammeter
continued

Both the in-line ammeters and the clamp-on ammeter are connected in this electrical circuit.

6.3.4

Ammeter
continued

Caution: An in-line ammeter should always be connected in series with the circuit. If accidentally connected in parallel, it will burn up.

6.3.5

Watts
When amperes flow (coulombs per second) at a certain pressure (EMF), this is known as power.
Power is the time rate of doing work. Electrical power is measured in watts (W), and in kilowatts (kW). When calculating horsepower, there are 746 W in 1 HP. In DC circuits, wattage can be calculated by using the formula: ExI=W

6.3.7

ResistanceResistors
Conductors of electricity are made from metals such as silver, copper, and aluminum. Some materials such as iron, steel, and carbon will conduct electricity,but have a higher resistance than silver, copper, or aluminum.

Extremely poor conductors are called resistors or resistances.

Materials known as resistors have few to no free electrons in their atom.

6.3.7

ResistanceResistors
continued The harder it is for free electrons to move, the greater the heat generated in the conductor. Impedance is the total electrical resistance in an AC circuit. The resistance of an electrical conductor increases as its length and its temperature increase. The resistance also increases as a conductors diameter decreases. Resistors are electrical components designed to provide a specific level of resistance in a circuit.

6.3.8

Ohms
Electrical resistance is measured in ohms.

An ohm is the amount of resistance that allows 1 volt to push 1 amp through an electrical circuit.
The symbol for ohm is the Greek letter omega (W). The resistance in a conductor depends on: Material used. Diameter of conductor. Length of conductor. Temperature of conductor.

6.3.8

Ohmmeter
An ohmmeter is used to measure an electrical circuit for resistance, opens, shorts and grounds. Power must always be disconnected from the circuit being tested.

Ohmmeter
6.3.8

Correct method for using an ohmmeter.

6.3.9

Ohms Law
Ohms law is the relationship between the volt, the ampere, and the ohm. Formula for Ohms law:
E = Electromotive force in volts. I = Intensity of current in amperes. R = Resistance in ohms.

E=IxR or
E = IR and therefore,

I = E/R or R = E/I

6.3.9

Ohms Law
continued If resistance stays constant, the current will only increase if there is an increase of voltage. If the voltage stays constant and the resistance becomes low, the current will increase. Formula: E = IR R = Example: E I

A 240 W lamp draws 2 A at 120 V. What is its resistance? E Solution: R= I 120V R = 2A R = 60 ohm

6.3.9

Ohms Law
continued If resistance stays constant, the current will only increase if there is an increase of voltage. If the voltage stays constant and the resistance becomes low, the current will increase. Formula: Example: E = IR R = E I

A 240 W lamp draws 2 A at 120 V. What is its resistance? Solution: R= E

I R = 120V 2A R = 60 ohm

Basic Ohms Law

Work

Sheet

Questions
repel attract Like charge ________ and unlike charges ________.
Name two types of electrical currents. Direct (DC) and alternating (AC).

Name the components of a simple circuit. Power source, control (switch), load, and conductors (wire).
What happens to the current in a short circuit? The current increases.

Questions
continued What is another name for electromotive force (EMF)? Voltage. What is the single-letter abbreviation for electromotive force (voltage)? E What instrument measures the EMF of an electrical circuit? A voltmeter. A voltmeter must always be placed in _________ parallel with the circuit being tested.

Questions
continued How many electrons are in one coulomb? 6.24 x 1018. One coulomb per second equals one: Ampere. Which electrical meter measures current? The ammeter. A clamp-on type ammeter must be clamped around ________ one wire(s) to obtain a proper reading.

Name a type of ammeter other than the clamp-on type. An inline ammeter.

Questions
continued What is the definition for power? The time rate of doing work. Electrical power is measured in: Watts. The symbol for the watt is: W or P. ExI=W

State the formula for determining wattage.

Name three common conductors used in electrical circuits. Silver, copper, and aluminum.

Questions
continued Electrical resistance is measured in: Ohms.

The symbol for ohm is: The Greek letter omega (W). Ohmmeters are used to measure an electrical circuit for: Measurable resistance, open circuits, short circuits, and grounded circuits.

Questions
continued

Name two important rules when using an ohmmeter in an electrical circuit. Power must always be disconnected from the circuit being tested.
The component being tested must be isolated from the circuit. State Ohms law. E = I x R

6.3.10

Series Circuit
A circuit that has only one path for current to flow.

All resistances are added together to determine total resistance.

Total voltage equals the sum of the voltages across each of the resistances. Current is the same throughout a series circuit. An open switch, load, or conductor anywhere in the circuit will stop current flow through the circuit.

6.3.11

Parallel Circuit
A circuit that has two or more paths for current to flow. Sum of the current flowing through each individual path equals the total input current. Voltage is the same across each load in parallel. Total resistance in a parallel circuit will always be lower than the lowest resistance in its circuit.

6.3.12

Series-Parallel Circuit
Series-parallel circuits are a combination of a series circuit and a parallel circuit connected together.

Series-parallel circuit.

Most commonly in the HVAC/R field, electrical controls are connected in series with loads that are wired in parallel with each other.

6.3.13

Voltage Drop (IR)

The sum of the voltage drop in an electrical circuit always equals the applied voltage. The voltage drop across any part of a circuit is equal to I x R.

6.3.13

Voltage Drop (IR)

continued

Voltage drop in a typical refrigeration circuit.

6.3.13

Voltage Drop (IR)

continued

To determine the voltage drop, use the formula E = IR.

Equivalent resistance of circuit wiring is 0.5W.

5 x .5 = 2.5 Equivalent resistance of thermostat is 0.5W. 5 x .5 = 2.5 Equivalent resistance of start relay is 1.0W. 5 x 1 = 5.0 Equivalent resistance of compressor motor is 22.0W. 5 x 22 = 110.0 The total voltage drop is 2.5 + 2.5 + 5.0 + 110.0 = 120V

Series Circuit Rules

The total current in a series circuit is equal to the current in any other part of the circuit The total voltage in a series circuit is equal to the sum of the voltages across all parts of the circuit The total resistance of a series circuit is equal to the sum of the resistances of all the parts of the circuit

Parallel Circuit Rules

The

total current in a parallel circuit is equal to the sum of the currents in all the branches of the circuit The total voltage across any branch in parallel is equal to the voltage across any other branch and is also equal to the total voltage The total resistance in a parallel circuit is found by applying Ohms law to the total values of the circuit

Finding Total Resistance of Parallel Circuits

With two resisters

R1 X R2 R1 + R2

This

formula equals Total resistance of a parallel circuit

Answer to Slide 62

Electrical Circuit Defects

Open circuit

An unwanted break in an electric circuit

An unwanted copper-to-metal connection An unwanted copper-to-copper connection

Grounded circuit

Shorted circuit

Magnetism

Permanent Magnetism
Iron, steel, nickel, and cobalt that has been magnetized When a metal is magnetized an invisible field of force surrounds the magnet with lines of force moving from the north pole to the south pole on the outside of the magnet

Magnetism
Electromagnetism
When

current flows through a conductor an invisible field of force surrounds the wire This magnetic field is concentric to the conductor, and an increase in current flow results in a stronger magnetic field The magnetic strength of an electromagnet is determined mainly by the number of turns and current flow through the windings

Multi-meter operation

Types
Analog Digital

Which type do you have?

Multi-meter operation Cont.

Review settings on Multi-meters Determine what each setting is used for Break into groups and complete multimeter work sheet