Circuits Basics Most instruments require conversions between measured signals and electrical signals Electrical circuit - a closed electrical path Laws of Electricity Ohms Law V = IR V = potential difference between 2 points in a circuit Measured in volts (v) I = current (rate of flow of charge) Measured in amperes (A) R = resistance between two points Measured in ohms () Basics (cont.) Power Law P = IV P = power Measured in watts (w) Can rearrange and substitute in Ohms Law P = I(IR) = I 2 R P = (v/R)v = v 2 /R Components of Circuits and Terms Resistor Also called an impedance Series Parallel
Voltage source Direct current (DC) Voltage Alternating current (AC) Frequency (Hz) and amplitude - + ~ Components of Circuits and Terms Capacitor Resists changes in voltage in AC circuits Filters High pass Allows high frequencies to pass
Low pass Allows low frequencies to pass
Band pass ~ V out
V in
~ V out
V in
Components of Circuits and Terms Filters (cont.)
Transistors Amplifying and switching device Little in Big out