UNITS AND DIMENSIONS IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING Units are of prime concem in engineering and scientific works. When we make # measurement, we arrive by some procedure at an expression of the magnitude of the quantity being measured. In order to state the magnitude of the quantity we must first fix the size of the unit in which it is to be measured. The ‘magnitude of the quantity can then be expressed in terms of the chosen unit and a numerical multi The result of a measurement of a physical quantity must be defined both in kind and magnitude PHYSICAL QUANTITIES All quantities that can be measured are called physical quantities. eg. time, length,mass, force, work done, ete, There are two types of physical quantities: |. Fundamental quantities. 2, Derived quantities. Fundamental quantities: Physical quantities which are independent of each other and cannot be further resolved into any other physical quantity are known as fundamental quantities. There are seven fundamentalquantities. (@) Length (b) Mass (c) Time (4) Electric current (e)Temperature(f) Luminous intensity(g) Amount of Substance, Derived Quantities: Physical quantities which depend upon fundamental quantities or which can be derived from fundamental ‘quantities are known as derived quantities. For example speed of anybody is proportional to the distance traveled and inversely proportional to the time interval during which the distance has been traveled, so speed = distance / time = It. where length and tis the time. UNITS ‘The standard measure of each kind of physical quantity is called a uniteg. second, meter, kilogram, ete. Measurement of physical quantity = (Magnitude) x (Unit). ‘The four basic properties of units are-— 1. Theymust bewell defined. 2. Theyshould be easilyavailable and reproducible. 3. They do not vary with temperature, time, pressure etc. ie, invariable. 4. They should be accepted to all There are three types of units: Fundamental or base units,Derived units and Supplementary units. Definitions of fundamental units: i) Meter: The distance travelled by light in vacuum in 1 / 299,792,458 second is called meter. fi) Kilogram: The kilogram is the mass of a platinum-iridium eylinder preserved at Intemational Bureau of Weights and Measures in Paris. ili) Second: The definition of the second has been related to the movement of electrons in a cesium atom, The second is the duration of 9,192,631,770 cycles of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two levels of the ground state ofthe cesium 133, atom, ‘The atom can be pictured as a mini solar system, with the heavy nucleus at the centre surrounded by electrons in a variety of different orbits. The orbits correspond to energy levels, and electrons can only move between levels when they absorb or release just the right amount of energy.This energy is absorbed or released in the form of electromagnetic radiation, the frequency of which depends on the difference in energy between the two levels. By measuring the frequency of the electromagnetic radiation, like counting the number of pendulum swings, we ‘can measure the passage of time. Enexgy level 2 Electromagnetic radiation Electron jumps 5 up one energy level Energy Level 1 | The ground state Nuclete << The Cs 133 Cesium is are very stable, and accuracies of 1 second in 1.4 million years have been reported. W) Ampere: The ampere is the current which, if maintained in two straight parallel conductors of infinite length, of negligible circular cross-section and placed one meter apart in vacuum, would produce between these conductors a force of 2x10” newton /meter of length. ¥) Kelvin: The Kelvin is the fraction aK of the thermo-dynamic temperature of the triple point of water. The triple point of water is exactly 273.16 K. Triple point is the temperature and pressure at which solid, liquid and vapor-phase of a particularsubstance coexist in equilibrium The single combination of pressure and temperature at which liquid water, solid ice and water vapor can coexist in a stable equilibrium occurs exactly at 273.16K (0.01°C) and pressure of 611.73 Pa.vi) (Gone haus chews macnumay Liquio SOLID Phase boundsny (s9p00 gue cooust 611.73 Pa VAPOUR 273.16K TEMPERATURE. Heat Released Heat Released HO gas) = HO (liquid) = H, 0 (solid) . ea, ae ———— ‘Heat Absorbed Heat Absorbed Candela: The candela is the luminous intensity, inthe perpendicular direction, ofa surface of Too. no9 SANE meter of a black body at the temperature of fieezing platinumunder standard atmosphere pressure of 101,325 Nim’. ‘The candela is the luminous intensity, in a given direction, of a source that emits monochromatic radiation of frequency 540 x 10" hertz and that has a radiant intensity in that iretion of 1/683 wait persteradian.* Mole: “One mole” of a substance is ‘© Defined as the number of carbon atoms in exactly “12 grams of carbon 12”. ‘© One mole is 6.023 X 10” particles (atoms), © 6,023X10" is known as Avagardo’s number. has 6.023 X 107° atoms 12 g of Carbon 1 mole of sodium ; I - ANTS Ae pe has 6.023 X 10” atomsUnits of derived quantities are called derived units Physical quantity Units ‘Volume = (length)* m Speed = length/time mis Supplementary units: The units defined for the supplementary quantities namely plane angle and solid angle are called the supplementary units, The unit for plane angleis rad and the unit of solid angle is steradian (sr). Radian and Steradian: Radian is plane angle with it’s vertex at the centre of a circle of radius r and is subtended by an are ‘whose length is equal to r. Circumference of the circle is 2nr. Therefore the total angle of the circle is 2x radian. Steradian is a solid angle with its vertex at the centre of sphere of radius r which is subtended by a spherical surface area equal to the area of a square with side length r. Area of the sphere is dar’. ‘Therefore total solid angle of the sphere is 47 steradians. Areas? PRINCIPAL SYSTEM OF UNITS ‘C.G.S. system: [centimetre (cm); gram (g) and second (s)] F.P.S system: [foot ; pound ; second) MKS. system: [meter ; kilogram ; second] S.L (system of international) In 1971 the intemational Bureau of weight and measures held its meeting and decided a system of units, which is known as the international system of units. The SI system is expanded by adding the degree Kelvin, Candela and Mole as basic units of temperature, luminous intensity and amount of substance respectively. The SI system is a comprehensive, logical and coherent system, designed for use in all branches of science, engineering and technology.Electric and Magnetic SI Units Unit of force: The SI unit of force is Newton (N), namely the force which, when applied to a mass of 1kg, gives it an acceleration of Ins’. Hence the force F required to give a mass m an acceleration a is F =m(Kg) x a(m/sec*) = ma N Unit of Work or Energy: The SI unit of energy is the joule. The joule is the work done when a force of IN acts through a distance of 1m in the direction of the force. Hence, if a force F acts through distance d in its own direction Work done = F(N)xd (meters) = Fd joules Unit of Power: The SI unit of power is joule’sec or watt. The power is rate of doing work. Quantity of Electricity: The SI unit of quantity of electricity is the Coulomb. The Coulomb ‘quantity of electricity passing a given point in a circuit when a current of 1 ampere is maintained through it for 1 second. Hence Q (Coulomb) =I (ampere) x 1 (second) Unit of Potential difference: The Si unit of potential difference is volt. The volt is the difference of potential between two points of a conducting wire carrying a current of 1 ampere, when the power dissipated between these points is equal to Iwatt. Unit of Resistance: The SI unit of resistance is ohm, The ohm is the resistance between two points of a conductor when a constant difference of potential of 1 volt, applied between these points, produces in this conductor a current of 1 ampere, the conductor not being a source of any electromotive force. Unit of Inductance: The SI unit of inductance is Henry. The Henry is the inductance of a closed circuit in which an e.m.f of 1 volt is produced when the electric current in the circuit varies uniformly at the rate of 1 ampere/second. Unit of Capacitance: The $1 unit of capacitance is farad. The farad is the capacitance of a capacitor between the plates of which there appears a difference of potential of Ivolt when it is charged by 1 coulomb of electricity. The CGS Electrostatic System of Units (CGSESU): Itis an absolute system based on the centimeter, gram and second as the fundamental mechani and permittivity (e) of the media as fourth fundamental unit. The permittivity of free space is unity, i. =1 The CGS Electromagnetic System of Units (CGSEMU) : It is an absolute system based on the centimeter, gram and second as the fundamental mechanical units and permeability (li) of the media as fourth fundamental unit. The permeability of free space is unity icc. bar The SI System of Units : In this system, the permeability of free space,jig = 4mx10"H/meter and permit 8.854x 10" F/meter. ity of free space, &» =DIMENSIONS ‘The power (exponent) of fundamental quantity that enters into the expression of a physical quantity, is called the dimension of the quantity. Tomake it clear, consider the physical quantity" force”. Force =m ass acceleration = mass » length / time? = mass x length * (time)? So the dimensions of force are 1 in mass, 1 in length and ~2 in time. Thus Force [F] = MLT®. Quantity STUnit Dimensional Formula Density om i Force ‘Newton (N) MLT Work Joule (= N-m MT: Ener; Toule MULT: Power Watt(W)= Joule/sec MT ‘Momentum kgs MLT™ Angular velocity radian /s ia ‘Angular acceleration radian /s! T ‘Moment of inertia gem’ ML Torque N-n MUT: ‘Angular frequenc) radian /5 a Frequency Hertz (Hz) Te Period sec.(3) a Temperature Kelvin(K) K Current ‘Ampere(A) I Displacement Meter(m) ie Velocity mis Ta Dimensions in Electrostatic and Electromagnetic Systems According to Coulomb's lav, force between two charges, Qy and Qs placed at a distance r from each other in a medium of permittivitye is given by Force = Q:Qe / er” = (Quantity of Electricity)"/ ex(length)? Dimensionally, (FF (Q)*tet] IMLT*] = (Q}* [eL'}, [QV = [MLTe17] ‘Therefore [Q] = [¥212T-*e2], which gives the dimension of Q in electrostatic system.The force between two magnetic poles of pole strengths m, and ms, distant rapart, in a medium of permeabilitypis Force = mim, /uit” = (pole strength)’ / 4 (length) Dimensionally [F]= [MET] = fm)? / HL), [my From the above [MLT pL] [m] = [M2127 y2], which gives the dimension of m in electromagnetic system. Dimensions of Electrical and Magnetic Quantities The dimensions of various electrical and magnetic quantities can be derived from the known relationship between them, as given below: i) Current [7] ii) Charge (Q) Since quantity of electricity = current x time slol=[7] iii) Potential Difference The potential difference between two points is defined as: Potential difference between two points in a circuit is the work done in moving unit charge (i.e. one coulomb) from one point to the other. The units for potential difference are Joules per coulomb, or volts. Potential Difference=Work-done / Charge(Q) Work-done=[Mass]{Length}'[Time]” ‘The charge Q = [IT] Hence, PotentialDifference = [V] = [MJ[LP(T]* / TT] =(MeTT] iv) Resistance Potential difference ‘Current [ey [mere] [R] (aon =[Mer7r] Since by Ohm’s law, Resistance =: Find the dimension of conductance, ¥) Magnetic Flux Since e.m.f.= Rate of change of fluxvi) vil) viii) ix) x») xi) xii) xii) (vy - or [4]=[V][7]= [merer [7] =[Mer?r] Flux Density Since Flux density = Magnetic fux Area 1B) = (6)/ (A) = MLT*P}/ (7) = (MT*r'] Magneto motive Force (MMF) Dimensions of m.m.f are identical with those of current since mmf can be defined by current turns, [MMF] =[1] ‘Magnetic Field Strength(H) ‘Magnetic Field Strength = MMF / Length pn) fie) (4 Reluctance Since Reluctance = MME Flux =porrr] Inductance Since emf = inductance x rate of change of current [Merer'] fe) Electric Flux Since electric flux is equal to the charge producing it (v]-[el=-[7] Blectric Flux Density -. [Inductanes Lert] Electric Flux Area ef end Since electric flux density, D = Electric Field Strength EForce experienced by a +Q charge in an electric field of strength E and in the direction of the field is given by F=QE. Therefore [2] = (F] 4 [0] = (MLT 7] / [17] = (MLT"T'] Also Were] fq MITT =[E]= xiv) — Capacitance Charge Potential -[c] {ol ae [tere] “() [werr Since Capacitance = xv) Permittivity Since by Coulomb's law F = [oJ ofe]= tL wer?) xvi) Permeability Since permeability, j1= Flux density / Magnetic field strength (od) = (B)/ 0] = (MT?r']/ IL] = (ML?) USES OF DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS (@® TO CONVERT UNITS OF A PHYSICAL QUANTITY FROM ONE SYSTEM OF UNITS TO ANOTHER: Conversion of Newtonto _ Dyne (MKS) (Gs) ‘Dimensional formula ofF = MLT* IN = Ikg 1m / (s)? = 1000 gx100em / (5)? = 10 g-em /s?= 10° dyne. (tl) TO CHECK THE DIMENSIONAL CORRECTNESS OF A GIVEN PHYSICAL RELATION Iitustration : Let us check the dimensional correctness of the relation v = u-+ at. Here ‘u'represents the initial velocity, 'v represents the final velocity, ‘a'the uniform acceleration and ‘t the time. Dimensional formula of ‘u’ is ar} Dimensional formula of ‘v' ts [LT] Dimensional formula of ‘at’ is (LT *}{T] = (LT']Here dimensions of every term in the given physical relation are the same, hence the given physical relation is dimensionally correct. (1) TOESTABLISH A RELATION BETWEEN DIFFERENT PHYSICAL QUANTITIES Mlustration : Let us find an expression for the time period t of a simple pendulum. The time period t ‘maydepend upon (i) mass m of the bob of the pendulum, (ii) length lof pendulum, (iti) accelerationdue to gravity g at the place where the pendulum is suspended. Sol Let (ijt om’Gipt ad*Giiyt ag Combining ail the three factors, we get t am'?g° = Km'Pg* (1) where K is a dimensionless constant of proportionality. Writing down the dimensions on either side of equation(1),we get rT] = [MLLT = MPT Comparing dimensions, a= a=0,c=-1/2,b= 1/2 From equation(1) t mfg? =K m’r!g!? =K (ig)! =K Vi g). LIMITATIONS OF THE APPLICATION OF DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS * If the dimensions are given, then the physical quantity may not be unique as many physical ‘quantities can have same dimensions. As for example Work, Energy, Torque have same dimension which is [ML?T7]. * Since numerical constant have no dimensions.Such asl, 2, 2m ete. Hence these can’t bededuced by the methods of dimensions. ‘* Dimension does not depend on the magnitude, Due to this reason the equation x = ut tat? (where xis the distance travelled by a particle in time t which starts at a speed u and has on acceleration a along the direction of motion)is also dimensionally correct. Thus, a dimensionally correct equation need not be actually or physically correct. ‘The method of dimension is applicable only if relation is of product type. The method of dimensions cannot be applied to desire the formula if a physical quantity depends ‘on more than three physical quantities. It can be checked only. NOTE: > Dimension less quantity may have unit. But unitless quantities are dimensionless. Exangle — dimensionless but it has unit radian, > Pure ratio are dimensionless. Example: Q-factor, Efficiency, Strain > The equations containingtrigonometrical functions (sin8, cos®, etc.), logarithmic functions (log x etc.) and exponential functions (e*, etc.) cannot be derived. They can be checked only. > While deriving a formula the proportionality constant cannot be found,