Basics of Electlicity

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 Basics of Electric Circuit
Current, Voltage, and Resistance
When two tanks filled with water are Electricity flows from high to low
connected with a pipe, the water flows potential.
from the pipe with the higher water level
into the pipe with the lower water level.

Water Current
pressure

Voltage

Battery
If the inside of the water pipe is
clogged, the water flow becomes more
difficult.

Unit Symbol
Current: The strength of the current flow. A (ampere) I
Voltage: The pressure causing the current to flow. V (volt) E
Resistance: Resistance prevents current flow.  (ohm) R

Ohm's Law
Ohm's law states that, in an electric circuit, the current passing through a conductor
between two points is directly proportional to the potential difference (i.e., voltage
difference or voltage) between the two points, and inversely proportional to the resistance
between them.
Voltage (V) = Current (A) x Resistance ()
E = I x R

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Direct Current and Alternating Current
Direct current (DC) Alternating current (AC)
Symbol

Direction of voltage

Voltage Voltage

Time
Time

The size of the voltage does not The size of the voltage changes
change with time. with time.

Direction of current flow

The direction of current flow The direction of current flow

does not change with time. reverses with time.

Commonly used power supplies

100 V AC
1.5 V DC

Commonly Used Units

Unit Name Symbol Example

109 Giga G GHz, GByte
106 Mega M MHz, M
103 Kilo k k, kV, kW, km
10-3 Milli m mA, mV, m, mm
10-6 Micro  m, A, F (Farad: capacitance)
10-9 Nano n ns (s: second)

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Frequency
The charge in an alternating current alternates between positive and negative at a fixed
interval. One of these waves is known as a cycle and the number of times a cycle repeats
in one second is called the frequency. The unit used for the frequency is hertz (Hz).

1st 2nd 49th 50th

cycle cycle cycle cycle

1 cycle

1 second

Types of Loads
Loads is object That Consumes Electricity

Lamp Heater Motor

Power (Power Consumption)

Power represents the amount of work that electricity can perform in one second.
Power (W) = Voltage (V) x Current (A)
P = E x I

Rating
Defines the maximum current and voltage that can be applied to electrical instruments,
including the plug and outlet.
Toaster Oven

2004

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Basics of Electronic parts
Semiconductors
If materials in general are classified according to their ability to conduct electricity, they
can be divided into three groups.

Conductors Semiconductors Nonconductors (insulators)

Materials that conduct Materials that conduct or Materials that do not
electricity easily. do not conduct electricity conduct electricity easily.
easily depending on its
state.
Metals Silicone, germanium Rubber, plastic, glass

Diodes
Diodes are a combination of a P-type semiconductor and N-type semiconductor. The
diodes allow electricity to flow in a certain direction, while preventing electricity from
flowing in the other direction. A diode is an electronic device that can be embedded in a
circuit when electricity needs to be applied only in a certain direction.
Structure Symbol

N type P type

Reverse Direction Forward Direction

Diode Diode
Lamp
Lamp

When the direction of

the diode is changed,
Power supply Power supply
Electric current will not flow. Electric current will flow.

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Transistors
A transistor is a device that joins a P-type semiconductor or N-type semiconductor at the
PN junction of a diode. Transistors allow a large amount of current to be applied using a
small amount of current.
When a small amount of current is applied to B (base), current is applied between C
(collector) and E (emitter) according to the amplification of the transistor.

NPN Transistor PNP Transistor

Structure Emitter P N type Emitter Ｎ Collector

N type P type
type type P type
Collector
Base Base

Symbol

NOTE Switching Circuit of a Transistor

When the switch is replaced by a transistor

Switch Circuit Transistor Circuit

Lamp Electricity Lamp

Switch C

B
E Power
Power
supply supply

When force is applied to When a current is

the switch, the contacts applied to the base, the
will turn ON and the lamp transistor will turn ON
will light. and the lamp will light.

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Capacitors
Capacitors consist of two opposing metal plates called electrodes and an insulator that is
positioned between the plates. The capacitor stores electricity in an electric circuit. The
stored electricity is discharged in a constant amount as needed.
Structure Symbol

When the switch is turned ON, current is When the switch is turned OFF, the
instantaneously applied to the capacitor, electricity charged in the capacitor is
charging it. Current is applied to the resistor discharged to the resistor.
as well.

Light-emitting Diode (LED)

An LED generates light when a current is applied. It
operates only when the current flows in a forward
direction. There are several colors of LEDs, including
red, green, and orange. In controllers, they are
sometimes used as indicators to indicate the operating
state.

Constant-voltage Diode
When a voltage called the zener voltage is exceeded, a
current will flow rapidly, and the constant-voltage diode
will hold the voltage at a constant level.
Constant-voltage diodes are used by sensors to protect
electric circuits.

Phototransistor
A phototransistor is a transistor that operates upon
C
receiving light. When the base receives light from
B outside, a large amount of current can be applied
E between the collector and emitter.

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Photocoupler
A photocoupler is a combination of an LED and
phototransistor. It is turned ON and OFF with the light
Light from the LED.

IC and LSI
An IC is a chip with a small electric circuit that includes a
combination of diodes, transistors, and resistors.
An LSI is an IC chip that combines even more electronic
elements.

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