1 | Electrical Engineering Review 1

1.0 Unit 1: Basic Electrical Engineering Principles

1.1 Learning Outcomes

 To recall the topics discussed under Basic Electrical Engineering Principles in
preparation for Licensure Examination
 To assess the student’s knowledge in Basic Electrical Engineering Principles in
preparation for Licensure Examination

1.2 Introduction
Electric circuit theory and electromagnetic theory are the two fundamental
theories upon which all branches of electrical engineering are built. Many branches of
electrical engineering, such as power, electric machines, control, electronics,
communications, and instrumentation, are based on electric circuit theory. Therefore, the
basic electric circuit theory course is the most important course for an electrical engineering
student, and always an excellent starting point for a beginning student in electrical
engineering education. Circuit theory is also valuable to students specializing in other
branches of the physical sciences because circuits are a good model for the study of energy
systems in general, and because of the applied mathematics, physics, and topology involved.
In electrical engineering, we are often interested in communicating or transferring
energy from one point to another. To do this requires an interconnection of electrical devices.
Such interconnection is referred to as an electric circuit, and each component of the circuit is
known as an element.

1.3 Topics & Assessments

1.3.1 Topic 1 (Problems about Electric Charge & Current)

Formula:
𝑸
𝑰=
𝒕

Where: I = current flow, in ampere (A)

Q = total charge moving, in coulombs (C)
t = time of occurrence, in second (s)

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The SI unit of electric charge is coulomb. One electron or proton has a charge of 1.6 x 10-19
coulomb.
Note: Copper is used as a universal reference conductor. 1 cubic centimeters of copper has
8.5 x 1022 free electrons.

Example: Solve the number of free electrons in a copper conductor having a diameter of 1.6
mm and a length of 10 m.
Solution: 1.6 mm = 0.16 cm; 10 m = 1000 cm
𝜋 𝜋
𝑉 = 𝐴𝐿 = ( 𝑑 2 ) 𝐿 = (0.16)2 (1000) = 20.1 𝑐𝑚3
4 4
8.5 𝑥 1022 𝑒
𝑛= 𝑥20.1 𝑐𝑚3 = 1.709𝑥1024 𝑒
𝑐𝑚3

Example: If a current of 2 A flows through point in a wire for 30 seconds, how many coulombs
pass through the point in the wire?

𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑜𝑚𝑏
Solution: 𝑄 = 𝐼𝑡 = 2 𝑥 30 𝑠𝑒𝑐 = 60 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑜𝑚𝑏𝑠
𝑠𝑒𝑐

Assessments:
1. Find the current in a conductor through which 2.5 X 1020 free electron passed in 8 s.
Solution:

2. The current in an electric circuit rises exponentially as given by 𝑖 = 10(1 − 𝑒 −2𝑡 )amp.
Solve the charge flowing through the circuit in 250 milliseconds.
Solution:

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3. For 𝑡 > 0, 𝑞 = 0.0004(1 − 𝑒 −250𝑡 ) coulombs, solve the current at t = 4 ms.

Solution:

4. Solve the total charge entering a terminal between 1 s and 2 s if the current passing
the terminal is given by the equation, 𝑖 = 2𝑡 2 − 𝑡, amperes.
Solution:

1.3.2 Topic 2 (Problems about Drift Velocity of Conduction Electrons)

Formula:
𝑰 = 𝒏𝒆𝑨𝒗

Where:
𝐼 = 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑖𝑛 𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑒 (𝐴)
𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛
𝑛 = 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑛 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦, 𝑖𝑛
𝑚3
𝑒 = 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛 (1.6𝑥10−19 C)
𝐴 = 𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 − 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 (𝑚2 )
𝑚
𝑣 = 𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑓𝑡 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑠 ( )
𝑠
Example: A copper wire having a cross-sectional area of 1 mm2 is carrying of 15 A. If the
density of the free electrons in the wire is 1 x 10 28 e/m3, solve the drift velocity of the
electrons?
Solution: 1mm2 = 1x10-6 m2

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𝐼 15 3 𝑚 1000 𝑚𝑚
𝑣= = 28 −19 −6
= × = 9.375 𝑚𝑚/𝑠
𝑛𝑒𝐴 (1 × 10 )(1.6 × 10 )(1 × 10 ) 320 𝑠 1𝑚

Assessment:
1. Find the velocity of the charge leading to 1 A current which flows in a copper
conductor of cross section 1 cm2. Free electron density of copper is 7.5 X 1028 per m3.
Solution:

1.3.3 Topic 3 (Problems about Electromotive Force or EMF)

Formula:
𝑾
𝑬=
𝑸
Where:
𝐸 = 𝑒𝑚𝑓 𝑜𝑟 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒, 𝑖𝑛 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑠 (𝑉 )
𝑊 = 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦, 𝑖𝑛 𝑗𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑠 (𝐽)
𝑄 = 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒, 𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑜𝑚𝑏𝑠 (𝐶 )

Example: What quantity of charge must be delivered by a battery with a potential difference
of 100 V to do 500 J of work?
Solution:
Note: volt = joule/coulomb
𝑊 500
𝑄= = = 5 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑜𝑚𝑏𝑠
𝐸 100
Assessment:
1. An energy source supplies 500 J of energy at 120 V for certain period of time.
Determine the quantity of the charge passing through.
Solution:

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1.3.4 Topic 4 (Problems about Electric Energy and Power)

Formula:
𝑷 = 𝑬𝑰
𝑾 = 𝑷𝒕
Where:
W = electric energy, in joules (J)
P = electric power, in watts (W)
I = current, in amperes (A)
E = emf or voltage, in volts (V)
t = time, in seconds (s)
Example: A radio receiver draws 0.9 A at 110 V. If the set is used 3 hours per day, how much
energy does it consume in 10 days?
Solution:
𝑃 = 𝐸𝐼 = (110)(0.9) = 0.099 𝑘𝑊
ℎ
𝑊 = 𝑃𝑡 = 0.099 (3 × 10 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠) = 2.97 𝑘𝑊ℎ
𝑑𝑎𝑦

Assessments:
1. An electric heater takes 1.2 kWh in 30 min at 100 volts. What is the current input to
the heater?
Solution:

2. What is the power (in KW) required to transfer 87,000 C of charge through a potential
rise of 50 V in 1 hour?
Solution:

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1.3.5 Topic 5 (Problems about Resistance of a Conductor)

Formulas:
𝑳
𝑹=𝝆
𝑨
Where:
𝑅 = 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟, 𝑖𝑛 𝑜ℎ𝑚𝑠 (Ω)
𝜌 = 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑟𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟, (Ω − m)
𝐿 = 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟, 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 (𝑚)
𝐴 = 𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 − 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟, (𝑚2 )

Resistance Resistivity Length Area

Ohm Ohm-m m m2

Ohm Ohm-CM/ft ft CM

Specific resistance or resistivity of a material is the resistance offered by 1 m length of the

material having a cross sectional area of 1 m2.
At 20°𝐶, the resistivity of annealed copper wire is,
𝑜ℎ𝑚 − 𝐶𝑀
𝜌 = 10.37 𝑜𝑟 𝜌 = 1.72 × 10−8 𝑜ℎ𝑚 − 𝑚
𝑓𝑡
Note: if not specified, a copper wire is assumed an annealed copper wire and at 20°𝐶
conditions.

Circular Mil (CM) – It is an old unit in specifying the cross-section area of a wire. It is equal
to the area of a circle having a diameter of 1 mil.
𝐴 = 𝑑2
Where:
A = cross-section area of the wire, in cmils (CM)c
d = diameter of the wire, in mils

note: 1 inch = 1000 mils; 1MCM = 1000 CM

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Example: What length of wire of diameter 0.315 mm will be required to construct a coil of
resistance 10 ohms, if the specific resistance of the wire is 49 micro ohm-cm.
Solution:
𝜋 2 𝜋
𝐴= 𝑑 = (0.0315)2 = 7.8 × 10−4 𝑐𝑚2
4 4
𝐿
𝑅=𝜌
𝐴
𝑅𝐴 10(7.8 × 10−4 )
𝐿= = = 159 𝑐𝑚
𝜌 49 × 10−6

Assessments:
1. The diameter of a conductor is 0.054 inch. What is the area in CM?
Solution:

2. A 500 MCM ACSR cable has 37 strands. Determine the diameter of each strand in
mils?
Solution:

3. A copper bus bar has rectangular cross-section of dimensions 3 inches by 6 inches.

Determine the cross-sectional area of the bus bar in circular mils?
Solution:

4. The specific resistance of copper used as electric wires is 10.4 ohm-cmil per foot. Find
the resistance of 1300 ft of copper wire whose diameter is 0.08 inch.
Solution:

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5. A copper conductor with a diameter of 0.10 inch has a resistance of 1 ohm per 1000 ft.
what is the resistance of 220 ft copper wire with a diameter of 40 mils?
Solution:

1.3.6 Topic 6 (Problems about Wires Undergoing Drawing Process)

Formulas:

𝑹𝟐 𝑳𝟐 𝟐 𝑹𝟐 𝒅𝟏 𝟒
=( ) ; =( )
𝑹𝟏 𝑳𝟏 𝑹𝟏 𝒅𝟐

Where:
R1 = original value of resistance
R2 = resistance undergoing drawing process
L1 = original length of the wire
L2 = length of the wire undergoing drawing process
d1 = original diameter of the wire
d2 = diameter of the wire undergoing drawing process

Example: A length of wire has a resistance of 5 ohms. The wire is drawn until its length
becomes double. What will be the new resistance?
Solution:

𝑅2 𝐿2 2 2𝐿1 2
= ( ) → 𝑅2 = 5( ) = 20 𝑜ℎ𝑚𝑠
𝑅1 𝐿1 𝐿1

Assessments:
1. A copper wire whose diameter is 0.162 inch has a resistance of 0.4 ohm. If the wire
is drawn through a series of dies until its diameter is reduced to 0.032 inch, what
is the resistance of the lengthened conductor?
Solution:

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1.3.7 Topic 7 (Problems about Conductance and Conductivity)

Formulas:
𝟏 𝟏 𝝆𝑳 𝑳
𝑮= ; 𝝈= →𝑹= =
𝑹 𝝆 𝑨 𝝈𝑨
Where:
𝐺 = 𝑐𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑠 (𝑆)
𝑅 = 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝑖𝑛 𝑜ℎ𝑚𝑠 (Ω)
𝑠𝑖𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑠 𝑆
𝜎 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦, ( )
𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑚
𝜌 = 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦, 𝑜ℎ𝑚 − 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 (Ω − m)

Example: Solve the length of given wire having a diameter of 1.6 mm and a resistance of 1
ohm. Conductivity of the given wire is 5 X 107 S/m.
Solution:
𝐿 𝜋
𝑅= → 𝐴 = 𝑑2
𝜎𝐴 4
𝜋 𝜋
𝐿= 𝑅𝜎𝑑 2 = (1)(5 × 107 )(0.0016)2 = 100.53 𝑚
4 4

Assessment:
1. A 25-m long conductor of cross section 20 mm by 200 mm has a resistance of 212 micro
ohm. What is the conductivity of the material?
Solution:

2. A certain conductor has a conductivity of 90% at 20 degree C. What is its resistivity in

ohm-circular mils per foot?
Solution:

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1.3.8 Topic 8 (Problems about Effect of Resistance to Temperature)

Formulas:
𝑹𝟐 𝑻 + 𝒕𝟐 𝟏 𝑹𝟐
= ; 𝜶= ; = 𝟏 + 𝜶(𝒕𝟐 − 𝒕𝟏 )
𝑹𝟏 𝑻 + 𝒕𝟏 𝑻 + 𝒕𝟏 𝑹𝟏
Where:
𝑅1 = 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑡1
𝑅2 = 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑡2
𝑇 = 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝑧𝑒𝑟𝑜 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒
𝛼 = 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑡1
Note: For annealed copper wire, the inferred absolute zero temperature is 234.5°𝐶.

Example: A copper winding has a resistance of 0.25 ohm at a temperature of 18 degree C.

Calculate the temperature in the winding when after a period of operation, the resistance
increases to 0.31 ohm.
Solution:
𝑅2 𝑇 + 𝑡2
=
𝑅1 𝑇 + 𝑡1
0.31 234.5 + 𝑡2
=
0.25 234.5 + 18
𝑡2 = 78.6°𝐶
Assessments:
1. The copper field winding of an electric machine has a resistance of 45 ohms at
temperature of 22 degree C. What will be its resistance at a temperature of 75 degree
C?
Solution:

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2. An electric press has a resistance of 80 ohms when cold (at 20 degree C). When hot the
resistance rises to 150 ohms. What temperature is reached if a constant temperature
coefficient of 0.00618 at 0 degree C is assumed?
Solution:

3. It is found that the resistance of a coil wire increases from 50 ohms at 15 degree C to
58 ohms at 55 degree C. Calculate the temperature coefficient at 0 degree C of the
conductor material.
Solution:

1.3.9 Topic 9 (Problems about Insulation Resistance)

Formula:
𝝆 𝒓𝟐
𝑹= 𝒍𝒏 ( )
𝟐𝝅𝑳 𝒓𝟏
Where:
R = insulation resistance of cable, in ohm (Ω)
𝜌 = resistivity of insulating material, in ohm-meter
L = length of cable, in meter (m)
r1 = inner radius (radius of conductor)
r2 = outer radius

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Assessment:
1. Determine the insulation resistance of a single-core cable of length 3 km and having
conductor radius 12.5 mm, insulation thickness 10 mm and specific resistance of
insulation of 5 X 1012 Ω − m
Solution:

1.3.10 Topic 10 (Problems about Resistor Color Code)

Note: The color is read from left to right
First color – first digit
Second color – second digit
Third color – multiplier
Fourth color – tolerance

COLOR DIGIT MULTIPLIER TOLERANCE

Black 0 1

Brown 1 101

Red 2 102

Orange 3 103

Yellow 4 104

Green 5 105

Blue 6 106

Violet 7 107

Gray 8 108

White 9 109

Gold 10-1 or 0.1 ±5%

Silver 10-2 or 0.01 ±10%

No color ±20%

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Example: A carbon resistor has colored strips of brown, green and silver respectively. Solve
the expected resistance from this resistor.
Solution:

Color Digit Value

First color Brown 1

Second color Green 5

Multiplier Blue 106

Tolerance Silver ±10%

Ohmic value = 15 X 106 = 15 MΩ ± 10%

Assessment:
1. For a carbon composition resistor color coded with yellow, violet, orange and gold
stripes from left to right, the value of the resistance and tolerance are ____.
Solution:

1.3.11 Topic 11 (Problems about Ohm’s Law)

Formulas:

𝑬 𝑬𝟐
𝑰= ; 𝑷 = 𝑬𝑰 = 𝑰𝟐 𝑹 =
𝑹 𝑹
Where:
I = current, in amperes (A)
E = voltage, in volts (V)
R = resistance, in ohms (Ω)
P = power, in watts (W)

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Example: An electric iron draws 2.5 A at 230 V. Determine its resistance?

𝐸 230
Solution: 𝑅 = = = 92 𝑜ℎ𝑚𝑠
𝐼 2.5

Assessments:
1. A light bulb draws 300 milli ampere when the voltage across it is 230 V. the resistance
of the light bulb is _____.
Solution:

2. A 120- V lamp has a hot resistance of 250 ohms. Find the energy (in watt-hour) it will
consume in 24 hours.
Solution:

3. Calculate the current drawn by a 100 W, 240 V lamp when it is connected across a 220
V.
Solution:

1.3.12 Topic 12 (Problems about Series Circuit)

Formulas:
𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 → 𝑰𝑻 = 𝑰𝟏 = 𝑰𝟐 = 𝑰𝟑
𝑽𝒐𝒍𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 → 𝑬𝑻 = 𝑬𝟏 + 𝑬𝟐 + 𝑬𝟑
𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 → 𝑹𝑻 = 𝑹𝟏 + 𝑹𝟐 + 𝑹𝟑

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Where
𝐼𝑇 = 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑐𝑢𝑖𝑡
𝐸𝑇 = 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑐𝑢𝑖𝑡
𝑅𝑇 = 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑐𝑢𝑖𝑡

Example: If the current drawn by 7 ohms load across a 12-V battery is 1.6 A, Solve the
internal resistance of the battery.
Solution:
12
𝑅𝑇 = = 7.5 𝑜ℎ𝑚𝑠
1.6
𝑅𝑇 = 𝑟 + 𝑅
𝑟 = 7.5 − 7 = 0.5 𝑜ℎ𝑚

Assessments:
1. A 6-ohm resistor of unknown value are connected in series to a 12-V battery. The
p.d. across the 6 ohms resistor is 9 V. What is the value of the unknown resistor?
Solution:

2. Three resistor are connected in series across a 120-V source. Resistor A is 60 ohms
and the voltage resistor B is 40 V when the current through it is 0.5 A. Find the
resistance of resistor C.
Solution:

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1.3.13 Topic 13 (Problems about Parallel Circuit)

Formulas:
𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 → 𝑰𝑻 = 𝑰𝟏 + 𝑰𝟐 + 𝑰𝟑
𝑽𝒐𝒍𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 → 𝑬𝑻 = 𝑬𝟏 = 𝑬𝟐 = 𝑬𝟑
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 → = + +
𝑹𝑻 𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐 𝑹𝟑

Example: Three resistors R1 = 2 ohms, R2 = 3 ohms and R3 are connected in parallel. The
current drawn by R3 is 2 A. If the equivalent resistance of the parallel resistors is 1 ohm, what
is the total current drawn by these resistors?
Solution:
1 1 1 1
= + +
𝑅 𝑇 𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑅3
1 1 1 1
= + +
1 2 3 𝑅3
𝑅3 = 6 𝑜ℎ𝑚𝑠
𝐸𝑡 = 𝐼3 𝑅3 = 2(6) = 12 𝑉
𝐸𝑡 12
𝐼𝑡 = = = 12 𝐴
𝑅𝑡 1

Assessments:
1. A parallel circuit has a branch resistance of R1 = 20 ohms, R2 = 20 ohms and R3 = 12
ohms. If the current passing through R1 is 1 A, what is the total current?
Solution:

2. Two coils connected in parallel across 110 V supply mains take 10 A from the line.
The power dissipated in one coil is 600 W. What is the resistance of the other coil?
Solution:

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1.3.14 Topic 14 (Problems about Combinations of Series and Parallel Circuits)

Example: A 12 ohms resistor is connected in parallel with a series combination of resistors of
8 ohms and 16 ohms. If the voltage drop across the 8 ohms resistor is 48 V, what is the value
of the total current?
Solution:
48
𝐼2 = =6𝐴
8
𝐸𝑡 = 6(16 + 8) = 144 𝑉
144
𝐼1 = = 12 𝐴
12
𝐼𝑡 = 𝐼1 + 𝐼2 = 18 𝐴

Assessments:
1. A 4.8 ohms resistor is connected in series with a parallel connection of a 12 ohms and
8 ohms resistors. This combination is connected to a 24-V supply. The current in the
12 ohms resistor is ____.
Solution:

2. A 12 ohm resistor is connected in parallel with a series combination of resistors of 8

and 16 ohms, respectively. If the drop across the 8 ohm resistor is 48 V, solve the
current drawn by the 12 ohm resistor.
Solution:

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1.3.15 Topic 15 (Problems about Delta and Wye Equivalent Circuits)

Formulas:

𝒂𝒄 𝒂𝒃 𝒃𝒄
𝑫𝒆𝒍𝒕𝒂 𝒕𝒐 𝑾𝒚𝒆 → 𝒙 = ; 𝒚= ; 𝒛=
𝒂+𝒃+𝒄 𝒂+𝒃+𝒄 𝒂+𝒃+𝒄

𝒙𝒚 + 𝒚𝒛 + 𝒛𝒙 𝒙𝒚 + 𝒚𝒛 + 𝒛𝒙 𝒙𝒚 + 𝒚𝒛 + 𝒛𝒙
𝑾𝒚𝒆 − 𝑫𝒆𝒍𝒕𝒂 → 𝒂 = ;𝒃 = ;𝒄 =
𝒛 𝒙 𝒚

Example: Three resistors of 35 ohms, 25 ohms and 40 ohms are connected in delta. What are
the resistances of an equivalent wye connection?
Solution:
35(40)
𝑅1 = = 14 𝑜ℎ𝑚𝑠
35 + 25 + 40
35(25)
𝑅2 = = 8.75 𝑜ℎ𝑚𝑠
35 + 25 + 40
25(40)
𝑅3 = = 10 𝑜ℎ𝑚𝑠
35 + 25 + 40
Assessment:
1. Three resistors of 5 ohms, 5 ohms and 2.5 ohms are connected in wye. What are the
values of the resistances of an equivalent delta?
Solution:

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1.3.16 Topic 16 (Problems about Maximum Power Transfer Theorem)

Formula:

𝑬𝒕 𝟐
𝑷𝑳 = → 𝑹𝑳 = 𝒓
𝟒𝑹𝑳

Where:
𝑃𝐿 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑤𝑛 𝑏𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑅𝐿

Example: A battery has 12 V output on open circuit, which drops to 11.5 V with a load current
of 1.5 A. Find the maximum power that can be delivered by this battery.
Solution:
𝐸𝑟 = 12 − 11.5 = 0.5 𝑉
0.5
𝑟= = 0.333 𝑜ℎ𝑚
1.5
𝐸𝑡 2 122
𝑃𝐿(max) = = = 108 𝑊
4𝑅𝐿 4(0.333)

Assessments:
1. A battery has an emf of 1.2 V and an internal resistance of 0.8 ohm. Determine the
value of current for which power delivered by the cell is a maximum.
Solution:

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1.3.17 Topic 17 (Problems about Network Theorems)

Assessments:
1. Two 24-volt battery supply power to a 20 ohms load. One battery as 0.2 ohm internal
resistance, while the other has 0.4 ohm. What power does the load draws?
Solution:

1.4 Assessments
1. A negatively charged dielectric has a charge of 2 coulombs. If 12.5x10 18 free electron are
added to it, what will be the net charge on the said dielectric?
a. -4 C
b. -2 C
c. 4 C
d. Zero

2. Substation bus bar is made up of 3- inches round copper bars 30 ft. long. What is the
resistance of each bar if resistivity is 1.724x10-6 ohm-cm?
a. 39.7 x 10-6 ohm
b. 38.7 x 10-6 ohm
c. 38.7 x 10-5 ohm
d. 39.7 x 10-5 ohm

3. One turn of the copper bar produced by cutting copper washer along the radius and
spreading the ends. The washer is cut from soft-drawn copper having a resistivity at
20oC of 2 x 10-6 ohm-cm. the washer is 0.125 inch thick and has inside diameter and

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outside diameter of 1 inch and 10 inches respectively. Calculate the exact resistance
between the two ends of the turn direct current, taking into account the non-uniform
current distribution. Assume the contact along the ends of the turn to be perfect over the
entire cross-section.
a. 17.5 x 10-5 ohm
b. 17.5 x 10-6 ohm
c. 17.2 x 10-6 ohm
d. 17.5 x 10-5 ohm

4. A copper wire of unknown length has a resistance of 0.95 ohm. By successive passes
through drawing dies, the length of the wire is increased to 2.8 times its original value,
assuming that resistivity remains unchanged during the drawing process, determine the
new value of its resistance.
a. 7.44 Ω
b. 7.54 Ω
c. 7.45 Ω
d. 7.55 Ω

5. A certain wire has a resistor R. The resistance of another wire identical with the first
except for having half its diameter is?
a. 4R
b. ½ R
c. 2R
d. ¼ R

6. The insulation resistance of a kilometer of the cable having a diameter of 2 cm and an

insulation thickness of 2 cm is 450 ohms. If the thickness of the insulation is increased to
4 cm, find the insulation resistance of the cable.
a. 659.34 ohms
b. 659.42 ohms
c. 659.24 ohms
d. 659.43 ohms

7. A battery is formed of seven cells joined in series. When the external resistance is 4 ohms,
the current is 1.5 A and when the external resistance is 9 ohms, the current falls to 0.75
A. find the internal resistance of each cell.
a. 0.143 ohm
b. 0.134 ohm

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c. 0.144 ohm
d. 0.133 ohm

8. A 120 V DC motor draws current of 100A and is located 1000 ft. from the supply source.
If the diameter of the aluminum transmission line is 0.45 inch. What must be the voltage
of the supply?
a. 196.16 V
b. 196.05 V
c. 196.15 V
d. 196.06 V

9. An electric water heater has a rating of 1K ft.lb/s, 230 V. The coil used as the heating
element is 10 m long and has a resistivity of 1.724 x 10-6 ohm-cm. Determine the required
diameter of the wire in mils?
a. 2.95 mils
b. 2.59 mils
c. 2.85 mils
d. 2.58 mils

10. Three resistors of 10, 12, and 15 ohms are connected in parallel. Evaluate the value of the
current to the parallel system that will make the current in the 10 ohm resistor equal to
5 Am.
a. 12.3 A
b. 12.4 A
c. 12.5 A
d. None of these

1.5 References
 Electrical Circuit by Charles S. Siskind Second Edition.
 Electrical Engineering reviewer by Romeo A. Rojas Jr. First edition.
 Electric Circuit by Sadiku

1.6 Acknowledgment

The images, tables, figures and information contained in this module were taken
from the reference cited above.

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C. M. D. Hamo-ay