Basic Electrical Theory

Basic Electricity
● Invisible
● It can hurt you
● We can control it
● We can predict it
● Nobody knows how it flows
Current flow theories
● There are two theories on how current flows in a circuit
○ Electron Theory: - to +
○ Conventional Theory: + to -
Conductors
A conductor supports the flow of electricity.

● Good conductors:
○ Copper
○ Gold
○ Aluminum
○ Steel
Insulators
An insulator is not capable of supporting the flow of electricity.

● Good insulators:
○ Rubber
○ Wood
○ Ceramics
○ Most plastics
Semiconductors
A semiconductor is neither a good conductor nor a good insulator

● Semiconductor examples:
○ Silicon
○ Germanium
○ Carbon

Semiconductors won’t protect you from electrical currents.

Terms to know
● Voltage
○ Pressure in the hose
○ The higher the voltage, the more current can flow through
○ To keep current flowing, it is necessary to maintain electrical pressure (Voltage)
● Current
○ Flow of water in the hose
○ Electrical current is the movement of electrons through a conductor
○ Electrical current can be compared to water moving through a hose
○ Current is measured in amps (Amperes)
● Resistance
○ Kink in the hose restricting the water
○ Resistance is anything that hinders load (i.e. current)
○ Measured in ohms (𝝮)
The Five Basic Characteristics That Determine Resistance
1. The material
2. The length of the conductor
3. The diameter of the conductor
a. Thinner conductors provide more resistance
4. Temperature
5. The physical condition of the conductor
AC Current
● Alternating current
● 60hz in the United States
● Household power (i.e. power outlets)
● Current flow reverses 120 times per second.
DC Current
● Direct Current
● Found in batteries
● Electricity flows in one constant directions
● Always a positive source of voltage and a ground (0v) source of voltage
● Has polarity
Circuits
Circuit must be closed for electricity to run through.
Resistors
Resistors add resistance to the circuit and reduces the flow of electrical current.
Capacitor
A component that acts as a short term battery for the circuit that discharges energy
when a drop occurs
Diodes
Polarized components that only allow current through in one direction.
LED (Light emitting diode)
Same as a diode, but lights up when powered. Long leg is the anode and the short leg is
the cathode. Anode is positive
Fuze
Burns out when too much current runs through the circuit to protect the other
components
Transistors
Integrated Circuit
A entire circuit miniaturized to be put in another circut
Potentiometer
Variable Resistor.
Switch
Breaks and opens the circuit.
Battery
Power source