Introduction to Electricity - More efficient

Resistance (Ohms) – The electrical term for the

Electricity - a form of energy that can be
produced in several ways and provides power to
devices.
Electromotive Force or Voltage
force/pressure that causes the electrons to
move.
Volt – standard unit of measurement for voltage.
Electricity is the flow of electrons through a
conductor. This flow is called electric current.
Ampere – standard unit of measurement for
current.
Electrical Power – rate at which energy is
absorbed or produced within a circuit.
Watt – standard unit of measurement for power.
Resistance – opposition to the flow of current
● Factors that influence resistance:
● Composition of the conductor
● Length of wire
● Cross sectional area of the wire
● Temperature
● Current flows in a circuit when a complete loop
is formed and contains the following
components.
● Voltage Source
● A closed loop of wiring
● An electric load
● A means of opening and closing the
circuit
opposition of current in:
AC electricity is called impedance
DC circuit, this opposition is called
– resistance
The Higher the Voltage, the Larger the
Current. The Higher the Resistance, the
Lower the Current.
DC electricity, power is the product of voltage
and current.
● Watts = Volts x Amperes
AC electricity, the product of voltage and current
is equal to the quantity called volt- ampere (v.a.)
and cannot be considered in watts.
● Volt Amperes = Volts x Amperes
To convert volt-ampere to watts or power, a
power factor (pf) is considered.
● Watts = Volts x Amperes x power
factor
W = V x l x pf
1hp = 746 watts
In 1926, George Simon Ohm, a German
scientist, discovered the relationship between
the Current, Voltage
and Resistance

CLASSIFICATIONS OF ELECTRIC CURRENT

Direct Current (DC) – The current flows in one

direction. The flow is known to be from negative
to positive. The most common source of DC
electricity is the dry cell or storage battery.
Alternating Current (AC) – The current
constantly reverses its flow of direction. It is
produced by a machine called a generator.
● AC’s several applications
- Easy to produce.
- It is cheaper to maintain.
- Transform into higher voltage.
- Distribute over long distances with
low voltage drop.
Series circuit - A single path exists for current
to flow
Voltage total () = + + +
Resistance () = + + +
Current () = = = =
Parallel circuit - Loads are placed across the
same voltage. It is the standard wiring
configuration for house connections wherein the
lights constitute one parallel grouping and the
convenience wall outlets constitute the second
parallel grouping.
Voltage total () = = = =
Resistance () = 1/(+ + +)
Current () = + + +
Transformer is a simple static device consisting
of a magnetic core with a primary and secondary
winding.
Voltage is directly proportional to the number
of windings or turns. If a 120 volts AC will be
connected to the left side with 50 turns, 240
volts would be on the right side having 100
turns.
The input side is called the primary while the
output side is called the secondary.
Conductors and Wiring Accessories
Insulators are materials that resist the flow of electric
current.
Rubber - Thermoplastic
Porcelain - Paper
Mica - Asbestos
Wires - electrical conductors with diameter of 8 mm2
(AWG No. 8) and those that are smaller in size.
Cables - larger in size than the wires, those that are
thicker in diameter.
Stranded wire consists of a group of wires twisted
together. Insulated stranded wire is called cord
Solid wire is a single conductor wire
Mil - is equal to 1/1000 of an inch and was used to
describe or measure a round wire diameter.
Circular mil = d2
Square mil = 3.1416 r2
Conversion Factor
Square inch = Square mil x 1,000,000
Square mil = Square inch x 0.000001
Square mil = Circular mil x 0.7854
Circular mil = Square mil x 1.273
Square millimeter = Circular mil x 0.0005067
millimeter = Inches x 25.4
T: is a thermoplastic insulation with a fire-resistant
material
H: is heat-resistant; made to withstand temperatures
up to 167 °F
HH: is highly heat-resistant; made to withstand
temperatures up to 194 °F
W: means "Wet," it is approved for damp and wet
locations;
although this wire is also suitable for dry locations
X: Its insulation is made of a synthetic polymer and is
flame-retardant
N: is nylon-coated for resistance to oil and gasoline
Ampacity refers to the ability of the wire or conductor
to carry current without overheating
Voltage drop in wire = circuit current x resistance of
the wire
Power loss in wire = circuit current x voltage drop in
the wire
Armored Cable (AC)
Metal Clad Cable (MC)
Mineral Insulated Cable (MI)
Non-Metallic Sheathed Cable (NM)
Shielded Non-Metallic Sheathed Cable (SNM)
Underground Feeder and Branch Circuit Cable
Service Entrance Cable
Power and Control Tray Cable (TC)
Flat Cable Assemblies (FC)
Medium Voltage Cable (MV Cable)
NEC Provision about ampacity (Section 3.1.2.1):
“Conductor size and rating shall have sufficient
ampacity to carry load. They shall have adequate
mechanical strength and shall not be less than the
rating of the branch circuit and not less than the
maximum load to be served.”
Derating of Conductors Ampacity – means that the
full amount of allowable ampacity, is reduced to a
certain percentage due to the environment condition it
is exposed of and the number of wires placed· inside
the conduit.
Raceways are wiring accessories used for holding or
housing wires, cables or bus bars which are made of
either metal, plastic, or any insulating mediums.
Conduits
Connectors and other accessories
Other Types of Raceway
Conduit coupling, elbows· and other fittings.
Conduit supports such as clamps, hanger; etc.
Cable trays, cable bus, etc. Series circuit
Metal raceways
Non – metal raceways Voltage total = + + +
Resistance total= + + +
Conduit pipe is the most common electrical raceway
Current = = = =
used in all types of construction.

Purpose of electrical conduit: Parallel circuit

● to provide pathways for running wires at
distances Voltage total = = = =
● to protect the wires from physical damage Resistance total = 1/(+ + +)
● to provide grounding and enclosure Current = + + +
● to protect the surroundings from damage
against electrical fault in wiring V = IR
● to protect the wiring system from damage P = VI
caused by building and occupants P = I^2 (R)
● to protect the occupants from damage P = V^2 / R
caused by electrical system

Connector is a metal sleeve made of copper which is

attached and secured to the butted ends of
conductors in making a joint, and can also be called a
splicing sleeve.

Outlet is a point in the wiring system at which current

is supplied for utilization equipment. It interfaces the
wiring system and the load.
Different kinds of outlet:
Convenience outlet or attachment cap
Lighting outlet .
Receptacle outlet

Convenience outlet or attachment cap establishes

connection by inserting a receptacle between the wire
and the conductors attached to the receptacle.

Lighting outlet - for a lamp holder, lighting fixture, or

a pendant cord.
Receptacle outlet - one or more receptacles are
installed.
Junction box is a device used as an interconnection
point, it is where wiring distribution and
interconnection is
managed.
Receptacle is a general term for contact devices
connected on a single attachment plug.
Pull box is a box with blank cover that is inserted in
one or more runs or raceways to facilitate in pulling
the conductors and can also serve as a point in
distributing the conductors.
GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter)
Switch is a device that opens or closes an electric
circuit.