Industrial Arts II

Principles of Electrical Technology

Electricity
Electricity, simply put, is the flow of electric current along a conductor. This electric current
takes the form of free electrons that transfer from one atom to the next.

Electrical Charge
Electricity is the movement of electrons. Electrons create charge, which we can harness to do
work. Your lightbulb, your stereo, your phone, etc., are all harnessing the movement of the
electrons in order to do work. They all operate using the same basic power source: the
movement of electrons.

Georg Ohm was a Bavarian scientist who studied electricity. Ohm starts by describing a unit
of resistance that is defined by current and voltage. So, let's start with voltage and go from
there.

The Ohm
The ohm is the unit of resistance in a conductor. Three things determine the amount of
resistance in a conductor its size, its material, e.g., copper or aluminum, and its temperature.
A conductor's resistance increases as it's length increases or diameter decreases. The more
conductive the materials used, the lower the conductor resistance becomes. Conversely, a
rise in temperature will generally increase resistance in ap conductor.

Ohm's Law describes the relationship between electric current and voltage in a conductor,
stating that the amount of electric current flowing through a conductor is directly
proportional to the voltage that is causing the current to flow.

The unit "volt" is named after the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta who invented what is
considered the first chemical battery. Voltage is represented in equations and schematics by
the letter "V".

The Volt
The pressure that is put on free electrons that causes them to flow is known as electromotive
force (EMF) The volt is the unit of pressure, i e, the volt is the amount of electromotive force
required to push a current of one ampere through a conductor with a resistance of one ohm.

Ampacity
Ampacity is short for “ampere capacity” and refers to the maximum current (measured in
amperes, or amps) that a conductor can carry under normal usage conditions without
exceeding its temperature rating. Exceeding the ampacity of the conductor will cause it or its
surrounding insulation materials to degrade due to the excessive heat generated by the
current

Resistance
Resistance is a measure of the opposition to current flow in an electrical circuit.
Resistance is measured in ohms, symbolized by the Greek letter omega (Ω). Ohms are
named after Georg Simon Ohm (1784-1854), a German physicist who studied the
relationship between voltage, current and resistance.

Combining the elements of voltage, current, and resistance, Ohm developed the formula:
V=IR
Where:
• V = Voltage in volts

• I = Current in amps

• R = Resistance in ohms

Different Sources of Electricity

In the modern world, electricity plays a crucial role in our daily lives. As a result,
it has become an essential commodity, from powering our homes to running
industries.

But have you ever wondered where it comes from?

The primary sources of electricity used to produce electric power can be broadly
categorized into renewable and non-renewable resources.

Renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and

biomass, are replenished naturally and have a lower environmental impact than
non-renewable sources.

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Non-renewable energy sources include fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, oil, and
nuclear energy. These resources are finite, and their extraction and utilization
contribute to environmental issues like air pollution and climate change.

Renewable energy sources

Solar power - Electricity is generated from sunlight using photovoltaic cells or

solar thermal systems. Solar panels can be installed on a small scale, such as on
residential rooftops, or a large scale in solar farms.

Wind power - Electricity is generated from the wind by wind turbines. Wind
energy is another promising renewable source, with wind turbines converting
wind's kinetic energy into electric power.

Hydroelectric power - or hydroelectricity, is a form of energy that harnesses the

power of water in motion such as water flowing over a waterfall, a river or other
body of water to generate electricity. Most hydroelectric power plants have a
reservoir of water, a gate or valve to control how much water flows out of the
reservoir, and an outlet or place where the water ends up after flowing
downward.

Types of Hydropower Plants/Facilities

• Impoundment
• Diversion
• Pumped Storage

Geothermal power - is the heat produced deep in the Earth's core. It is a clean,
renewable resource that can be harnessed for use as heat and electricity.

Biomass - Electricity can be generated from organic materials or burning organic

materials such as wood, agricultural residues, and food waste.

Non-renewable energy sources

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Fossil fuels - Fossil fuels such as Coal, Oil and Gas are some of the most
important natural resources that we use everyday. Fossil fuels power plants burn
coal or oil, in large power stations they are burned in the presence of oxygen. As
the fuel burns the heat energy is used to heat water, as it is heated it produces
steam which in turn rises and drives a turbine which generate electricity.

Nuclear energy - Nuclear power plants use nuclear reactions to generate

electricity. Uranium is the fuel most widely used in nuclear reactors at power
plants. Nuclear energy is created when uranium atoms are split in a process
called fission. Fission releases a tremendous amount of energy in the form of
heat.

Safety Precautions in Electricity

The following precautions should be taken while using electricity.

1. Never touch/handle any electrical appliance with wet hands. A wet body can
act as a good conductor of electricity. In the case of any leakage, the person with
wet body/hands will get a severe shock.

2. Unplug equipment safely.

When disconnecting electrical equipment, gently pull it by the plug instead of
jerking the electrical cord. Pulling by the cord can damage the electrical cable
and cause a shock.

3. Watch out for overloaded outlets to protect your home. Overloading an

electrical outlet is a common cause of electrical problems. Check all outlets to
ensure they are cool to the touch, have protective faceplates and are in proper
working order.

4. Call an Electrician When There’s Any Question. Don't DIY. As tempting as it

may seem to save money and try to DIY an electrical issue yourself you should
always hire a trusted, certified electrician. Improperly installed wiring can cause
dangerous shocks as well as fires.

5. Childproof your outlets

Use outlet covers when there are children around to avoid electrocution.

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6. Replace or repair damaged electrical cords to keep your home safe.
Damaged power cords are a serious residential electrical safety risk, and they are
capable of causing both fires and electrocution.

7. Have the Appropriate Fire Extinguisher on Hand. Never pour water on an

electrical fire. Water contains minerals that conducts electricity. Have a fire
extinguisher on hand that is rated to handle electrical fires instead.