WELCOME

Chapter 1

Basic Electrical
Fundamentals
(14 Marks)
 Magnetic circuits

What is a magnet ?

A magnet is a material or object that produces a magnetic

field. Or
It is a piece of solid substance which exhibits a property of
attracting small pieces of certain materials such as iron,steel
etc.
 Then what is a magnetic circuit ?

The closed path for magnetic flux (φ) is called magnetic circuit.
 Now what is this magnetic flux ?

Magnetic flux (Φ) is defined as the number of magnetic field lines

going from North to South pole of a magnet. Its unit is Weber(Wb).
Denoted by φ. It is given by the formula Φ= BA
 Magnetic Field

 The
magnetic field is defined as the region near a
magnet within which the effect or influence of the
magnet is felt.
 What is magnetic flux density ?

The flux per unit area (A),measured in a plane

perpendicular to the flux is defined as the flux
density.It is measured in Tesla (T) and denoted by B.
B=φ/A Tesla
 What is magnetic field strength ?

The force experienced by a unit n pole when placed at any point in a

magnetic field is known as magnetic field strength. Denoted by H and it's
unit is Weber per meter square (Wb/m2).
H= Ampere.Turns
Length in metre
Magnetic field strength is also called as magnetic field intensity.
 Magneto motive force(MMF)

It is defined as the driving force responsible for the creation of

magnetic flux in a magnetic circuit. Its units is ampere-turns.

 MMF=NI
where N is number of turns in the wire and
I is current flowing in it.

 It is similar to EMF the driving force responsible for the movement of

the electrons in an electrical circuit.
 Permeability

 It is the ability of a material to respond to how

much magnetic flux it can support to pass through
itself within an applied electromagnetic field. Denoted
by µ.

 Permeability=B Henry per meter

H
 Reluctance

The reluctance (S), is defined as the opposition

to the flow of flux in a material.
It is denoted by S.

S=M.m.f
Flux
 Permeance

It is defined as the reciprocal of reluctance.

As the reluctance represents the opposition to the flow of
flux,the permeance represents the property of a magnetic
material to allow the flux to pass through it.
Permeance=1/ Reluctance
=1/S

It is measured in Wb/A
Electric Circuit Magnetic Circuit
 Electric circuit

➢ An electric circuit is a path through which electric

current flows.
➢ An electric circuit can also be a closed path (in which
the ends are joined), thereby making it a loop.
➢ The flow of electric current is possible because of the
closed circuit.
➢ An electric circuit can also be an open circuit in
which the flow of electrons is cut because the circuit
is broken.
➢ Electric current doesn't flow in an open circuit.
 Types of Electric Circuits

There are two types of electric circuits.

•Series circuit.
•Parallel circuit.
Series Circuit

• In a series circuit, there is only one path for the flow

of electrons.
• The entire circuit is closed or open at the same time.
• No current flow in the circuit in case of a circuit
break because the entire circuit is open; this is the
major disadvantage of a series circuit.
• For example, if many light bulbs are connected in a
series circuit, then if one light bulb goes out, the
others will also turn off.
Parallel Circuit

• In a parallel type of electric circuit, different parts of

the circuit are connected across different branches.
• Hence, electron flow occurs in several parts.
• If in one path a circuit break occurs, electric current
still flows in other paths.
• Household wiring of appliances are based on parallel
circuits, so if one light bulb goes down, the other will
still flow.
Series magnetic circuit

➢ When different magnetic materials having different lengths, cross sectional areas
and permeability are connected one after another, in which same flux is
established in different sections, then it is called series magnetic circuit.
Parallel magnetic circuit

 Magnetic circuit which has more than one path for magnetic flux, is
called as parallel magnetic circuit. Reluctances are in parallel.

 Total flux, Φ = Φ1 + Φ2

 Path 1: BAFE, Path 2: BACD

Series and Parallel magnetic circuit
Series Magnetic circuit Parallel Magnetic circuit

• A magnetic circuit which • A magnetic circuit which

has one path for the flux. has more than one path for
the flux.
• Total reluctance
• Total reluctance
S = SA +SB + SC 1/S =1/ SABCDA +1/SABEFA Page
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Compare Electric Circuit and Magnetic Circuit

Sr. Electric Circuit Magnetic Circuit

No.
1. Current: flow of electrons Flux: lines of magnetic force
through conductor is current, it through medium from N pole to S
is measured in amp pole form flux. It is measured in
weber
2. EMF: It is driving force for MMF: It is driving force for flux,
current, measured in volts. measured in amp-turn.
3. Resistance: It is opposition of Reluctance: It is opposition
conductor, measured in ohms. offered by magnetic path to flux,
measured in AT/wb
4. Resistance is directly Reluctance is directly
proportional to length of proportional to length of
conductor magnetic path.
5. For electric circuit, we define For magnetic circuit, we define
the conductivity permeability.
6. Electric circuit is closed path Magnetic circuit is closed path for
for current magnetic flux.
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