ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS

Electrical
symbols are
quicker and
easier to draw
than realistic
pictures of the
components.

circuit diagrams
In circuit diagrams components are represented by
the following symbols;

cell

ammeter

battery

voltmeter

switch

motor

lamp

buzzer

resistor

variable
resistor

Series Circuits

Parallel Circuits

types of circuit
There are two types of electrical circuits;
SERIES CIRCUITS

PARALLEL CIRCUITS

SERIES CIRCUITS

The components are connected end-to-end, one

after the other.
They make a simple loop for the current to flow
round.
If one bulb blows it breaks the whole circuit and
all the bulbs go out.

PARALLEL CIRCUITS

The components are connected side by side.

The current has a choice of routes.
If one bulb blows there is still be a complete circuit to
the other bulb so it stays alight.

measuring current & voltage

copy the following circuits on the next two
slides.
complete the missing current and voltage
readings.
remember the rules for current and voltage
in series and parallel circuits.

measuring current & voltage

a)
6V
4A

V
A

measuring current & voltage

b)
4A

6V
A
V
A

V
A

answers
a)

b)
4A

6V
4A

4A
3V

6V
4A
6V
2A

3V
4A

6V
2A

ELECTRICAL
MACHINES
INVERVIEW
QUESTIONS

Principle of operation of a
generator?
An electric generator is a machine
that converts mechanical energy into
electrical energy. An electric
generator is based on the principle
that whenever flux is cut by a
conductor, an e.m.f. is induced
The direction of induced e.m.f. (and
hence current) is given by Flemings
right hand rule.

Role of a Commutator
to facilitate the collection of current
from armature conductors.
To convert alternating current induce
in the armature conductors into
unidirectional current

function of brushes
simply to lead current from the
rotating loop or winding to the
external stationary load.

Different types of
generators
(i) Separately excited d.c. generators
(ii) Self-excited d.c. generators
A d.c. generator whose field magnet
winding is supplied from an independent
external d.c. source (e.g., a battery etc.)
is called a separately excited generator.
A d.c. generator whose field magnet
winding is supplied current from the output
of the generator itself is called a selfexcited generator.

 Series generator the field winding is

connected in series with armature winding
Shunt generator the field winding is
connected in parallel with armature winding
Compound generator there are two
sets of field windings on each pole
Short Shunt in which only shunt field
winding is in parallel with the armature
winding
Long Shunt in which shunt field winding is
in parallel with both series field and
armature winding

losses in DC Machines
Copper losses:
Iron or core losses:
Types
1.Hysteresis loss
2. Eddy current loss
Mechanical losses
constant losses: Iron losses, Mechanical losses,

Shunt field losses

Variable losses: Copper loss.