ELECTRICITY

A general term encompassing a variety of

phenomena resulting from the presence and flow
of electric charge .
 ELECTRIC CURRENT, I
Defined as a flow of electric charge through a medium. This
flowing electric charge is typically carried by “energized” moving
electrons in a conductor such as wire. It can also be carried by
ions in an electrolyte.

The SI unit for measuring the rate of flow of electric charge

is the ampere (A). Mathematically defined, electric
current refers to the amount of charge flowing through a
conductor at the rate of one coulomb per second.

I = Q/t
1 ampere = 1 coulomb per second
1 ampere = 6.24x1018 electrons per second
 VOLTAGE, V
Refers to the difference in electric potential energy
between two points in a wire or space. Such represents
the work involved or the energy released in the transfer
of a unit quantity of electricity, against the electric field,
from point A to point B. Simply put, voltage is equal to
the amount of work done per unit charge.
Thus, is often referred to as "electric potential” or
potential difference.

V = w/Q
1 volt = 1 joule per coulomb
In power sources such as batteries, voltage is referred to
as electro-motive force or Emf, symbolized by Greek
ε
letter Epsilon ( ).
 Electrical Resistance,R
Measure of friction or opposition to the surge/flow of charges
(current). It is expressed in ohms using the capital Greek
letter Omega, Ω.
Classifications:
1. Resistance offered by the conducting wire
2. Resistance of any electrical load
-> those that consumes energy thus affecting the flow of
charges.
Ex. appliances, devices, gadget
 Conductance, G
It is the reciprocal of Resistance: the measure of how
easy it is for electric current to flow through a wire or
something. It is expressed in mho or in reciprocal ohm, Ω-.
The SI unit now used for Electrical Conductance is
siemens, S, after Ernst Werner von Siemens the founder of
the electrical and telecommunications conglomerate Siemens.
Ohm's Law (Georg Simon Ohm). States that “at a constant
temperature, the electrical current or flow of charges through a fixed
linear resistance is directly proportional to the voltage applied across it,
and also inversely proportional to the resistance.

Ohm's Law can be stated as mathematical equations, all derived from the
same principle. In the following equations:

I = V / R (Current = Voltage Divided by Resistance)

V = I x R  (Voltage =Current multiplied by Resistance)

R = V / I  (Resistance = Voltage divided by Current)

 
 Factors Affecting a Wire’s
Resistance

-Length of wire: R𝜶L

-Cross-sectional area: R 1 A
𝜶

-Resistivity or Nature of the material the wire is

made of: R 𝜶 ρ

-Temperature: R 𝜶 T
Formulas:

Rwire = ρR L
A

R = Ro [ 1 + 𝜶∆T ]
 Electrical Power in Circuits
 Electrical Power, ( P ) in a circuit is the rate at which energy is absorbed or
produced within a circuit. A source of energy such as a voltage will produce or
deliver power while the connected load absorbs it. Light bulbs and heaters for
example, absorb electrical power and convert it into either heat, or light, or both.
The higher their value or rating in watts (wattage),the more electrical energy
they are likely to consume in a given time.

 The quantity symbol for power is P and is the product of voltage multiplied by the
current with the unit of measurement being the Watt ( W ). Prefixes are used to
denote the various multiples or sub-multiples of a watt, such as: milliwatts (mW =
10-3W) or kilowatts (kW = 103W).
By using Ohm’s law and substituting for the values of V, I and R, the formula for
electrical power can be found as:

[ P = V x I ]      P (watts) = V (volts) x I (amps)
Also:

[ P = V2 ÷ R ]      P (watts) = V2 (volts) ÷ R (Ω)
Also:

[ P = I2 x R ]      P (watts) = I2 (amps) x R (Ω)
Note:

If the calculated power is positive, (+P) in value for any formula the component
absorbs the power, that is it is consuming or using power. But if the calculated
power is negative, (–P) in value the component produces or generates power, in other
words it is a source of electrical power such as batteries and generators.
 Electrical Power Rating
 Electrical components are given a “power rating” in watts that indicates
the maximum rate at which the component converts the electrical power
into other forms of energy such as heat, light or motion. For example, a
1/4W resistor, a 100W light bulb etc.

 Electrical devices convert one form of power into another. So for

example, an electrical motor will covert electrical energy into a
mechanical force, while an electrical generator converts mechanical force
into electrical energy. A light bulb converts electrical energy into both
light and heat.
 Electrical appliances/devices with built-in motors (ex. Aircon units,
refrigerator..) have a power rating in “Horsepower” or hp. The
relationship between horsepower and watts is given as: 1hp = 746W. So
for example, a two-horsepower motor has a rating of 1492W, (2 x 746) or
1.5kW.

 Power Generators and Power Plants express the Power Rating in volt-
ampere (VA) or to large extent, in kilovolt-ampere (kVA). The
relationship between volt-ampere and watts is given as: 1VA = 1W.
END