Conductors and Insulators

 Conductors are materials that easily allow the flow of

current, or it has a low
resistance to current flow.

Examples; aluminum, gold, silver, copper, iron

 Insulators are materials that do not easily allow the
flow of current, or it has a
high resistance to current flow.

Examples; rubber, plastic, paper

Types of Current

1. Direct Current
In direct current (DC), the flow of electric charge is only in one direction. This
is the type of electricity is produced by batteries, static, and lightning. A
voltage is
created, and maybe stored, until it is consumed. When the current flows
directly, in
one direction. In the circuit, the current flows at a specific, constant voltage
(this is
oversimplified somewhat but good enough for our needs.) When you use a
flashlight,
pocket radio, portable CD player or virtually any other type of portable or
batterypowered
device,you are using direct current.
Most DC circuits are relatively low in voltage; for example, your car's
battery is
approximately 12V, and that's about as high a DC voltage as most
people ever use.

An ideal 12 V DC current. The voltage is considered positive because its

potential is
measured relative to ground or the zero-potential default state of the
earth.
Direct currents flow in one direction only, and are constant in time. Their
appearance is that of a straight line which does not vary. They are
produced from
power sources such as batteries, power supplies and DC generators.
Photovoltaic
devices such as solar cells also generate DC power.
2. AC Alternating Current
In alternating current (AC, also ac) the movement of electric charge
periodically reverses direction. This type of electricity is produced or
generated by
AC generators commonly from a hydro electric plant. It is the
commercial power that
we use in homes and offices. Delivered through a power transmission
lines. AC
current can be reduced through the use of power transformer to suite
for its
application. It can also be converted to DC for a specific purpose. In
the Philippines
AC is rated as 220V AC at 60 Hz.
Alternating currents change direction, flowing first
one way and then the other.
They are sinusoidal waves, so that they change
in time. They are produced from
sources such as power supplies and AC
generators. In North America, AC is 120
volts and 60 hertz or cycles per second. This
means it changes direction 60 times
per second. In Europe, it is generally 50 hertz
with 220 to 240 volts.
Why does standard electricity come only in the form of alternating

current?

There are a number of reasons, but one of the most important is that a characteristic

of AC is that it is relatively easy to change voltages from one level to another using a

transformer, while transformers do not work for DC. This capability allows the

companies that generate and distribute electricity to do it in a more efficient manner,

by transmitting it at high voltage for long lengths, which reduces energy loss due to

the resistance in the transmission wires. Another reason is that it may be easier to

mechanically generate alternating current electricity than direct current.

PC’s use only direct current, which
means that the alternating current
provided by your utility must be
converted to direct current before use.
This is
the primary function of your power
supply.
Electric Circuit

Electric circuit - is the pathways for electricity to flow.

Components of Circuit

 Load - commonly represented by a bulb or any electrical

component that
consumes electricity.

 Supply - Commonly represented by a cell or a battery

 Switch - an electrical device that opens or closed a circuit.

Types of Circuit

1. Open Circuit - a type of circuit that has

an open path for current to flow. It means
that current cannot flow in open circuit.
The switch is said to be “OPEN” the
current can’t flow into the circuit and the
bulb is “OFF”
2. Closed Circuit - a type of circuit
that has a closed path for current to flow.
It
means that current can flow in a closed
circuit.
The switch is said to be “CLOSED” the current can’t flow
into the circuit and
the bulb is “ON”