JOSE RIZAL MEMORIAL STATE

UNIVERSITY
The Premier University in Zamboanga del Norte

FUNDAMENTALS
OF

ELECTRICAL
CIRCUITS
Problem Solving made it almost easier...

Engr. Riza L. Mulle

This is a Gender Sensitive
Instructional Material
 PREFACE

Fundamentals of Electrical Circuits where Problem Solving made almost easy is

designed in making the learning easier and encourage learners to explore in more
depth and have a better understanding of the circuit elements and its features.

This modules covers a thorough discussions and applications of some important

mathematical techniques and procedure for the modelling of common electric circuits
and study how the three passive elements (resistor, inductor, capacitor) vary in the way
in which the voltage across is related to the current through each of the elements by
simplifying complicated circuits using the different strategies and theorems into simple
circuit.

With this module, the author hoped that the learners will gain knowledge, acquire skills
on analyzing electric circuits and understand the electrical phenomena, including those
related to electric safety.
 How to learn from this
module

Going through this module can be both a fun and a meaningful

learning experience. All you need to do is make of your time and
resources efficiently. To do this, here some tips for you:

1. Take time in reading and understanding each lesson. It’s better to be slow
but sure than to hurry finishing the module only to find out that you missed
the concepts you are supposed to learn.

2. Do not jump from one chapter to another. Usually, the lessons are arranged
such that one is built upon another, hence an understanding of the first
lesson is essential in comprehending the succeeding lessons.

3. Be honest. When answering the test items, do not turn to the key to
correction page unless you are done. Likewise, when performing
experiments, record only what you have really observed.

4. Safety first. Perform the experiments with extra precaution. Wear safety
gears whenever necessary.

5. Don’t hesitate to ask. If you need to clarify something, approach your

teacher or any knowledgeable person.
 Fundamentals of Electricity UNIT 1

INTRODUCTION

This chapter relates the application of mathematics to defining some basic

electrical concepts such as charge, current, voltage, and resistance. Students are
introduced to the importance of electricity, the idea of schematic circuit diagram, how
a
circuit works and how to select wires and cables according to its uses.

OBJECTIVES

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. Explain from where electricity comes and how we use it.
2. Identify the basic parts of electrical circuits
3. Describe the difference between conductors, insulators, and semiconductors
4. Draw electrical circuit diagram using standard symbols and determine the different
types of wire.
5. Calculate the expected value of current, measuring the actual resistance, and
Voltage.
 BASIC ELECTRICAL IDEAS
AND UNITS

Electron Theory of Electricity

“ states that electric current consists of electron flow and can be
defined as a moving charge.”

Kinds of Atomic Particles

1. Proton
– carries positive charge
- does not play active part in electrical
current flow
2. Neutrons
– carries no charge
3. Electrons
– carries negative charge
- plays important role in electrical current flow

Each atoms has the same number of protons and electrons.

Electricity can be defined as “charged matter” or “electrons in motion”.

It is form of energy generated by friction, induction or chemical change, having
magnetic, chemical and radiant effect.
As free electrons move from one atom to the next, an electron flow is produced.
 CLASSIFICATION OF
ELECTRICAL MATERIALS

Electron’s mobility is responsible for the conduction process

depending of the solid materials which are classified as:

1. Conductors
- any material that allows current to pass through it.
Examples: copper, aluminum, silver, platinum, bronze, gold, steel

2. Insulators
- any material that does not allow electric current to pass through it.
Examples: glass, rubber, plastic, air, varnish, paper, wood, mica, ceramic

3. Semiconductors
- Materials that have the resistance level between those of a conductor and an insulator.
Examples: germanium, silicon, selenium that are used in electronic devices such as
diodes, transistors.
SCHEMATIC DIAGRAMS OF
ELEMENTS COMMONLY USED

Schematic Element Interpretation

Diagram
The longer vertical line as
Voltage source - battery the positive terminal and
shorter line as the negative
terminal
Switch is open – when lines
switch are not connected

Bulb

Fluorescent light

Resistor Do not have polarity

Negative line represents the

Capacitor negative terminal of the
capacitor

ⴜⴅ-
+

Inductor

Current Source For Direct Current

Voltage Source For Alternating Current

+ - For Direct Current

 WIRES

A single, usually cylindrical, flexible strand or rod of a metal.

Used to bear mechanical loads or electricity and
telecommunications signal.

TYPES OF WIRES

1. THHN / THWN
– stands for Thermoplastic High Heat Resistance Nylon Coated
- used in industrial, commercial and residential connecting branch circuit
- Used for damp, or dry locations only

2. THW
– stands for Thermoplastic Heat and Water Resistant Nylon Coated
- Used for wet locations

3. TW
– stands for Thermoplastic Water Resistant Nylon Coated
- Used in machines, appliances which flame retardant, moisture resistant

4. Non metallic Wire (NM Wire)

- refers to the outer sheathing that bundles individual wires together like a cable.
-Used as interior residential wiring inside walls and floors and ceiling cavities and only
approved for use in dry locations only.
 TYPES OF WIRES

5. Flat cord Wire

-Used in place of round cables for easy cable management, especially in high-flex
applications such as robotics, conveyor equipment, packaging machinery and many
more applications where continuous motion is required.

6. Speaker Wire
-Used to make the electrical connection between loudspeakers and audio amplifiers.

7. Royal Cord
Generally used for electrical wiring, solar wiring, audio speaker wiring set up,
submersible (flooded) equipment wiring and approved for use in both dry and wet
locations.
8. Automotive wire
-resistant to grease, oil, acids, water, solvents and fungus.
It is also commonly used as internal wiring in appliances and
HVAC equipment such as heating equipment, ventilation equipment and air
conditioning equipment.

9. Telephones wire
-more twisted pairs of copper wire which keeps the lines from interfering with each
other. This consists of red and green wires, yellow and black wires.
TYPES OF WIRES
 WIRES

Solid wires - one piece of metal wire. It is tough, durable and

ready for anything, but less able to bend to your will and fit into
cramped spaces. For outdoor applications, or where temperature
extremes exist – the rugged nature of solid core wire will stand the
test of time and is more resistant to corrosion over time.

Stranded wires – bundled small wires which is more flexible than solid. It has a higher
resistance. The thin strands can be manipulated into any shape allowing them to git
into tight spaces and are resistant to constant movement and twisting. This more
delicate nature is perfect for intricate jobs like consumer electronics or the automotive
industry, where frequent bending or shaping to connect electronic components is
needed.

As you might expect, both types of wire conduct and transmit electricity perfectly well.
However, each is better suited to different types of uses, within commercial, residential
and industrial applications, and both have quite distinct characteristics.
 WIRES

AWG (American Wire Gauge) – is the US standard measure

for the diameter of electrical conductors.
MCM – abbreviation for thousands of circular mils.
Usually use for a very large-diameter wire.
1 MCM = 1 kcmil = 0.5067 mm 2

Note: The higher the AWG number, the smaller or thinner the wire diameter.
 WIRES

Gauge helps users to know the current carrying capacity of the solid,
electrically conducting cables by using the cross-sectional area of the
Wire as a defining aspect.

AWG mm2 Breaker Conduit Usage

Capacity Size
14 2.0 15 amperes ½” Light fixtures, lamps, lighting
circuits
12 3.5 20 amperes ½” Kitchen, bathroom, outdoor
receptacles

10 5.5 30 amperes ½” Dryers, Air conditioners, electric

water heaters, appliances

8 8.0 40 amperes ¼” Feeder and large appliance wire

6 14 60 amperes 1” Feeder and large appliance wire

4 22 75 amperes 1” Feeder and large appliance wire

2 30 100 amperes 1 ¼” Service entrance and feeder wire

1 38 125 amperes 1½”

1/0 50 150 amperes 1½” Service entrance and feeder wire

2/0 60 175 amperes 1¾“

3/0 80 200 amperes 2” Service entrance

4/0 100 225 amperes 2”

Notes:
> 1/0 AWG is 0 AWG, 2/0 is 00 AWG, 3/0 is 000AWG
> Allowable load should be less than the breaker capacity
BASIC PARTS OF ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS

1. Conductor (wire)
 a material that has very little
resistance and permits
electrons to move through it
easily. Copper is the most
commonly used conductor
material.

2. Switch
controls the flow of current in a
circuit. Switches can be
activated manually,
mechanically, or
automatically.

3. Load
any device that converts
electrical energy into motion,
heat, light, or sound.
Common loads include lights,
heating elements, speakers,
and motors.

4. Power Source
a device that converts various
forms of energy into
electricity. Common power
source includes battery , fuel
cells, generator, alternator.

SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM

https://electricalacademia.com/electrical-questions/electrical-symbols-
diagrams-questions-answers/
 ELECTRIC CHARGE

“A body is said to be charge, if it has either an excess or

deficit of electrons from its normal values due to sharing.”

Coulomb ( C ) – unit of charge, which is equivalent to 6.25 x 1018 electrons or protons.

1 coulomb = 6.25 x 1018 electrons or protons

POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE
“Any charge has the capability of doing work of moving another charge either by
attraction or repulsion.”
Example: Assume 1 C of charge can moved 3 electrons

6 electrons will be attracted by the +2C plate

3 electrons will be attracted by the +1C plate
Making a resultant motion of 3 electrons going
towards the +2 C plate

3 electrons will be attracted by the +1C plate

3 electrons will be repelled by the -1C plate
Making a resultant motion of 6 electrons going
towards the +1C plate

Volt (V) - unit of potential difference, which is equivalent to one joule of work done per
one coulomb of charge.
joule
volt 
coulomb

ELECTROMOTIVE FORCE (EMF)

– is an electric pressure that causes the current to move.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE
(VOLTAGE) AND ELECTROMOTIVE FORCE (EMF)

Electromotive Force (EMF)

-type of energy which forces a unit positive charge to move from
the positive to the negative terminal of the source. It separates the two
charges from each other.
-the voltage developed by an electrical source.

Potential Difference (Voltage)

-the difference in electric potential between two points. The voltage between
two points is equal to the work done per unit of charge against a static
electric filed to move a test charge between two points.
- observed difference in voltage between any points in an open circuit.

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 ELECTRIC CURRENT

- is the flow of charged particles

- the charge in motion.
- intensity of electron flow

- Current is measured by counting the amount of charge passing through the

boundary in one second.

- Ampere (A) - unit of charge flow equal to one coulomb of charge past a given
point in one second.

Formula: Unit:

Q
I  Ampere 
Coulomb
sec ond
T
where:

I = current (Ampere)
Q = charge (Coulomb)
T = time (second)
Difference between Voltage and Current:
Voltage – is a cause
Current – is the effect
Current will flow between two points if there is a
potential difference between them.
If both points are at the same potential then the
current will not flow across these points.
 CLASSIFICATIONS OF CURRENT

1. Direct Current (DC)

Electric current flowing in one direction only.
Continuous current produced by a source
such as batteries, power supplies, solar cells,
thermocouples and fuel cells

2. Alternating Current (AC)

Electric current that reverses its direction many
times a second at regular intervals.
Used to deliver power to houses, offices and
buildings.

Advantages of AC:
1. Most appliances, lights and electronic equipment are configured to operate AC or
“house current.
2. AC is efficient for long wire runs
3. The wiring and equipment required safe distribution of AC power within
a home is widely available and much less expensive than its low voltage DC
counterpart.
4. A home wired for AC power is ready for utility or generator
power if/when it is available.
 RESISTANCE

The fact that a wire carrying a current can become hot,

it is evident that the work done by the applied force in producing
the current must be accomplished against some opposition or
resistance.

Ohm (Ω) – unit of resistance

L where:
R  R = resistance (ohm)
A = cross-sectional area (square meter)
A Ρ = resistivity (ohm-meter)
L = length (meter)
V = volume
DERIVATION OF FORMULAS:
L A V
When volume and area are given: R   R  2
A A A

When length and volume are given:

L L L 2

R  R  R 
A V
L V

Circular Mil (CM) – area of a circle having a diameter of one mil.

Conversion:
1000 mil = 1 inch CM d2 where:
d2 = Area (mils)
1 MCM = 1000 CM
CM = circular mil

Area of a circle:
D 2

A  r 2 A 
4
EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE IN
RESISTANCE

Resistance of all wires increases as the temperature increases

Resistor
Electrical component that limits or regulated the flow of electrical current in an
electronic circuit.

Resistivity
A measure of the resisting power of specified material to the flow of an electric
current.
TYPES OF RESISTOR
 Conversions:

Remember!

1 ft = 12 in Joules = N.m
1 in = 2. 54 cm
1 mile = 5280 ft Newton = kg m/s2
1 km = 3281 ft
1 m = 100 cm

1 calorie = 24 hours
1 BTU = 252 calories

1 day = 24 hours
1 month = 30 days
1 year = 365 days = 8760 hours

1 horsepower = 745.7 Watts