Fundamentals of Electricity and Electronics

Electricity’s 3 main measurable characteristics

Current (flow), voltage (push), and resistance (opposition)

Current

measurement of the rate that electrons flow through a conductor

Voltage (EMF)

acts like a difference in pressure between two points

Current

Amps (A)

Voltage

Volts (V)

Voltage Source: Chemical

uses cells consisting of electrodes separated by an electrolyte (reactive element)

Voltage Source: Magnetic

DC generators, DC alternators, AC alternators (AC generators)

Voltage Source: Thermal

as the metal is heated, a voltage is produced

Voltage Source: Pressure (Piezoelectric)

when certain materials are subjected to mechanical stress, they produce a voltage

Voltage Source: Light (Photovoltaic)

device that converts light into electrical energy

Resistance

the opposition to the flow of current

Resistance

measured in Ohms Ω

Ohm’s Law

Voltage = Current x Resistance (E = IR)

Symbol: Resistor

Symbol: Switch

Symbol: Fuse

Symbol: Circuit Breaker

Symbol: Wire

Battery: Single cell

Battery: Multi cell

Kirchoff’s Law

E = E1 + E2 + E3