ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS PRINCIPLES

UNIT CODE: 0713 441 07A

TVET CDACC UNIT CODE: ENG/OS/MPE/CC/03/5/MA
Course Outline:
1. Apply basic concepts of electrical quantities
2. Apply DC and AC circuits
3. Apply the concept of cells and batteries
4. Apply magnetism and electromagnetism
5. Apply basic electrical machines

CHAPTER ONE: APPLY CONCEPTS OF ELECTRICAL QUANTITIES

Specific Objectives:
(a) Definition of electrical quantities
(b) SI Units in electrical quantities
(c) Quantities of charge, force, work and power
(d) Calculations involving Ohm’s law i.e resistance, current and voltage
(e) Measuring instruments for electrical quantities

I. Electrical Quantities and their SI units

Electrical quantities are those quantities which can be expressed quantitatively.

Examples of electrical quantities and their SI units:
1) Current (I): This refers to the flow of electric charge, typically electric charges, through a
conductor. The SI unit of current is Amperes (A).
2) Resistance (R): This involves the opposition to the flow of electrical current in a circuit.
The SI unit of a resistance is Ohms (Ohm).
3) Voltage (V): This is an electric force which drives electrical current through a circuit.
The SI unit of voltage is Volts (V).
4) Capacitance, C: This is an ability of an electrical component or circuit to store electrical
energy in form of electric charge. The SI unit of a capacitance is Farads(F).
5) Charge, C: This is an energy which can be stored in a circuit. Its SI unit is Coulomb
6) Power, P: This involves the rate at which energy or electric charge flows through a
circuit. Its SI unit is Watts (W).
7) Inductance, L: This refers to the property of a circuit that opposes changes in a current
flow. Its SI unit is Henry

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 8) Frequency, f: This is a measure of how often an event occurs within a specified period of
time. Its SI unit is Hertz
9) Impedance, Z: This is the general term for the opposition to the flow of alternating
current (AC), encompassing both resistance and reactance. Its SI unit is Ohm.
10) Electrical potential: This is the work done in carrying a unit positive charge from infinity
to a point. Its SI unit is Volt (V)
11) electromotive force: This is an electric potential produced by either an electrochemical
cell or by changing the magnetic field. Its SI unit is Volt (V)
NOTE:

𝑽𝑶𝑳𝑻𝑨𝑮𝑬 (𝑽)
𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 (𝐑) =
𝑪𝑼𝑹𝑹𝑬𝑵𝑻 (𝑰)

II. Measuring instruments for electrical quantities

1) Voltmeter:
❖ It measures the voltage in a circuit

❖ It operates by using two probes to measure the voltage between those two points.

2) Ammeter
❖ It measures the current in a circuit

❖ An ammeter can measure a wide range current values

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 3) Ohmmeter
❖ It measures the resistance of a circuit.

4) Multimeter
❖ This is a device used to measure a multiple parameters of an electric circuit like
voltage, current and a resistance.

❖ This device is made up of a digital or analog meter, batteries, resistors and other
circuitry which ensure the measurement of several electrical quantities with very
high accuracy and speed.

5) Oscilloscope
❖ It measures voltage over time

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 ❖ It usually displays this measurement over time as a wave representing the electrical
signal.

III. Quantities of charge, force, work and power

❖ The electrical energy supplies the power required to produce work or an action
within an electric circuit and is given in Joules per second.
❖ The law of conservation of energy states that the energy cannot be created nor be
destroyed, but can only be converted from one form to another.
(a) Motor: converts electrical energy into mechanical or kinetic energy
(b) Generator: converts kinetic energy into electrical energy in order to power the
circuit.
(c) Lamp: converts electrical energy into light energy and heat energy.

❖ For electrical energy to move electrons and produce a flow of current around a circuit,
work must be done, that is, the electrons must be moved by some distance through a
wire or a conductor.

Examples:
1) What is the terminal voltage of a battery that expends 135 joules of energy to move
15 coulombs of charge around an electrical circuit.
Solution:
The voltage is expressed as:
𝑬𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚
𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒆 = 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆 =
Given:
Energy = 135joules; charge = 15 coulombs
Therefore:

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 135
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 = = 9V
15

2) How much current flows through a circuit if 900 coulombs of charge passes a given
point in 3 minutes?
Solution:
The current is expressed as
𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆
𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 = 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆
Given: Charge = 900 coulombs Time = (3 mins x 60) = 180 seconds
Therefore:
𝟗𝟎𝟎
𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 = 𝟏𝟖𝟎 = 𝟓𝑨

3) An electric current of 3 amperes flows through a resistor. How many coulombs of

charge will flow through the resistor in 90 seconds?
Solution
𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆
𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 = 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆

Given that: current = 3A Time= 90 seconds charge = ?

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆
𝟑= → 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆 = 𝟑 × 𝟗𝟎 = 𝟐𝟕𝟎 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒐𝒎𝒃𝒔
𝟗𝟎

4) A 100 Watt light bulb is illuminated on for one hour. How many joules of electrical
energy have been used by the lamp?
Solution:
𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚
𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 = 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆
Given that: power = 100W Time = 1 hr = 3600 seconds Energy = ?
Therefore;
𝑬𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚
𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 = 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆 → 𝑬𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 = 𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 × 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆

1003600 = 360,000 Joules

5) A portable machine requires a force of 200N to move it. How much work is done if
the machine is moved 20m and what average power is utilized if the movement takes
25 s?
Solution:
Work done = force × distance
= 200N × 20m
= 4 000Nm or 4 kJ
𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝟒𝟎𝟎𝑱 𝑱
𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 = 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐧 = 𝟐𝟓 𝒔
= 𝟏𝟔𝟎 𝒔 = 𝟏𝟔𝟎𝑾

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 6) A mass of 1000 kg is raised through a height of 10m in 20 s. What is (a) the work
done and (b) the power developed?
Solution:
(a) Work done = force × distance
and force = mass × acceleration
Hence,
work done = (1000 kg × 9.81m/s2) × (10m)
= 98 100Nm
= 98.1kNm or 98.1 kJ

𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝟗𝟖𝟏𝟎𝟎𝑱

(b) 𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 = = = 𝟒𝟗𝟎𝟓𝑾
𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒏 𝟐𝟎𝒔

7) An electric heater consumes 1.8 MJ when connected to a 250V supply for 30

minutes. Find the power rating of the heater and the current taken from the supply.
Solution:
𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 (𝟏.𝟖×𝟏𝟎𝟔 )𝐉
𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 = = (𝟑𝟎×𝟔𝟎)𝐬
= 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎𝐉/𝐬 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎𝐖
𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞

Therefore, the power rating of heater = 1kW

But, Power P=VI

𝑷 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎
Thus, 𝑰 = = = 𝟒𝑨
𝑽 𝟐𝟓𝟎
Hence, the current taken from the supply is 4A.

IV. Ohm’s law i.e resistance, current and voltage

❖ Ohm’s law states that the electric current through a conductor between two points is
directly proportional to the voltage across the two points

❖ This clearly means that;

Voltage ∝ Current
Voltage = Resistance x Current
V=IxR

❖ Ohm’s Law can be represented graphically as;

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 ❖ From the above graph, the slope of the graph or gradient represents the resistance (R) of
the circuit.
❖ Resistors can be arranged in series or parallel.

1. Resistors in Series
❖ -When resistors are connected ‘ end-to-end ’ so that the same current flows through
them all they are said to be connected in series

❖ In terms of voltage across each resistor;

2. Resistors in parallel

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 ❖ When resistors are joined ‘ side-by-side ’ so that their corresponding ends are
connected together they are said to be connected in parallel

❖ In summery,

Examples
1) If a light bulb has a resistance of 240 ohms and is connected to a 120 volt-power
source, determine the current flowing through it.
Solution:
From Ohm’s law;
𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞
𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 = 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭
Given that: R = 240 ohms V = 120v I=?

𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝟏𝟐𝟎

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 = 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 → 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 = 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 = 𝟐𝟒𝟎= 0.5A

2) For a toaster that draws a current of 5A and has a resistance of 10 ohms,

determine the voltage across it.

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 Solution:
Given that I = 5A; R = 10ohms; V = ?
𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞
𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 = 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 → 𝑽𝒐𝒍𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒆 = 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 × 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕
= 𝟏𝟎 × 𝟓 = 𝟓𝟎𝐕
3) If a hairdryer operates at 220 volts and draws a current of 11 amperes,
determine the resistance.
Solution:
Given that: V = 220v; I = 11A; R = ?
𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝟐𝟐𝟎
𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 = 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 = = 𝟐𝟎 𝒐𝒉𝒎𝒔
𝟏𝟏

4) A 100W electric light bulb is connected to a 250V supply. Determine (a) the
current flowing in the bulb, and (b) the resistance of the bulb.
Solution:
𝑷
Power P=V ×I, from which, 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕, 𝑰 = 𝑽
𝑷 𝟏𝟎𝟎
(a) 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕, 𝑰 = = = 𝟎. 𝟒𝑨
𝑽 𝟐𝟓𝟎

𝑽 𝟐𝟓𝟎
(b) Resistance R = 𝑰 = = 𝟔𝟐𝟓Ώ
𝟎.𝟒

5) A 12V battery is connected across a load having a resistance of 40ohms

Determine the current flowing in the load, the power consumed and the energy
dissipated in 2 minutes.
Solution:
𝑉 12
𝐼 = 𝑅 = 40 = 𝟎. 𝟑𝐀

Power consumed, P = VI = (12)(0.3) = 3.6W.

Energy dissipated = power × time

= (3.6W)(2 × 60 s)
= 432 J

Homework Assessment 1:

1. A circuit with a 9-volt battery and a resistor of 3ohms. What is the current
flowing through the circuit? (3mrks)
2. Find the resistance of a bulb that 0.5 amperes from a 120-volt supply
(3mrks)
3. What is the voltage across a resistor of 15ohms through which a current of 2
amperes is flowing? (3mrks)
4. In a series circuit with a 12-volt battery, if there are two resistors, 4 ohms
and 6 ohms, what is the current flowing through the circuit? (4mrks)

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 5. Calculate the total resistance in a parallel circuit with two resistors of 5
ohms and 10 ohms. If a voltage of 12 volts is applied across the circuit, what
is the total current flowing through it? (4mrks)
6. A device using 18 watts of power is connected to a 9 -volt battery. Calculate
the current drawn by the device and determine the resistance of a device.
7. A current of 5A flows for 3 minutes, find the quantity of electricity
transferred. (4 marks)
8. A mass of 1000kg is raised through a height of 10m in 20seconds. What is
work done and the power developed? (4 marks)
9. Determine the p.d which must be applied to a 2kΩ resistor in order that a
current of 10mA may flow (3 marks)
10. The current flowing through a resistor is 0.8A when a pd of 20V is applied.
Determine the value of the resistance. (4 marks)

V. Conductors and Insulators

(a) Conductors:
❖ Conductors are materials which allow an electrical current to pass easily and hence,
they have low resistivity value.
❖ All metals are good conductors of electricity since they have delocalized metallic ions
within their lattice.
Examples of metallic conductors:
(i) Copper
(ii) Silver
(iii) Aluminum
(iv) Calcium
Applications of conductors
(i) In making powerlines and cables
(ii) In generating conductive coils in generators
(iii) In making of cooking pots and pans
(iv) In designing car radiators
(b) Semi-conductors:
❖ Semiconductors are materials with electrical conductivity between that of a
conductor and insulator.
❖ They are modified by adding impurities (doping) to their crystal structure.
Examples of semiconductors:
(i) Silicon
(ii) Germanium
(iii) Gallium arsenide
Applications of semiconductors:
(i) Applied in designing smartphones
(ii) Applied in making digital cameras

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 (iii) Applied in televisions
(iv) Applied in LED bulbs

(c) Insulators:
❖ Insulators are materials which do not allow electrical current to flow through them and
hence, they have high resistivity value.
❖ All non-metallic materials are insulators since they lack delocalized ions.
Examples of Insulators:
(i) Plastics
(ii) Rubbers
(iii) Glasses
(iv) Wood
(v) Ceramics
Applications of Insulators:
(i) In covering pipes
(ii) In making soundproofing in noisy areas
(iii) In covering electrical cables
(iv) In making handles

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