Basic Electronic

Instructor: Babak Emdadi

Week 1

Basic Terminology:
In Network Theory, we will frequently come across the following terms:
 Electric Circuit
 Electric Network
 Current
 Voltage
 Power
So, it is imperative that we gather some basic knowledge of these terms before
proceeding further. Let’s start with Electric Circuit.

Electric Circuit:

An electric circuit contains a closed path for providing a flow of electrons from a
voltage source or current source. The elements present in an electric circuit will be
in series connection, parallel connection, or in any combination of series and parallel
connections.

Electric Network:

An electric network need not contain a closed path for providing a flow of electrons
from a voltage source or current source. Hence, we can conclude that "all electric
circuits are electric networks" but the converse need not be true.

Current:
The current "I" flowing through a conductor is nothing but the time rate of flow of
charge. Mathematically, it can be written as:

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 𝑑𝑄
𝐼=
𝑑𝑡
Where,
 Q is the charge and its unit is Columb.
 t is the time and its unit is second.
Current is measured in terms of Ampere. In general, Electron current flows from the
negative terminal of the source to the positive terminal, whereas, Conventional
current flows from the positive terminal of the source to the negative terminal.

Voltage:
The voltage "V" is nothing but an electromotive force that causes the charge
(electrons) to flow. Mathematically, it can be written as:
𝑑𝑊
𝑉=
𝑑𝑄
Where,
 W is the potential energy and its unit is Joule.
 Q is the charge and its unit is Columb.
Voltage is measured in terms of Volt.

Power:
The power "P" is nothing but the time rate of flow of electrical energy.
Mathematically, it can be written as:

𝑑𝑊
𝑃=
𝑑𝑡
Where,

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  W is the electrical energy and it is measured in terms of Joule.
 t is the time and it is measured in seconds.
We can re-write the above equation a:
𝑑𝑊 𝑑𝑊 𝑑𝑄
𝑃= = ∗ = 𝑉𝐼
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑄 𝑑𝑡
Therefore, power is nothing but the product of voltage V and current I. Its unit is
Watt.

Types of Network Elements:

We can classify the Network elements into various types based on some parameters.
The following are the types of Network elements:

1. Active Elements and Passive Elements

2. Linear Elements and Non-linear Elements
3. Bilateral Elements and Unilateral Elements
4. Lumped Elements and Distributed Elements

1) Active Elements and Passive Elements:

We can classify the Network elements into either active or passive based on the
ability to deliver power.

 Active Elements deliver power to other elements, which are present in an

electric circuit. Sometimes, they may absorb the power like passive elements.
That means active elements have the capability of both delivering and
absorbing power.

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Examples: Voltage sources and current sources.

 Passive Elements can’t deliver power (energy) to other elements, however,

they can absorb power. That means these elements either dissipate power in
the form of heat or store energy in the form of either a magnetic field or an
electric field.

Examples: Resistors, Inductors, and capacitors.

2) Linear Elements and Non-Linear Elements:

We can classify the network elements as linear or non-linear based on their
characteristic to obey the property of linearity.

Linear Elements are the elements that show a linear relationship between voltage
and current. Examples: Resistors, Inductors, and capacitors.

Non-Linear Elements are those that do not show a linear relation between voltage
and current. Examples: Voltage sources and current sources. (For the non-linear
elements, the characteristics curve may not be a straight line or it may not pass
through the origin.)

3) Bilateral Elements and Unilateral Elements:

Network elements can also be classified as either bilateral or unilateral based on the
direction of current flows through the network elements.

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Bilateral Elements are the elements that allow the current in both directions and offer
the same impedance in either direction of current flow. Examples: Resistors,
Inductors, and capacitors.

The concept of bilateral elements is illustrated in the following figures.

In the above figure, the current (I) is flowing from terminals A to B through a passive
element having an impedance of Z Ω. It is the ratio of voltage (V) across that element
between terminals A & B and current (I).

In the above figure, the current (I) is flowing from terminals B to A through a passive
element having an impedance of Z Ω. That means the current (–I) is flowing from
terminals A to B. In this case, we will get the same impedance value, since both the
current and voltage have negative signs with respect to terminals A & B.

- In a simple sentence, if the polarity of the voltage is changed then the

characteristics of V-I remain same, then the element is bilateral. (Therefore,
for the bilateral elements, the characteristics curve is similar in the opposite
quadrants.)

Unilateral Elements are those that allow the current in only one direction. Hence,
they offer different impedances in both directions. (Hence, for the unilateral
elements, the characteristics curve is different in opposite quadrants.)

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We discussed the types of network elements in the previous chapter. Now, let us
identify the nature of network elements from the V-I characteristics given in the
following examples.

Tip: All linear elements are bilateral but the reverse is not true.
Example 1:
The V-I characteristics of a network element is shown below.

Step 1 − Verify the network element as linear or non-linear.

From the above figure, the V-I characteristic of a network element is a straight line
passing through the origin. Hence, it is a linear element.

Step 2 − Verify the network element as active or passive.

The given V-I characteristics of a network element lies in the first and third
quadrants.

 In the first quadrant, the values of both voltage (V) and current (I) are
positive. So, the ratios of voltage (V) and current (I) give positive impedance
values.

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  Similarly, in the third quadrant, the values of both voltage (V) and current (I) have
negative values. So, the ratios of voltage (V) and current (I) produce positive
impedance values.

Since the given V-I characteristics offer positive impedance values, the network element
is a Passive element.

Step 3 − Verify the network element as bilateral or unilateral.

For every point (I, V) on the characteristics, there exists a corresponding point (-I, -V) on
the given characteristics. Hence, the network element is a Bilateral element.

Therefore, the given V-I characteristics show that the network element is a Linear, Passive,
and Bilateral element.

Example 2:
The V-I characteristics of a network element is shown below.

Step 1 − Verifying the network element as linear or non-linear.

From the above figure, the V-I characteristics of a network element is a straight line only
between the points (-3 A, -3 V) and (5 A, 5 V). Beyond these points, the V-I characteristics
are not following the linear relation. Hence, it is a Non-linear element.

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Step 2 − Verifying the network element as active or passive.

The given V-I characteristics of a network element lies in the first and third quadrants. In
these two quadrants, the ratios of voltage (V) and current (I) produce positive impedance
values. Hence, the network element is a Passive element.

Step 3 − Verifying the network element as bilateral or unilateral.

Consider the point (5A, 5V) on the characteristics. The corresponding point (-5A, -3V)
exists on the given characteristics instead of (-5A, -5V). Hence, the network element is a
Unilateral element.

Therefore, the given V-I characteristics show that the network element is a Non-linear,
Passive, and Unilateral element. The circuits containing them are called unilateral circuits.

- More instances in the below:

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4) Lumped and Distributed Elements:

Lumped elements are those elements that are very small in size & in which simultaneous
actions take place. Typical lumped elements are capacitors, resistors, and inductors.

Distributed elements are those which are not electrically separable for analytical purposes.

For example, a transmission line has distributed parameters along its length and may extend
for hundreds of miles.

If you have any question or concern about this session, please ask me via Teams.

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