ELECTRICAL

SYSTEMS
CHAPTER 13
THEME: SYSTEMS
TABLE OF CONTENTS

13.1 13.2
What does an electrical How do electrical
system comprise? components affect the output
of an electrical system?

13.3 13.4
What are some benefits and How do we reduce the
risks associated with the consumption of electrical
applications of electrical energy?
systems?
What does an electrical
system comprise?

Chapter 13 – Electrical Systems

Electrical …………………… ……………………………
from power station (electric cells)

What are the two main sources of electrical

energy?
 Cell/ Battery

• Cells are …………………………….. sources of electricity.

• Examples of cells are batteries.
• They convert ………………… potential energy to electrical energy. The
electrical energy is then converted to other forms of energy for use.

Chemical potential energy  Electrical energy

Cell/ Battery
All cell has a positive (+) terminal and a negative (-) terminal.

+ -
Positive Terminal Negative Terminal

Common sizes: AA, AAA, C, D size Battery

Cell/ Battery
All cell has a positive (+) terminal and a negative (-) terminal.
+ -

+ -

Lithium-Ion (Li-ion)
Copper Top battery Lithium Button Battery
Battery
What is an Electrical Circuit?
• The path along which the electric
current moves is called the electric
circuit.
• Electrical components are joined together
to make a circuit.

……………….. ………… ……………

.
Symbols of electrical components
Symbol Device Symbol Device
What is a closed circuit?
• Electrical components are joined together …………………………….
in between to form a closed circuit.
• Electricity is able to flow from one end of the electric cell,
through the electrical components to the other end of the
cell.
electric cell

connecting wires
light bulb
What is a open circuit?
• ……………………………. circuit are called open circuit.
• Electricity cannot flow in an open circuit.
Example: connecting wire no source of
is missing electrical energy
 What is an electric current?
• An electric current, I is the rate of flow of electric charges

SI unit: ………………………………. ( A) + -
Measuring instrument: …………………………..
Method Of Measuring:

 - Connect in series to the circuit

I
 - Positive terminal of ammeter
connects to the positive terminal of Resistor + -
A
the cell.
Ammeter
What are the different types of current?
Electron Flow
positive terminal + - negative terminal

cell
electron
flow

lamp

•Charge carriers: ……………………

•From negative terminal to positive terminal of the cell/
battery.
What are the different types of current?
Convention Current, I
positive terminal + - negative terminal

cell
Convention
Current

lamp

•Charge carriers: ……………………

•From positive terminal to negative terminal of the cell/
battery.
What are the different types of current?

● Electron flow describe actual motion

of particles when current is flowing.

● Conventional current is an idea all

scientist agreed upon.
 Types Electron Flow Convention Current
Charge Carriers Electrons Positive charge carriers
Direction From negative terminal to From positive terminal to
positive terminal of the cell/ negative terminal of the cell/
battery. battery.
SUMMARY

Illustration
positive negative positive negative
+ - + -
terminal terminal terminal terminal

cell cell

lamp lamp

Conclusion The direction of the convention current is opposite to the

direction of the flow electrons.
 Electrical Circuit Water

Battery/ Dry cell Pump House

Connecting Wire Water pipe

Current Measurement of how many litres of water is flowing per

sec/ how fast the water is flowing
Amount of energy for water to flow from one end of the
pipe to another.
What is Potential Difference, V ?
● The potential difference across a
component is the amount of work
done to drive a unit charge through
the component.
● SI unit: …………………… ( )
What is Potential Difference, V ?
• Measuring instrument: voltmeter

V
• Method Of Measuring:
Connect in …………………… across the
object to be measured.
Current flowing in an electrical component experience hindrance opposing its flow.

Portion of pipe filled with gravels

Electrical Circuit Water

Battery/ Dry cell Pump House

Connecting Wire Water pipe

Measurement of how many litres of water is flowing per
Current
sec/ how fast the water is flowing
Amount of energy for water to flow from one end of the
Potential difference
pipe to another.
Portion of pipe filled with gravels.

The hindrance opposing the flow of water.

What is Electrical Resistance, R ?
● Electrical Resistance of an electrical
component is a measure of how
much the component opposes the
flow of electric current.
● SI unit: …………………… (Ω)
What is Electrical Resistance, R ?
● …………………… the electrical resistance, R,
harder for current to flow through. Hence
imply current flow will be …………………….
○ Insulators have very high resistance, not allowing
current to flow through.

○ Conductors have lower resistance

 Materials

Electrical Electrical
Conductors Insulators
Allow current Do not allow
May have to flow May have Have very current to flow
LOW HIGH HIGH
resistance resistance resistance
Convert much electrical
energy to other forms
i.e. Copper, i.e. Plastics,
Silver i.e. Tungsten, Rubber
Nichrome
Copper – use in Plastics – use as outer
electrical wiring Tungsten – use in light bulb coating around electrical
Nichrome – use as heating wires
element
What are the different types of resistors?

Resistor:
• Resistors are electrical devices
which manage the flow of current
through a circuit, by controlling
the resistance of the electrical
circuit.
Common Types of Resistors:

1. ……………………

2. ……………………
What are the different types of resistors?

Electrical Symbols
Fixed Resistor

Variable Resistor
What are the different types of resistors?

Fixed Resistor
• Resistor of known value, which
cannot be changed
• Can be ………………………….. to
represent certain resistance value
What are the different types of resistors?

Variable Resistor
Commonly Known: …………………..
Function: Vary resistance in a circuit
Common uses: volume control in
music system, remote control of toy
car.
How do electrical components
affect the output of an
electrical system?

Chapter 13 – Electrical Systems

 Arrangement A
IA

Portions of pipe filled with gravels

Compare flow rate Arrangement B
of IA and IB IB

As water flows through more than 1 portion of the

pipe filled with gravel for IB, there is more
hindrance experienced. Hence, flow rate IB will be
smaller than IA.
 Arrangement A
IA

Electrical Resistors
Compare flow rate Arrangement B
of IA and IB IB

Likewise, resistance for Arrangement B is higher

than A. Hence, current IB will be smaller than IA.
 IB

What type of Circuit

Since there is
is Arrangement B? …………………… path in which
the charge can flow, this is a
series circuit.
 Series circuit | has only one path in which
the charge can flow

 If bulb A blows, bulb B will not light up because

the circuit is broken (incomplete)
 Arrangement A
IA

Arrangement C
Compare flow rate
of IA and IC IC

As water can now split and flows through both portions

of the pipe filled with gravel, more water can pass
through, there is less hindrance experienced. Hence,
flow rate IC will be larger than IA.
 Arrangement A
IA

Arrangement C
Compare flow rate
IC
of IA and IC

Likewise, resistance for Arrangement C is

lower than A. Hence, current IC will be larger
than IA.
 IC

What type of Circuit

is Arrangement C?
Since there is
…………………………………. in
which the charge can flow, this
is a parallel circuit.
 Parallel circuit | has more than one path
in which the charge can
flow
• current flowing through any part of the circuit depends on the
component at that part of the circuit.
 If one bulb blows, the other bulb can still light up.
 Types Series Parallel
SUMMARY

Circuit
Diagram

Resistance

Current
 Resistance of a variable resistor is changed by

Variable Resistor using the slider to adjust the length of wire

the current will flow through before exiting the
resistor.

slider
current out
metal rod

current flow

current in terminal

coil of wire
 Current will now flow through more coil of
wires before it exits. Thus, the resistance
Variable Resistor will be higher.

Slider is moved to
the right
current out
metal rod

current flow

current in terminal

coil of wire
 Current will now flow through less coil of
wires before it exits. Thus, the resistance
Variable Resistor will be lower.

Slider is moved to
the left
current out
metal rod

current flow

current in terminal

coil of wire
 Variable Resistor
SUMMARY
 What are some benefits and risks
associated with the applications of
electrical systems?

Chapter 13 – Electrical Systems

Useful Effects of Electricity
• Electricity can be converted into many forms of energy.
• One such energy form is …………………….

Electric Heating
• Most household appliances that convert electrical energy to
thermal energy have heating elements that are made of
nichrome.
• Nichrome is used because it has high resistance and can
withstand high temperatures.
• When an electric current passes through these heating
elements, they heat up rapidly.
Useful Effects of Electricity
Electrical energy  Thermal energy
vi
a
Heating elements
in appliances such as

Electric Electric
kettle radiator

Electric Electric
iron hotplate
Useful Effects of Electricity
Filament Lamp
• Filament lamps convert electrical energy to
…………………….
• The filament in the lamp is a tungsten wire.
– It has a small cross-sectional area and is
coiled.
– When an electric current flows through it, it
is heated to about 2500°C.
– This intense heating effect generates light.
• Tungsten is used because of its high
resistivity and high melting point
(3400°C).
For more useful
effects of electricity
Read Textbook 2B
Pg 18 – 22
Harmful Effects of Electricity
Damaged Insulation
• When the insulating material covering the conducting wires gets worn or
damaged, the conducting wires may be exposed.
• Exposed conducting wires can cause …………………… if touched.

exposed wires
Harmful Effects of Electricity
Overheating of Cables
• Overheated cables can lead to ………………….
• Two common causes of overheated cables:
– Overloaded power sockets
When a power socket is overloaded, an
unusually
large current flows through the wires.

– Use of inappropriate wires

Appliances that require high power to
function need thicker wires.
Harmful Effects of Electricity
Damp Environments
• Water in contact with exposed electrical wires provides a
conducting path for current.
• This can lead to …………………………..
• Electrical appliances should be kept in dry places and
handled with dry hands.
Safety Devices in Our Household Electrical
System
Safety features that can be found in our homes:

1. ……………………………………..……

2. ……………………………………..……

3. ……………………………………..……

4. ……………………………………..……

5. ……………………………………..……

6. ……………………………………..……
Safety Devices in Our Household Electrical
System
Circuit Breakers
• Circuit breakers are safety devices that can switch off the electrical
supply in a circuit when large currents flow through them.
• Without circuit breakers, a surge of current can damage home
appliances or even cause a fire.
• Circuit breakers are connected to ……………………. wires.
Safety Devices in Our Household Electrical
System
Fuses
• Fuses have the same function as circuit breakers. They prevent
excessive current flow.
• However, unlike a circuit breaker that can be reset after it trips, a
fuse must be replaced after it blows.
• Fuses are connected to ……………………. wires.

– A fuse consists of short, thin piece of wire.

– If the current flowing through it is too large, the wire
heats up and melts.
– This causes the circuit to be opened (current no
longer flows in the circuit).
Safety Devices in Our Household Electrical
System
Worked Example
Which rated fuse should be connected to an appliance that
uses a 4 A current?
A 3A
B 4A
C 5A
D 20 A

Solution
Safety Devices in Our Household Electrical
System
Question
Which circuit diagram shows the correct way of connecting a fuse?
Why?
appliance

A live wire neutral wire

mains

appliance

B live wire neutral wire

mains
Safety Devices in Our Household Electrical
System
Switches
• Switches are designed to break or complete an electric circuit.
• They should be fitted to the live wire of the appliance.
Due to an electrical fault,
the live wire touches the
metal casing of the
appliance.

1 • However, the switch fitted on the live wire 2 No current flows

disconnects the metal casing from the live through the person
wire when it is opened. touching the casing.
• The metal casing is at low voltage (almost
0 V).
Safety Devices in Our Household Electrical
System

Earthing
There are usually three wires in a home circuit: earth neutral
• Live wire (colour: …………………….)
– connected to a high voltage and delivers current to
the appliance
– is the wire to which circuit breakers, fuses and
switches are fitted live
• Neutral wire (colour: …………………….)
– completes the circuit by providing a returning path to
the supply
– at 0 V
• Earth wire (colour: …………………….)
– low resistance wire
– connected to the metal casing of appliances
 Safety Devices in Our Household Electrical
System
Earthing
• Imagine that an electrical fault causes the live wire to be in contact
with the washing machine’s metal casing.
• What will happen if you touch the washing machine’s metal
casing?
• You will get an electric shock!
Safety Devices in Our Household Electrical
System
Earthing
• Earthing can prevent electric shocks.

• Even though the live wire is in contact with the metal casing, the current
flows to the ground through the earth wire and not the person.
Safety Devices in Our Household Electrical
System
Three-Pin Plug
• The fused plug used in Singapore is a three-pin plug. It is
also known as a safety plug.

• Safety features:
– The cartridge fuse protects the
appliance when there is an
electrical fault.
– The earth wire protects the user
from electric shocks in the event
that an electrical fault causes
the appliance to be live.
Safety Devices in Our Household Electrical
System
Double Insulation
• Do you notice that not all electrical appliances have a three-pin
plug? For some of them, their plugs have only two pins each.
• These appliances do not have an ……………………………….
• Instead, they have double insulation to protect users from
electric shocks.
– The electric cables are insulated from the internal components of
the appliance.
– The internal components are insulated from the outer casing.
Safety Devices in Our Household Electrical
System
Double Insulation
• Appliances with double insulation typically have
non-metallic casings (e.g. plastic).
 Circuit
Live wire Breaker
(240 V)
Electricity
meter Switch on
Neutral wire Wall socket
(0 V) Earth wire
(0 V)
Connected to Earth pin
ground
Typical Home Wall socket

Electrical Neutral pin Live pin

Layout Fuse

Washing 3 – pin plug

machine Connected
to metal
casing of
appliance Insulation

motor
Switch on
appliance
 How do we reduce the
consumption of electrical
energy?

Chapter 13 – Electrical Systems

Consumption of Electrical Energy
Electrical Power
• Definition: Electrical Power is defined as the
amount of electrical energy used for
conversion to other forms of energy per unit
time.

• SI Unit: ……………………. (W)

Selecting lower power rating appliance to

perform same function reduces energy
consumed.

LED Bulb Filament Bulb

Consumption of Electrical Energy
• Reducing electrical energy
consumption can be done by using
appliance that are more energy
efficient.
• Mandatory Energy Labelling
Scheme was introduced in
Singapore for all electrical
appliances to help consumers
compare and make informed
decision during purchases.
Consumption of Electrical Energy
Power ratings of some common
appliances
• Power rating of appliance are
usually printed on the back or
bottom of the appliance.

If you want to reduce

energy used and save
money, reduce your
air-con usage.
Question…
All of us know that electricity is not free and we have to pay for
the usage. All the electrical appliances will need electrical
energy. How to we measure electrical energy?

Electricity Meter
 Cost of Electrical Energy Consumption

• Kilowatt-hour is a unit of …………………….

• Commonly used to calculate electrical energy

used instead of joule (J) – Why??
Formula:
Cost of Electrical Energy Consumption
Calculation:

Joule is a very small unit compared to the amount of

electrical energy consumed. Hence, unit kWh is used
to calculate cost of electricity usage.
Cost of Electrical Energy Consumption
Below is a copy of a household Utility Bill

The cost of electricity consumed is

calculated based on the number of kilowatt-
hours (kWh) of electrical energy used.

One kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the amount of

electrical energy used by 1 kW device in
one hour.
Example
How much would you have to pay for the electricity if you used
two 40 W lamps and a 120 W television for 5 hour a day for the
month of April? (Assume the cost of 1 kWh of energy to be 27
cents).

Calculation: