DC Circuits Workbook
DC Circuits Workbook
Course 20222
UEENEEE104A
STUDENT WORKBOOK
UEENEEE104A
The intention of this workbook is that it be used as tool to summarise course related information from the Text Book
produced by Peter Phillips and first published by Cengage Learning Australia in 1997 entitled ‘electrical principles’ –
second edition.
The student is required to purchase this text book in order to complete the summary templates in this workbook
TOPICS 1-5
TOPIC 1
Basic Electrical concepts
• The industry can be divided into two groups - ______________________ and _____________________
• Coal, gas and nuclear power stations use _______________ renewable energy sources
• Coal and gas fired power stations produce _____________________ gasses which can influence climate
• Renewable energy sources are being increasingly used around the world
• Some of these energy sources include:-
Geothermal ______________________________________________________________________________
Solar ____________________________________________________________________________________
Hydro-electric _____________________________________________________________________________
Wind power _______________________________________________________________________________
Biogas
• Silver ____________________________________________________________________________________
• Copper ___________________________________________________________________________________
• Gold _____________________________________________________________________________________
• Aluminium ________________________________________________________________________________
EMF
voltage
current
charge
resistance
SUMMING UP P6/7/9/11 CHAPTER SUMMARY P21 SELF CHECK P22 Q1-16
Refer to NUE049/2 – Applied Electricity (dc) Learning resource manual January 2006 Topic 1
to select a range of exercises and review questions on charge, speed and velocity
TOPIC 2
Basic Electrical circuits
Component symbols
Open-circuit
Closed-circuit
• A short-circuit is an accidental
connection across the
______________________ of an
electrical supply.
• It is a fault that can cause
______________________
• A voltmeter can be
____________________ and
_____________________ .
• A voltmeter is connected
__________________ the lamp
to measure the voltage
____________________ to the
lamp
• ______________________
like voltmeters can be both
analog and digital
• When the switch is
________________ current
flows in the ________________
and __________________ the
ammeter, which shows the value
of the current
• Polarity • Range
the positive lead of a voltmeter should connect to the choose the correct meter _______________ to
_____________________ potential in the circuit. avoid damaging the meter.
• Normally start with the ________________
range
Ammeter connection
Refer to NUE049/2 – Applied Electricity (dc) Learning resource manual January 2006 Topic 2 to select a range of
exercises and review questions on Basic Electrical Circuits
TOPIC 3
Ohms Law
Draw the symbol for a fixed resistor (Fig 3.1) Draw the symbol for a variable resistor (Fig 3.1)
Pressure and flow (Fig 3.2) Flow and resistance (Fig 3.3)
Where:
I=
V=
R=
𝑉𝑉 = 𝐼𝐼 × 𝑅𝑅
Where:
V=
I=
R=
See example 3.2
Where:
R=
V=
I=
Show proof of the use of transposition to restate the Show proof of the use of transposition to restate the
𝑉𝑉 𝑉𝑉
ohms law equation 𝐼𝐼 = in terms of Volts ohms law equation 𝐼𝐼 = in terms of Resistance
𝑅𝑅 𝑅𝑅
Refer to NUE049/2 – Applied Electricity (dc) Learning resource manual January 2006 Topic 3 to select a range of
exercises and review questions on Ohm’s Law
TOPIC 4
Electrical Power
• Energy • Work
is the ability to do __________________ is done when ____________________ is
can only exist in a form such as _____________ or transformed from one form to another
__________________ the amount of work done equals the amount of
cannot be created or destroyed ___________________ ___________________
can only be ______________________ from one work, like energy is measured in
form to another ____________________________
is measured in __________________________
• Force
Force = Mass times acceleration • One newton is defined as the force required to
F = ma accelerate a one ________________________
where: mass by a rate of ________________________
force __________________________________
mass ___________________________________
acceleration _____________________________
________________________________________ Example 14.1
Show proof of the use of transposition to restate the Show proof of the use of transposition to restate the
power equation in terms of Work power equation in terms of Time
R= I= V=
P= V= I=
Go to Chapter 25
Using a wattmeter 25.2 Pages 617-621 Slides (25b) 19-
26
Refer to NUE049/2 – Applied Electricity (dc) Learning resource manual January 2006 Topic 4 to select a range of
exercises and review questions on Electrical Power
TOPIC 5
Effects of Electrical Current
• Heating effect
Heat is developed when __________________
flows through a resistance.
• Magnetic effect
a basic application of the magnetic effect is the
_________________________
a common use for the electromagnet is in a device
called a __________________________
a relay is used to switch loads such as
________________________________________
________________________________________
motors and transformers are common applications
of the _________________________ effect of an
electrical current
Electrolysis
positive ions move to the
_________________ and
negative ____________
move towards the anode to
produce purified copper
Electroplating
The main use of electroplating is to protect metals against _________________________
It is also used to build up a ___________________ metal surface
Galvanic corrosion
Corrosion occurs because of the voltaic effect in
which two dissimilar metals and the electrolyte
form an electric _________________
The current produced by the cell causes metals
to ________________________
To limit corrosion, a _____________________
anode is placed in contact with the metal being
protected.
• Luminous effect
Light is produced by passing an electric current through certain types of _________________ , which
__________________________ creating a plasma
An example is a ____________________________ lamp (also called a ______________________ lamp)
A light emitting diode ( _________ ) produces light by way of the effect called _________________________
which is caused by ________________________ releasing energy in the form of photons (light)
Protection against effects of an electric current 2.3 Pages 40-41 Slides 35-37
TOPICS 6-10
T7 Resistors encompassing:
• features of fixed and variable resistor types and typical applications
• identification of fixed and variable resistors
• various types of fixed resistors used in the Electro technology Industry. e.g. wire-wound, carbon film, tapped resistors.
• various types of variable resistors used in the Electro technology Industry e.g. adjustable resistors: potentiometer and
rheostat; light dependent resistor (LDR); voltage dependent resistor (VDR) and temperature dependent resistor (NTC,
PTC).
• characteristics of temperature, voltage and light dependent resistors and typical applications of each
• power ratings of a resistor.
• power loss (heat) occurring in a conductor.
• resistance of a colour coded resistor from colour code tables and confirm the value by measurement.
• measurement of resistance of a range of variable’ resistors under varying conditions of light, voltage, temperature
conditions.
• specifying a resistor for a particular application.
TOPIC 6
EMF sources, energy sources and conversion of electrical energy
• The Law of conservation of energy says that energy cannot be ______________ or _________________
• However, energy can be converted from one __________________ to another
• The most commonly used energy sources are:-
• There are three ways to convert mechanical movement into electrical energy.
Note – the syllabus requires only ii) and iii)
i) ii) iii)
Fuel Cells
• A fuel cell uses chemical reactions to create electricity directly. This process is highly efficient and produces
limited emissions. The most common fuel sources are natural gas and hydrogen.
(See Electrical Wiring Practice Vol 2 Keith Pethebridge Ian Neeson – McGaw Hill Page 69 for more information)
• Heat can be used to produce a voltage directly using a device called a _________________________
• A thermocouple is formed by two different __________________ joined at one _________________
• The metals used in thermocouple wires depend on the __________________ the junction will be exposed to.
• The voltage output of a thermocouple is in the order of ____________ Volts
• Thermocouples are used in industrial temperature
control systems where the thermocouple voltage is
used to control ____________________
___________________.
Refer to NUE049/2 – Applied Electricity (dc) Learning resource manual January 2006 Topic 7 to select a range of
exercises and review questions on EMF Sources and Efficiency
TOPIC 7
Resistors
PTC NTC
• General purpose resistors show their value with ________________ bands and precision resistors have
_________________ bands
Understanding the colour coding (reading from left to right)
• The first two (or three if precision resistors) bands are given a _____________________
• The next band is the __________________________
• The last band is always the __________________ band and is spaced further apart from the other bands
Refer to Figures 5:17 and 5:18 on page 102 for more detail
Complete exercise 5.2 on page 104 of the Phillips Electrical Principles 2nd Edition
Refer to NUE049/2 – Applied Electricity (dc) Learning resource manual January 2006 Topic 8 to select a range of
exercises and review questions on Resistors
TOPIC 8
Series Circuits
Resistance in the series circuit 6.3 Pages 110 - 112 Slides 7-11
Use the data provided and your understanding of resistors in series circuits to calculate the unknown ohmic values in
the table below
R1 + R2 + R3 = RT R1 + R2 + R3 = RT
4Ω 6Ω = 59Ω = 147Ω
• Ohms law can be used to calculate the current in a series circuit if RT and
𝑉𝑉𝑇𝑇
VT are known. 𝐼𝐼 =
𝑅𝑅𝑇𝑇
See example 6.3
Use the data provided and your understanding of voltages in series circuits to calculate the unknown values in the
table below
2Ω 4Ω 7Ω Ω 24V A V V V
• The voltage drops around a series circuit can never total any more, or any less than the _____________
voltage
See examples 6.5/6
Use the data provided and your understanding of Kirchhoff’s voltage law to calculate the unknown voltage values in
the table below
V1 + V2 + V3 = VT V1 + V2 + V3 = VT
Voltage sources
• in the spaces below, apply the summary of the series circuit in order to find the answers to the questions in
Exercise 6.1
• Redraw the diagram in each case before calculating your answers
Question 2 Question 3
Diagram Diagram
Calculate Calculate
• List some examples of electrical circuits or devices where the components are connected in series.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
• The two most common faults in any circuit are an ________________ circuit and a _____________ circuit
• A third type of fault is a change in the value of ________________ within the circuit.
Refer to NUE049/2 – Applied Electricity (dc) Learning resource manual January 2006 Topic 10 to select a range of
exercises and review questions on the series circuit
TOPIC 9
Parallel Circuits
• Draw the circuit diagram shown in figure 7.1, but include a circuit
breaker protecting the whole circuit, and a switch to control
each branch of the circuit.
• Consider Fig 7.2 (b). What are the two components that are connected in parallel? ___________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
i) Use ohms law to calculate the ii) Use ohms law to calculate the iii) Use ohms law to calculate the
current (I1) in branch 1. current (I2) in branch 2. current (I3) in branch 3.
• The total current in a parallel circuit is iv) Use the three branch currents calculated above to find the total
or supply current.
the sum of the ____________ currents.
• IT= _________________________
Use the data provided and your understanding of parallel circuits to calculate the unknown values in the table below
VT R1 R2 R3 I1 I2 I3 IT
Use the data provided, and your understanding of Kirchhoff’s current law to calculate the unknown values in the
table below.
VT R1 R2 I1 I2 IT VT R1 R2 I1 I2 IT
Use the data provided, and your understanding of how to add resistors in parallel to calculate the unknown values in
the table below.
R1 R2 R3 RT R1 R2 R3 RT
Summing up
• In the spaces below, apply your understanding of parallel circuits to resolve the three questions in exercise
7.1.
Describe some situations where parallel circuits are to be found in the electrical industry
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Open circuit:-
• A short circuit in any branch means the supply __________________ has a short circuit across it.
• The fault current that flows will operate __________________ devices such as a ____________.
• The whole circuit is affected by a ________________ circuit.
Refer to NUE049/2 – Applied Electricity (dc) Learning resource manual January 2006 Topic 11 to select a range of
exercises and review questions on parallel circuits
TOPIC 10
Series/Parallel Circuits
Consider Exercise 8.1 (b). In the space below use two or three steps to reduce the series-parallel circuit to an
equivalent series circuit with three equivalent components and then determine the equivalent total
resistance.
Step 1 – Find the current in R1 Step 2a – To find the current in R2 simplify network R2-5
Step 2b – Resolve network R2-5 Step 3 – Calculate the voltage drops across R2 and R3-5
Req = VR2 =
I2 = VR3-5 =
Step 4 – Use ohm’s law to calculate the current in each resistor and indicate the values on the diagram below
I1 = I3 =
I4 =
I2 =
I5 =
• Refer to Phillips as referenced above regarding the determination of power usage in series-parallel circuits and
note:-
i) Power used by an individual component can be calculated using the power equations, as long as voltage,
current and ohmic values are specific to that component.
ii) Total power used by the circuit will be the addition of the individual component power usage, or can be
calculated by using the values of supply voltage, supply current and equivalent resistance for the circuit.
• Use your results for voltage and current from Example 8.3 (above) to calculate
i) The power used by each individual circuit component
ii) The total power used by the complete circuit.
iii) Indicate the power used by each component on the diagram below.
P2 = P5 =
P3 = PTOTAL =
• Examine the process followed in the Phillips text book to resolve example 8.4, and then apply what you have
learned to resolving Exercises 8.2 a and b on page 152.
• Use the space provided on the next page to layout the steps in finding unknown values of voltage and current.
• Also use this exercise as an opportunity to also calculate the individual component power usage as well as the
total power usage of each circuit.
Refer to NUE049/2 – Applied Electricity (dc) Learning resource manual January 2006 Topic 13 to select a range of
exercises and review questions on series-parallel circuits
TOPICS 11-15
TOPIC 11
Factors affecting resistance
• Refer to table 5.1 in your text book, and record the resistivity in
ohm-metre at 200 C for the following materials:-
1.72 x 10-7 Ωm
• Resistance is proportional to the • Resistance is inversely • A useful equation that caters for
______________ of a conductor _________________ to the area changes in both length and area
of a conductor is:-
• Note Figure 5.2 which relates to how the C.S.A. of different shapes can be determined
1000m 0.7mm2 0.6Ω 1000m 1.5mm2 3km 6mm2 15Ω 750m 4mm2
Use the conductor resistance equation to calculate the resistance of the cables with the following parameters
ρ l A R ρ l A R
Use the equation and the α information in the table above to resolve the following examples
a) Calculate the hot resistance of a tungsten heating b) A copper cable has a resistance of 25 ohms at 20
element which has a resistance of 60 ohms at degrees Celsius. What is its resistance at 100
an initial temperature of 500C, but when degrees Celsius?
switched on, reaches a final operating
temperature of 4000C
Refer to NUE049/2 – Applied Electricity (dc) Learning resource manual January 2006 Topic 9 to select a range of
exercises and review questions on factors affecting resistance
TOPICS 12 & 13
Effects of Meters in Circuits & Resistance Measurement
PART 1
• Meters can be designed to measure current, voltage and resistance and a combination of the three in the
form of a multimeter.
• An ammeter is connected in ______________________ with the circuit being monitored, because the
____________________ has to flow through the ammeter.
• Therefore, it’s important that the ammeter has a ___________________ resistance so it doesn’t
____________________ the circuit current.
Think:
i) What will be the outcome if an ammeter is connected across the terminals of the supply?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
ii) What happens when an analog ammeter is connected with the wrong polarity?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Types of ammeter
Adjusting an analog ohmmeter to take accurate readings The scale of an analog ohmmeter is non linear
i) Ωx10? ______________
TOPICS 12 & 13
Effects of Meters in Circuits & Resistance Measurement
PART 2
USING METERS TO TAKE READINGS
Voltage measurement
• Safety - Confirm that the meter has the correct ___________ rating
- For most electrical work, use a ________________________________________ or higher rated instrument
- Some types of _____________________ voltmeters have Cat ratings, many do not and are therefore a
______________________________________.
Current measurement
Long shunt and short shunt meter connections 9.6 Page 171 Slides 22-24
• To obtain the highest accuracy, it’s important that the ___________________ is connected so the current it
takes from the circuit does not affect the value read by the ____________________.
Refer to NUE049/2 – Applied Electricity (dc) Learning resource manual January 2006 Topics 14 and 15 to select a
range of exercises and review questions on effects of meters in circuits and resistance measurement
In order to help you find the answers to the questions in the project, Refer to:-
i) Phillips Chapter 25 (pages 611-613)
ii) AS/NZS 3000:2007 Clause 8.3 Testing (pages 333-336)
• What should be done with the electricity supply to make the situation safe before doing tests with this
instrument?
• Suggest two problems that you might observe about the test leads that would prohibit you from using them
to do testing.
i)
ii)
a) What check would you do to confirm that the supply battery has enough charge to carry out
the test
_______________________________________________________________________________
b) what range selection would you choose to do the continuity test? _______________________
d) what methodical steps would you take to zero the tester in order to get an accurate result?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
ii) If you were required to carry out an ‘insulation resistance’ test between ‘live conductors and earth’
on a final sub circuit in a domestic electrical installation. (ASNZS3000:2007 Clause 8.3.6)
a) What range selection would you make for a normal circuit that isn’t affected by exceptions?
_______________________________________________________________________________
3. Using the tester for insulation resistance testing (Phillips Chap 25 Page 613 and ASNZS3000:2007 Clause 8.3.6.2)
• On the lines below, list the four steps to follow when carrying out an insulation resistance test.
i)
ii)
iii)
Think: For the step above, where would you connect each of the two test leads to correctly carry out the test?
iv)
Explain: What is the potential safety issue if the step above is not carried out correctly?
Think: A cable is generally a conductor surrounded by some insulation material. When we carry out an
insulation resistance test, what are we trying to confirm about the insulation?
4. Calibration of the insulation resistance tester (Phillips Chap 25 Page 613 and ASNZS3000:2007 Clause 8.3.6.1)
• According to ASNZS3000:2007, what are the lower and upper tolerance requirements?
Upper: __________________________ Lower: _________________________
TOPICS 14 & 15
PART 1
Capacitors and Capacitance
• When a capacitor is being charged, a charge current • A charged capacitor can be __________________
by connecting it across a ____________________.
flows until the voltage across the capacitor equals
the _____________________ ______________.
charge can be expressed with the equation. See Examples 10.1 and 10.2
Use the data provided and your understanding of charge on capacitors to calculate the unknown values in the table
below.
6.8 µF 12 V 56 µF 120 V
Use the data provided and your understanding of energy stored in capacitors to calculate the unknown values in the
table below.
6.8 µF 12 kV 56 µF 10 MV
1. Area of the plates 2. Distance between the plates 3. Type of dielectric between the
plates
• The larger the _____________ • The _________________ the • The _______________ between
of the plates the ___________ plates, the _____________ the the plates of a capacitor
the capacitance capacitance __________________ the
• A large plate means the • The breakdown voltage becomes electric lines of force.
dielectric will have a large area ______________ as the • The term absolute permittivity
and be able to store a dielectric is made ___________. (𝜀𝜀) is used to describe how well a
____________ electric field material can support an
________________ field
Use the data provided and your understanding of factors that affect capacitance to calculate the unknown values in
the table below.
• A capacitors is given various ratings, the main two being ___________________ and _____________________
• Use your text book to identify each type of capacitor shown below and give a brief description and its application
Power
Plastic-film Ceramic
Electrolytic
Capacitor Symbols
• Reproduce the symbols shown in fig 10.14 in the spaces below
TOPICS 14 & 15
PART 2
CAPACITORS IN CIRCUITS
• Show the working of how to find the total capacitance of the circuit
shown.
• A circuit with a resistor and a ________________ connected in series is called an _________ circuit
• A resistor is sometimes connected in series with a capacitor to limit the _________________ current a
capacitor takes when it is first connected to a voltage source.
• Another reason is to introduce a _________________ delay
• In an RC circuit, the capacitor takes ___________ to • The discharge current in an RC circuit has the same
charge.
graph as the __________________ current
• As the capacitor charges, voltage across it
___________ and ________________ decreases
• A time constant:
- is the time taken for a current or voltage to reach 63.2% of its
____________________ value
- has the symbol τ (Greek letter Tau)
• Equation 𝜏𝜏 = 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅
where:
τ=
C=
R= See example 10.12
Charge current ________ After one time constant, After one time constant, After one time constant,
by 63.2% after one time the capacitor __________ the discharge current has the discharge __________
constant has risen by 63.2% ______________ by 63.2% has fallen by 63.2%
• Use your understanding of the RC time constant equation to calculate the unknown values in the table below
R C τ R C τ
Faults in capacitors (refer to Phillips pages 563 to complete the statements below)
• Capacitor faults are either
i) an ______________ circuit,
ii) low resistance _________________ which means that it _______________________________________
iii) or a short ________________________
Chemical hazards related to working with capacitors. (refer to Phillips pages 563 to complete the statements
below)
• A failing capacitor can also become ________________ in that its ______________ leaks outside the can.
• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are _____________ and could still exist in ___________ filled equipment
- if found, ________________ the presence of PCB-filled equipment.
- this type of dielectric is no longer used, but still exists in capacitors made before the mid _________’s
Electrical hazards related to working with capacitors (refer to ASNZS 3000 Clause 4.15 for background)
• When a capacitor discharges across a load, the only resistance limiting the current is the resistance of the
load itself. A capacitor is therefore able to deliver a sizeable electric shock current pulse.
• Read ASNZS 3000 Clause 4.15.3 and complete the statements below:
Capacitors with values greater than ______µF shall be provided with a _________________ path.
Capacitors and electrical equipment containing capacitors shall be with a warning notice containing
information similar to the following:
WARNING: ______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Refer to NUE049/2 – Applied Electricity (dc) Learning resource manual January 2006 Topics 16 and 17 to select a
range of exercises and review questions on Capacitance and Capacitors in circuits