Electrical Fundamentals

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 MATTER
• Everything in the world is made of matter.
Matter is anything that has mass (weight) and
occupies space.
• Matter can be made up of a group or series of
different atoms to form a molecule. These
groups of atoms (molecules) are sometimes
called compounds. Some types of matter can
be broken down to a single atom while still
maintaining the properties of the original
material. These types of material are called
elements.
• Matter has three states: Solid, Liquid, and
Vapor.
MOLECULE EXAMPLE

watermole
• Imagine a lake. Now
imagine taking the
smallest particle or
piece of water from
the lake. You would
have a single
molecule of water,
H2O, which is made
up of two hydrogen
atoms and one
oxygen atom.
MOLECULE EXAMPLE

• Not all materials are

made up of
molecules. Copper,
for example, is made
up of a single copper
atom. These are
called elements. Each
element is a type of
matter that has
certain individual
characteristics.
THE ATOM
• One of the basic
building blocks in the
universe for matter
is the atom. All
matter - gas, liquid,
or solid - is made up
of molecules or
atoms joined
together. These
atoms are the
smallest particle into
which an element or
substance can be
divided without
losing its property.
THE ATOM
• A single atom
consists of three
basic
components: a
proton, a neutron,
and an electron.
THE ATOM
• Within the atom
there is a
Nucleus. The
Nucleus contains
the protons and
neutrons. Orbiting
around the
nucleus are the
electrons.
THE ATOM
• An atom is similar to
a miniature solar
system. As with the
sun in the center of
the universe, the
nucleus is in the
center of the atom.
Protons and
Neutrons are
contained inside the
nucleus. Orbiting
around the nucleus
are the electrons.
ATOM CONSTRUCTION
• An atom is similar to a
miniature solar system.
As the sun is in the center
of the solar system, so is
the nucleus is in the
center of the atom.
Protons and neutrons are
contained within the
nucleus. Electrons orbit
around the nucleus, which
would be similar to
planets orbiting around
the sun.
NUCLEUS

• The Nucleus is
located in the center
of the atom (shown
in red).
• The Nucleus contains
the protons and
neutrons.
• Orbiting around the
nucleus are the
electrons.
PROTONS

• Protons are
located within the
nucleus of the
atom (shown in
blue).
• Protons are
positively (+)
charged.
NEUTRONS

• Neutrons add
atomic weight to
an atom (shown
in green).
• Neutrons have no
electrical charge.
ELECTRONS

• Electrons orbit
around the
nucleus of the
atom (shown in
yellow).
• Electrons are
negatively (-)
charged.
ELECTRONS

• Since electrons are

lighter than protons
and are outside the
nucleus, they can be
easily moved from
atom to atom to
form electrons.
Normally electrons
are prevented from
being pulled into the
atom by the forward
momentum of their
rotation.
ELECTRONS

• Electrons are also

prevented from
flying away because
of the magnetic
attraction of the
protons inside the
nucleus, the same
type of force that
keeps the planets
orbiting around the
sun.
ELECTRICAL CHARGES

• Opposite electrical charges always attract

each other. So these particles with opposite
charges will tend to move toward each other.
Like electrical charges always repel. So
particles with like charges will move away
from each other.
• Remember: Opposites charges attract, and
like charges repel.
• Atoms always try to remain electrically
balanced.
 BALANCED ATOMS

• Atoms normally have an equal

number of electrons and protons.
• Atoms have no electrical charge.
They are neither positive nor
negative. They are electrically neutral
or BALANCED.
 BALANCED ATOMS

• The negative charge of the electrons

will cancel the positive charge of the
protons, thus balancing the charge of
the atom.
• This cancellation of charges creates a
natural attraction or bonding between
the positive proton and the negative
electron.
ION PARTICLES
• When an atom
loses or gains an
electron, an
imbalance occurs.
• The atom
becomes either a
positively or
negatively
charged particle
called an ION.
ION PARTICLES
• These unbalanced
charged ION
particles are
responsible for
electron flow
(electricity).
• IONs will take or
release an
electron to
become balanced
again.
ION CHARGE
• A positive (+)
ION has one less
electron than it
has protons.
• A negative (-)
ION has one more
electron than it
has protons.
ION CHARGE
• The positive ION
attracts a
negative ION to
become balanced.
This attraction or
difference in
electrical potential
causes electron
flow.
ELECTRON ORBITS
• Electrons rotate around
the atom at different
orbits called Rings, Orbits,
or Shells.
• BOUND ELECTRONS orbit
the nucleus on the inner
rings. Bound electrons
have a strong magnetic
attraction to the nucleus.
• FREE ELECTRONS orbit on
the outermost ring which
is known as the VALANCE
RING.
FREE ELECTRONS
• Only the FREE
ELECTRONS in the
outermost shell
(Valance Ring) are free
to move from atom to
atom. This movement is
called ELECTRON FLOW.
• These FREE ELECTRONS
are loosely held and can
easily be moved to
another atom or ion.
FREE ELECTRONS
• Because of their
distance from the
nucleus, free electrons
have a weak magnetic
attraction. Since this
attraction is not as
strong to the nucleus as
the bound electrons on
the inner orbits, the
electrons move easily
from atom to atom.
INSULATORS
• An INSULATOR is
any material that
inhibits (stops) the
flow of electrons
(electricity).
• An insulator is any
material with 5 to
8 free electrons in
the outer ring.
INSULATORS
• Because, atoms with 5 to
8 electrons in the outer
ring are held (bound)
tightly to the atom, they
CANNOT be easily
moved to another atom
nor make room for more
electrons.
• Insulator material
includes glass, rubber,
and plastic.
CONDUCTORS
• A CONDUCTOR is
any material that
easily allows
electrons
(electricity) to
flow.
• A CONDUCTOR
has 1 to 3 free
electrons in the
outer ring.
CONDUCTORS
• Because atoms with
1 to 3 electrons in
the outer ring are
held (bound) loosely
to the atom, they
can easily move to
another atom or
make room for more
electrons.
• Conductor material
includes copper and
gold.
SEMICONDUCTORS
• Any material with
exactly 4 free
flectrons in the outer
orbit are called
SEMICONDUCTORS.
• A semiconductor is
neither a conductor
or insulator.
SEMICONDUCTORS
• semiconductor
material includes
carbon, silicon,
and germanium.
• These materials
are used in the
manufacturer of
diodes,
transistors, and
integrated circuit
chips.
 ELECTRON THEOR
• The Electron Theory states that
current flows from NEGATIVE to
POSITIVE. Electrons move from
atom to atom as they move through
the conductor towards positive.
 CONVENTIONAL
THEORY
• Conventional theory, also known as HOLE
THEORY, states that current flows from POSITIVE
to NEGATIVE. Protons or the lack of electrons (the
holes) move towards the negative. (Current flow
direction in Hole Theory is the opposite of that in
Electron Theory.)
 VOLTAGE
• Voltage is the electrical force that
moves electrons through a conductor.
Voltage is electrical pressure also known
as EMF (Electro Motive Force) that
pushes electrons.
 VOLTAGE
• The greater the difference in electrical
potential push (difference between
positive and negative), the greater the
voltage force potential.
MEASUREMENT
• A VOLTMETER
measures the
voltage potential
across or parallel to
the circuit.
• The Voltmeter
measures the
amount of electrical
pressure difference
between two points
being measured.
MEASUREMENT
• Voltage can exist
between two
points without
electron flow.
 VOLTAGE UNITS
• Voltage is measured in units called
VOLTS.
• Voltage measurements can use different
value prefixes such as millivolt, volt,
Kilovolt, and Megavolt.
VOLTAGE LESS THAN BASIC UNIT LARGER THAN
BASE UNIT BASE UNIT

Symbol mV V kV

Pronounced millivolt Volt Kilovolt

Multiplier 0.001 1 1,000

 CURRENT (AMPERES)
• CURRENT is the quantity or flow rate of
electrons moving past a point within one
second. Current flow is also known as
amperage, or amps for short.
• Higher voltage will produce higher current
flow, and lower voltage will produce lower
current flow.
 MEASUREMENT
• An AMMETER measures the quantity of
current flow. Ammeters are placed in
series (inline) to count the electrons
passing through it.
• Example: A water meter counts the
gallons of water flowing through it.
 AMPERAGE UNITS
• Current flow is measured in units
called Amperes or AMPS.
• Amperage measurements can use
different value prefixes, such as
microamp, milliamp, and Amp.
AMPERAGE LESS THAN LESS THAN BASIC
BASE UNIT BASE UNIT UNIT

Symbol µA mA A

Pronounce Microamp milliamp Amp

d

Multiplier 0.000001 0.001 1

 AFFECTS OF CURRENT
FLOW
• Two common effects of current flow are
Heat Generation and Electromagnetism.
• HEAT: When current flows, heat will be
generated. The higher the current flow the
greater the heat generated. An example
would be a light bulb. If enough current
flows across the filament, it will glow white
hot and illuminate to produce light.
AFFECTS OF CURRENT
FLOW
• ELECTROMAGNETISM: When current
flows, a small magnetic field is
created. The higher the current
flow, the stronger the magnetic
field. An example:
Electromagnetism principles are
used in alternators, ignition
systems, and other electronic
devices.
 RESISTANCE
• Resistance is the force that reduces or
stops the flow of electrons. It opposes
voltage.
• Resistance is the force that reduces or
stops the flow of electrons. It opposes
voltage.
MEASUREMENT
• An OHMMETER
measures the
resistance of an
electrical circuit or
component. No
voltage can be applied
while the ohmmeter is
connected, or damage
to the meter will
occur.
MEASUREMENT
• Example: Water
flows through a
garden hose, and
someone steps on
the hose. The
greater the
pressure placed on
the hose, the
greater the hose
restriction and the
less water flows.
 RESISTANCE UNITS
• Resistance is measured in units
called OHMS.
• Resistance measurements can use
different value prefixes, such as Kilo
ohm and Megaohms.
AMPERAGE BASIC UNIT MORE THAN MORE THAN
BASE UNIT BASE UNIT

Symbol K M

Pronounced Ohm Kilo ohm Megaohm

Multiplier 1 1,000 1,000,000

 RESISTANCE FACTORS
• Various factors can affect the
resistance. These include:
• LENGTH of the conductor. The longer
the conductor, the higher the
resistance.
• LENGTH of the conductor. The longer
the conductor, the higher the
resistance.
 RESISTANCE FACTORS
• TEMPERATURE of the material.
Depending on the material, most will
increase resistance as temperature
increases.
• PHYSICAL CONDITION (DAMAGE) to the
material. Any damage will increase
resistance.
• TYPE of MATERIAL used. Various
materials have a wide range of
resistances.
TYPES OF ELECTRICITY
Two basic types of Electricity classifications:

• STATIC ELECTRICITY is electricity that

is standing still. Voltage potential with
NO electron flow.
• DYNAMIC ELECTRICITY is electricity
that is in motion. Voltage potential
WITH electron flow. Two types of
Dynamic electricity exist:
TYPES OF ELECTRICITY
Two basic types of Electricity classifications:

• Direct Current (DC) Electron Flow is in

only one direction.
• Alternating Current (AC) Electron
flow alternates and flows in both
directions (back and forth).
 STATIC ELECTRICITY
• Voltage potential with NO electron
flow.
 STATIC ELECTRICITY
• Example: By rubbing a silk cloth on a
glass rod, you physically remove
electrons from the glass rod and place
them on the cloth. The cloth now has a
surplus of electrons (negatively charged),
and the rod now has a deficiency of
electrons (positively charged).
 STATIC ELECTRICITY
• Another example: Rub your shoes on a
rug and then touch a metal table or
chair .... Zap!! The shock you felt was
the static electricity dissipating through
your body.
DYNAMIC ELECTRICITY
• Is electricity in motion, meaning you
have electrons flowing, in other words
voltage potential WITH electron flow.
DYNAMIC ELECTRICITY

• Two types of dynamic electricity

exists:
– Direct Current (DC)
– Alternating Current (AC)
 DIRECT CURRENT (DC)
• Electricity with electrons flowing in only
one direction is called Direct Current or
DC.
• DC electrical systems are used in cars.
 ALTERNATING
CURRENT (AC)
• Electricity with electrons flowing back
and forth, negative - positive- negative,
is called Alternating Current, or AC.
• The electrical appliances in your home
use AC power.
 SOURCES OF
ELECTRICITY
• Electricity can be created by several
means: Friction, Heat, Light, Pressure,
Chemical Action, or Magnetic Action.
• Only a few of these sources of energy
are used in the automobile. The battery
produces electricity through chemical
action, and the alternator produces
electricity through magnetic action.
 SOURCES OF
ELECTRICITY
• Friction creates static electricity.
• Heat can act upon a device called a
thermo couple to create DC.
• Light applied to photoelectric materials
will produce DC electricity.
• Pressure applied to a piezoelectric
material will produce DC electricity.
• Chemical Action of certain chemicals
will create electricity.