BASIC ELECTRICAL THEORY

Potential (V, Volts): Potential is the force (called Electromotive Force or EMF) that drives the
electrons and is measured in terms of voltage. This is abbreviated to Volt or even further to V.

Capacitance (symbol is C, unit is Farads): Any two conductors separated by an insulating

material form a capacitor or condenser. Capacitance of a device is its capacity to hold electrons
or a charge. The units of measurement are farads.

Capacitance depends on the construction.

The closer the plates are together the larger the capacitance.
The larger the area of the plates the larger the capacitance.

Magnetic Flux: Unit of Measurement is Weber.

Right hand rule: Mentally, place your right hand around the conductor with the thumb
pointing in the direction of current flow and the fingers will curl in the direction of magnetic flux.

Inductance (symbol is L, unit is Henry): It is the opposition to the current flow through an
inductor. This is a circuit property just as resistance is for a resistor.

Reactance (X, Ohms): The opposition to alternating current (AC) flow in capacitors and
inductors is known as reactance. The symbol for capacitive reactance is XC and for inductive
reactance XL.

If f is frequency of alternating current;

XL= 2 f L

XC=1/ (2 f C)
Impedance (Z, Ohms):

Z = R + XL + XC

There are three components of electrical power: active, reactive and apparent power.

Active Power (P, Watts):

Active power or real power is the power which is consumed in useful work. For example, when
current flows through a resistance, heat is given off.

Reactive Power (Q, VAR):

Reactive power is the power consumed by current flowing through reactive elements, whether
inductance or capacitance. It has the unit volt-amp-reactive (VAR).

Although it does not produce any real work, it is the necessary force acting in generators,
motors and transformers.

For example, charging / discharging of a capacitor or coil. Although this creates a transfer of
energy, it does not consume or use power as a resistor would.

Apparent Power (U, Volt Amps):

Apparent power is the total or combined power consumed by current flowing through any
combination of passive and reactive elements. It has the unit volt-amps (VA).
Power Factor (PF): PF = (Active power/ Apparent power).

Power Factor is the comparison of active power to apparent power.

For a pure resistor, there is no reactive power consumed. Thus apparent power used is
totally real. The power factor would be 1 or often referred to as unity power factor.
For a pure inductor or capacitor, the apparent power consumed is entirely reactive (real
power is nil). The power factor would then be 0.
For power consumed by impedance consisting of resistance, inductance and
capacitance the power factor will of course vary between these two limits.

The most efficient use or consumption of power is obtained as we approach unity power factor.

Ohms Law: V=IR.

The amount of potential required to force 1 Amp through 1 Ohm of resistance is 1 Volt.

Inductors:

The inductor is similar to a coiled spring and in the steady, has no resisting capability. If a
steady force is exerted on it, it can pass huge amounts of energy limited only by the supply
capability or heaviness of the inductor. An inductor in a dc system has to be used with caution
as it allows unrestricted flow of energy and will drain the energy source or damage the inductor
itself. However, when voltage is first applied the inductor impedes current flow in the circuit.

Transient Effects:

The transient effects of capacitors and inductors are the result of stored energy in the electrical
circuit. Energy is stored in two forms, as stored electrical energy charge in a capacitor and in the
magnetic field in an inductor.
The amount of energy stored in an inductor depends on the current in the circuit; the amount of
energy in a capacitor depends on the voltage across it. If the circuit conditions change so will
the amount of energy stored in the component and a transient will occur.

One way of looking at the transient effects of these components is that inductors resist changes
in current flow in a circuit and capacitors resist changes in voltage.

PHASORS:

In AC theory not only are we concerned with the magnitude of the voltage and current sine
curves but also, the phase (the angle between the peaks) of them. There are numerous
mathematical methods of representing these sine curves; one of the most common in electrical
work is the phasor diagram.

A phasor looks a lot like a vector however it is not. A vector represents a magnitude and
direction; a phasor represents a magnitude and an angle.

Inductors: Inductors delay the current flow but do not take any energy from the current. This is
similar to pushing on one end of a coiled spring. There is a delayed movement at the other end
of the spring but the spring still puts out the same energy as was applied to it.

An inductive ac circuit follows Ohms Law similar to a resistance.

V= I XL.

Where XL is the inductive reactance of an inductor as described previously,

Capacitors:

Capacitor uses energy, but does not consume. Capacitive AC circuit follows Ohms Law similar
to a resistance.

V= I XC

Where XC is the capacitive reactance of a capacitor as described previously

The current into a capacitor leads the voltage. This is exactly opposite to an inductor and they
are called complementary devices.

In AC electrical systems the current lag for ideal inductors or current lead for ideal capacitors is
a constant cycle.

Heat vs. Current in a Resistor

In resistor, electrical energy is converted in to heat energy as observed by the rise

in temperature of the resistor. Remember that power is the rate at

which energy is consumed. The energy dissipated in the resistor then

is equivalent to the power it consumes multiplied by the length of time

current is flowing.

In this case, electrical power (in units of Watts) consumed by a resistor

is equivalent to the product of applied Voltage and the Current flowing

through it. This is called active or real power.

Note: Heat is only produced by a resistive load (electrical friction) and

not in an inductive or capacitive load.

The value of the real power (P) consumed by the resistor is:
Power = Voltage x Current (P = V x I)

GENERATORS