Ohms Law, Power,

and Energy

Introductory Circuit Analysis, 12/e Copyright 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

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OHMS LAW
The first equation to be described is
without question one of the most important
to be learned in this field.
It is applicable to dc circuits, ac circuits,
digital and microwave circuits, and, in fact,
any type of applied signal.
In addition, it can be applied over a period
of time or for instantaneous responses.
The equation can be derived directly from
the following basic equation for all physical
systems:

Introductory Circuit Analysis, 12/e Copyright 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

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OHMS LAW

Introductory Circuit Analysis, 12/e Copyright 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

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OHMS LAW

FIG. 4.2 Basic circuit.

Introductory Circuit Analysis, 12/e Copyright 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

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OHMS LAW

FIG. 4.3 Defining polarities.

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OHMS LAW

FIG. 4.4 Example

4.3.
FIG. 4.5 Example
4.4.

Introductory Circuit Analysis, 12/e Copyright 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

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POWER

In general, the term power is applied

to provide an indication of how much
work (energy conversion) can be
accomplished in a specified amount
of time; that is, power is a rate of
doing work.

Introductory Circuit Analysis, 12/e Copyright 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

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POWER

Since energy is measured in joules (J) and

time in seconds (s), power is measured in
joules/second (J/s).
The electrical unit of measurement for
power is the watt (W), defined by:

Introductory Circuit Analysis, 12/e Copyright 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

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POWER

In equation form, power is determined by:

Introductory Circuit Analysis, 12/e Copyright 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

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POWER

FIG. 4.12 Defining the power to a

resistive element.

FIG. 4.13 Example

4.6.

Introductory Circuit Analysis, 12/e Copyright 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

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POWER

The power associated with any

supply is not simply a function of the
supply voltage. It is determined by the
product of the supply voltage and its
maximum current rating.

Introductory Circuit Analysis, 12/e Copyright 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

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ENERGY

For power, which is the rate of doing work,

to produce an energy conversion of any
form, it must be used over a period of time.
The energy (W) lost or gained by any
system is therefore determined by:

Introductory Circuit Analysis, 12/e Copyright 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

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ENERGY

Introductory Circuit Analysis, 12/e Copyright 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

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ENERGY

Note that the energy in kilowatthours is

simply the energy in watthours divided by
1000.
To develop some sense for the
kilowatthour energy level, consider that 1
kWh is the energy dissipated by a 100 W
bulb in 10 h.
The kilowatthour meter is an instrument
for measuring the energy supplied to the
residential or commercial user of electricity.

Introductory Circuit Analysis, 12/e Copyright 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

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ENERGY

FIG. 4.16 Kilowatthour meters: (a) analog; (b) digital. (Courtesy of ABB Electric
Metering Systems.)

Introductory Circuit Analysis, 12/e Copyright 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

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ENERGY

FIG. 4.17 Cost per kWh and average kWh per customer
versus time. (Based on data from Edison Electric Institute.)

Introductory Circuit Analysis, 12/e Copyright 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

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ENERGY

TABLE 4.1 Typical wattage ratings of some common

household items.

Introductory Circuit Analysis, 12/e Copyright 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

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EFFICIENCY

A flowchart for the energy levels

associated with any system that converts
energy from one form to another is
provided in Fig. 4.18.
Note that the output energy level must
always be less than the applied energy due
to losses and storage within the system.
The best one can hope for is that Wout and
Win are relatively close in magnitude.

Introductory Circuit Analysis, 12/e Copyright 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

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EFFICIENCY

Conservation of energy requires that

Energy input = energy output + energy lost
or stored by the system

FIG. 4.18 Energy flow through a system.

Introductory Circuit Analysis, 12/e Copyright 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

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EFFICIENCY

FIG. 4.19 Basic components of a generating system.

Introductory Circuit Analysis, 12/e Copyright 2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.

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