Fundamental Concept Electrical
Fundamental Concept Electrical
Fundamental Concept Electrical
Current
Current
• i = dq/dt – the derivitive or slope of the charge
when plotted against time in seconds
• Q = ∫ i ∙ dt – the integral or area under the
current when plotted against time in seconds
Current
amps
4
3
Q delivered in 0-5 sec= 12.5 Coulombs
2
1
5 sec
AC and DC Current
•DC Current has a constant value
-
Passive Devices
• A passive transducer device functions only
when energized by a source in a circuit
Passive devices can be modeled by a resistance
• Passive devices always draw current so that
the highest voltage is present on the terminal
where the current enters the passive device
+ V>0 - Notice that the voltage is
measured across the device
Current is measured
I>0
through the device
Active Devices
• Sources expend energy and are considered
active devices
• Their current normally flows out of their
highest voltage terminal
• Sometimes, when there are multiple sources
in a circuit, one overpowers another, forcing
the other to behave in a passive manner
Power
• The rate at which energy is transferred from
an active source or used by a passive device
• P in watts = dW/dt = joules/second
• P= V∙I = dW/dQ ∙ dQ/dt = volts ∙ amps = watts
• W = ∫ P ∙ dt – so the energy (work in joules) is
equal to the area under the power in watts
plotted against time in seconds
Conservation of Power
• Power is conserved in a circuit - ∑ P = 0
• We associate a positive number for power as
power absorbed or used by a passive device
• A negative power is associated with an active
device delivering power