BASIC ELECTRICITY

Competencies:
1. Identify the parts of a complete electrical circuit.
2. Explain the sources and kinds of electricity.
3. Apply the Ohm’s Law in household electrical connection.
4. Select electrical components in installing electrical house wiring.
5. Apply the correct procedure in electrical house wiring.

I. CONCEPT OF ELECTRICITY
 Electricity
 Greek word “electron” and also in the New Latin word of electricus, meaning “amber”.
 is a form of energy generated by fiction, induction or chemical change, having magnetic, chemical and
radiant effect.
 Electrons in motion – the flow of electrons/movement of electrons in a conductor.
 Father of Electricity
 William Gilbert – English Physicist after publishing his studies on the “Electric Attraction” and “The Electric
Force”.
 Electricity is a property of the basic particles of matter which like an atom, consist of:
o Electron
o Proton
o Neutron
Electron – is the negatively charged particle of an atom “negative charge of electricity”.
Proton – is the positively charged particle of an atom “positive charge of electricity”.
Neutron – is the particle of an Atom which is not electrically charged “uncharged particles”.
Ion – loss or gain of one or more electrons.

Kinds of Electricity

1. Static Electricity – electricity is a rest or not in motion and the buildup of electric charge is concentrated on
the surface of objects; electricity is produced by friction.
2. Dynamic Electricity – flow of electric charge, also known as electric current. It is also known as electricity in
motion.

Sources of Electricity

1. Biomass – all solid material from plants and animals which energy may be extracted.
2. Geothermal Energy – heat energy of the earth.
3. Hydropower – force of moving water from rivers and water reservoirs.
4. Ocean Power – energy from currents and waves.
5. Solar Energy – heat energy provided by the sun.
6. Wind Power – energy from the force of the wind.
7. Coal Energy – energy derived from burning coals, a rock mostly made of carbon element.
8. Nuclear Energy – energy trapped inside the atom, the same with the principle of producing energy by heat.
9. Natural Gas – energy from methane, a combination of hydrogen and carbon, formed when organic matters
are trapped beneath the sedimentary layers of the earth.

II. ELECTRIC CURRENT AND ITS TYPE

 Electric Current
- The flow or rate of flow of electric force in a conductor.
  Alternating Current
 The flow of electrons changers alternatively.
 It goes positive, and then it goes negative, and so on as a cycle.
 It reverses direction 120 times per second, or 60 cycles per second- called 60 hertz power.

 Direct Current
 The flow of electron in a conductor is only one direction.
 It flows from negative pole, through a device, and on a positive pole.
 Sources include: Dry cell or Storage Battery.

III. TYPES OF ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT

 Series Circuit
 A single path exists for current flow, that is the elements are arranged in a series one after the
other with no branches.
 Current is the same throughout the circuit (ltotal = l1=l2=l3)
 Voltage is equal to the sum of individual voltage drops in a circuit
(Vtotal = V1+V2 +V3)
 Resistance is equal to the sum of individual resistances (Rtotal=R1+R2+R3)
Example: String of Christmas lights.
 Parallel Circuit
 Referred as multiple connections where the loads are replaces across the same voltage
constituting a separate circuit.
 Loads are connected side by side across the path of current. Current in each branch is
independent from each other, when branch or load opens, the other load will still function.
 Current is equal to the sum of individual currents (ltotal = l1+l2+l3)
Voltage drop across each load is the same (Vtotal = V1=V2=V3)
1
 Resistance is found by product over sum technique (Rtotal= 1 1 1 )
+ +
R1 R2 R3
R1 xR 2
 (Rtotal= )
R 1+ R 2
Example: Parallel circuit is the standard arrangement for House wiring.
 Series-Parallel Circuit
 Combination of series and parallel connection in one circuit.
 Use the product over sum technique then get the sum of the result of the parallel to the
remaining load in series.

IV. ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN AN ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

 Circuit – is the complete flow of current through a conductor or path from the source to the load and
back to the source. It is the continuous flow of current.
 Source – it provides electrical power to the circuit. Examples include cell or battery, generators, and etc.
 Load – electrical device (appliances) connected to the circuit that consumes electricity or power.
 Control/Switch – a device that turns the current ON and OFF.
 Path – a conductor composed of 2 or more lines that provide passage for the current from the source to
the load.

V. ELECTRIC SYMBOLS
 Quantity Unit Symbol Proponent Formula

Electron Current Ampere I or A Andre Ampere I=E/R

Applied Voltage Volt V or E Alessandro Volta V=IxR

Circuit
Ohm R George Ohm R=E/I
Resistance

Power Watt P James Watt P=IxE

VI. OHM’S LAW

 George Simoun Ohm discovered the relationships of voltage, current, and resistance in a circuit.
 Current is directly proportional to voltage. Increase in voltage will result to increase in current.
 Current is inversely proportional to resistance. Increase in resistance will result to decrease in current.
 Note: “The higher the voltage, the larger the current, and the higher the resistance the lower the
current.”

VII. HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICITY

 Breaker – an automatically operated electrical switch designed to protect electrical circuit caused by
overload or short circuit.
 Fuse operates once and must be replaced when busted. Breaker can be reset to resume
normal operation.
 60 amp is used for main breaker.
 30 amp is used for heavy duty appliance outlets (SPO) such as refrigerator and air
conditioner.
 20 amp is used for convenience outlets (general purpose).
 15 amp is used for lighting fixtures.

 Circuit Conditions
 Overload – when the total current flowing in the circuit is more than the capacity of the
conductor.
 Short Circuit – when insulated conductors from line 1 and line 2 of a circuit come into contact
with each other without passing any load, or when the resistance of the load becomes
unnecessary low.
 This is dangerous because it creates a very high flow of current which produces
unusual heat and may cause fire.
 Grounded Circuit – when one uninsulated conductor touches the metal part of an appliances, it
causes voltage drain, and electrocution when touched by an uninsulated individual.
 Open Circuit – when the flow of the current is incomplete. When circuit is switched off.
 Closed Circuit – when the flow of current is complete. When circuit is switched on.

 Sizes of Wires
 Sizes of wires (as the number increases, the actual size decreases).
 Measured in terms of AWG (American Wire Gauge)
 14 AWG (2.00m2) is used for lighting fixtures.
 12 AWG (3.50m2) is used for convenience outlets.
  10 or 8 AWG (5.50 to 8.50m2) is used for service entrance.

VIII. COMMON ELECTRICAL TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

 HAND-PRESSURED TOOLS

 Pliers – Pliers are generally known as a tool with two hinged arms sending in jaws that are
closed by hand pressure. They are used for bending, cutting, splicing, holding and joining
wires together.
LONG NOSE PLIERS – used for holding and forming wire loops on screw in deep and
narrow places.
DIAGONAL PLIERS – are used for cutting and removing the insulation of solid or
stranded conductors.
WIRE STRIPPER MULTIPURPOSE PLIERS – used for removing insulation and cutting
wires from smaller sized to bigger sized conductors.
SLIDE CUTTING PLIERS – are used for holding, cutting, and bending larger sizes of
wires.
HIGH LEVERAGE END CUTTING PLIERS – are used for cutting larger sizes of wires and
cables.

 Screwdrivers – Screwdrivers are tools designed for tightening all kinds of screws, including
some bolts and nuts. They have different sizes with various tips and shapes.
PHILLIPS SCREWDRIVER – is used for turning a cross-slotted screw head.
HAMMERS – hammers are commonly used to drive, pull, and fit nails of every kind.
 Claw Hammer – using claw hammer strike the nail by hitting the head squarely
and use the claw to pull out the nails.
 Ball Peen Hammer – designed with a hemispherical shaped end on the head
used for bending and shaping metals.

 Conduit Benders – this is a hand-pressured tool needed in conducting building and residential
wiring jobs. Conduit benders are mostly used for rigid steel metallic pipes.

 CUTTING TOOLS

 Cross Cut Saw – this is a saw designed for cutting across the grain wood. The teeth of a
crosscut saw have knifelike points to accomplish such task. When crosscutting, the forward
stroke should be done at 45-degree angles to produce the cleanest and finest cuts.
 Hack Saw – this is a fined-tooth saw with a blade under tension in a metal frame for cutting
rigid steel conduits. Always carry the tools holding the rubber or plastic handle and not by the
teeth of the saw. Never force the tool to cut faster. Observe these safety rules to prevent any
accidents in the work area.

 POWER TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

 Portable Electric Drill – this power tool is used for drilling holes and driving screws, bolts, and
nuts on wooden or metal surfaces.
 Drill press and Boring Machine – these are used to make accurate holes in wood or metal
surfaces. The drill press usually removes the inaccuracies and inefficiency of hand-held drilling
tools.
  MEASURING TOOLS

 Steel Rule – this particular measuring tool is usually made up of a thin strip of steel wound
round in a case. The end has a clasp or hook to mark the beginning of the object or distance
to be measured. The measurements of steel rules are usually in centimeters and millimeters.
 Wire Gauge – this is used to measure the accurate size of solid or stranded wires. It is usually
a thin metal disk.

 TESTING EQUIPMENT
 Precision VOM (Volts Ohm Milli Ampere) Tester – this is used to measure a variety of
electrical quantities (voltage, current, and resistance). It also has the ability to test for an open
circuit, a short circuit, a ground circuit, and all kinds of electrical troubles.
 Clamp Meter – this is used to determine the required current rating of particular electric motor
by clamping the equipment to a conductor-carrying current.

IX. CONDUCTORS & INSULATORS

 Conductors – are materials that allow the flow of current.

 Insulators – are materials that do not allow the flow of current.

Good Conductors Good Insulators

1. Silver Rubber

2. Copper Porcelain

3. Aluminum Varnish

4. Nickel Slate

5. Brass Glass

6. Zinc Mica

7. Platinum Latex

8. Iron Asbestos

9. Lead Paper

10. Tin Oil

Wax

Thermoplastic

 Test Instruments
 Ohm Meter – test for resistance.
 Ammeter – test for current.
 Voltmeter – test for voltage.
 Multimeter/VOM – can test for resistance, ampere, and voltage.