Network Theorems - Introductory Concepts

Electric Circuits- Definition

A circuit is an interconnection of electrical components that provide a path where a current can flow If the flow is to be continuous, there can be no gaps in the path Introduce gaps in the form of switches, so we can control completing a circuit

Electric Circuit- An illustration

2 A 6V
24V
+ -

1 3 2

18V

2A

Basic Electrical Quantities

Basic quantities: charge,current, voltage and power
1. Current: time rate of change of electric charge I = dq/dt Unit: 1 Amp = 1 Coulomb/sec 2. Voltage: electromotive force or potential, V Unit: 1 Volt = 1 Joule/Coulomb = 1 Nm/Coulomb 3. Power: P = VI Unit:1 Watt = 1 VoltAmp = 1 Joule/sec

Current, I
Normally we talk about the movement of positive charges although we know that, in general, in metallic conductors current results from electron motion (conventionally positive flow) The sign of the current indicates the direction of flow Types of current: I(t)
direct current (dc): batteries and some special generators alternating current (ac): household current which varies with time

Notes on Current

Current in circuits is physically realized by movement of electrons Direction of current must be specified by an arrow By convention, current direction is defined as flow of positive charge Conventional current direction refers to the movement of positive charges through the circuit Note that positive charge is not flowing physically Electrons have negative charge and they move in the opposite direction of conventional current

CONVENTION FOR CURRENTS

It is absolutely necessary to indicate the direction of movement of charged particles. The universally accepted convention in electrical engineering is that current is flow of positive charges. And we indicate the direction of flow for positive charges. That implies current flows out from the positive terminal of the battery and flows into the negative terminal. -THE REFERENCE DIRECTIONA positive value for the current indicates flow in the direction of the arrow (the reference direction)

A negative value for the current indicates flow in the opposite direction than the reference direction

The Double Index Notation If the initial and terminal nodes are labeled one can indicate them as sub indices for the current name
a
5A

I ab 5 A

a 3A b a 3A b
I ab 3 A I ab 3 A

a 3A b a 3A b
I ba 3 A
Positive charges flow left-right

I ba 3 A
Positive charges flow right-left

I ab I ba

Voltage, V
Voltage is the difference in energy level of a unit charge located at each of two points in a circuit, and therefore, represents the energy required to move the unit charge from one point to the other
Circuit Element(s)

V(t)
EEE 202

Lect1

Notes on Voltage
Voltage is the energy absorbed or expended as a unit charge moves through a circuit element Analogous to pressure in hydraulic system Also called potential difference Can be created by a separation of charge Is a measure of the potential between two points Voltage pushes charge in one direction We use polarity (+ and on batteries) to indicate which direction the charge is being pushed Voltage is the energy required to move a unit charge through an element, measured in volts (V)

v= dw/dq

where

v = voltage in volts w = energy in Joules q = charge in coulombs

Conventions For Voltages

Definition : two points have a voltage differential of one volt if one coulomb of charge gains (or loses) one joule of energy when it moves from one point to the other

b
If the charge gains energy moving from a to b then b has higher voltage than a. if it loses energy then b has lower voltage than a.

1C

Dimensionally volt is a derived unit

VOLT

JOULE N m COULOMB A s

Voltage is always measured in a relative form as the voltage difference between two points

It is essential that our notation allows us to determine which point has the higher voltage

The + and - signs define the reference polarity

If the number V is positive point a has V volts more than point b. If the number V is negative point a has |V| less than point b.

Point a has 2V more than point b

Point a has 5V less than point b

TWO-INDEX NOTATION FOR VOLTAGES Instead of showing the reference polarity we agree that the first subindex denotes the point with positive reference polarity

VAB 2V

VAB VBA

VAB 5V

VBA 5V

Which point has the higher voltage?

5V

VAB 5V

Energy
Voltage is a measure of energy per unit charge. Charges moving between points with different voltage absorb or release energy

What energy is required to move 120C from point b to point a in the circuit? The charges move to a point with higher voltage -they gained (or absorbed) energy The circuit supplies energy to the charges

VAB 2V

W W VQ 240 J Q

CONVENTIONS FOR POWER / ENERGY

WHEN THE SIGN OF POWER OR ENERGY IS POSITIVE THEN POWER/ENERGY IS BEING ABSORBED BY THE CIRCUIT ELEMENT. WHEN THE SIGN OF POWER/ENERGY IS NEGATIVE THEN POWER/ ENERGY IS BEING SUPPLIED TO THE CIRCUIT BY THE CIRCUIT ELEMENT.

Determine whether the elements are supplying or receiving power and how much

a
I ab 4 A
2A

a
Vab 2V

Vab 2V
P 8W b
SUPPLIES POWER

I ab 2 A
P 4W b
RECEIVES POWER

When in doubt label the terminals of the component 1

V12 12V , I12 4 A P 48W

V12 4V , I12 2 A P 8W

 20[W ] VAB (5 A) VAB 4[V ]

SELECT VOLTAGE REFERENCE POLARITY BASED ON CURRENT REFERENCE DIRECTION

40[W ] (5V ) I I 8[ A]

WHICH TERMINAL HAS HIGHER VOLTAGE AND WHICH IS THE CURRENT FLOW DIRECTION

2A

40[W ] V1 (2 A) V1 20[V ]
SELECT HERE THE CURRENT REFERENCE DIRECTION BASED ON VOLTAGE REFERENCE POLARITY

50[W ] (10[V ]) I I 5[ A]