Basic Electrical I Flashcards
Common Metric Prefixes
Mega 6
Kilo 3
milli -3
micro -6
pico -12
Mixture
A non chemical combination of two or more atoms
Ex. Water and fuel, Oil and Vinegar
Compound
A chemical combination of two or more elements
Ex. Water (H2O)
Molecules
Smallest part of a compound that retains the properties of that compound.
Element
A material that contains only one type of atom
Atom
The smallest part of a element that retains the properties of that element
Protons
Positively charged subatomic particles located in the nucleus of the atom
Neutrons
Neutrally charged subatomic particles located in the nucleus of the atom
Electrons
Negatively charged subatomic particles that orbit the atom
Balance (Neutral) Atom
An atom having an equal number of protons and electrons
Ion
An atom having an unequal number of electrons and protons
Positive Ion
An atom with a deficiency of electrons
Negative Ion
An atom with an excess of electrons
Law of Charges
Like charges repel, and unlike charges attract
Valence Shell
The outermost ring of electons that can have a maximum of eight electrons
To find the maximum number of electrons in the outer ring: (Ring#)^2 multiplied by 2
Forms of Matter
Solid
Liquid
Gas
Plasma
Free Electrons
Electrons in the outer shell (valance ring), they can move from one atom to another along a conducter
Conductors
Materials that have one to three free electrons
Silver (Best)
Copper
Gold
Aluminum
etc…
Insulators
Also called “dielectric,” materials that have few free electrons
Glass
Mica
Plastic
Rubber
etc…
Conventional Theory (Electrical Current Theories)
Electricity flows from (+) to (-)
Ben Franklin’s INCORRECT Theory
Electron Theory (Electrical Current Theories)
Electricity is the flow of electrons, and electrons are negatively charged and the flow is from (-) to (+)
Modern Theory
Static Electricity/Electrostatic Discharge (3)
Produced by friction
Very dangerous and unpredictable, and has little use.
Problems in aviation re. radio interference, fire, and shock to personnel
Static May Be Reduced By…
Reducing shocl hazard to ground personnel
1) Drag wires
2) Discharge type tires
3) Ground the aircraft when fueling or performing maintenance
Static Eliminators
Look Up
Discharge Wicks
Look Up
Bonding Wire
Look Up
Helps with grounding the plane
Peizoelectricity
Electricity produced by applying pressure to a crystal
Small amounts of power are produced
Ex. Microphone and head phones
Photo Electricity
Electricity produced when light is emitted onto certain substances
Ex. Fire detection systems
Thermoelectricity
Electricity produced by subjecting two dissimilar metals to above normal temperature
Ex. Thermocouples, Fire detectors, exhaust gas temperature (EGT) gauges, Cylinder head temperature (CHT) gauges
Chemical Electricity
Power produced when two or more of the correct chemicals come into contact and the chemical structure is altered
Ex. Batteries - emergency power and starting
Electromagnetic Induction
Electricity is produced by moving a conductor through a magnetic field
Ex. Alternators, Generators
Magnetism
Property of a material that allows it to attract steel and iron (ferrous metals)
Magnetic field goes from North to South Poles
Natural Magnet
Material that has magnetism when found in its natural state
Only Ex. Magnetite, also known as a Lodestone (used in first compasses)
Temporary Magnet
(Artificial Magnet) A material that loses its magnetism when the magnetizing force (MMF) is removed
Ex. Electromagnet at a scrap yard, usually soft iron is used
Permanent Magnet
(Artificial Magnet) A material that keeps its magnetism after MMF is removed
Steel usually used
Theory of Magnetism
Molecular Theory and Atomic Theory
Both theories state that a material is made up of small particles called domains. Each domain is a tony magnet having a north and south pole
Magnetic Flux Lines
An invisible field of force surrounding a magnet that cannot be seen, but the motion it causes can be seen (through dropping iron filings)
Magnetic Poles
Points of regions where the magnetic field can leave and reenter the magnet
Law of Poles
Like poles repel each other, and unlike poles attract each other
Flux Lines Characteristics
Form closed loops
Cannot cross each other
Leave north pole, and re-enter south pole
Cannot be stopped or insulated - they pass through all materials
Can be shielded with soft iron
Magnetomotive Force (MMF)
The force that causes he magnetic field to build, can be compared to EMF (Electromagnetic Force) in electrical circuits
MMF vs EMF
MMF produces a magnetic field
EMF produces a current flow
Magnetic Materials
Materials that easily accept or pass magnetism
Iron
Steel
Nickel
Cobalt
Alnico
Non-Magnetic Materials
Materials that do not accept or pass magnetism easily
Aluminum
Copper
Glass
Stainless Steel
Lead
Permeability
The ability of a material to accept magnetism, or how easily it can be magnetized
Reluctance
The opposition offered by a material to being magnetized
Retentivity
The ability to retain magnetism after the MMF is removed
Temporary vs Permanent Magnets
Temporary
- High permeability
- Low reluctance
- Low retentivity
Permanent
- Low permeability
- High reluctance
- High retentivity
Residual
The actual amount of magnetism remaining after the MMF is removed
Keeper
A device used to store a magnet that is usually made of soft iron
Saturation
The point where an increase in MMF will cause no further building of the flux field
Induction
Magnetism can be INDUCED into a magnetic material by stroking the material with the pole of a permanent magnet
Cause domains to align themselves
Stronger margnet can be obtained by tapping the material while stroking
Electromagnetic Induction
Wrapping the material with a wire and passing direct current rthrough the wife
Current through the wire produces a magnetic field around the wire
This produces a much stronger magnetic field in the material
Magnetic strength can be controlled by (Electromagnetic Induction):
The amount of current flowing through the wire
The number of windings (turns) of the wire around the material
Demagnetization Methods
Natural decay
Physical shock
Excessive heat
An alternating current (AC) magnetic field that is decreasing in strength
Electromagnetism
Producing (inducing) a magnetic field with an electric current
The magnetic field will form in circles (rings) around the wire and will radiate outwards
- The direction of the magnetic field is determined by the left-hand rule for straight conductors
Left Hand Rule for Straight Conductors
Hold the conductor in your left hand with the thumb pointing in the direction of the current flow, and your fingers will curve around the conductor in the direction of the magnetic field
Magnetic field Around a Coiled Conductor (Coil)
Magnetic field of each loop adds togetehr to produce the total magnetic field of the coil
- The coil will have magnetic poles produced at the same time the magnetic field is formed. One pole is south, and the other, north
- Polarity of the poles can be determined by the left-hand rule for coils
Left Hand Rule for Coils
Hold the coil in your left hand, with your fingers pointing in the direction of current flow, and your thumb will be pointing to the north pole
Field Strength
The strength of the coils magnetic field is determined by the amount of current, number of turns (windings), and core material (air, irion)
Magnetic Field Measurement Units
Ampere/Turns
Magnetic Field Strength Formula
MMF = N x I
Magnetomotive Force = Number of Turns x Current in Amps
Electromagnetic Induction
Producing a voltage and current with a conductor and a magnetic field
A current always produces a magnetic field and if the requirements are met, a magnetic field can produce a current.
Requirements for Induction
A magnetic field
A conductor
A relative motion
A conductor can move through the magnetic field, or magnetic field can move across the conductor
Induced Current Determined By:
Magnetic Field Strength
Speed of Motion
Angle of Cut
Left Hand Rule For Generators
The direction of the induced current is determined by the left hand rule:
Point your index finger in the direction of the magnetic field (north to south), point the thumb in the direction for conductor motion and the center finger will no be pointing in the direction of the induced current.
All generators produce alternating current
Rectification
The process of moving AC to DC
Rectification in DC generators is perfomred by brushes wiping against a commutator. The action produced is like that of an automatic switch. As each commutator segment passes beneath the brush, it will have the same polarity (which means direct current)
Diode
A component that will allow current flow in one direction, but will not allow current to flow in the other direction, like an electrical check valve
In the AC generator (alternator), rectification is performed by diodes
Half Wave Rectifier
Half of the AC wave is changed to DC, and the other half is wasted.
Full Wave Recification
The full (complete) wave is changed to DC
Much more efficient output
Generator
A device which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy
Motor
A device that converts electrical energy to mechanical energy
Meters and Meter Movement
The part of a meter that is connected to and moves the pointer, usually by a small motor
D’arsonval
An electromagnet in a magnetic field of a permanent magnet, called the “moving coil” movement
D’arsonval Principles of Operation
Repulsion and attraction of magnetic poles
Measures DC only, unless a rectifier (diode is used)
Can be used with a volt meter, ammeter or ohmmeter
Dynamometer
An electromagnet in the magnetic field of another electromagnet that measures AC or DC, but primarily used for AC
Multi-meter
A combination of a voltmeter, ammeter, and ohmmeter in a single instrument
Also called a V.O.M or D.V.O.M
Voltmeter
An instrument used to measure the difference in potential between two points
Voltmeter Construction
A meter movement connected in series with fixed resistor(s) or very high ohmic value.
Current cannot flow through the meter movement unless it can flow through the series resistor(s)
The series resistor(s) are connected in series with the movement in order to protect the movement from excessive current flow
Voltmeter Operation
Always abserve polarity, if hooked up with reverse polarity, the needle will move downscale
When measuring voltage of an unknown value, start on high setting and work down
Always connect meter in parallel to component being measured
Voltmeter sensitivity - Rated in ohms per volt. High sensitivity produces less loading effect on the circuit
Ammeter
An insturment used to measure electron flow
Ammeter Construction
A meter movement connected in parallel with a fixed resistor called a shunt
The shunt resistor has a very low ohmic value and protects the movement by bypassing most of the current around the movement
The shunt can be located internally or externally to the intrument. The hand held meter has an internal shunt, ammeters on aircraft have an external shunt to keep high current flow out of the cabin
Ammeter Operation
Always connect in series with the component being tested. If connected in parallel, it produces a short circuit that can damage the meter or equipment being tested
Always observe polarity
When measuring current of unknown value, start at a high setting and work down
Ohmmeter
Used to measure electrical resistance
Ohmmeter Types
Series-most common type ( the type you have)
Shunt-used to measure very low ohmic values
Megger (megohmmeter)-used for very high ohmic values and insulation resistance
Series Ohmmeter Construction
Requires a meter movement, power source, fixed resistors, and a variable resistor (rheostat).
All are connected in series with each other.
Variable resistor compensates for power supply voltage changes (Low Battery)
This process is known as Zeroing the meter
Ohmmeter Use
Power to the circuit being tested must be off
Isolate circuit or component being tested
Always connect in parallel to component being tested.
Ahmeter vs Ohmmeter (Volt Meter)
Ahmeter
- Polarity - Polarity
- High to low - High to low
- Parallel - Series
Ohmeter
- Polarity - Off (isolate)
- High to low - High to low
- Parallel - Parallel
- Zero (Analog)
Wattmeter
Used to measure electrical power
- Watts or Kilowatt hours
Galvanometer
Used to measure very small amounts of voltage or current
D’arsonval type movement
Ratiometer
Used to measure ratio between two currents
One current can be controlled by temperature or mechanical movement
Ex. Free air temperature, carburetor air temperature, oil temperature, flap position, gear position, fuel quantity
Wheatstone Bridge
Used to measure difference in potential between two points across a bridge
Ex. Free air temperature, carburetor air temperature, oil temperature, flap position, gear position, fuel quantity
Ohm’s Law Formula
Basic Laws of DC circuits
DC: Direct Current
Ohm’s Law: E (voltage (Volts)) = I (current (Amps)) R (resistance (Ohms))
Power Formula: P (Power (Watts)) = IE
Ohm’s Law
Current flow is directly proportional to voltage and inversely proportional to resistance
Current
Flow of electrons, or the progressive moement of free electrons from atom to atom along a conductor
Symbol: ( I )
Current, other names
Intensity
Amps
Flow