Electrical Flashcards
What is an atom?
The smallest particle that an element can be broken into
What is electricity?
The movement of atoms from one electron to another
Why do electrons keep moving in orbet
Electrons are all Negatively charges so they repel each other, but want to stay close to the protons
An ion is a?
Atom that is not balanced, either too many or too few electrons
The Equalization process is also known as?
The flow of electricity
What is equalization?
When ions exchange electrons in order to be balanced. AKA The flow of electricity
What is the maximum amount of “shells” around a single nucleous?
Seven
What is the outermost electron shell/ring called?
The Valence ring
Free electrons are?
When a valence ring has 1-3 electrons on it
What is a material with 1-3 electrons?
A conductor
Bound electrons are?
When a valence ring has 5 or more electrons in it
What is material with more than 5 electrons?
An insulator
What is a material with exactly 4 electrons in the valence ring
Semi conductor
What must happen for current to flow?
There must be an imbalance on excess electrons at one end of a circuit and a deficiency of electrons at the opposite end
What is conventional theory?
The flow of electricity moves from the positive to the negative charged ends of the circuit
What is Electron theory
States that electron flow moves from the negative to the positive
Do we use conventional or Electron theory in automotive
Conventional
What is an amperes
-Unit of measurement for current flow.
-Does the actual work in the circuit
What is a Volt?
-Unit to measure electrical pressure (think water pressure)
-Also known as electrical potential because it is always at the power source wether it is being used or not
What are OHMS
Unit used to measure resistance
What is a Watt
-The electrical unit for power, the capacity to do work
(Amps)(Volts)=Watts
What are the 6 sources of electricity?
Friction, Light, Heat, Pressure, Chemical, magnetism
If a conductors length is doubled what happens to the resistance?
The resistance doubles
If a conductors diameter is increased what happens to the resistance?
The resistance decreases
If a conductors temperature increases what happens to the resistance?
The resistance increases
-Also known as a Positive temperature coefficient
What is a Positive temperature coefficient
-When a conductors temperature increases the resistance increases
What is a fixed resistor
It is a resistor that always has the same resistance in a circuit
What is a Variable resistor
Mechanically operated resistor
What are the two basic types of a mechanically operated resistor?
1.Potentiometer
2.Rheostat
What is a Potentiometer?
Three terminal variable resistor.
How does a Potentiometer work?
A wiper contact provides a variable voltage output
(Commonly used in a throttle position sensor, and audio control)
What is a Rheostat?
Two terminal variable resistor
How does a Rheostat work?
Two terminal unit in which all of the current flows through a movable arm.
(Commonly used for dash dimmer control)
Define a circuit
A complete path that electrons travel from the power source, through a load, and back to the power source
What does it mean that a circuit has continuity?
A circuit that is continuous throughout
What are the parts of a circuit?
1.Power source
2. Protection
3. Power path (wires)
4. The electrical load (Or resistance)
5. Return path (Ground)
6. A control (like a switch)
What are the Circuit Fault Types
- Open Circuits
- Short-to-voltage
- Short-to-Ground
- High Resistance
Define an open circuit
Any circuit that is not complete
Define Short-to-Voltage
Happens when the power side of one circuit is electronically connected to the power side of another circuit
Define Short-to-Ground
Happens when the current bypasses part of the normal circuit and flows directly to ground
Define High Resistance
Unexpected resistance in a circuit
Features of Open Circuits
- No current will flow through an open circuit
- May be created by a break in the circuit or switch
Features to Short-to-Voltage
- Involves copper to copper connection
- Usually affects more than on circuit
- May or may not blow a fuse
What is a Series Circuit
A complete circuit that has more than one electrical load with only one path for the current to pass through
What is Kirchoffs voltage (Second) law
The voltage around any closed circuit is equal to the sum of the voltage drops across the resistance
Series Circuit Laws
- Total resistance in a series circuit is the sum total of the individual resistances.
- The current is constant throughout the entire circuit
- Voltage drops across each resistance in the circuit. All the individual voltage drops add up to the total circuit voltage.
What is a parallel circuit?
Is a complete circuit that has more than one path for the current to follow.
Kirchhoffs Current Law
The current flowing into any junction of an electrical circuit is equal to the current flowing out of that junction.
The current flowing into a junction A will equal the current flowing out of junction A
Parallel Circuit Laws
- The total resistance is always less than the smallest-resistance leg.
- The Voltage is the same for each leg of a parallel circuit
3.The sum of the individual currents in each leg will equal the total current.
What is a series parallel circuit
A combination of a series and parallel segments in one complex circuit.
What is a Compound Circuit?
A Series Parallel Circuit
What is a Combination Circuit
A Series Parallel Circuit
What are the two basic types of series-parallel circuits
- A Circuit where the load is in series with other loads in parallel
- A Circuit where a parallel circuit contains resistors or loads which are in series with one or more branches
