Electronics; Welders And Filters Flashcards
What does resistance come from on a molecular level?
Electrical energy required to free electrons from the valence shell when creating current flow.
What form of energy does resistance manifest as?
Electromagnetic radiation as heat or light
What are resistors used for, in an electronic circuit?
Control current flow
Divide voltage
What are the two groups of resistors?
Fixed
Vairable
Other names for variable resistors?
Poteniometers, trimmers, rheostats
What is the middle lead on a potentiometer called and used for?
Wiper; lead that allows variable resistance (as opposed to total resistor resistance)
What are the important characteristics to know before testing or replacing resistors?
Power (watts)
Resistance
Tolerance
Max voltage
What does the power rating of a resistor indicate?
Max power resistor can safely dissipate
What is the usual power rating of carbon resistors made of carbon compounds?
Less than 2W
How is the power rating of carbon resistors indicated?
By physical size. Smaller resistor = smaller power rating
What type of resistor has power ratings higher than 2watts?
Wire-wound resistors.
When would ‘R’ be used to indicate a decimal place for resistance value of a resistor?
For resistance values less than 1000 ohms
When would ‘K’ be used to indicate a decimal place for a resistance value of a resistor?
For resistance values between 1000 and 1,000,000 ohms
What does a tolerance rating of a resistor indicate?
Degree of accuracy the manufacturer guarantees
How many significant digits are indicated by coloured bands on a precision resistor?
3
If a resistor is connected to a DC source, what would happen to the flowing circuit properties at the instant the switch closes?
1) Voltage across resistor
2) current
3) phase relationship between voltage and current
1) Voltage across resistor raises from 0 to = source
2) current increases to a value determined by ohms law (V÷ohms)
3) current in in-phase with voltage
If a resistor is connected to an ac supply, what is the phase relationship between voltage and current?
In phase with eachother
When do resistors fail?
When their POWER ratings are exceeded
Why do we have to disconnect one side of an installed resistor to test its resistance? (For troubleshooting purposes)
To isolate the resistor’s resistance from parallel resistance in the circuit
True or false: A replacement resistor in an electronic circuit can have a greater power rating than the original.
True. But cannot be lower power rating
What is the general purpose of a capacitor in any electronic circuit?
Store and release electrical charge by way of opposing a change in voltage.
What component of a capacitor allows the two plates to be brought close together without shorting out?
Dielectric layer
What three construction characteristics affect the capacitance of a capacitor?
1) Surface area of plates
2) Distance between plates
3) Dielectric constant of dielectric layer
How would you change each construction component to increase capacitance of a capacitor?
- surface area of plates
- distance between plates
- dielectric constant
- increase surface area
- decrease distance
- increase dielectric constant
How would you connect capacitors together to decrease total capacitance?
Series.
How do you add capacitors in series?
1/C(1) + 1/C(2) + 1/C(3) = C(t)
How are capacitors generally categorized?
By the type of dielectric used in their construction.
Which type of capacitors are polarity sensitive?
Electrolytic
Tantalum
What are the most common types of dielectric materials used in capacitors?
Paper Plastic film Mica Ceramic Electrolytic Tantalum
Which type of capacitor has a capacitance range from 0.001 microfarad to 2 microfarads?
Paper capacitors
What is the voltage range of paper capacitors?
50V to 1500V
Which type of capacitor is mostly used in electronics?
Paper capacitors.
Which capacitor is widely used in electronics where rugged, reliable capacitors are required? Why?
Plastic film. Insensitive to humidity
True or false: paper is a better insulator than plastic
False
What are the capacitance and voltage rating ranges for plastic film capacitors?
5pico farads to 2 micro farads
50V to 600V
Between plastic film and paper capacitors, which would you expect to be physically smaller? Why?
Plastic film. Plastic is better insulator so dielectric can be thinner, therefore more capacity in smaller package.
Which type of capacitor is temperature stable? Why?
Mica. Because mica can withstand high temperatures.
What are typical ratings of mica capacitors?
3pico farads to 0.47 micro farads
100V to 35 000V
What other material is layered with the mica in a mica capacitor?
Metal foil
True or False: Capacity of a mica capacitor can be held to a lower tolerance than rolled capacitors
True
Which type of capacitor uses clay as the dielectric medium?
Ceramic
What are typical ratings of ceramic capacitors?
1pico farad to 1000 pico farads
50V to 2kV
Which type of capacitor offers a capacitance 10 to 20 times that of a paper capacitor of equivalent size?
Electrolytic capacitor
What is the main advantage of electrolytic capacitors?
High capacitance and small volume
True or false: polarized electrolytic capacitors can never be connected to an ac supply
FALSE. Can be connected if marked with Vac rating at 60Hz. But usually polarized capacitors not suited for ac - would explode on ac supply
What are typical ratings of tantalum capacitors?
0.004micro farads to 470micro farads
6V to 100Vdc
What do the ratings of capacitors include?
Capacitance, voltage, tolerance
What does it mean if capacitance rating on a capacitor case is given as a decimal?
It is understood to be in micro farads.
.22 = .22 micro farads
What does each digit represent in a three-digit coding system?
1 & 2 = significant digits
3 = multiplier
In pico farads
How many farads would a capacitor have if it had “184” on the case?
0.18 micro farads
What are the letters and associated tolerance ratings for capacitors?
J = 5% K = 10% M= 20%
What is “WVDC” indicate on a capacitor data sheet?
Working volts DC; maximum (peak) safe voltage without danger of breaking down dielectric
What does higher voltage rating of a capacitor mean for physical characteristics?
Larger size. (Requires thicker dielectric)
How does voltage and current change over time in a capacitive DC circuit?
Voltage starting near-zero reaches a Max of 99% of the applied voltage in 5 time constants
Current starting at a max (capacitor acts as a short circuit at moment of connection) decreases to near 0
In a capacitive dc circuit, current flows until ______________.
Capacitor is charged