Basic Electricity

The fundamental knowledge of electricity. It will equip students with the basic knowledge in
electricity.

Basic Electrical Term

 Electricity – is defined as the flow of electron or electric current. It is an invisible form of

energy that can be transformed into other form of energy.
 Electron – It is negatively charged component of an atom. It has the ability to flow.
 Proton - – It is positively charged component of an atom. It had the ability to attract
electron.
 Matter – is anything that occupies space and has mass. It can be solid, liquid or gas in
state.
 Atom – it the basic component of matter. It composed of nucleus which is the central
part, the protons and electrons.
 Current – same as electricity or flow of electron. (A)
 Voltage – the amount of pulling force that makes the electron flow. (V)
 Resistance – defined as the opposition to the flow current. (Ω)

Conductors & Insulators

Conductors – are materials that easily allow the flow of the current, or have a low
resistance to current flow.

Insulators – are materials that do not easily allow the flow of the current, or
have a high resistance to current flow.

Types of Current

Direct Current ( DC ) – It is the flow of electric charge is only in one direction.

Alternating Current ( AC ) – In the movement of electric charge periodically reverses
direction.

Electric Circuit – is the pathway for electricity to flow.

Components of a Circuit

Load – Commonly represented by a bulb or any electrical component that consumes

electricity.
Supply/Source – commonly represented by a cell or a battery.
Switch – an electrical device that open or closes a circuit.

Types of Circuit

Open Circuit – a type of circuit that has an open path for current to flow.
Closed Circuit – a type of circuit that has a closed path for current to flow.

Electrical Circuit Connection

Series Circuit – connection has only one path of current flow.
Parallel Circuit – connection has two or more path of current flow.
 ESD and Safety Practices
Static Electricity and ESD

It is estimated that every year as much as billion dollars of otherwise good computer
equipment is damaged by static electricity, also known as ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE (ESD).

Components sensitive to ESD include mainboards, memory chips, PCI, and AGP plug-in
cards, and the bottoms of hard drives. ESD is worst when it’s dry. It is because the air becomes
less conductive to electricity.

STATIC ELECTRICITY – is defined as electricity a rest. It is produced by friction.

LIGHTING – is caused by friction of the hot air and the cold air in the atmosphere.

How can Surge be eliminated or minimized?

It can be eliminated and minimize through the use of AVR or UPS.

AVR – Automatic Voltage Regulator UPS – Uninterrupted Power Supply

An AVR is used to protect PC’s from voltage surge and regulate the voltage supply.

An UPS is a voltage regulator and work as a mini power station.

Handling a Hard disk drive

1. Avoid exposing the drive to extreme temperature.

2. Do not Bump, shake, otherwise jar a HDD.
3. Do not touch or make contact to the circuit board assembly by your hand.
4. Do not stack the HDD.
5. Do not stand HDD.
6. Do not place anything on top of HDD.

Handling memory module

1. The only way to hold a memory module is by the edge only.

2. Never hold two modules together.
3. Never touch the GOLD connector.
4. Never press on the GOLD connector to pick up the module.
5. Never press on a side of a module and pull it up.
6. Never hold module using a three points of pressure.
7. Never bend or twist a module.
8. Never drop a module.

Handling processor

1. Do not Drop CPU.

2. Do not touch with your hand any of the gold contact.
3. Do not place it on a metal surface that can touch with the gold surface contact.
4. For PGA, do not apply force to avoid misalignment of the pin contact.

Handling MOBO

1. Do not bend the board.

2. Do not Drop.
3. Do not put it on stack pile one over the other.
4. Do not touch any contact beneath the PCB.

eHand Tools and Test Equipments

Hand Tools – it is a device used in working by hands.

Types of Hand Tools

Screw Drivers ( + and - )

Long Nose and cutter pliers
Diagonal Pliers
Soldering Iron
Soldering Lead
De-soldering Pump
Paint Brush
Cable Tester
Crimping tool

Soldering – is a process in which two or more metal are joined together by melting and filling
in a metal into the joint.
Soldering Lead – It is an alloy (mixture) of tin and lead, typically 60% tin and 40% lead.
Soldering Iron – It is composed of a heated metal tip and an insulated handle.
Pliers - a hand tool to hold objects.
De-soldering pump – is a device which is used to remove solder form.
Multi-meter – is an electronic measuring instrument that combines several measurements
function in one unit.
Screw driver – it is a device specifically designed for the insertion and tightening of screws.
Crimping tool – is a tool designed to crimp or connect an RJ45.
RJ45 cable tester – is a tested designed to quickly test ordinary LAN cable.
Paint Brush – a device with bristles, wire or other filaments, used for cleaning.