UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS MARINE CORPS COMMUNICATION-ELECTRONICS SCHOOL TRAINING COMMAND BOX 788251 TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIFORNIA

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STUDENT HANDOUT
DC POWER SOURCES BE.01.05 BASIC ELECTRONICS COURSE M092721 REVISED 08/14/2008

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TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 1. Given a faulty electronic device, Test Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment and tools, diagnose basic electronic circuits, per the references. (2800-ACT-1305)

ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 1. Without the aid of references, given a schematic of multiple DC power sources, select the statement that identifies the configuration of the sources, per the references. (2800ACT-1305a) Without the aid of references, given a schematic diagram of DC power sources in a specified configuration, select the statement that identifies total applied voltage in the circuit, per the references. (2800-ACT-1305e) STUDENT INFORMATION: In this lesson we are going to talk about DC power sources. We will learn about different types of basic DC power sources to include the battery. We will also learn how to determine total voltage and current in series and parallel circuit configurations. STUDENT HANDOUT PRESENTATION: I. BASIC DC POWER SOURCES: One of the most common sources of DC power is the voltaic cell. It consists of a positive and a negative plate, called electrodes, which are immersed in an electrolyte. This configuration generates an electrical charge through a chemical reaction. An example of a voltaic cell is shown in Figure 05-01. There are two basic types of cells: the primary cell and the secondary cell.
The Voltaic Cell
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Negative Electrode Electrolyte

2.

+ + + + + + + + +
Positive Electrode

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Figure 05-01 A. Primary Cell: A primary cell is any cell that cannot be recharged. Examples of a primary cell include CarbonZinc and Zinc chloride cells, both of which supply 1.5VDC; and Lithium, which supplies 3.0VDC. B. Secondary Cell: A secondary cell is any cell that can be recharged. Examples of secondary cells include Nickel-cadmium, which supplies 1.25VDC, and Lead-acid, which supplies between 2 and 2.2VDC. C. Batteries: A battery is comprised of two or more voltaic cells. The cells can be connected in series or parallel, depending on the intended use and desired characteristics of the battery. For example, a 12VDC automobile battery uses six Lead-acid voltaic cells in series. 1. Storage Battery: The battery in an automobile is a storage battery; it is an example of a wet cell. The electrolyte is a liquid and the battery must be used in an upright position or leakage may occur. 2. Dry Cell Battery: A standard "AA" battery example of a dry cell. The electrolyte, moist, is contained between the plates. cell may be used in any position. A dry a single voltaic cell. II. CONFIGURATIONS: A. SERIES CONFIGURATION: The series configuration is used to increase the voltage supplied by a battery. 1. Cells connected positive-to-negative in series are referred to as "aiding." (Refer to Figure 05-02) The voltage supplied by this configuration is the sum of all cell voltages. is an though This cell is

Figure 05-02

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2. Cells connected positive-to-positive or negative-tonegative in series are called "opposing." (Refer to Figure 05-03) The voltage supplied is the difference between the cell voltages.

Figure 05-03 3. Current: In series, the maximum circuit current is determined by the lowest value of maximum current supplied by any cell. a. Since all batteries in series have only one path for current flow, it is considered to be "common" throughout the entire path. b. Direction of current flow through series batteries is determined by the greater directional potential. 4. Example: A simple series-aiding configuration of two 1.5V cells that has a current capacity of 1.5A has a total voltage supplied of 3V, the sum of 1.5V and 1.5V. Since each cell is 1.5A, and current is common in series, this configuration can supply 1.5A of current to the circuit. Current would flow negative to positive. 5. Example: A simple series-opposing configuration with cells of 4.5V and 1.5V has a total supplied voltage of 3V. With one cell supplying 2.5A of current to the circuit, and the other with 1.5A, the maximum circuit current would be 1.5A, the lower of the two cell currents. Current would flow negative to positive. B. PARALLEL CONFIGURATION: The parallel configuration is used to increase circuit current capabilities. 1. Cells in parallel are connected negative-to-negative and positive-to-positive (refer to Figure 05-04), with the load being placed across the parallel configuration.
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V1 6A

V2 5A

V3 RL 2A

Figure 05-04 2. Since the potential across every battery is the same, voltage is considered common in parallel. If more batteries of the same potential were added there would be no increase in voltage seen at the load. However, current is additive in parallel, and the sum of the individual cell currents is the maximum current that can flow in the circuit. 3. Example: In a simple parallel configuration with two 1.5V cells of 1.5A each, the total voltage is 1.5V (it's common) and the total current that can flow through the load is the sum of the two 1.5A currents supplied by the cells, or 3A. Current is additive in parallel.
V1 5V

V2

9V

V3

8V

RL

V4 V5

1V 8V

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Figure 05-05. PRACTICE PROBLEMS: a.

Series Voltaic Cells

(Refer to Figure 05-05) Solve for the total voltage and indicate the direction of current flow with CW (clockwise) or CCW (counter-clockwise). Current Flow = _________ V1 = 3V, V2 = 5V, V3 = 6V, V4 = 2V, V5 = 4V Current Flow = _________ V1 = 5V, V2 = 5V, V3 = 6V, V4 = 3V, V5 = 1V Current Flow = _________

Voltage = _________ b. Change Values to: Voltage = _________ c. Change Values to:

Voltage = _________

V1 6A

V2 5A

V3 2A RL

Figure 05-06. a.

Parallel Voltaic Cells

(Refer to Figure 05-06) Solve for the total current.

Current = _________ b. Change Values to: V1 = 1A, V2 = 3A, V3 = 5A

Current = _________ c. Change Values to: V1 = 9A, V2 = 3A, V3 = 9A

Current = _________ REFERENCES:

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1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Operator Manual: Fluke 77/BN Basic Electronics (9th Edition), Grob Introductory Electric Circuits , Robert T. Paynter WinFACET, Lab-Volt Systems Inc. Packaging, Handling, Storage, and Transportation of Electrostatic Discharge Sensitive Items (TM 4400-15/5) ESD Awareness Electro-Static Discharge (TM 9999-15/1) ESD Electro-static Discharge Management (TM 9999-15/2)

PREPARED BY: ____________________________________________ TITLE: __________________________________________________ SIGNATURE: ________________________ DATE: ______________ MODIFIED BY: _A.L.JOHNSON__________ DATE: _10/21/2008___ APPROVED BY: ____________________________________________ TITLE: __________________________________________________ SIGNATURE: ________________________ DATE: ______________ NOTES:

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