Chapter 5

Fundamentals of Electricity

Objectives (1 of 3)
Define the terms electricity and electronics.
Describe the atomic structure.
Outline how some of the chemical and
electrical properties of atoms are defined by
the number of electrons in their outer shells.
Outline the properties of conductors,
insulators, and semiconductors.
Describe the characteristics of static
electricity.

Objectives (2 of 3)
Define what is meant by the conventional and
electron theories of current flow.
Describe the characteristics of magnetism and the
relationship between electricity and magnetism.
Describe how electromagnetic field strength is
measured in common electromagnetic devices.
Define what is meant by an electrical circuit and the
terms voltage, resistance, and current flow.

Objectives (3 of 3)
Outline the components required to construct
a typical electrical circuit.
Perform electrical circuit calculations using
Ohms law.
Identify the characteristics of DC and AC.
Describe some methods of generating a
current flow in an electrical circuit.
Describe and apply Kirschhoffs first and
second laws.

Atomic Structure
and Electron Movement (1 of 7)

Atomic Structure
and Electron Movement (2 of 7)
All matter is electrical in essence.
All matter is composed of atoms.
The atom is the smallest particle in a chemical
element.
The atomic structure of an element determines its
chemical and electrical characteristics.
The chemical and electrical properties of atoms are
defined by the number of electrons in their outer
shells.

Atomic Structure
and Electron Movement (3 of 7)
Nucleus
In the center of every atom is a nucleus.

Protons
The nucleus is made up of positively charged matter
called protons.

Neutrons
The nucleus contains matter with no charge called
neutrons.

Electrons
Negatively charged particles called electrons are
orbiting each atomic nucleus.

Atomic Structure
and Electron Movement (4 of 7)
Electrons orbit the nucleus in concentric
paths called shells.
All electrons are alike -- AND -- all protons
are alike.
So where is the difference?

Every chemical element has a distinct identity

and is made up of distinct atoms.
That is, each has a different number of
protons and electrons.

Atomic Structure
and Electron Movement (5 of 7)
In an electrically balanced atom, the number of
protons equals the number of electrons.
This means that the atom is in what is described as a
neutral state of electrical charge.

Ion
An atom with either a deficit or excess of electrons is
known as an ion.

Charge can move from one point to another.

Like charges repel.
Unlike charges attract.

Atomic Structure
and Electron Movement (6 of 7)
Electrons (negative charge) are held in their
orbital shells by the nucleus (positive charge)
of the atom.
Electrons are prevented from colliding with
each other because they all have similar
negative charges that tend to repel each
other.
A molecule is a chemically bonded union of
two or more atoms.
A compound is a chemically bonded union of
atoms of two or more dissimilar elements.

Atomic Structure
and Electron Movement (7 of 7)
All atoms have an electrical charge.
An atom is balanced when the number of protons
match the number of electrons and is said to be in
an electrically neutral state.
Electricity is concerned with the behavior of atoms
that have become unbalanced or electrified.
Electricity may be defined as the movement of free
electrons from one atom to another.
Current flow is a measurement of the number of
free electrons passing a given point in an electrical
circuit per second.

Conductors and Insulators (1 of 4)

Electron movement
through a conductor is
referred to as current.
To produce current
flow, electrons must
move from atom to
atom.

Conductors and Insulators (2 of 4)

A conductor is
generally a metallic
element that contains
fewer than four
electrons in its outer
shell or valence.
Copper, aluminum,
gold, silver, iron, and
platinum are classified
as conductors.

Conductors and Insulators (3 of 4)

An insulator is a
nonmetallic substance
that contains five or
more electrons in its
outer shell or valence.
Glass, mica, rubber,
and plastic are good
insulators.

Conductors and Insulators (4 of 4)

Semiconductors are a
group of materials that
cannot be classified
either as conductors or
insulators.
They have exactly four
electrons in their outer
shell.
Silicon (Si) is an
example of a
semiconductor.

Current Flow (1 of 3)
Conventional theory
states that current
flows from positive to
negative.
Vehicle schematics use
conventional theory
almost exclusively.

Current Flow (2 of 3)
When the electron was
discovered, scientists
revised the theory of
current flow and called
it electron theory.
The electron theory
states that current flow
is from negative to
positive.

Current Flow (3 of 3)
Charge differential or
voltage is a measure of
electrical pressure. It is
referred to as:

Charge differential
Voltage (V)
Electro-motive force (EMF)
Potential difference (PD)

The greater the difference,

the greater will be the rate of
current flow.

Magnetism (1 of 3)
A bar shaped
permanent magnet has
a north and a south
pole at opposite ends.
Like poles repel.
Unlike poles attract.
The lines of force
surrounding the
magnet are referred to
as flux lines.

Magnetism (2 of 3)
Flux lines flow in one direction.
Flux lines exit from the magnets north pole
and enter through the south pole.
The flux density (concentration) determines
the magnetic force.

Magnetism (3 of 3)
The flux density is always greatest at the
poles of a magnet.
Flux lines do not cross each other in a
permanent magnet.
Flux lines facing the same direction attract.
Flux lines facing opposite directions repel.

Electromagnetism (1 of 3)
Current flow through
any conductor creates
a magnetic field.
Magnetic lines of force
do not change when
the current flow through
a conductor is
constant.
When current flow
increases, the lines of
force will extend further
from the conductor.

Electromagnetism (2 of 3)
The intensity and strength of magnetic lines
of force increase proportionally with an
increase in current flow through a conductor.
Similarly, they decrease proportionally with a
decrease in current flow through the
conductor.

Electromagnetism (3 of 3)
A rule called the righthand rule is used to
indicate the direction of
the magnetic lines of
force.

Using Electromagnetism (1 of 2)
A magnetic field exists
when current flows
through a wire.
When the wire is
coiled, the magnetic
field is intensified.
When an iron core is
placed in the center of
this coil, the magnetic
field is further
intensified.

Using Electromagnetism (2 of 2)
Magneto-motive force
is measured in ampereturns (at).

Electrical Current Characteristics (1 of 2)

Direct current
Current flows in one direction only.
Current flow may be:
Continuous
Pulsed

DC current is used almost exclusively in

highway vehicles.

Electrical Current Characteristics (2 of 2)

Alternating current
Current cyclically
reverses at high
speed.
AC current is used in
alternators and by
certain sensors.

Sources of Electricity (1 of 2)
Chemical
In a lead acid battery,
voltage is produced by
a chemical reaction
between lead and lead
peroxide plates
submersed in sulfuric
acid.

Sources of Electricity (2 of 2)

Static electricity
Thermoelectric
Photoelectric
Piezoelectric

Electromagnetic Induction
Electromagnetic induction
Current is produced in a
conductor that is moved
through a stationary
magnetic field.
Current is produced when
a magnetic field is moved
past a stationary
conductor.
Electromagnetic induction
is a means of converting
mechanical energy into
electrical energy.

Electrical Circuits
and Ohms Law (1 of 5)
Ohms law describes the relationship
between electrical potential, current, and
resistance.
An electrical circuit must have:
Power source
Path
Load

Electrical Circuits
and Ohms Law (2 of 5)

Voltage
Current
Resistance
Circuit components
Power source
Conductors
Switches
Circuit protection devices

Electrical Circuits
and Ohms Law (3 of 5)
Series circuits
There is a single path for current to flow.
All of the current flows through each resistor in
the circuit.

Parallel circuits
There are multiple paths for current to flow.
The resistance in each path determines the
current flow through it.

Series parallel circuits

Electrical Circuits
and Ohms Law (4 of 5)
Electrical circuit terminology
Short circuit
Open circuit
Grounds
Short to ground
High resistance circuits

Electrical Circuits
and Ohms Law (5 of 5)
OHMS law states that an
electrical pressure of 1 volt
is required to move 1 amp of
current through a resistance
of 1 ohm.
E=IxR
I = Intensity = current in
amps
E = EMF (electromotive
force) = pressure in volts
R = resistance =
resistance in ohms

This is a mathematical
formula that technicians
MUST know.

Ohms Law
Applied to Series Circuits
All of the current flows
through all of the
resistances in the
circuit
Total circuit resistance
is the sum of all of the
resistances. Rt =R1 +
R2 etc

Kirchhoffs Law of Current

Current flowing into a
junction or point in an
electrical circuit must
equal the current
flowing out.

Kirchhoffs Law of Voltage Drops

Voltage will drop in
exact proportion to the
resistance, and the
sum of the voltage
drops must equal the
voltage applied to the
circuit.

Power
The unit for measuring power is the watt
usually represented by the letter P.
P=IxE
1 horsepower (HP) = 746 watts

Electric Motor
and Generator Principle (1 of 3)

Electric Motor and

Generator Principle (2 of 3)
DC motors
The electric motor converts
electrical energy into
mechanical energy.
Current-carrying
conductors are arranged
as loops of wire in an
armature.
The armature is placed
inside a magnetic field.
When current flows
through the armature,
torque is produced.

Electric Motor
and Generator Principle (3 of 3)
Generators
A generator is simply an
electric motor with its
function reversed.
AC generators produce AC
current which must be
rectified to DC.
Reluctor-type generators
consisting of a permanent
magnet, a coil of wire, and
a toothed reluctor are used
as shaft speed sensors.

Capacitance
Capacitors store
electrons.
A capacitor consists of
two conductors
separated by an
insulating material
called dielectric.

Types of Capacitors
Power supply filter
Spike suppressant
Resistor-capacitor circuits (R-C circuits)

Coils, Transformers, and Solenoids

Two coils are arranged so that one is subject
to a magnetic field created in the other.
The input coil is the primary coil.
The output coil is the secondary coil.
Step-up transformers have secondary coils
with a greater number of windings.
Step-down transformers have secondary coils
with a lower number of windings.

Solenoids and Magnetic Switches

Magnetic switches are
used so that a low
current can control a
high current.
Solenoids use the
same operating
principle, but are used
to convert electrical
energy into mechanical
movement.

Summary (1 of 7)
All matter is composed of atoms.
All atoms have an electrical charge.
When an atom is balanced (the number of protons
match the number of electrons), the atom can be
described as being in an electrically neutral state.
All matter is electrical in essence.
Electricity concerns the behavior of atoms that have
become, for whatever reason, unbalanced or
electrified.
Electricity may be defined as the movement of free
electrons from one atom to another.

Summary (2 of 7)
Current flow is measured by the number of free
electrons passing a given point in an electrical circuit
per second.
Electrical pressure or charge differential is measured in
volts, resistance in ohms, and current in amperes.
The magnetic properties of some metals such as iron
are due to electron motion within the atomic structure.
A direct relationship exists between electricity and
magnetism.
Electromagnetic devices are used extensively on
vehicles.

Summary (3 of 7)
Magneto-motive force (mmf) is a measure of
electromagnetic field strength.
Its unit is ampere- turns (At).

Ohms law is used to perform circuit calculations on

series, parallel, and series-parallel circuits.
In a series circuit, there is a single path for current
flow and all of the current flows through each
resistor in the circuit.
A parallel circuit has multiple paths for current flow.
The resistance in each path determines the current
flow through it.

Summary (4 of 7)
Kirchhoffs law of voltage drops states that the sum
of voltage drops through resistors in a circuit must
equal the source voltage.
When current is flowed through a conductor, a
magnetic field is created.
Reluctance is resistance to the movement of
magnetic lines of force.
Iron cores have permeability and are used to reduce
reluctance in electromagnetic fields.

Capacitors are used to store electrons.

They consist of conductor plates separated by a
dielectric.

Summary (5 of 7)
Capacitance is measured in farads.
Capacitors are rated by voltage and by capacitance.

When current is flowed through a wire conductor,

an electromagnetic field is created.
When the wire is wound into a coil, the
electromagnetic field strength is intensified.

The principle of a transformer can be summarized

by describing it as flowing current through a primary
coil and inducing a current flow in a secondary or
output coil.

Summary (6 of 7)
Transformers can be grouped into three categories:
isolation, step-up, and step-down.
An electromagnetic switch is used in a truck
electrical circuit to enable a low-current circuit to
control a high-current circuit.
A relay is an example of an electromagnetic switch.
A solenoid uses similar operating principles to an
electromagnetic switch except that it converts
electromagnetic energy into mechanical movement.

Summary (7 of 7)
Solenoids are used extensively in truck
electrical circuits for functions such as starter
engage mechanisms, diesel electronic unit
injector control, automatic transmission clutch
controls, and suspension pilot switches.