NNPC FSTP Technicians

Fundamentals of
Electricity
Course Code: FY7W 04
Lesson 3

Contents

The Simple Circuit

Performance Objectives
Upon completion of this Course, students will be able to:
Explain the term source of supply
Draw a simple electrical circuit & label its parts
Define the term electrical load
Describe the function of a switch
Explain the difference between an "open circuit" and a
"closed circuit
Explain the function of a fuse.

Source of Supply
Current will only flow when there is a potential difference
applied to the conductor.
This electrical force needed to push electrons through a
conductor is the electro-motive force, (e.m.f.)
An e.m.f. is produced at a source of electricity (source of
supply). A source of supply is a device which produces
electricity by changing one form of energy to electrical energy
A source of supply is the point where electricity is produced or
generated.
The electricity generated at a source of supply is called an
e.m.f.
All sources of supply generate an e.m.f.

Methods of Producing Electricity

There are six ways of producing electrical
energy from some other form of energy.
Magnetism
Chemical action
Light
Heat
Friction
Pressure

Magnetism
Most of the electricity which is used in the world today is produced
(generated) by magnetism. The device which uses magnetism to
produce electrical energy is called a generator.

Generator
A generator is sometimes called a dynamo. The
alternator on a car also generates electrical energy.

Therefore, the generator (or dynamo) and alternator are sources

of supply. They all produce an e.m.f. from magnetism.

Chemical Action
This is the second most common method of producing electrical
energy. A single electric cell or battery changes chemical energy to
electrical energy, i.e.: produces an e.m.f from chemical energy.

The single cell is used in torches, radios, walkmans etc. The

battery is a number of single cells connected together. It is
used in cars, buses, trucks etc.

Light Energy
Light energy is changed to electrical energy by a device
called a solar cell. A single solar cell makes very little
electricity. Many solar cells can be connected together to
increase the e.m.f. and current output.

Solar cells are used in remote areas to drive pumps,

charge batteries, and provide lighting.

Heat
Heat can be used to produce an e.m.f and small amounts of electric
current. The simplest device used to produce electricity from changes
in temperature is called a thermocouple.

The thermocouple generates a small current due to changes of

Temperature & is often used for measuring temperature.
Thermocouples are widely used in the petro-chemical industry for
measurement & control of a process.

Friction
Friction can produce electricity. There is very
little practical use for electricity produced by
friction. In most cases static electricity is a
hazard and is not wanted.
Static electricity can cause explosions in the
petrochemical industry.
Great care must be taken to prevent static
electricity in a refinery or gas plant. The spark
produced by a static discharge can ignite a
gas or flammable liquid.

Pressure
When pressure is applied to crystals of
certain substances, an e.m.f. is
produced. This method of generating an
e.m.f. is called piezoelectricity.
Piezoelectric generation is not often used
because the current produced is small.

Review
A source of supply is a device which changes one form
of energy to electrical energy.
A source of supply generates an e.m.f .
The six methods of producing electricity are:
Magnetism
Chemical action
Light
Heat
Friction
Pressure

Review
Electricity produced by:
Magnetism
Chemical action
Light
Heat
Friction
Pressure

Device
Generator
Dynamo
Alternator
Cell
Battery
Solar cell
Photo cell
Thermocouple
Movement between
solids, liquids or
gases.
Piezo-electric crystal

Simple Electric Circuit

Before electricity can flow there must be a complete path. The
path is called the circuit.
All electrical circuits have at least 3 parts:
The Source to produce the e.m.f. to force the electrons
(current) around the circuit and through the load.
The Path to allow the electrons (current) to flow easily.
The path is made of conductors, which are normally
copper wires.
The Load ~ any device which uses (consumes) electricity.
There are many examples of loads in your home and at
work, e.g. lights, water heater, toaster, television, radio etc.

The diagram shows the three

parts of the simple electric circuit

The Practical Electrical Circuit

Most practical circuits have five parts:
~ Source (battery)
~ Conducting path (copper wires)
~ Load (consuming device)
~ Switch (control device)
~ Fuse (protection device)

The Practical Circuit

Switch
The switch is a control device.
When the switch is ON, the circuit is CLOSED.
When the switch is OFF the circuit is OPEN.

For current to flow in any circuit the circuit must be

complete or closed.

Open Circuit
Current will not flow through an open circuit. There is no
current flow as the switch is open. Therefore, the light will
not operate.

Closed Circuit
Current will flow in this circuit as the switch is closed. The
light will operate as current is flowing in the circuit.

The correct electrical terms for switch positions is either,

open (OFF), or closed (ON).

The Fuse
The job of the fuse is to protect the
circuit against too much current flow.
If there is too much current flowing the
fuse will melt (burn-out) and open the
circuit (switch off).
Most electrical circuits have fuses or
some type of protection device.

Review 1
There must be a complete circuit for current to flow.
The 3 parts of a simple circuit are:
Source
Path
Load
The source produces the e.m.f.
The path allows current to flow easily (normally
copper wires).
The load can be any
(consumes) electricity.

device

which

uses

Review 2
The practical electrical circuit consists of 5 parts:
Source
Path
Load
Switch
Fuse
A switch is a device to control the circuit.
The switch can be either open (OFF) or closed
(ON).
Current will not flow through an open circuit.
The fuse is a device used to protect the circuit
against too much current.