Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Principles of Electric Circuits - Floyd

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Copyright 2006 Prentice-Hall

Chapter 4

Energy and Power

-Objectives-

Define energy and power

Calculate power in a circuit
Properly select resistors based on
power consideration
Explain energy conversion and
voltage drop
Principles of Electric Circuits - Floyd

Nov 25, 2

Chapter 4
Energy
Energy, E, is the ability to do work and is
measured in joules. One joule is the work
done when a force of one newton is
applied through a distance of one meter.

1n

1m

The symbol for energy, E, represents work,

but should not be confused with the unit
for power, the watt, W.

Principles of Electric Circuits - Floyd

Nov 25, 2

Chapter 4
Energy
The kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a much larger unit of
energy than the joule. There are 3.6 x 106 J in a kWh.
The kWh is convenient for electrical appliances.

Question:
What is the energy used in operating a
1200 W heater for 20 minutes?
1200 W = 1.2 kW
20 min = 1/3 h
1.2 kW X 1/3 h =0.4 kWh
Principles of Electric Circuits - Floyd

Nov 25, 2

Chapter 4
Power
Power is the rate energy is used (actually converted
to heat or another form). Power is measured in watts
(or kilowatts). Notice that rate always involves time.
One watt = one joule/second (P=E/t)
Three equations for power in
circuits that are collectively known
as Watts law are:

P IV

P I 2R

Principles of Electric Circuits - Floyd

V2
P
R
Nov 25, 2

Chapter 4
Power
What power is dissipated in a 27 resistor if the
current is 0.135 A?
Given that you know the resistance and current,
substitute the values into P =I 2R.
P I 2R
(0.135 A) 2 27
0.49 W
Principles of Electric Circuits - Floyd

Nov 25, 2

Chapter 4
Power
What power is dissipated by a heater that draws 12 A
of current from a 110 V supply?
The most direct solution is to substitute into P = IV.
P IV
12 A 110 V
1320 W
Principles of Electric Circuits - Floyd

Nov 25, 2

Chapter 4
Power
What power is dissipated in a 100 resistor with 5 V
across it?
2
V
The most direct solution is to substitute into P
.
R
2
V
P
R

5 V

100

Principles of Electric Circuits - Floyd

0.25 W
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Chapter 4

Principles of Electric Circuits - Floyd

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Exercises

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Chapter 4

Principles of Electric Circuits - Floyd

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Exercises

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Chapter 4

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Exercises

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12

Chapter 4
The Power Rating

The power rating is the maximum amount of

power that a resistor can dissipate without being
damaged by excessive heat buildup.
The power rating is not related to the ohmic
value (resistance) but rather is determined
mainly by the physical composition, size, and
shape of the resistor.
All else being equal. the larger the surface area
of a resistor, the more power it can dissipate.

Principles of Electric Circuits - Floyd

Nov 25, 2

13

Chapter 4
Resistor failures
Resistor failures are unusual except when they have
been subjected to excessive heat. Look for
discoloration (sometimes the color bands appear
burned). Test with an ohmmeter by disconnecting one
end from the circuit to isolate it and verify the
resistance. Correct the cause of the heating problem
(larger resistor?, wrong value?).

Normal
Principles of Electric Circuits - Floyd

Overheated
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14

Chapter 4
Relative sizes of metal-film resistors with standard
power ratings of 1/8 W, 1/4 W, 1/2 W, and 1 W.

Principles of Electric Circuits - Floyd

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Chapter 4

15

Typical resistors with high power

ratings.

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Chapter 4

Principles of Electric Circuits - Floyd

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Chapter 4

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Chapter 4
Ampere-hour Rating of Batteries
Expected battery life of batteries is given as the amperehours specification. Various factors affect this, so it is an
approximation. (Factors include rate of current withdrawal,
age of battery, temperature, etc.)

How many hours can you expect to have a

battery deliver 0.5 A if it is rated at 10 Ah?

Battery

20 h
Principles of Electric Circuits - Floyd

Nov 25, 2

19

Chapter 4
Power Supply Efficiency
Efficiency of a power supply is a measure of how well it
converts ac to dc. For all power supplies, some of the
input power is wasted in the form of heat. As an equation,
Powerlost

POUT
Efficiency =
PIN
Input
power

Output
power

What is the efficiency of a power

supply that converts 20 W of input
power to 17 W of output power? 85%
Principles of Electric Circuits - Floyd

Nov 25, 2

20

Chapter 4
Application Example
The eyes (heating elements) an electric range are frequently made of resistive
Nichrome strips. Operation of the eye is quite simple. A current is passed through the
heating element causing it to dissipate power in the form of heat. Also, a four- position
selector switch, controls the power (heat) output. In this case the eye consists of two
Nichrome strips modeled by the resistors R1 and R2, where R1 < R2.
1- How should position A, B, C, and D be labeled with regard to high, medium, low,
and off settings?
2- If we desire that high and medium correspond to 2000 W and 1200 W power
dissipation, respectively, what are the values of R1 and R2?

Principles of Electric Circuits - Floyd

Nov 25, 2