Unit 1

Unit 1
Electrical Theory and Circuits

Introduction (1 of 2)
• Application of electrical principles is increasingly

important.
– Electrical and electronic complexity increasing
– Hydrocarbons scarcer, more expensive
– Increased popularity of hybrid vehicles
– Investment in future technology
Introduction (2 of 2)
• Need sound understanding of:

– Electrical terminology
– Electricity behavior
• Need to be able to:

– Read wiring diagrams
– Measure electrical quantities
– Calculate values
– Understand quantities used
Electrical Fundamentals (1 of 2)
• Electrical behavior is hard to understand.

– Must be able to visualize
– Governed by laws of physics
• Made up of tangible objects

• The movement of specific particles from one
point to another
Electrical Fundamentals (2 of 2)
• Electricity can perform work if directed at objects

that extract energy from moving particles.
• Moving electrical particles:
– Carry a negative charge
– Are attracted to a positive
– Are repelled by a negative charge
Electrical Fundamentals—
Basic Electricity (1 of 11)
• All matter is made up
of atoms.
– Each atom has a
nucleus.
• At least one
positive proton
• At least one neutron
• One or more negative electrons move around
the nucleus.
– Travel in different rings or shells
– Specific maximum number of electrons
– Additional electrons fit into next higher ring/shell.
• If protons and electrons are equal:
– Charges cancel each other out
– Atom has no overall charge
– Electrons and protons stay balanced in the atom
• Negative ion
– Atom with more
electrons than protons
– Not balanced and
looking for a charge
– Electrons repel each
other, push one away
• Positive ion
– Deficiency of electrons = positive charge
– Not balanced
– Exerting attracting force on electrons
• If negative and positive ions are close:
– Negative ion charge repels extra electron.
– Positive ion attracts extra electron.
– Electron is pushed from negative and pulled
to positive.
– Both atoms are balanced.
• Conductors—materials that give up or accept
electrons easily
• Insulators—materials that do not give or accept
electrons easily
• Theories on arrangement and behavior of
electronics based on atom nuclei
– Free electrons
• Located on outer (valence) ring
• Held loosely
• Free to move from one atom to another when
electrical potential is applied
• Conductor materials allow current flow with
little resistance.
– Most metals
– Copper most common in vehicles (wiring connecting
components)
– The more electrons the conductor carries, the heavier
the gauge or wire thickness needed.
• Insulators
– Most plastics
– Ceramics (ceramic portion of spark plugs)
– Electrons bound tightly to the nucleus
– Do not support current flow
– Prevent electron movement—atoms with 5–8 valence
ring electrons
• Semiconductors—materials that conduct
electricity more easily than insulators but not as
well as conductors
– Used in transistors and microchips
– Atoms with four valence ring electrons
• Can be used as a switch
Movement of Free Electrons (1 of 2)
• Free electrons need 2 things to move easily:
– Complete pathway (circuit)
– Force to make them move
• Force from battery

– Like charges repel.
– Electrons repel each other.
– Unlike charges attract.
Movement of Free Electrons (2 of 2)
• DC—free electrons flow in one direction.
– Circuits in passenger vehicles—direct current
– Larger the charge, stronger the attraction and
repelling forces
– Greater the force, stronger the electrical current
• Electromotive force—voltage
Electrical Resistance (1 of 4)
• Affects current flow in a circuit
– Factors determine level of electrical resistance:
• Type of material
• Length of conductor
• Diameter of conductor
• Temperature of conductor
• Resistor—component that extracts energy from
current flow:
– Forces flow through restriction in current.
– Electrical equivalent of friction
– Conductors—low resistance; insulators high
resistance
– Electrical energy lost through resistance = heat
• Measured in ohms
– Resistance a
constant except in
temperature change
– Does not depend
on voltage or current
amount
– Ohm’s law
• Voltmeter checks for excessive voltage drop.
– Ohmmeter cannot read less than 0.1 ohms.
– Amount of resistance in 10-amp circuit would cause a
1.0-vold drop.
• Ohm’s law calculates relationships between:

– Current
– Voltage
– Resistance
Semiconductors (1 of 6)
• Used in electronic devices
– Automotive applications:
• Diodes
• Transistors
• Power transistors
• Conducting ability depends on charge carriers.
– Number of charge carriers altered by doping
• Adding small amounts of impurities
• Always excess of one type of charge carrier:
– Electrons in excess—N-type
– Holes in excess—P-type
• Most components combine P-type and N-type
semiconductors
– Join at the PN junction
– Depletion layer occurs.
– Diode—one P-type material joined to one N-type
material with a single PN junction
• Diode
– Connected to a voltage source
– P region connected to negative pole
– N region connected to positive pole
– Enlarges depletion layer and insulated space
• Versatile substances widely used in electronic
components
– Conductivity easily manipulated by doping
– Varies conductance in magnetic fields
• Varies light
• Small, light, low operating voltage
• Reliable, sensitive to heat and voltage spikes
• Materials
– Different atomic structures
– Silicon most widely used
– Germanium among first used
– Gallium-arsenide in high-speed semiconductors
Electrical Circuits (1 of 3)
• Does electrical work in controlled manner
– Compared to a small city:
• Roads—wires
• Stoplights—switches
• Businesses—electrical devices
• Cars—electrons that deliver workers to the
workpalce
• Can be very basic:
– Power supply
– Fuse
– Switch
– Component that
performs work
– Wires to connect
• Power source—potential difference measured
in volts
– Pushes flow of electrons when switch is closed
• Current flows through fuse into circuit wires to
produce light in a lamp.
• Flows through return pathway back to battery
– When switch opens, current path breaks and current
flow stops.
Volts, Amps, and Ohms (1 of 3)
• Three basic electrical measurement units
– Volts, amps, ohms
• Volts—measurement of voltage
– Measured with voltmeter or multimeter
• Hooking voltmeter across two parts of circuit
• Like water pressure at bottom of full water tank
• Amp—How much current is flowing at a given
time when work is performed
– Measures number of electrons flowing in 1 sec.
• Starter motor—200 amps
• Amperage like water flowing from faucet
• Measured by placing ammeter into current flow
• Ohm—the amount of electrical resistance
– Higher resistance, less current flow
– Like kinking a water hose
– Ohmmeter measures amount of resistance.
• Small amount of current through part
• Amount of resistance changes amount the
ohmmeter can push through.
Electrical Fundamentals—Direct
Current and Alternating Current (1 of 5)
• Electrons flow in a
circuit for work or
action.
– Two types:
• Direct current (DC)
• Alternating
current (AC)
• DC produced by battery
– Maintains positive and negative polarity
– Flows in only one direction
– Fixed polarity of applied voltage
• AC in home electricity
– Flow direction continuously changes.
– Alternative voltage repeated reverses or alternates
polarity.
– Current moves back and forth.
• DC is used more in vehicles.
– Used by alternators to create current flow to:
• Charge battery
• Run electrical accessories
– AC transformed to DC before leaving alternator
• AC is used in electric motors on most hybrids.
– More efficient than DC
– Created by electronic inverter
• Some sensors create an AC signal that varies in

frequency.
– Sent to computer to indicate system changes
• Electrical components are designed to work on
either AC or DC.
– Devices made to convert from one to the other
– Inverter devices to change DC to AC
• Some hybrids use high-voltage DC inverters
to power three-phase AC to power electric
traction motors.
Electrical Fundamentals—Power
(Source or Feed) and Ground (1 of 4)
• Power and ground
– Supply side (beginning
of a circuit)
• Power
• Source
• Feed
– Ground—return side
of circuit
• Conventional theory
– Supply side is positive.
– Return side is negative.
• In a vehicle:
– Positive battery post is source.
• Power side of circuit—wires and component

originating at battery’s positive post, ends at
switch or load
• Ground—circuit portion that returns current flow
to negative side of battery
– Starts at negative post, ends at a load or switch
– Also means direct connection to negative side
– To ground something—connect it to negative side
of current
• Computer circuits use dedicated ground wires
from sensors back to the computer.
– Electrical signal accurate
– Not affected by stray signals from ground circuit
Electrical Fundamentals—Continuity,
Open, Short, and High Resistance (1 of 11)
• Terms associated with circuit or component
condition:
– Continuity
– Open
– Short
– High resistance
• Continuity—achieved when circuit has
continuous and uninterrupted electrical
connection
– Capable of conducting current
– No continuity—break in circuit; current cannot
flow past
• Checking continuity cannot determine all
electrical faults.
– If continuity, circuit may still be bad
– May have excessive resistance
– Continuity test can determine if:
• Wire or component open
• Two circuits shorted together
• Open—low-voltage circuit without
complete circuit
– No continuity
– Also describes fault in a circuit
– Multimeter or test lamp to test for open circuit
• Short—circuit fault in which current takes a
shorter path through an unintended route
– Low-resistance fault causes abnormally high
current flow.
– Circuit protection devices may open circuit.
• Example of pure short:
– Insulation in relay coil
wears through and
allows current to
bypass many of
the windings
• Additional types of short circuits
– Short to ground—circuit has unintended path directly
to ground
• Wire rubs through insulation
• Additional types of short circuits (cont’d)
– Short to power—circuit has unintended path directly
to power source
• Two wires in a harness melt together
• Additional types of short circuits (cont’d)
– Unintended high resistance—reduction in current flow
and drop in voltage at resistance
• Unintended high resistance (cont’d)
– Cause:
• Ineffective operation of circuit device
• Overheating
• Melts insulation
– Caused by:
• Corroded or loose harness connectors
• Wire too thin
• Incorrectly connected terminals
• Poorly soldered joints
• Voltage drop—
high resistance
– Testing best way to
find high resistance in
feed or ground side
– Measured by placing
voltmeter at two points
while circuit is on
Sources of Electricity (1 of 2)
• Types of energy:
– Thermal
– Light
– Chemical
– Mechanical
• Unique source of energy can be created easily.

Sources of Electricity (2 of 2)
• Common observable source of electricity—static

electricity in thunderstorms
– Can be produced by:
• Moving conductor through magnetic field
• Pressure application to specific type of crystal
• Converting sunlight by solar cells
• Chemical reactions
Sources of Electricity—
Electrostatic Energy (1 of 2)
• Static electricity is induced by rubbing two
insulators together.
– Positively charged—one material loses electrons
– Negatively charged—second insulator gains electrons
Electrostatic Energy (2 of 2)
• Two highly charged surfaces close together:
– Causes sparks
– Cancels out charge imbalance
• Electron transfer causes electric shock.

– Any charged surfaces where charge imbalance
great enough
Thermoelectric Energy (1 of 2)
• Current generated by joining and heating two
different metals
– Temperature around 392°F—9 millivolts
– Point heated—hot junction
– Whole system—thermocouple
Thermoelectric Energy (2 of 2)
• Thermocouples measure high temperatures of
components.
– Spark plugs
– Exhaust systems
• Measure exhaust gas temperature

– Race cars
– General aviation
Electrochemical Energy
• Created when two dissimilar metals are
immersed in electrolytes
– Process of electrolysis
• Breakdown of chemicals into charged particles
• Results in electricity flow
• Used in standard lead-acid batteries
Photovoltaic Energy (1 of 3)
• Solar cells convert
sunlight into electricity.
– Made of
semiconducting
materials
• When sunlight is absorbed by materials:
– Photons knock electrons loose from atoms.
– Electrons flow through material to produce electricity.
• When light energy strikes the surface, materials

emit electrons.
• Applied in:
– Some ignition systems
– Vehicle speed sensors
– Automatic headlights
– HVAC systems
Piezoelectric Energy (1 of 2)
• Certain crystals are subjected to mechanical
stress, causing electrical potential.
Piezoelectric Energy (2 of 2)
• Process reversible
• Potential electrical difference across crystal
physically distorts it.
– Example: sparking lighters like gas grills
• Used in knock and pressure sensors,

fuel injectors
Electromagnetic Induction (1 of 4)
• Creation of electrical voltage across a conductor
within a changing magnetic field
– Current flows into conductor when it cuts across a
magnetic field.
• Flows one way when conductor cuts the field in
one direction; reverses when cut in other direction
• Creates AC
• Moving a wire inside
magnetic
field produces current
flow.
– And moving magnet
inside stationary
wire coil
• Applied in:
– Alternators
– Ignition coils
– Some sensors
• Needed for induction:

– A winding
– A magnet
– A relative movement
• Amount of induction dependent upon:
– Strength of magnetic field
– Number of windings
– Speed of movement
– Relative distance between field and winding
Effects of Electricity
• Electricity produces effects when it flows.

– May be primary reason for activity
– May be by-products of activity
• No energy transformation is 100% efficient.

– Waste shows up as heat.
• Example: Incandescent light bulb
Effects of Electricity—
Heating Effects
• May be needed:
– Circuit breakers,
heaters
• Electrical energy
transforms
– Headlights
– Defoggers
– Circuit protection
Chemical Effects (1 of 2)
• Chemical effects depend on ions.
– Ions—electrically charged atoms
• Gaining electrons—negative charge
• Losing electrons—positive charge
• Immersing two different metal plates in

electrolyte
– 1 loses electrons
– 1 gains electrons
Chemical Effects (2 of 2)
• Lead-acid battery—electrical and chemical
difference causes voltage
– Makes current flow in circuit
– Direct current (DC)
– Same compound forms on plates.
– If for too long, current stops flowing.
– Recharging reverses process.
Effects of Electricity—Light Effects
• Light production from

electricity:
– LED
• Semiconductor
diode
• Light from emitting
photons when
current flows
• Produces light with
less heat, energy
• Headlights on
some cars
Electromagnetic Effects (1 of 5)
• Electromagnets create magnetic forces that:
– Attract ferrous metals and unlike charges
– Repel like magnetic charges
• Forces create mechanical movement.

• Creates magnetic field when current passes
through a conductor
• If wire is wound into a coil:
– Fields combine to create stronger and denser
magnetic field.
• Has a north and south pole
• Magnetic field disappears when current is off.

• Principles of relay
– Turning current on and off turns the effect into
mechanical movement.
• Reversing current flow reverses north and

south poles.
• Wind conductor wire around soft iron or metal
core, passing current through coil.
– Field strength is determined by number of coils and
current flow.
– Metal core aligns magnetic fields to strengthen effect.
• Electromagnetism used if component has
electrical connection and movement is created
• Devices such as:
– Relays
– Solenoids
– Motors
– Ignition coils, transfers (to raise or lower voltage)
Ohm’s Law and Circuits (1 of 6)
• Explains relationship between volts, amps,

and ohms
– Must always balance out
– Ohm’s law—takes 1 volt to push 1 amp through 1
ohm of resistance
• Volts and resistance are physical things.

– Volts—surplus of electrons creating electrical
pressure
– Resistance—physical restriction of conductor
– Amps—amount of electrons moved
• Amps are a result of

both volts and
resistance.
– If resistance doubles
and voltage stays
the same, current
flow is half.
• If amps lower than they should be, possible

causes:
– Source voltage low
• Voltmeter to measure source voltage
– Resistance in circuit too high
• Voltmeter to check excessive voltage drop
• Circuits usually fail because current too

low/none.
– Likely high resistance in feed or ground side
– May have too much resistance or be open
– Voltage drop test on both sides
– Resistance check for high resistance or
open condition
• Circuits are made up of components and

interconnected conductors.
– Two basic configurations:
• Series circuits
• Parallel circuits
– Can combine into series-parallel circuit
Ohm’s Law and
Ohm’s Law Calculations (1 of 7)
• Know two values, can calculate the third
– If resistance stays the same but voltage rises, greater
force is needed to push more current.
– Total current of circuit in amps always equals voltage
divided by resistance.
Ohm’s Law and
• To calculate:
– R = resistance
– V = voltage
– A = amps
• Three formulas
– A = V/R
– V=A×R
– R = V/A
Ohm’s Law and
• Ohm’s law circle can
help determine which
math operation to use.
Ohm’s Law and
• Place finger over value to be found:
– If top value (volts), A × R
– If side values, V ÷ other value
• Helpful to determine current flow

– Do not have to break into circuit to measure
current flow
Ohm’s Law and
• Battery voltage can be measured.
– Can calculate current through every point
in circuit
Ohm’s Law and
• Solving Ohm’s law
– In example, applied
voltage unknown
– Multiply A by R to find
value of V.
• 6 amps × 4 ohms =
24 volts
Ohm’s Law and
• Second example:
– Current flow value
unknown
• Divide V by R to
find A.
• 12 volts ÷ 3 ohms
= 4 amps
Ohm’s Law and Circuits—Electrical
Power and the Power Equation (1 of 7)
• Energy—the potential to do work
– Work done only when energy is released
• Disconnected battery— source of energy
• Electrical force created by difference in
electron supply
• Turns battery’s chemical energy into
electrical energy
• Energy transformation—turning one form of
energy into another
– Amount of energy transformed is amount of
work done
– Power—the rate at which work is performed
• Watt—unit of electrical power
– 1 volt causes 1 amp of current = 1 watt
– In power equation, P = V × A
• P = power in watts
• V = voltage in volts
• A = current in amps
• Power equation is
represented as a
triangle.
• When current flows in a circuit with a resistor, it
becomes hotter.
– Use power equation to determine how many watts of
power the resistor is using.
– Electrical energy converts into heat energy.
• If power = voltage × current, then:

– V = P/A
– A = P/V
• Solving power equations
– Electrical power—measurement of the rate at which
electricity is consumed or created
• Used in relation to loads
• In relation to generators—measure of power
produced
• To calculate power—P = A × V
– Example: 12-volt circuit with single light has a current
flow of 5 amps:
• P = 5 A × 12 V (60 W)
– Can be applied to any circuit where voltage and
current flow are known
Ohm’s Law and Circuits—
Series Circuits (1 of 6)
• Simplest type of electrical circuit
– Current can flow in only one path.
– All current flows to each component.
– Electrons flow at same rate throughout entire circuit.
– Current is equal everywhere in a circuit.
• If more than one resistance in a series circuit,
the resistances are connected one after
the other.
– Resistance adds up.
– Total resistance is the sum of all the individual
resistances.
• Voltage at different points within the circuit
changes as the electromotive force drops.
– Voltage drop—drop in voltage occurring at each point
where current flows through a resistance
• Good when occurring inside an intended load
• Bad when occurring when not wanted
• After first resistor,
voltage drops from 12
to 8 volts.
– After second, 4 volts
– After third, 0 volts
• Ohm’s law in series circuits to calculate:
– Voltage
– Resistance
– Current
• Series circuit laws:
– Current flow stays the same in a series circuit.
– Voltage drops as current goes through resistance(s)
in series.
– Resistance adds up in series.
Parallel Circuits (1 of 7)
• All components are
directly connected to
voltage supply.
• If any connection fails, current flows normally
through remaining circuits.
• Used in headlight and taillight systems
– Example: If one lamp fails, current flows to
other lamps.
• All components connect directly to battery
terminals.
– Chassis metal a conductor
• Common connection—one battery terminal and

one component terminal connected on body
or chassis
• Additional laws apply:
– Voltages across all branches of a parallel circuit
are equal.
– Total current in a parallel circuit = the sum of the
current in each branch of the circuit.
– Total resistance of parallel circuit decreases as more
branches are added.
• Voltage across each branch the same as in
other branches:
– So long as they are in parallel
• Current is determined by the branch resistance

and voltage used by that branch.
• When resistors in each branch are the same, the
current in each branch is also the same.
– Sum of individual currents = total current flowing in
the entire parallel circuit
– If not equal, current divides in accordance with
resistance of each branch
• Total current flow is
still the sum of
currents flowing in
each branch.
Parallel Circuit Resistance (1 of 2)
• Parallel circuit resistance is not easily calculated.
– As branches added, another path for flow to ground
is added.
– Reduces circuits’ total resistance to current flow
Parallel Circuit Resistance (2 of 2)
• To calculate
resistance, use
the formula and
substitute the value
of each resistor.
Series-Parallel Circuits (1 of 4)
• Wired “in series”—when electrical components
are wired together one after another (current
flows in one path)
• Wired “in parallel”—when components are
wired together side by side, with more than one
path for current
• Series-parallel circuit—made of both a series
and a parallel circuit
– Series can be before or after parallel portion.
– Analyze with same electrical laws plus:
• Series laws to the series portion
• Parallel laws to the parallel portion
• Example: Circuit for dash lights
– Variable resistor connected in series with dash lights,
connected in parallel with each other
– When variable resistor is turned, resistance changes.
• Example: Circuit for dash lights (cont’d)
– When variable resistor is turned:
• Resistance increases—voltage drop across
potentiometer increases, current flow decreases
• Resistance lowers—voltage drop reduces
– Lights in parallel—each receives same amount
of voltage
Kirchhoff’s Current Law
• Fundamental
electrical principle
– Current entering any
junction is equal to the
sum of the current
flowing out of the
junction.
Summary
• Increasingly, vehicle technicians must have an

understanding of the electrical principles
involved in vehicle system operation.
• Atoms have negatively charged electrons that
move around a nucleus with positively charged
protons and neutrons with no charge.
Summary
• Atoms with excess electrons have a negative

charge and create a negative ion; those deficient
in electrons have a positive charge and create a
positive ion.
• Free electrons move from one atom to another if
electric potential is applied.
Summary
• Materials with many free electrons are good

electrical conductors.
• Copper is the most common conductor.
• Insulators are materials that do not conduct
current easily; an example is plastic.
Summary
• Semiconductor refers to a material that conducts

electricity more easily than an insulator, but not
as well as a conductor.
• Free electrons require a pathway or circuit, and
a force to act upon them, such as a battery.
• Like charges repel, and unlike charges attract.
Summary
• The attraction of free electrons that creates a

force is called voltage.
• The four factors that determine electrical
resistance level are the type of material and the
length, size, and temperature of the conductor.
Summary
• Electrical resistance refers to the degree to

which a material opposes the passage of an
electrical current.
• Resistance is measured in ohms and is constant
in an object unless the temperature changes.
• A semiconductor’s ability to conduct electricity
depends on negative electrons and holes.
Summary
• The number of charge carriers in a

semiconductor can be changed by adding
small quantities of impurities (doping).
• The PN junction of a semiconductor is located at
the depletion layer.
• Semiconductors can prevent or allow current
flow, depending on connection to a current
source.
Summary
• Semiconductor materials include silicon,

germanium, gallium-arsenide, and silicon
carbide.
• Electrical circuits contain a power supply, a
current flow on/off switch, a functional
component, a conductive pathway, and a
protection device (e.g., a fuse).
Summary
• Voltage is the electrical pressure difference

between two points in an electrical circuit.
• The ampere (amp) is the unit used to describe
how much current is flowing at a given point
within a circuit when the functional component is
operational.
Summary
• The ohm is the unit used to describe electrical

resistance in a circuit or component.
• Direct current (DC) flows in one direction only;
alternating current (AC) continuously changes its
direction of flow.
• Electrical components can work on only AC or
DC, but not both.
Summary
• Circuits may be described in terms of continuity,

open, short, and high resistance.
• Electrostatic energy occurs when two insulators
are rubbed together, with one losing electrons to
become positively charged and the other gaining
electrons to become negatively charged.
• Thermoelectric energy is produced by joining
and heating two different metals.
Summary
• Electrochemical energy is produced via

electrolysis, which is the immersion of two
dissimilar metals in a conducting liquid to
break down chemicals into ions.
• Photovoltaic energy is produced via solar
energy cells.
Summary
• Piezoelectric energy is produced when certain

crystals are subjected to mechanical stress.
• Electromagnetic induction is caused by a
conductor cutting across a magnetic field.
• The effects of electricity include light (LED
bulbs), heat (headlights), chemical reactions
(lead-acid battery), and magnetism (electric
motors).
Summary
• Electromagnets are used in relays, solenoids,

and motors, while electromagnetic induction is
used in ignition coils and transformers.
• Relays are used to control circuits that carry high
current flow; they can be normally open (NO) or
normally closed (NC).
Summary
• Solenoids operate similarly to a relay, but create

lateral movement rather than closing a circuit.
• Electric motors rely on magnetic fields to create
rotary movement.
• Ohm’s law states that the total resistance of a
circuit always equals the voltage divided by the
amperage.
Summary
• The term “work” refers to transforming one form

of energy into another.
• Power refers to the rate at which work is done,
or the rate of transforming energy.
• The watt is the unit of power.
Summary
• Kirchhoff’s current law states that electrical

current entering any junction is equal to the sum
of the current flowing out of the junction.
• In a series circuit, current can flow in only one
path and all electrons flow at the same rate.
• Voltage drop refers to the pressure lost by
driving the current through a resistor.
Summary
• The electrical properties of a series circuit are as

follows: current flow is the same in all parts of
the circuit; the applied voltage is equal to the
sum of the individual voltage drops; and total
circuit resistance is equal to the sum of the
individual resistances.
Summary
• All components in a parallel circuit are directly

connected to the voltage supply; hence the
voltage across each component is equal to
battery voltage.
Summary
• Parallel circuit laws are as follows: the voltage

across all branches of a parallel circuit are the
same; the total current equals the sum of the
current flowing in each branch; the amount of
current in each branch is inversely proportional
to the resistance of the branch; and the total
resistance of a parallel circuit can be calculated
as RT = (R1 × R2) divided by (R1 + R2). Or,
RT = 1/ 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3.
Summary
• Series-parallel circuits contain both a series and

a parallel circuit.
Credits
• Unless otherwise indicated, all photographs and

illustrations are under copyright of Jones &
Bartlett Learning.

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Unit 1 - Electrical Theory and Circuits

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Electrical Theory and Circuits

• Application of electrical principles is increasingly

• Need sound understanding of:

• Need to be able to:

• Electrical behavior is hard to understand.

• Made up of tangible objects

• Electricity can perform work if directed at objects

• Force from battery

• Ohm’s law calculates relationships between:

• Some sensors create an AC signal that varies in

• Power side of circuit—wires and component

• Unique source of energy can be created easily.

• Common observable source of electricity—static

• Electron transfer causes electric shock.

• Measure exhaust gas temperature

• When light energy strikes the surface, materials

• Used in knock and pressure sensors,

• Needed for induction:

• Electricity produces effects when it flows.

• No energy transformation is 100% efficient.

• Immersing two different metal plates in

• Light production from

• Forces create mechanical movement.

• Magnetic field disappears when current is off.

• Reversing current flow reverses north and

• Explains relationship between volts, amps,

• Volts and resistance are physical things.

• Amps are a result of

• If amps lower than they should be, possible

• Circuits usually fail because current too

• Circuits are made up of components and

• Helpful to determine current flow

• If power = voltage × current, then:

• Common connection—one battery terminal and

• Current is determined by the branch resistance

• Increasingly, vehicle technicians must have an

• Atoms with excess electrons have a negative

• Materials with many free electrons are good

• Semiconductor refers to a material that conducts

• The attraction of free electrons that creates a

• Electrical resistance refers to the degree to

• The number of charge carriers in a

• Semiconductor materials include silicon,

• Voltage is the electrical pressure difference

• The ohm is the unit used to describe electrical

• Circuits may be described in terms of continuity,

• Electrochemical energy is produced via

• Piezoelectric energy is produced when certain

• Electromagnets are used in relays, solenoids,

• Solenoids operate similarly to a relay, but create

• The term “work” refers to transforming one form

• Kirchhoff’s current law states that electrical

• The electrical properties of a series circuit are as

• All components in a parallel circuit are directly

• Parallel circuit laws are as follows: the voltage

• Series-parallel circuits contain both a series and

• Unless otherwise indicated, all photographs and

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