Electrical Engineering Basic Knowledge for All
In this article, we are going to acquire the knowledge of the basics of electrical engineering. Knowing the electrical engineering basics, you can understand any complex topic of electrical engineering.
The basic knowledge of electrical engineering you must have are the following,
1. You must know what is electricity
2. Important basic terms
3. Electrical Energy Conversion
Knowledge of Electricity
Electricity is nothing but a source of energy that does so many useful works. The flow of electric power and its effects is also known as electricity. Electricity is a secondary energy source means it can not be found naturally, it is extracted from other sources of energy. So electrical engineering mainly deals with electricity to use it for different applications.
Basics terms of Electrical Engineering
The basic terms and topics you must know before exploring the field of electrical engineering are,
- Electric Current
- Electric Voltage
- Electrical Power
- Resistance
- AC and DC
- Electric Energy Conversion
Electric Current
In simple words, the flow of electrons or charges through a conductor is called electric current. Every object on this planet is made of electrons. When we apply an electric pressure or voltage across them the electrons start moving which is known as electric current. The flow of electric current depends upon the nature of the object(it should be a conductor), applied voltage, resistance, size, etc.
Electric Voltage
The potential difference across a conductor which causes to flow of the electric current through it is called Electric Voltage. It also is known as electric pressure because it forces the electrons to move. Generally, the electrical power sources are the source of electric voltage means they can create a potential difference across the load due to the electric current flowing through the load and helping to do the useful work.
Electrical Power
The rate of electrical energy transferred by an electrical circuit from the power source to the load per unit of time is called electric power. Also, we can say electrical power is the multiplication of voltage and current. The formula of electric power for AC circuits includes the power factor also. The unit of electric power is the watts. The power consumption depends upon the flow of current and the resistance of the circuit and load.
Resistance
Resistance is a very important term in electrical as well as electronics engineering. There are so many components used in the electrical circuit but the resistor is a very important and widely used component. Resistors only do not have resistance properties, in fact, all the electrical circuits and their components have resistance properties.
Resistance is a property of an object or material by virtue of which it opposes the flow of electric current. Resistance shows the same effect for both AC and DC. Resistance causes the production of heat, copper loss, etc.
AC and DC
According to nature or characteristics, electric power supply is divided into two types - 1. Alternating Current or AC 2. Direct Current or DC
In the AC power supply, the magnitude and direction of the current and voltage change with time.
In the DC power supply, the magnitude of the voltage and current is constant, it does not change with time.
Examples of AC power supply sources are - alternators, oscillator circuits, inverter circuits
Examples of DC power supply sources are - batteries, solar panels, etc.
Basics of Electrical Energy Conversion
As we know that electricity is the secondary energy source, which means it can get directly from nature. We have to extract the electrical energy from the other sources of energy such as,
Mechanical energy to electrical energy - Generator
Chemical energy to electrical energy - Battery
Solar Energy to Electrical Energy - Solar Panels
Also, we cannot use electricity directly. Electrical energy is used by converting it into another form of energy.
For example,
An electric heater converts the electrical energy into heat energy.
Electric Motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.
Electric lamps and bulbs convert electrical energy into light energy.
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Electrical Engineering Basic Knowledge for All
Reviewed by Author
on
May 21, 2021
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Reviewed by Author
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May 21, 2021
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