Electricity Equations

Electrical engineering is a field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism. This document covers key concepts, equations, and examples essential for an electrical engineer.
Author

Benedict Thekkel

1. Ohm’s Law

Ohm’s Law states the relationship between voltage (\(V\)), current (\(I\)), and resistance (\(R\)):

\[ V = IR \]

Example:

If \(I = 2A\) and \(R = 10\Omega\), then: \[ V = (2A)(10\Omega) = 20V \]


2. Kirchhoff’s Laws

Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL)

The sum of currents entering a junction is equal to the sum of currents leaving:

\[ \sum I_{in} = \sum I_{out} \]

Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL)

The sum of voltage drops around a closed loop is zero:

\[ \sum V = 0 \]

Example:

For a closed loop with resistors \(R_1\) and \(R_2\) and voltage source \(V\): \[ V - I R_1 - I R_2 = 0 \]


3. AC & DC Circuits

Direct Current (DC) Circuits

A steady flow of electric charge in one direction.

Alternating Current (AC) Circuits

A flow of electric charge that periodically reverses direction:

\[ V(t) = V_m \sin(\omega t) \]

where: - \(V_m\) = Peak voltage - \(\omega = 2\pi f\) (angular frequency) - \(f\) = Frequency in Hz


4. Capacitance & Inductance

Capacitor:

Stores electrical energy in an electric field: \[ Q = CV \]

where: - \(Q\) = Charge (Coulombs) - \(C\) = Capacitance (Farads) - \(V\) = Voltage (Volts)

Inductor:

Stores energy in a magnetic field: \[ V = L \frac{dI}{dt} \]

where: - \(L\) = Inductance (Henrys) - \(\frac{dI}{dt}\) = Rate of change of current


5. Power in Electrical Circuits

DC Power:

\[ P = VI \]

AC Power:

For sinusoidal voltages and currents: \[ P = VI \cos(\phi) \]

where: - \(\phi\) = Phase angle between voltage and current

Example:

If \(V = 230V\), \(I = 10A\), and \(\phi = 30^\circ\): \[ P = (230)(10) \cos(30^\circ) = 1992W \]


6. Electrical Machines

Transformers:

Used to step up or step down voltage: \[ \frac{V_1}{V_2} = \frac{N_1}{N_2} \]

where: - \(V_1, V_2\) = Primary and secondary voltages - \(N_1, N_2\) = Number of turns in primary and secondary windings

Motors & Generators:

Faraday’s Law of Electromagnetic Induction: \[ \mathcal{E} = -N \frac{d\Phi}{dt} \]

where: - \(\mathcal{E}\) = Induced EMF (Volts) - \(N\) = Number of turns - \(\Phi\) = Magnetic flux


7. Semiconductor Devices

Diodes:

Allows current to flow in one direction: \[ I = I_S \left( e^{\frac{V}{nV_T}} - 1 \right) \]

Transistors:

Used for amplification and switching. For a bipolar junction transistor (BJT): \[ I_C = \beta I_B \]

where: - \(I_C\) = Collector current - \(I_B\) = Base current - \(\beta\) = Current gain


8. Digital Electronics

Logic Gates:

Basic building blocks of digital circuits: - AND: $ Y = A B $ - OR: $ Y = A + B $ - NOT: $ Y = $

Flip-Flops:

Used for memory storage and sequential logic.


9. Control Systems

A system that regulates its own behavior. ### Transfer Function: \[ H(s) = \frac{Y(s)}{X(s)} \]

PID Controller:

\[ u(t) = K_p e(t) + K_i \int e(t) dt + K_d \frac{de(t)}{dt} \]

where: - \(K_p, K_i, K_d\) = Proportional, Integral, and Derivative gains


10. Electrical Safety

  • Grounding: Ensures safety by redirecting excess current.
  • Circuit Breakers: Protect against overcurrent.
  • Insulation Resistance: Prevents current leakage.
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