Module 3 – Electrical Fundamentals

3.1 Electron Theory

Structure and distribution of electrical charges within: atoms, molecules,
ions, compounds;
Molecular structure of conductors, semiconductors and insulators.

3.2 Static Electricity and Conduction

Static electricity and distribution of electrostatic charges;
Electrostatic laws of attraction and repulsion;
Units of charge, Coulomb’s Law;
Conduction of electricity in solids, liquids, gases and a vacuum.

3.3 Electrical Terminology

The following terms, their units and factors affecting them: potential
difference, electromotive force, voltage, current, resistance, conductance,
charge, conventional current flow, electron flow.

3.4 Generation of Electricity

Production of electricity by the following methods: light, heat, friction,
pressure, chemical action, magnetism and motion

3.5 DC Sources of Electricity

Construction and basic chemical action of: primary cells, secondary cells,
lead acid cells, nickel cadmium cells, other alkaline cells;
Cells connected in series and parallel;
Internal resistance and its effect on a battery;
Construction, materials and operation of thermocouples;
Operation of photo-cells

3.6 DC Circuits

Ohms Law, Kirchoff’s Voltage and Current Laws;
Calculations using the above laws to find resistance, voltage and current;
Significance of the internal resistance of a supply.

3.7 Resistance/Resistor

(a) Resistance and affecting factors; 
Specific resistance;
Resistor colour code, values and tolerances, preferred values, wattage
ratings;
Resistors in series and parallel;
Calculation of total resistance using series, parallel and series parallel
combinations;
Operation and use of potentiometers and rheostats;
Operation of Wheatstone Bridge;

(b) Positive and negative temperature coefficient conductance; 
Fixed resistors, stability, tolerance and limitations, methods of
construction;
Variable resistors, thermistors, voltage dependent resistors;
Construction of potentiometers and rheostats;
Construction of Wheatstone Bridge

3.8 Power

Power, work and energy (kinetic and potential);
Dissipation of power by a resistor;
Power formula;
Calculations involving power, work and energy.

3.9 Capacitance/Capacitor

Operation and function of a capacitor;
Factors affecting capacitance area of plates, distance between plates, number
of plates, dielectric and dielectric constant, working voltage, voltage rating;
Capacitor types, construction and function;
Capacitor colour coding;
Calculations of capacitance and voltage in series and parallel circuits;
Exponential charge and discharge of a capacitor, time constants;
Testing of capacitors.

3.10 Magnetism

(a) Theory of magnetism; 
Properties of a magnet;
Action of a magnet suspended in the Earth’s magnetic field;
Magnetisation and demagnetisation;
Magnetic shielding;
Various types of magnetic material;
Electromagnets construction and principles of operation;
Hand clasp rules to determine: magnetic field around current carrying conductor;

(b) Magnetomotive force, field strength, magnetic flux density, permeability, 
hysteresis loop, retentivity, coercive force reluctance, saturation point,
eddy currents;
Precautions for care and storage of magnets

3.11 Inductance/Inductor

Faraday’s Law;
Action of inducing a voltage in a conductor moving in a magnetic field;
Induction principles;
Effects of the following on the magnitude of an induced voltage: magnetic
field strength, rate of change of flux, number of conductor turns;
Mutual induction;
The effect the rate of change of primary current and mutual inductance has
on induced voltage;
Factors affecting mutual inductance: number of turns in coil, physical size
of coil, permeability of coil, position of coils with respect to each other;
Lenz’s Law and polarity determining rules;
Back emf, self induction;
Saturation point;
Principle uses of inductors.

3.12 DC Motor/Generator Theory

Basic motor and generator theory;
Construction and purpose of components in DC generator;

Operation of, and factors affecting output and direction of current flow in
DC generators;
Operation of, and factors affecting output power, torque, speed and
direction of rotation of DC motors;
Series wound, shunt wound and compound motors;
Starter Generator construction.

3.13 AC Theory

Sinusoidal waveform: phase, period, frequency, cycle;
Instantaneous, average, root mean square, peak, peak to peak current values
and calculations of these values, in relation to voltage, current and power;
Triangular/Square waves;
Single/3 phase principles.

3.14 Resistive (R), Capacitive (C) and Inductive (L) Circuits

Phase relationship of voltage and current in L, C and R circuits, parallel,
series and series parallel;
Power dissipation in L, C and R circuits;
Impedance, phase angle, power factor and current calculations;
True power, apparent power and reactive power calculations.

3.15 Transformers

Transformer construction principles and operation;
Transformer losses and methods for overcoming them;
Transformer action under load and no-load conditions;
Power transfer, efficiency, polarity markings;
Calculation of line and phase voltages and currents;
Calculation of power in a three phase system;
Primary and Secondary current, voltage, turns ratio, power, efficiency;
Auto transformers.

3.16 Filters

Operation, application and uses of the following filters: low pass, high pass,
band pass, band stop

3.17 AC Generators

Rotation of loop in a magnetic field and waveform produced;
Operation and construction of revolving armature and revolving field type
AC generators;
Single phase, two phase and three phase alternators;
Three phase star and delta connections advantages and uses;
Permanent Magnet Generators.

3.18 AC Motors

Construction, principles of operation and characteristics of: AC synchronous
and induction motors both single and polyphase;
Methods of speed control and direction of rotation;
Methods of producing a rotating field: capacitor, inductor, shaded or split pole.