Basic Concepts of

Electricity
Basic Electrical
Terms
Electricity

Is defined as the flow of electron or

electric current. It is an invisible form of
energy that can be transformed into
other forms of energy like heat light and
mechanical.
Electron

Is the negatively charged

component of an atom. It has
the ability to flow.
Proton

Is the positively charged

component of an atom. It has
the ability to attract electron.
Matter

Is anything that occupy space

and has mass. It can be a solid,
liquid or gas in state.
Atom

Basic component of matter. It

composes of a nucleus which is
the central part, the protons
and electrons.
Current

Same as electricity or flow of

electron. The amount of current
flowing in a circuit can be measured
in ampere (I).
Voltage

The amount of pulling force that

makes the electron flow. Also
known as potential difference or
EMF (electromotive force). The
amount of voltage can be measured
in volt (V).
Resistance

Defined as the opposition to the

flow of current. The amount of
resistance can be measure in ohms
(Ω).
Conductors and
Insulators
Conductors are materials that easily
allow the flow of current, or it has a
low resistance to current flow.
Examples; aluminum, gold, silver,
copper, iron
Insulators are materials that do not
easily allow the flow of current, or it
has a high resistance to current flow.
Examples; rubber, plastic, paper
Types of Current
1. Direct Current
In direct current (DC), the flow of electric charge is
only in one direction, the type of electricity produced
by batteries, static, and lightning. A voltage is created
and maybe stored until it is consumed when the
current flows directly, in one direction. In the circuit,
the current flows at a specific, constant voltage. When
you use a flashlight, pocket radio, portable CD player or
virtually any other type of portable or battery-powered
device, you are using direct current.
 Direct currents flow in one direction only and
are constant in time. Their appearance is that of a
straight line which does not vary. They are
produced from power sources such as batteries,
power supplies and DC generators. Photovoltaic
devices such as solar cells also generate DC power.
2. AC Alternating Current
In alternating current (AC, also ac) the movement of electric
charge periodically reverses direction. This type of electricity is
produced or generated by AC generators commonly from a
hydro electric plant. It is the commercial power that we use in
homes and offices. Delivered through a power transmission
lines. AC current can be reduced through the use of power
transformer to suite for its application. It can also be
converted to DC for a specific purpose. In the Philippines AC is
rated as 220V AC at 60 Hz.
 Alternating currents change direction, flowing first one
way and then the other. They are sinusoidal waves, so
that they change in time. They are produced from
sources such as power supplies and AC generators. In
North America, AC is 120 volts and 60 hertz or cycles per
second. This means it changes direction 60 times per
second. In Europe, it is generally 50 hertz with 220 to 240
volts.
 Why does standard
electricity come only in the
form of alternating current?
 There are a number of reasons, but one of the most
important is that a characteristic of AC is that it is
relatively easy to change voltages from one level to
another using a transformer, while transformers do not
work for DC. This capability allows the companies that
generate and distribute electricity to do it in a more
efficient manner, by transmitting it at high voltage for
long lengths, which reduces energy loss due to the
resistance in the transmission wires. Another reason is
that it may be easier to mechanically generate
alternating current electricity than direct current.
What type of electrical
current does PC use?
 PC’s use only direct
current, which means that
the alternating current
provided by your utility
must be converted to
direct current before use.
This is the primary
function of your power
supply.
Electric Circuit
Electric circuit - is the pathways
for electricity to flow.
Components of Circuit
Load - commonly represented by a bulb or any
electrical component that consumes electricity.

Supply - Commonly represented by a cell or a battery

Switch - an electrical device that opens or closed a

circuit.
Types of Circuit
1. Open Circuit - a type of circuit that has an open path for current to flow. It
means that current cannot flow in open circuit.

• The switch is said to be “OPEN”

the current can’t flow into the
circuit and the bulb is “OFF”
2. Closed Circuit - a type of circuit that has a closed path for
current to flow. It means that current can flow in a closed circuit.

• The switch is said to be

“CLOSED” the current can’t flow
into the circuit and the bulb is
“ON”
Quiz
I. Identification:
Direction: Identify the following statement.
_________1. Defined as the flow of electron or electric current. It is an
invisible form of energy that can be transformed into other form of
energy like heat light and mechanical.
_________2. The negatively charge component of an atom. It has the
ability to flow.
_________3. Defined as the opposition to the flow of current. The
amount of resistance can be measured in ohms (Ω).
_________4. The positively charged component of an atom. It has the
ability to attract electron.
_________5. Anything that occupy space and has mass. It can be a
solid, liquid or gas in state.
_________6. Basic component of matter. It is composed of a nucleus
which is the central part, the protons and electrons.
_________7. Same as electricity or flow of electron. The amount of
current flowing in a circuit can be measured in ampere (I).
_________8. The amount of pulling force that makes the electron flow.
Also known as potential difference or EMF (electromotive force). The
amount of voltage can be measured in volt (V).
_________9. Materials that easily allow the flow of current, or it has a
low resistance to current flow.
_________10. Materials that do not easily allow the flow of current, or
it has a high resistance to current flow.
_________11. A computer power supply converts AC to
___________________.
_________12. Define as the pathways for electricity to flow.
_________13. A component of a circuit that is commonly
represented by a bulb or any electrical component that
consumes electricity.
_________14. A component of a circuit that is commonly
represented by a cell or a battery.
_________15. An electrical device that opens or closed a
circuit.
_________16. A type of circuit that has a closed path for
current to flow. It means that current can flow in this circuit.
_________17. A type of circuit that has an open path for
current to flow. It means that current cannot flow in this
circuit.
_________18. A circuit connection has only one path of
current flow. In this circuit connection the current remain
constant.
_________19. A circuit connection that has 2 or more path of
current. In this circuit the voltage remains constant.
_________20. An invisible form of energy.