Basic Electrical Concepts

Basic Electrical Concepts

• Electricity involves physical phenomena related to presence and flow of electrical charges
• Electricity manifests in phenomena such as lightning, static electricity, electromagnetic induction, and electric current flow

Electrification Phenomenon

• Electrification involves the loss or gain of electrons
• For electrification to occur, electrons must be mobile

Electrical Properties of Materials

• Conductors like metals allow electric charge movement
• Insulators like glass, plastic, and silk impede electric charge movement

Theory of Electromagnetism

• Magnetism and electricity are closely related
• Much electricity can be obtained from magnetism through natural or artificial means
• James Clerk Maxwell first explained the relationship between electricity and magnetism around 1870

Electromagnetism Applications

• Magnetism from electricity is called electromagnetism
• Practical uses for electromagnetism include generators, dynamos, alternators, transformers, relays, and motors

Fundamentals of Electromagnetism

• When a wire coil wrapped around a support is traversed by electric current then its similar to natural magnet causing a magnetic field around
• Magnetic field intensity is proportional to number of coil turns and electric current intensity

Applications of Electromagnetism: Current Generators

• Alternator, dynamo, or magnetic wheel operation is based on the principle of induced current in a winding, when subjected to the variation of a magnetic field

Transformers

• Transformers rely on self-induction and mutual induction
• Theyconsist of primary and secondary windings wrapped around a core of iron or ferromagnetic material
• The induced voltage in the secondary winding depends on the turns ratio between primary and secondary windings, and the primary current intensity at interruption
• Self-induction limits coil charging time, especially when saturation time is limited, as with high-speed ignition transformers

Electron in Matter

• Electricity originates from the movement of electrons within atoms
• An atom, the smallest portion of matter, is composed of a nucleus containing protons that have a positive charge and neutrons with no charge

Atomic Electron Dynamics

• Atoms may have many electrons in orbits around the nucleus
• Phenomena can dislodge electrons from outer orbits, causing the atom to have a deficit of negative charges, becoming a positive ion
• When electron leaves its orbit a vacancy left attracts electron from a nearby atom producing a cascade of displaced electrons to fill vacancies and create an electrical flow

Electron Behavior in Conductors

• Force driving electrons in a conductor is based on electron concentration difference at each end
• Natural circulation of electrons will result when one end has many electrons and the other end with few electrons in order to try and achieve equilibrium

Subatomic Particles

• Electrons: Very small mass and a negative electric charge
• Protons: Larger mass than electrons and a positive electric charge
• Neutrons: No electrical charge and mass equals that of the proton

Atomic Structure

• The atom consists of two main parts: nucleus and cortex
• Nucleus has protons and neutrons which vary in number depending on the element
• Hydrogen has a single proton, sodium has 11 protons and 12 neutrons
• Cortex is made of layers where electrons orbit the nucleus

Electric Machines

• Electric machines generate, harness, or transform electrical energy
• Generator: Converts mechanical energy into electrical energy
• Motor: Converts electrical energy into mechanical energy

Current Carrying Conductors in Magnetic Fields

• When conductor carrying electric current is within a magnetic field, it moves perpendicularly to the magnetic field
• The direction of motion depending on the current direction
• When coil is part of the conductor one side moves up while other moves down causing the coil to rotate

Dynamo and Alternator

• Michael Faraday discovered that moving electric conductor through magnetic field generates voltage and if circuit is closed current flows

The Dynamo

• Dynamo provides direct current by using split rings called commutators
• The split rings of the collector change contact every half turn to reverse the induced current

The Alternator

• Alternator outputs alternating currents because slip rings never break contact with coils
• Provides alternating current because polarity of the brushes in the circuit alternate

Electricity Production

• Now that the principles of generating electricity using magnetic fields and electrons is understood, commercial power plants utilize varying sources
• Sources for electricity production includes biogas, geothermal, wind, thermal and hydroelectric

Electric Current

• Electric current is divided into two main types: alternating current(AC), and direct current(DC)

Direct Current (DC)

• In direct current, the charges flow in a single direction
• Batteries and cells produce direct current

Alternating Current (AC)

• In alternating current, charges flow in one direction and then reverse, cyclically changing polarity
• Frequency of polarity change per second is measured in hertz (Hz)

Potential Difference

• Potential difference is the energy needed to move a positive charge from one point to another
• Volt (V) is the unit of measurement

Voltage Measurement

• Voltage is similar to pressure in water flow
• Voltmeter measures potential difference or voltage
• A voltmeter connects in parallel

Current Intensity

• Current intensity quantity of electric current through a conductor per unit of time
• Ampere (A) is the unit of measurement and equals the passage of one coulomb of charge per second
• Ammeter measures current passing through a circuit in amperes, and always connects in a series

Production of Electricity Based on Fossil Fuels

• Using fossil fuels such as gas, coal, or bunker fuel. It's considered thermal power generation is the term

Power Plant Distribution

• Generator is connected to a transformer to increase voltage through high tension transmission lines
• Voltages are nominally between 25 to 132 kilovolts
• Voltage depends on design and regional needs of electric company standards
• Necessary to increase the high voltage because of long runs through high tension cables the cables create resistance causing diminishment

Energy Demands and Sources

• Electrical generating facilities send CO2 which pollutes that atmosphere
• Global energy production has increased 14% despite other cleaner resources
• Increased demands for energy because of global population increasing
• Fossil fuels and fission are primarily and essentially used now

Wind Power

• Wind-based energy generation occurs using wind turbines

Photovoltaic Power

• Photovoltaic panels arranged in series provides energy from the sun

Geothermal Energy

• Energy harnessed from earth's internal heat

Biomass

• Energy obtained from organic matter

Tidal Power

• Derived from tides in the ocean

Computer Basics

• Technical writing is a method of writing of complex technical equipment, used typically as instructions for the mass use and public

Functional Model of a Computational Machine

• Computational systems has interconnected components that work as a whole
• Central Processing Unit (CPU): Considered the brains of the computer. It's where all the data processing operations take place
• Memory: Memory is divided into primary known as RAM and secondary where the data stays even if the machine goes off
• Input/Output (I/O) Devices: Allows the user to have a connection to the operating system
• Busses: Data transferring across the systems
• Operating System: Responsible for operating the hardware and the software which helps keep it altogether

Introdution to Computations

• Elizondo indicated that society is now using technology more than ever
• The importance of learning technology is now and more important
• Basic skills aren't good enough, being competent is now the new standard

Computing Systems

• Computing systems vary and are unique with each one
• They all have specific components that share computer skills
• Basic computer use is for everyone because of how far advanced they are

Hardware

• Hardware is all the physical parts of a computer, printer, digitalizing camera, card, and/or communicator
• Hardware is responsible for providing the general functions

Software

• Software is everything that is responsible for a process
• Software is the reason why we can't interact with our machine

System Software

• Manages the operation of hardware
• Subdivided into operating systems and utilities
• Examples of Operating Systems: MS Windows, Linux, Unix, Mac OS, Symbian, iPhone OS, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Phone
• Utilities are programs that support the operating system: disk partitioning, installation/uninstallation assistants or compression tools

Operating System Operation

• Most computers run in two functions: Kernel or User
• El sistema operate provides the software
• Operating software gives full access to all the hardware and executes machine

Computers and Code

• 5 million lines of code to create a Windows operative system
• 50 lines of code with 100 volumes to create that operating system

Application Software

• It does specific things to help the user get their own operations
• Can be broken down into simple form
• Communication
• Development programming system

Interfaces

• Used to create connections between everything
• It provides all levels that connect all
• Graphical UI helps use and has access to create more commands

What is Data

• A set of things that don't have value alone and needs more to make it helpful
• Stimulus, incidents, numbers without it's value

What is Info

• The description of what is being described
• Technically speaking its called data that had to been processed

Functions of a Computer

• Every computer has four essential functions: receive, provide, process, and/or store
• A computer needs input and output as processing and memory
• It is based on elements of hardware

Cabinets

• Most of the computer parts are stored and secured in the computer's cabinet
• The presentations can be vertical, horizontal or can be created inside a PC machine
• Provide power for the interior devices: speakers, disk drives, cd rom drives, exterior connection ports

Main circuit board

• The installed motherboard creates massive amount of circuits
• Canals/channels for communications
• Microprocessors for CPU, memory
• Connectors with keyboard, cameras, sound card and more

Technology Integration into Computers

• Computers usually have ports for many items like USB, Universal Serial Bus which provides and supports many other connections
• Scanner, keyboard, cameras, video cards and video boards
• This provides "plug and play" and doesn't need to restart

Processor

• CPU is the brain of the computer with an integrated circuit called the microprocessor and is small but packs a punch
• Manufacturers are Intel and AMD and are very popular
• They are labeled by version speed and model

Memory

• Memory stores and retrieves data used by the CPU
• Divided into primary and secondary memory
• Primary memory is the ROM for read only and/or RAM for random assess
• Store permanent data with secondary memory

Storage

• Secondary memory stores the data and program used
• The CPU has input and output access and known by that name and/or (I/O)

Types of Computer Storage

• Uses magnetic, optical and/or electronic storage
• Magnets are used in back up units
• Discs are compact CDs
• Electronic include ROM and RAM

Temporary Memory

• Main Memory (RAM): Temporary storage for data during program execution
• Cache Memory: Accelerates processor access by hosting frequently accessed data
• Flash Memory: Solid-state storage used in USBs and SSDs
• EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory): Electrical means to write and erase data

Permanent Memory

• Magnetic Disks (HDD): Rotating disks paired with a read/write mechanism
• Magneto-Optical Units: Storage via magnetic and laser technology combined
• SSD (Solid State Drive): Parts mechanical parts or solid state to store data

Input Devices

• Input devices allow users to enter data or commands into the computer via a graphical interface using a mouse or keyboard
• Basic input options are keyboard or mouse

Devices for the Computer

• Keyboard is used similar to typewriter with alphabetical characters
• Mouse helps pick and drag graphics with a point and click method

Output Devices

• Output devices present data to the user after being converted or transformed. The indispensable part is the monitor
• Print media to secure physical copy

Communication Technology

• Computers do not exist by itself, they are a part of an communication that shares files and hardware amongst others
• It can be done with modem

Computer Integration

• A connection to two or more routers, networks, and/or hardware connecting can be either wired and/or wireless
• Has to be created with coding during the development

Personal Computer Devices

• The classification of pc units depends on different parts
• Desktop computers are designed to set in singular locations and comes with hardware
• Laptop/portable device are compact devices with batteries with charging capabilities
• Tablets/ mobile pads are compact
• Mini pc's are small and easy to handle around and has low energy use

Geographic Network Connection

• LAN (Local Area Connection): Limited network cable that transmits data in nearby areas
• WAN (Wide-area connection): Can be done over extreme geographic location can be public or private connection

Operating System

• Mono users: Only one user has access to their personal computer
• Multi-user: Connection to large server connections/networks