Basic Electrical Engineering 18ELE13/23

BASIC ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING :

MODULE - 1

I . DC CIRCUITS :
Syllabus : Ohm's law, Kirchhoff's laws, analysis of series, parallel & series parallel circuits
excited by independent voltage sources, power & energy, examples.

Ohm's law : " The potential difference between the two ends of a conductor is directly
proportional to the current flowing through it, provided its temperature & other
parameters remain unchanged ".

VαI

I V=RI

R - Constant of proportionality called Resistance

V - voltage in volts
V I - current in Amps
R - resistance in Ohms (Ω)

Limitations of Ohm's law :

- It is not applicable to non-metallic conductors like silicon carbide. Their v-i relationship
is given by ,

[ V= K Im ] - Here the relation between V & I is non linear. (m< 1)

- It is not applicable to non-linear devices like diodes.

- It is not applicable to 'arc lamps', because arc produced exhibits non-linear characteristics.

Kirchhoff's laws :-

I. Kirchhoff's current law [ KCL ] -

" Algebraic sum of all currents meeting at a node is zero in any electric circuit"

OR

" Sum of all currents entering a node is equal to sum of all currents leaving a node in any
electrical circuit."

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Basic Electrical Engineering 18ELE13/23

KCL is illustrated below .

II. Kirchhoff's voltage law [KVL] -

" In any electrical circuit, the algebraic sum of voltage drops of all branches & emf's is zero."

or

" In any electrical network, the algebraic sum of voltage drops of all branches and emf's
forming a closed loop is zero."

Series , parallel , series-parallel combination circuits:-

Resistances in series :-

V = V1 + V2 + V3

IRs = IR1 + IR2 + IR3

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Basic Electrical Engineering 18ELE13/23

Rs = R1 + R2 + R3

Resistances in parallel :-

I = I 1 + I2 + I3

V/ Rp = V/ R1 + V/R2 + V/R3

1/ Rp = 1/ R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3

Current divider rule and voltage divider rule :

a) Current divider rule :

V = I1R1 = I2R2

I2 = ( I1R1 / R2) ...... (1)

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Basic Electrical Engineering 18ELE13/23

I = I 1 + I2 as per KCL

I = I1 + ( I1R1 / R2 ) ...... from (1)

I = I1 (R1 + R2)
R2

I1 = IR2
(R1+R2)

In general it can be expressed as follows :

Current through R1 = Main current X opposite resistance

Sum of resistances

b) Voltage divider rule :

I = V / (R1+R2)

V1 = IR1 = [ VR1 / (R1 + R2)]

In general it can be expressed as follows :

Voltage across R1 = Main voltage X same resistance

Dept of EEE, SVIT

Basic Electrical Engineering 18ELE13/23

Sum of resistances

1. If the total power dissipated in the circuit shown is 18W, find the value of
‘R’ and its current.[June/July 2015]

P = 18W
I = P/V = 18/12 = 1.5 A
I1 = V/ (8+4) (Since it is a parallel circuit).
=
12/12 =
1A I2 = I
- I1
= 1.5 – 1 = 0.5A
Voltage across 16Ω resistor is V16Ω = I2 × 16 =
0.5 × 16 = 8V So voltage Across R is 12- 8 = 4 V

Dept of EEE, SVIT

Basic Electrical Engineering 18ELE13/23

R = V/ I2 = 4/0.5 = 8Ω

2. What is the potential difference between the point x and y in the network
shown? [June/July 2015].

I1 = 2/ (2+3) = 0.4A
I2 = 4/ (3+5) = 0.5A
Vxy = 3I1 + 4 – 3I2
= (3* 0.4) + 4 - (3*0.5)
= 3.7 V

3. Find the values of currents in all the branches of the network shown in figure
[Dec 2014/Jan2015]

-0.2I-0.1(I-60)-0.3I-0.1(I-120)-0.1(I-50)-0.2(I-80) = 0
-0.2I-0.1I-0.3I-0.1I-0.1I-0.2I+6+12+5+16 = 0
-I = -39
I = 39

4. A current of 20A flows through two ammeters A and B in series. The potential

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Basic Electrical Engineering 18ELE13/23

difference across A is 0.2V and across B is 0.3V. Find how the same current will
divide between A and B when they are in parallel. [Dec 2014/Jan2015]
Case I:

V1 = 0.2 V
V2 = 0.3 V
Resistance of ammeter A, R1 = V1/I = 0.2/20 = 0.01 ohms
Resistance of ammeter B, R2 = V2/I = 0.3/20 = 0.015 ohms
Case II:
I1 = I* (R2/ (R1+R2)) = 20*(0.015/ (0.015+0.01)) = 12A
I2 = I* (R1/ (R1+R2)) = 20*(0.01/ (0.015+0.01)) = 8A
5. A circuit consists of 2 parallel resistors having resistances 20Ω and 30Ω
respectively, connected in series with a 15Ω resistor. If the current through 30Ω
resistor is 1.2A, Find
(i) Currents in 20Ω and 15Ω resistors (ii) The voltage across the whole circuit (iii)
voltage across 15 Ω resistor and 20 Ω resistor (iv) total power consumed in the
circuit. [Dec
2014/Jan2015]
Solution: Voltage across 30 Ω is = I R = 1.2 × 30 = 36V
Current in 20 Ω is = V/R = 36/ 20 = 1.8 A (Since 20 Ω and 30 Ω are in
parallel)
Total current in the circuit is = 1.8 +1.2 = 3 A
Voltage in 15 Ω is = 3 ×15 = 45 V
Total voltage is = 45 +36 = 81 V
Power in the circuit is = VI = 81 ×3 = 243 W

6. A coil consists of 600 turns and a current of 10A in the coil gives rise to a
magnetic flux of 1mWb.Calculate (i) self-inductance (ii) induced emf (iii) energy
stored when the current is reversed in 0.01second.
[Dec 2014/Jan2015]

L=

= = 0.06 H

e = -L = - 0.06 (-10-10)/0.01 = 120V

Energy stored = = (1/2)* (0.06)* 102 =3J

2
7.

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Basic Electrical Engineering 18ELE13/23

11. Find the resistance of the circuit shown (RAD).[ June/July 2013]

((2 Ω || 5 Ω || 10 Ω) + (6 Ω || 4 Ω) + 1.35) || 5 Ω
(1.25 + 2.4 +1.35) || 5 Ω
= 2.5 Ω

12. Find the value of resistance R as shown in the figure below. So that the current
drawn from the source is 250 mA. All the resistances are in ohms.[Dec 2013/Jan
2014]

Req = [(R || 40) + 40] || 30

Req =

Req =

R = 40Ω

Dept of EEE, SVIT

Basic Electrical Engineering 18ELE13/23

QUESTION BANK :

1(a) D.C CIRCUITS

1. State and explain Kirchhoff’s laws as applied to DC Circuits.(Jan 2014,6M)
2. What are the advantages of parallel circuit over series circuit?(Jan 2010,5M)
3. State and explain Ohm’s law & state its limitation.(Jan 2013,6M)
4. A resistance R is connected in series with a parallel circuit comprising two resistances of
12Ω & 8Ω respectively. The total power dissipation in the circuit is 70W when the applied
voltage is 20V. Calculate R.(June 2014,6M)
5. The total power consumed by the network shown in the figure (a) is 16W. Find the value
of R & the total current. (Jan 2013,6M)
6. Obtain the potential difference Vxy in the circuit shown in figure (b).(Jan 2012,6M),(Jan
2015,8M)(June 2015,8M)
7. Find the currents in all the resistors of the network shown in the figure (c). Also the
voltage across AB.(June 2013,6M)(Jan 2015,6M)
8. A current of 20A flows through two ammeters A & B in series. The potential difference
across A is 0.2V & across B is 0.3V. Find how the same current will divide between A &
B when they are in parallel.(Jan 2012,6M)(June 2014,6M)(Jan 2015,6M)
9. A circuit consists of two parallel resistors having resistances of 20Ω & 30Ω respectively,
connected in series with a 15Ω resistor. If the current through 15Ω resistor is 3A find, (a)
the currents in 20Ω & 30Ω resistors, (b) the voltage across whole circuit, & (c) the total
power consumed in allresistor.(Jan 2009,6M)(June 2010,6M)
10. Using Kirchhoff’s laws, determine R1, R2, I1,I2& I3 in the circuit shown in figure (d).(Jan
2012,6M)
11. For the network shown in figure (e), calculate the currents I x&Iy.(Jan 2013,6M)
12. Three 60W, 120V light bulbs are connected across a 120V power line as shown in the
figure (f). Find (a) the voltage across each bulb & (b) the total power dissipated in the
three bulbs.(Jan 2011,6M)(June 2012,6M)(June 2013,6M)
13. For the circuit shown in figure (g), find the current supplied by each battery and power
dissipated in 1Ω resistor.(Jan 2015,5M)

Dept of EEE, SVIT

Basic Electrical Engineering 18ELE13/23

14. In the parallel arrangements of resistors shown in the figure (h), the current flowing in the
8Ω resistor is 2.5A. Find the current in other resistors, resistor X and the equivalent
resistance.

Dept of EEE, SVIT

Basic Electrical Engineering 18ELE13/23

II. A.C. Fundamentals:

Syllabus :Generation of sinusoidal voltage, frequency of generated voltage, definition and
numerical values of average value, root mean square value, form factor and peak factor of
sinusoidally varying voltage and current, phasor representation of alternating quantities.

Introduction:
 An Alternating Current is one in which the magnitude and direction of an electrical
quantity changes with respect to time.

Generation of sinusoidal voltage:

 Consider a rectangular coil of N turns placed in a uniform magnetic field as shown in
the figure.

 The coil is rotating in the anticlockwise direction at a uniform angular velocity of ω

rad/sec.
 When the coil is in the vertical position, the flux linking the coil is zero because the
plane of the coil is parallel to the direction of the magnetic field. Hence at this
position, the emf induced in the coil is zero.
 When the coil moves by some angle in the anticlockwise direction, there is a rate of
change of flux linking the coil and hence an emf is induced in the coil.
 When the coil reaches the horizontal position, the flux linking the coil is maximum,
and hence the emf induced is also maximum.
 When the coil further moves in the anticlockwise direction, the emf induced in the
coil reduces.
 Next when the coil comes to the vertical position, the emf induced becomes zero.
 After that the same cycle repeats and the emf is induced in the opposite direction.
 When the coil completes one complete revolution, one cycle of AC voltage is
generated.
 An alternating quantity changes continuously in magnitude and alternates in direction
at regular intervals of time.

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Basic Electrical Engineering 18ELE13/23

Important terms associated with an alternating quantity are defined below.

1. Amplitude
 It is the maximum value attained by an alternating quantity. Also called as maximum
or peak value.

2. Time Period (T)

 It is the Time Taken in seconds to complete one cycle of an alternating quantity.

3. Instantaneous Value
 It is the value of the quantity at any instant.

4. Frequency (f)
 It is the number of cycles that occur in one second. The unit for frequency is Hz or
cycles/sec.
 The relationship between frequency and time period can be derived as follows.
 Time taken to complete f cycles = 1 second
 Time taken to complete 1 cycle = 1/f second
T = 1/f

5. Angular Frequency (ω)

 Angular frequency is defined as the number of radians covered in one second(ie the
angle covered by the rotating coil).
 The unit of angular frequency is rad/sec.

 The component of flux acting along the plane of the coil does not induce any flux in
the coil. Only the component acting perpendicular to the plane of the coil
i.e Φmax cosωt induces an emf in the coil.
d
e=−N Φ max cosωt / dt

e = NΦ max ω sin ωt

e = Em sin ωt

Advantages of AC system over DC system

1. AC voltages can be efficiently stepped up/down using transformer.
2. AC motors are cheaper and simpler in construction than DC motors.
3. Switchgear for AC system is simpler than DC system.

Average Value
 The arithmetic average of all the values of an alternating quantity over one cycle is
called its average value

Average value = Area under one cycle

Base
 For Symmetrical waveforms, the average value calculated over one cycle becomes
equal to zero because the positive area cancels the negative area.
 Hence for symmetrical waveforms, the average value is calculated for half cycle.

Dept of EEE, SVIT

Basic Electrical Engineering 18ELE13/23

1 2π

V 
av 2π ∫0 vd (ωt
1 π
V  vd (ωt )
av π ∫ 0

Average value of a sinusoidal current

i  I m sin ωt
1π
I
av π ∫ id (ωt )
0
1 π

I I m sin ωtd (ωt

av π ∫ )
0

I av  2I m  0.637I m
Average value of a full wave rectifier π output

i  I m sin ωt
1π
I
av π ∫ id (ωt )
0
1π
I
av π ∫ I m sin ωtd (ωt )
0

I av  2I m  0.637I m
π
Average value of a half wave rectifier output
i  I m sin ωt
2π
I 1
av  2π ∫ id (ωt )
0

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Basic Electrical Engineering 18ELE13/23

1π
I
av  2π ∫ I m sin ωtd (ωt )
0

Im
I av   0.318I m
π

RMS or Effective Value

 The effective or RMS value of an alternating quantity is that steady current (dc) which
when flowing through a given resistance for a given time produces the same amount
of heat produced by the alternating current flowing through the same resistance for
the same time.

1 2π
V
rms 2π ∫ 0
v 2 d (ωt )

RMS value of a sinusoidal current

i  I m sin ω
t
1 2π
I rms  ∫i
2
d (ωt )
2π
0

1π
I m2 sin 2 ωtd (ωt
I
rms  π ∫)
0

I rms  I m  0.707I m
2

Form Factor

The ratio of RMS value to the average value of an alternating quantity is known as Form
Factor
FF = RMS Value

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Basic Electrical Engineering 18ELE13/23

Average Value

Peak Factor or Crest Factor

The ratio of maximum value to the RMS value of an alternating quantity is known as the
peak factor

PF = MaximumValue
RMSValue

Phasor Representation
 An alternating quantity can be represented using
(i) Waveform
(ii) Equations
(iii) Phasor
 A sinusoidal alternating quantity can be represented by a rotating line called a
Phasor.
 A phasor is a line of definite length rotating in anticlockwise direction at a constant
angular velocity.
Phase
 Phase is defined as the fractional part of time period or cycle through which the
quantity has advanced from the selected zero position of reference.
Phase Difference
 When two alternating quantities of the same frequency have different zero points,
they are said to have a phase difference. The angle between the zero points is the
angle of phase difference.
In Phase
 Two waveforms are said to be in phase, when the phase difference between them is
zero. That is the zero points of both the waveforms are same.
 The waveform, phasor and equation representation of two sinusoidal quantities which
are in phase is as shown. The figure shows that the voltage and current are in phase.

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