Walt Pozgay Quality Test Engineer GE Appliances, a Haier Company Electricity Basics Walt Pozgay Quality Test Engineer GE Appliances, a Haier Company

The Atom Proton – Positive Charge Neutron – Neutral Charge Electron – Negative Charge

The Valence Shell Outermost ring of electrons. Most responsible for electrical property of a material. 8 Valence electrons make a stable atom.

Most plastics and glasses are good insulators. Stable Valence Shell. Most plastics and glasses are good insulators. Most common insulators in electronics are Plastic/Rubber Glass/Ceramic Air

Fewer Valence Electrons. Most metals are good conductors. Most common conductors in electronics are Silver (1) Copper (1) Aluminum (3)

Usually 4 Valence Electrons. Semiconductors Usually 4 Valence Electrons. Sort of conductors and sort of insulators. Most common semiconductors in electronics are Silicon (4) Carbon (4)

What is electricity? Electricity is energy caused by the difference between charges. The force created by electricity is called Voltage. In a circuit, it causes electrons to move. When electrons are forced to move, the flow of electrons is called Current.

Ohm’s Law 𝐈= 𝐕 𝐑

The Circuit Source of Voltage Resistance to control Current and make work happen Path for Current

The Source Creates a surplus of electrons on one side (negative, cathode) and a deficiency of electrons on the other (positive, anode). Voltage is between the anode and the cathode. Electrons always move from negative to positive. In DC, negative and positive stay on the same side. In AC, they change sides periodically.

Does the work of the circuit. The Load Does the work of the circuit. Voltage is felt across the load. Current flows through the load.

The Path Creates a controlled route for the electrons to flow. Current is along the path and is constant at every point on the same path. The path must provide at least one continuous route for the electrons from the source’s cathode to the anode.

The Circuit

The Open Circuit

The Short Circuit