Basic Electrical Engineering

By
Dr. G. Ramesh
 Syllabus
Unit – I: Introduction to Electrical Engineering
Ohm’s Law, Basic circuit components, Kirchhoff’s Laws. Types of
sources, Source transformation, V- I relationship for passive
elements. Series parallel circuits, Star - delta and delta - star
transformation, mesh and nodal analysis. Network theorems-
superposition, thevenin’s theorem and maximum power transfer
theorem, Simple problems.

Unit – II: Fundamentals of Single phase and three phase AC circuits

Principle of AC voltage, waveforms & basic definitions. R.M.S. and
average values of alternative currents and voltage, Form factor and
Peak factor. Phasor representation of alternating quantities, the J
operator and phasor algebra. Analysis of ac circuits with single
basic network element, Single phase series circuits. Faraday’s laws
of electromagnetic induction, concept of self and mutual
inductances.
2
Unit – III: D.C Machines:
Principle of operation of D.C generators, Types of D.C
generators, Types of D.C motors, Torque equation, Losses
and efficiency calculation in D.C Generators and D.C
motors.

Unit – IV: Single Phase Transformers

Principle of operation, Constructional Details, Ideal
Transformer and Practical Transformer, equivalent
circuit, Losses, OC and SC Test, Efficiency and
Regulation Calculations, Elementary treatment & Simple
problems.

3
Unit – V: Three phase Circuits and three phase induction motors
Three phase circuits – phase sequence, Star and delta
connection, Relation between line and phase voltages and
currents in a balanced system.
Three phase induction motor: Principle of operation,
Construction, Types, Problems on slip, rotor frequency, rotor emf
and torque.

Unit – VI: Basic Instruments

Introduction, classification of instruments, Operating
principles, Essential features of measuring instruments,
Permanent Magnet Moving coil (PMMC) instruments, Moving
Iron (MI) instruments, Extension of Ammeter and voltmeter
ranges.
4
Text Books:
1. Basic Electrical Engineering - T.K.Nagsarkar and
M.S.Sukhja -Oxford University Press, 2nd edition.

2. Basic electrical Engineering – M.S.Naidu and

S.Kamakshiah – TataMcGraw-Hill, 2005 edition.

References:
3. Theory and problems of Basic electrical Engineering-
D.P.Kotahari & L.J.Nagrath PHI.

4. Principles of Electrical Engineering - V.K.Mehta, S.Chand

Publications.2nd edition

5
 Basic Electrical Engineering

UNIT-I: Introduction of Electrical

Engineering

By
Dr. G. Ramesh
 Unit-I: Syllabus

Ohm’s Law, Basic circuit components, Kirchhoff’s Laws.

Types of sources, Source transformation, V- I relationship
for passive elements. Series parallel circuits, Star - delta and
delta-star transformation, mesh and nodal analysis. Network
theorems-superposition, thevenin’s theorem and maximum
power transfer theorem, Simple problems.

7
 ATOM
Atom is a smallest possible amount of matter, which contains protons ,
neutrons and electrons
The nucleus (center) of the atom contains the protons (positively
charged) and the neutrons (no charge). The outermost regions of the
atom are called electron shells and contain the electrons (negatively
charged).

8
 Current (I)

Current is defined as the rate of flow of electrons in

a conductive or semi conductive material.
The movement of electrons from one end of the
material to other end constitutes an electrical
current, denoted by I and measured in ampere (A).
It is measured by number of electrons that flow past
a point in unit time,
Q dq
I  or
t dt
9
10
The conventional direction of current flow is
opposite to flow of electrons.
One ampere is equal to one coulomb per second.

Pro.1: 50 C of charge flow fast a given point in 4 s.

How many amperes of current is flowing?

11
 Voltage (V)

Electrical voltage is defined as electric potential

difference between two points of an electric field.

It is denoted by V, it is expressed in terms of energy

(W) per unit charge (Q).
W dw
V  or
Q dq

Charge (Q) is measured in coulombs (C), one

coulomb of charge carried by 6.25  1018

12
One volt is the potential difference between two
points when one joule of energy is used to pass one
coulomb of charge from one point to other.

Problem 2: if 90 J of energy is available for every 20

C of charge, what is the voltage?

13
 Energy (W)

Electrical Energy is the capacity to do work, and

the unit of work or energy is measured in joule ( J ).

Energy may exist many forms such as mechanical,

chemical, electrical and so on.

Electrical energy is the product of power multiplied

by the length of time it was consumed.

Energy (W )  Power ( P)  Time (t )

14
 Power (P)

Electrical power is the rate per unit time, at which

electrical energy is transferred by an electric circuit.
Electric power is usually produced
by electric generators, but can also be supplied by
sources such as electric batteries.
The SI unit of power is the watt (W), one joule per
second. 
Energy W
Power ( P)  
Time t
15
 When small change in energy is dw and change in
time dt, then power equation is
dw dw dq
P  
dt dq dt
 V  I  VI
Power ( P )  Voltage (V )  Current ( I )

the power is expressed in millwatts (mW), microwatts

(µW), kilowatt (KW) and megawatt (MW)
16
 one watt is amount of power generated when one
joule of energy consumed in one second.
Thus, the number of joules consumed in one second
is always equal to number of watts.
Pro.3: What is the power in watts if energy equals to
100 J is used in 2.5 seconds?

Pro.4: A 100 W fan is working at 230V supply, what

is the current and number of electrons passing
through the fan in every second.
17
 Ohm’s Law

Ohm's Law deals with the relationship between

Voltage, Current and Resistance in any DC electrical
circuit at constant temperature.

This relationship states that: the electrical

current (I) flowing in an circuit is proportional to
the voltage (V) and inversely proportional to the
resistance (R).

18
The resistor's current I is equal to the resistor's
voltage V divided by the resistance R
V
I 
R
The voltage V is equal to the current I times the
resistance R
V  IR
The resistance R is equal to the voltage V divided
by the current I
V
R
I
19
 Basic Circuit Components

A basic electrical circuit consists of three main components,

a source of voltage, a load, and conductors. In Figure 1, a basic
circuit is illustrated. This circuit consists of a battery as the source
of electrical energy, a lamp as the electrical load, and two wires as
the conductors connecting the battery to the lamp.

20
 Kirchhoff’s Law

Kirchhoff's Circuit Laws allow us to solve complex

circuit problems by defining a set of basic network
laws and theorems for the voltages and currents
around a circuit.

Kirchhoff's Circuit Law is classified in to two types

Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL) and Kirchhoff's
Current Law (KVL)

21
 Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL)

KCL states that the sum of current entering into any node is
equal to the sum of the currents leaving that node.
The node may be an interconnection of two or more
branches.

22
Here, the three currents entering the node, I1, I2, I3 are all
positive in value and the two currents leaving the node, I4 and
I5 are negative in value.
Then this means we can also rewrite the equation as

I1 + I2 + I3 – I4 – I5 = 0

We can use Kirchhoff’s current law when analyzing parallel

circuits.

23
Pro.5: Determine the current and power in all
resistors in the circuits shown in figures.

24
25
 Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL)

KVL, states that “in any closed loop network, the total
voltage around the loop is equal to the sum of all the voltage
drops within the same loop” which is also equal to zero.

In other words the algebraic sum of all voltages within the
loop must be equal to zero.

When current passes through a resistor, there is a loss of

energy and voltage drop across the resistor.

26
Starting at any point in the loop continue in the same
direction noting the direction of all the voltage drops, either
positive or negative, and returning back to the same starting
point. We can use KVL when analyzing series circuits.

27
Pro.6: What is the current in the circuit shown in
figure?. Determine the voltage across each resistor.

28
29
Type of Sources

30
 Independent Voltage Source
According to voltage–current characteristics, Independent
voltage source is expressed in ideal as well as practical case.
Ideal case: An ideal voltage source is a two terminal element
in which the voltage V is completely independent of the
current I.

31
In practical voltage sources, the internal resistance is
represented in series with the source, where voltage across
the terminals falls as the current through it increases.

Vt  Vs  is R

32
 Independent Current Source
According to voltage–current characteristics, Independent
current source is expressed in ideal as well as practical case.
An ideal constant source is a two-terminal element in which
the current I is completely independent of the voltage V
across it terminals.

33
In practical current sources, the resistance is in parallel
with the source, where magnitude of current falls as the
voltage across its terminals increases.
Vs
it  is 
R
34
 Source Transformation
Performing a source transformation consists of using
Ohm's law to take an existing voltage source in series
with a resistance, and replacing it with a current
source in parallel with the same resistance, or vice
versa.

The transformed sources are considered identical

and can be substituted for one another in a circuit.

35
I. Voltage Source to Current Source:

Pro.7: A voltage source 24 V, is connected in series with

the 10 Ώ resistor. Determine the current source and find
the current in 5Ώ load resistor.

36
37
II. Current Source to Voltage Source:

Pro.8: A Current source 9A, is connected in parallel with

the 6 Ώ resistor. Determine the voltage source and find
the voltage drop across the 4 Ώ load resistor.
38
39
 Network Elements
Network elements may be classified into four groups
i. Active and Passive : Voltage source and current
source, resistors, capacitors and inductors.

ii. Unilateral and bilateral : Diodes and Rectifiers

iii. Linear and non-linear: V=IR

iv. Lumped and distributive: resistors and capacitor

and inductors and transmission lines.
40
 V-I Relationship for Passive Elements
A passive element is an electrical component that
does not generate power, but instead dissipates,
stores, and/or releases it.

 Passive elements include resistances, capacitors,

and coils (also called inductors). 

41
 Resistor
The property of a material to restrict the flow of
electrons is called resistor, denoted by R.

 The unit of resistance is ohm ( ) . Ohm is defined

as the resistance offered by material when a current
of one ampere flows between two terminals with
one volt applied across it.
42
According to ohms law, the current is inversely
proportional to total resistance of the circuit, i.e.

V
I 
R

 we can write above equation in terms of charge as

flows
dq
V  R.
dt

The power absorbed by the resistor is converted to

heat. 43
The power absorbed by the resistor is given by

P  v.i  (i.R).i  i .R
2

 Energy lost in a resistance in time t is given by

t 2
v
W   Pdt  i Rt 
2
t
0
R

This loss of energy per unit charge is the drop in

potential across the material.
44
 Inductor or Inductance
A wire of certain length, when twisted into a coil
becomes a basic inductor, denoted by L.

 If current is made to pass through an inductor, an

electromagnetic field is formed.
A change in magnitude of the current changes the
electromagnetic field.
45
The unit of inductance is henry H, the inductance is
one henry when current through the coil, changing at
rate of one ampere per second, induces one volt across
the coil.
The current-voltage relation is given by
di
V  L.
dt

The power absorbed by thedi

inductor is
P  v.i  Li watts
dt
46
 The energy stored by the inductor is

1 2
W  Li
2

The property of inductor

1. The induced voltage across an inductor is zero if
the current through it is constant.
2. A small change in current within zero time
through an inductor gives an infinite voltage
across the inductor. 47
3. The inductor can store finite amount of energy,
even if the voltage across the inductor is zero, and
4. A pure inductor never dissipates energy, only
stores it. That is why it is also called as a non-
dissipative passive element.

Pro.9: The current in a 4 H inductor varies at a

rate of 3 A/s. Find the voltage across the inductor
and energy stored in the magnetic field after 2
seconds.
48
49
 Capacitor or Capacitance
Any two conducting surfaces separated by an
insulating medium exhibit the property of capacitor,
denoted by C and measured in farad F.

 The conducting surfaces are called electrodes, and

the insulating medium is called dielectric.
A capacitor stores energy in the form of an electric
field that is established by the opposite charges on the
two electrodes. 50
A capacitor is said to have greater capacitance if it
can store more charge per unit voltage and the
capacitance is given by

Q
C 
V

The current flowing through the capacitor is

dv
i C
dt
51
The power absorbed by capacitor is given by

dv
P  VC
dt

The energy stored by the capacitor is

1
W  Cv 2

52
The property of Capacitor
1. The current in capacitor is zero if the voltage across
it is constant.
2. A small change in voltage across a capacitor within
zero time gives an infinite current through the
capacitor.
3. The capacitor can store finite amount of energy,
even if the current through it is zero, and
4. A pure capacitor never dissipates energy, only stores
it. That is why it is also called as a non-dissipative
passive element.
53
Pro.10: A capacitor having a capacitance 5 micro
farad is charged to a voltage 11 KV. Calculate the
stored energy in joules.

54
 Series Circuits
A series circuit is a circuit in which resistors are arranged
in a chain, so the current has only one path to take.
In a series circuit, the current through each of the
components is the same, and the voltage across the circuit is
the sum of the voltages across each component.
The total resistance of resistors in series is equal to the
sum of their individual resistances:

RTotal  R1  R2  ......  Rn

55
Power in a Series Circuit: The total power supplied by
the source in any series resistive circuit is equal to the sum of
powers in each resistor in series, i.e. 2
V
PTotal  P1  P2  ......  Pn  I 2 RT 
RT
Determine the total amount of power in the series circuit in
given figure

56
Inductor follow the same law, in that the
total inductance of non-coupled inductors in series is equal to
the sum of their individual inductances:

LTotal  L1  L2  ......  Ln

Capacitors follow the same law using the reciprocals. The

total capacitance of capacitors in series is equal to the
reciprocal of the sum of the reciprocals of their individual
capacitances: 1 1 1 1
   ...... 
CTotal C1 C2 Cn

57
 Parallel Circuits
Parallel circuit is a circuit in which the resistors are
arranged with their heads connected together, and their
tails connected together.

The current in a parallel circuit breaks up, with some

flowing along each parallel branch and re-combining
when the branches meet again.

The voltage across each resistor in parallel is the same.

58
The total resistance of a set of resistors in parallel is found by
adding up the reciprocals of the resistance values, and then
taking the reciprocal of the total:

1 1 1 1
   ...... 
RTotal R1 R2 Rn

Power in a Series Circuit: The total power supplied by the

source in any series resistive circuit is equal to the sum of
powers in each resistor in series, i.e.
2
V
PTotal  P1  P2  ......  Pn  I 2 RT 
RT
59
Inductor follow the same law, in that the total inductance
of non-coupled inductors in parallel is equal to the reciprocal
of the sum of the reciprocals of their individual inductances:
1 1 1 1
   ...... 
LTotal L1 L2 Ln

The total capacitance of capacitor in parallel is equal to the

sum of their individual capacitances:

CTotal  C1  C2  ......  Cn

60
Pro.11: Find the equivalent resistance, REQ for the
following resistor combination circuit.

61
62
63
Pro.12: The circuit given below, C1=60µF, C2=20
µF, C3=9 µF and C4=12 µF. If the potential
difference between points a and c is Vac= 120V,
find voltage across Qac and Vab.

64
65
 Star to Delta and Delta to Star Transformation
In an electrical network, the connection of three branches
can be done in different forms however most commonly used
methods are star connection otherwise delta connection.
A star connection can be defined as the three branches of a
network can be commonly connected to a mutual point in Y
-model.
Similarly, a delta connection can be defined as; the three
branches of a network are connected in a closed loop in the
delta model.
But, these connections can be changed from one model to
another model. 66
These two conversions are mainly used to make simpler of
complex networks. 

I. Star to Delta Transformation

Where the delta connection of resistances are determined by star

connection of resistances depends on circuit requirements. 67
 R1 R2  R2 R3  R3 R1
R12 
R3
R1 R2  R2 R3  R3 R1
R23 
R1
R1 R2  R2 R3  R3 R1
R31 
R2

Prob.13: Find equivalent

delta connected load R1,
R2,and R3 in the given
figure.1

68
69
II. Delta to Star Transformation
The replacement of delta or mesh by equivalent star
connection is known as delta – star transformation.

70
Where the star connection of resistances are determined
by delta connection of resistances depends on circuit
requirements.
R1 R2
R12 
R1  R2  R3
R2 R3
R23 
R1  R2  R3
R3 R1
R31 
R1  R2  R3

71
Prob.14: Find equivalent resistance R AB in the given
figure

72
73
 Mesh and Nodal Analysis
Mesh and nodal analysis are two basic important
techniques which are useful to find solution in a network.

The suitability of either mesh or nodal analysis to a

particular problem mainly depends on the number of
voltage sources or current sources.

If a network has a large number of voltage sources, it is

useful to use mesh analysis; if the network has more
current sources use nodal analysis method.

74
Mesh Analysis: it is used for more voltage sources circuits,
if there are any current sources in a circuit they are to be
converted into equivalent voltage sources.

Explain below circuits with mesh analysis

75
In figure there are two loops abef and bcdeb in the
network.
Let us assume loop currents I1 and I 2 with directions as
indicated in figure.
Considering the loop abef alone, observe that current
is I1 passing through R1 and  I1  I 2  is passing through R2
By applying KVL, it can be written as

Vs  I1 R1  R2  I1  I 2  (1)

Similarly, if we consider the second loop bcdeb alone,

observe that current I 2 is passing through R3 , R4 and  I 2  I1  is
passing through R2

76
Applying KVL to loop bcdeb and write equation (2)

R2  I 2  I1   I 2 R3  I 2 R4  0 (2)

By rearranging above equation (1) and (2)

I1  R1  R2   I 2 R2  Vs (3)

 I1 R2  I 2  R2  R3  R4   0 (4)

By solving equation (3)&(4), find the current I1 & I 2

The no. of mesh currents equals to no. of mesh equations.

77
Pro.15: Write mesh current equations in the circuits and
determines the currents.

78
79
Nodal Analysis: The node voltage is the voltage of a
given node with respect to reference node, which is
assumed at zero potential.

Explain below circuits with nodal analysis

80
In figure the node 3 is assumed as reference node, the
voltage at node 1 is the voltage at that node w.r.to node 3.
Similarly, voltage at node 2 is w.r.to node 3.

Applying KCL at node 1, the current entering equals to

current leaving.

V1 V1  V2
I1   (1)
R1 R2
Where V1 &V2 are the voltage at node 1 &2. Similarly,
apply KCL at node 2,
V2  V1 V2 V2
  0
R2 R3 R4  R5 (2)
81
 Rearranging above equation (1) and (2)
1 1   1 
V1     V2    I1 (3)
 R1 R2   R2 

 1   1 1 1 1 
 V1    V2     0 (4)
 R2   R2 R3 R4 R5 

By solving equation (3)&(4), find the voltage V1 &V2 .

82
Pro.16: Write node voltage equations and determines the
currents in each branch for the network shown in the
figure.

83
84
85
 Superposition Theorem
The superposition theorem states that in any linear network
containing two or more sources, the response in any element is
equal to the algebraic sum of the response caused by individual
source acting alone, while other sources are non-operative.

Where the ideal voltage and current sources are replaced by

open and short circuits in the network.

This theorem can be better understood with a numerical

example.

Superposition theorem not valid for power response.

86
Pro.17: Using superposition principle, find the current in
3 ohm resistor. The power in each branch for the network
shown in the figure.

87
88
89
 Thevenin’s Theorem
The thevenin’s theorem states that in any two terminal linear
network having a number of voltage current sources and
resistances can be replaced by a simple equivalent circuit
consisting of a single voltage source in series with a resistance.

Where the value of the voltage source is equal to the open-circuit

voltage across the two terminals of the network and resistance is
equal to the equivalent resistance measured between the
terminals with all the energy sources are replaced by their
internal resistances.

This theorem can be better understood with a numerical

example is given below,

90
Pro.18: Determine the thevenin's equivalent circuit
across ‘AB’ for the given circuit.

91
92
93
 Maximum Power Transfer Theorem
In electrical engineering, the maximum power transfer
theorem states that, the maximum power is delivered from a
source to a load when the load resistance is equal to the source
resistance. Rs  RL

Vs
Current in the circuit I 
 Rs  RL 
Power delivered to load PL  I RL
2

94
Pro.19: Determine the value of the load resistance when
the load resistance draws maximum power. Also find the
value of the maximum power.

95
96
THANK YOU

97