Direct Current (dc)

This is the continuous flow of electrons through a conducting material such as a metal wire. In
direct current the electron flow is always in the same direction.

Alternating Current (ac)

An alternating current is one which is constantly changing direction or alternates in direction.

The back and forth motion occurs between 50 and 60 times per second, depending on the
electrical system of the country.

Therefore, the difference between dc and ac is that dc is continuous and in one direction,
whereas ac alternates in direction.

Cells and Batteries

Cells and batteries supply current which always passes in the same direction and are thus
sources of direct current.

The underlying principle of operation in a battery is an ELECTROCHEMICAL REACTION i.e. a

chemical reaction that produces electrons. In a battery electrons are made to move in one
direction by lining up different types of metals/materials. The principle behind the selection of
metal is to choose one with a lot of free electrons and the other requiring free electrons. The
electrons are produced by the chemical reaction between the electrolyte and metal.
Below is an explanation of the battery reaction:

The sulphuric acid reacts with the zinc electrode. As a result the acid molecule breaks up into
2H+ and one SO42- ions.

The Zinc atoms on the surface of the zinc rod go to

Zn ---------------------> Zn2+ + 2e-

The Zn2+ combines with the SO42-

Zn2+ + SO42- ----------------> ZnSO4which dissolves in the acid.

The excess electrons flow through the wire and load to the carbon electrode as this is the easier
route.

The electrons combine with the hydrogen on the carbon rod releasing hydrogen gas.

2H+ + 2e- ---------------------> H2 gas

The above only happens when the circuit is complete

Solar Cells

Solar cells are also known as photovoltaic cells as they transfer energy from light photons
(sunlight) to electrical energy.

Mains Electricity

Mains electricity is the term used to refer to the electricity supply from power stations to
households.

Mains electricity is supplied as alternating current (a.c.)

Alternating current a.c. is one which is constantly changing i.e. the current flows in one
direction and then in the opposite direction, again and again (continuously). A.C. supply goes in
one direction and then in the opposite direction 50 times in one second.

Therefore, the frequency of a.c. supply is 50 cycles per second or 50 hertz.

For home, mains voltage is 230 Volts.

Why a.c.?
Alternating current can easily be converted to higher and lower voltages by a transformer. By
transporting the electrical energy from a power station at a high voltage and low current is
more efficient as if a high current and low voltage was to be used most of the energy would be
wasted as heat due to the resistance in the power lines. Converting d.c. to the high voltage low
current form is very difficult and cannot be done efficiently.

Mains electricity generated from power stations is supplied to UK households via the National
Grid.

Mains electricity (electricity from the power station) enters the house via the Live wire. The live
wire carries the incoming electricity and is therefore at 230V and so very dangerous. Mains
voltage is more than enough to kill somebody.
The neutral wire is also supplied from the power station and is used to complete the circuit. it is
earthed back to the power station. Therefore once the electricity from the live wire has given
its energy to the appliances in the household the current travels back out of the house via the
neutral wire hence the neutral wire has a lower voltage than the live wire.

The earth wire is used for safety purposes and carries the current away when there is a fault.

Fuses

A fuse is an electrical component which is placed in an electrical circuit for protection against
electrical faults such as a current surge.

A fuse is an electrical wire which is thick enough to allow the required current for the device to
pass through it, but thin enough to melt and break the circuit if too much current flows.

The Earth Wire

Electrical appliances with metal cases usually contain an earth wire. If there is a fault in the
appliance and the live wire makes contact with the metal casing, a large current flows from the
live wire to the earth wire. This larger current melts the fuse in the live wire breaking the circuit
and isolating the appliance from the live wire.

The earth wire and the fuse together protect the user and the appliance.
Some appliances are double-insulated this means they have a plastic insulating case and
therefore do not require an earth wire connect to them. Double-insulated appliance such as
hair dryers are marked with the symbol:

Circuit Breakers

Fuses work on the principal of a large current melting the fuse wire. In some cases faults can
occur in which the current may not be large enough to melt the fuse but enough to seriously
harm the user of the electrical appliance. For protection against faults of this nature a circuit -
breaker is used in place of a fuse.

Circuit-breakers offer the following advantages compared to fuses.

Circuit-breakers respond quicker than fuses.

Circuit-breakers are more reliable.
Circuit-breakers are more sensitive.
Unlike fuses which only operate once and need to be replaced a circuit-breaker can be
reset.

There are two main types of circuit-breakers.

1. Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)

2. Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB)

1. Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)

Many different designs and mechanisms are available for this type of circuit-breaker, below are
a few examples.

Magnetic Type

This type of MCB consists of an electromagnet. If the current exceeds the rating of the circuit-
breaker the pulling force of the magnet attracts an iron latch which breaks the electrical
contacts.
Thermal Type

This type makes use of the heating effect of electricity on a bi-metallic strip. An increase in
current causes the bi-metallic strip to bend which breaks contact made via a latch mechanism.

2. Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB)

Residual current circuit breakers work by comparing the current entering the appliance via the
live wire with the current leaving the appliance through the neutral wire.

The live wire and the neutral wire are wound around iron cores in opposite directions. When
the appliance is working correctly all the electrical current entering the appliance via the live
wire leaves the appliance through the neutral wire and the magnetic fields generated around
the iron cores cancel out. In the event of a fault some of the electric current will flow through
the earth wire or in the absence of earthing through the body of the user. This results in an
imbalance between the current entering the appliance through the live wire and the current
exiting through the neutral wire. This difference in electrical current is called the residual
current.

This difference means the decreased electrical current in the neutral wire has a weaker
magnetic field associated it to it than the live wire. The two magnetic fields do not balance out
and the iron pivot is attracted to the live wire and the contacts are disconnected breaking the
circuit.

Residual Current Circuit Breakers have the advantage of being highly sensitive and a very quick
response time making them safe.

The Three Pin Plug

It is important to know how to wire a 3 pin plug correctly. 3 pin plugs are designed so that
mains electricity can be supplied to electrical appliances safely.

A 3 pin plug consists of three pins (hence the name). Each pin must be correctly connected to
the three wires in the electrical cable. Each wire has its own specified colour so as it can be
easily identified.

The LIVE wire is BROWN. This is connected to a fuse on the live pin. The electric current uses
the live wire as its route in.

The NEUTRAL wire is BLUE. This is the route the electric current takes when it exits an
appliance; it is for this reason the neutral wire has a voltage close to zero.
The EARTH wire is GREEN & YELLOW and connected to the earth pin. This is used when the
appliance has a metal casing to take any current away if the live wire comes in contact with the
casing.