ECT1501/201/1/2014

Tutorial letter 201/1/2014

Electronics I (Theory)
ECT1501

Semester 1

Department of Electrical and Mining

Engineering

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
This tutorial letter contains important information
about your module.
 ASSIGNMENT 2
QUESTION 1

1.1 Find the minimum and the maximum resistance within the tolerance limits for each
resistor:
1.1.1 10 kΩ ± 5%
1.1.2 100 kΩ ± 5%
1.1.3 33 kΩ ± 5%
(6)
1.2 You are given the following ¼ watt four-band carbon film resistors; determine their
values.
1.2.1 (2)
Red Violet Red Gold

1.2.2 (2)
Yellow Violet Gold Gold

1.3 Precision resistors (usually a film type) with tolerances of 2% or less use a five-band
system. What is the resistance and tolerance of the following precision resistors having
the following bands?
1.3.1 Brown Black Black Brown Red (2)
1.3.2 Red Violet Black Brown Brown (2)

1.4 Besides the ¼ watt power rating, list the other wattage values for carbon resistors.
(2)
[16]
Answer/Solution:
1.1.1 10 kΩ ± 5%
10 000 × 5% = 500 Ω
Min.: 10 000 – 500 = 9500 Ω  Max.: 10 000 + 500 = 10 500 Ω 

1.1.2 100 kΩ ± 5%
100 000 × 5% = 5000 Ω
Min.: 100 000 – 5 000 = 95 000 Ω  Max.: 100 000 + 5 000 = 105 000 Ω 

1.1.3 33 kΩ ± 5%
33 000 × 5% = 1650 Ω
Min.: 33 000 – 1650 = 31 350 Ω  Max.: 33 000 + 1650 = 34 650 Ω 

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1.2.1 27 × 102 Ω ± 5% = 2700 Ω ± 5% 

1.2.2 47 × 10-1 Ω ± 5% = 4.7 Ω ± 5% 

1.3 1000 Ω ± 2% = 1 kΩ  ± 2%  2700 Ω ± 1% = 2.7 kΩ  ± 1% 

1.4 1/8 watt;  ½ watt;  1 watt and 2 watt

QUESTION 2

2.1 Derive the voltage equation for calculating the voltage across resistor R2 in Figure 1.
(4)

+ Vcc

R1

VR2
R2

Figure 1

2.2 If the voltage divider network in Figure 1 above consists of resistors R1 and R2 of 2.7 kΩ
and 10 kΩ resistances, respectively, with a supply voltage of 22 volts, determine
2.2.1 The voltage drop across resistor R2. (2)
2.2.3 The current drain of the circuit. (2)

2.3 If a 10 kΩ load resistor is connected across resistor R2, determine the current from the
battery. (4)

2.5 Figure 2 is a resistive network circuit drawn in a complex form. The circuit is in reality a
series-parallel circuit that may be redrawn to have its simpler representation.

R1 B R2 R3 B

A 4 k ohm 4 k ohm A 4 k ohm

VT = 100 V
Figure 2

2.5.1 Sketch the circuit in its simplest form. (1)

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 2.5.2 Determine:
(a) The total resistance of the circuit. (4)
(b) The total current of the circuit (2)
(c) The voltage drop across resistor R1 (3)
2.5.3 What is the power dissipated by resistor R3 in Figure 2? (2)
[24]
Answer/Solution:
2.1 Voltage across resistor R2.
R T = R1 + R 2......(1)
VT V V
IT = ; R1 = R1 , and R 2 = R2 .......(2)
RT IT IT
From(2), 
VT
VR2 = IT ×R 2  VR2 = ×R 2
RT
 R2 
Therefore, VR2 = VT ×  
 R1 + R 2 

2.2.1 The voltage drop across resistor R2.

 R2 
VR2 = VT ×  
 R1 + R 2  
 10000 
VR2 = 22×   = 17.323V
 10000 + 2700 

2.2.3 The current drain of the circuit.

V 22
IT = T = = 1.732mA 
RT 10000 + 2700

2.3 If a 10 kΩ load resistor is connected across resistor R2, determine the current from the
battery.
10000 ×10000
Rparallel = R 2 / /10000 = = 5000Ω
10000 +10000

VT 22
IT = = = 2.857mA
R T 10000 + 5000

2.5 Figure 2 is a resistive network circuit drawn in a complex form. The circuit is in reality a
series-parallel circuit that may be redrawn to have its simpler representation.

2.5.1 Redraw the circuit in its simplest form.

R1

R2

R3

V=100volts 

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2.5.2.1 The total resistance of the circuit.

1 1 1 1 1 1 1
= + + = + + = 0.75
R T R1 R 2 R 3 4 4 4 
Therefore R T = 1.333 kΩ

2.5.2.2 The total current of the circuit

V 100
IT = T = = 75mA 
RT 1333

2.5.2.3 The voltage drop across resistor R1

VR1 = VT = 100 volts 

2.5.3 What is the power dissipated by resistor R3 in Figure 2?

(VR3 )2 1002
P3 = = = 2.5 watts 
R3 4000

QUESTION 3

3.1 Refer to Figure 3 and solve for the value of current I3. (2)

ib = 3 A

ia = 10 A
ic = ? A

id = 5 A

Figure 3

3.2 State Kirchhoff’s Law illustrated by Figure 3 above. (2)

3.3 Determine, with the aid of Kirchhoff’s laws, the magnitude of currents I 1, I2 and the total
current in Figure 4. (8)
R2

Ia 3 k ohm
R1
Ib
3 k ohm

E=
R3
20 V
6 k ohm

Figure 4
[12]
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Answer/Solution:
3.1 ia = ib + ic + id
10 = 3 + ic + 5 
Ic = 2 A 

3.2 Total current flowing into a node equals currents flowing away from
that node. 

3.3 E =(Ia + Ib) R1 + Ia R2 

20 = 3000 Ia + 3000 Ib + 3000 Ia 
20 = 6000 Ia + 3000 Ib
1 = 300Ia + 150 Ib … (1)

E =(Ia + Ib) R1 + Ia R3 
20 = 3000 Ia + 3000 Ib + 6000 Ib 
20 = 3000 Ia + 9000 Ib
1 = 150 Ia + 450 Ib … (2)

Equation (2)  2: 2 = 300 Ia + 900 Ib ... (3)

Equation (1): 1 = 300 Ia + 150 Ib … (1)

Equ (3) + Equ (1) 1 = 0 + 750 Ib 

 Ib = 1.333 mA 
Substitute Ib = 1.333 mA into equation (1)
1 = 300 Ia + 150 (1.333 mA)
 Ia = 2.667 mA 
and Ia + Ib = (2.667 – 1.333) mA = 4 mA 

QUESTION 4

4.1 Explain, with the aid of a sketch, the operation of a relay. (4)

4.2 Explain the following laws:

4.2.1 Farady’s law. (2)
4.2.2 Lenz’s law. (2)

4.3 Name four factors that influence inductance of a coil. (4)

[12]
Answer/Solution:
4.1 The electromagnetic action is used to open or close electrical contacts. Figure 1 shows
the basic operation of a relay with a normally open (NO) contact and a normally closed
contact. When there is no coil current, the armature is held against the upper contact by
the spring, thus producing continuity. When energised with coil current, the armature is

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pulled down by the attractive force of the electromagnetic field and makes connection
with the lower contact to provide continuity. 

N
N C
O 
Figure 1

4.2.1 Farady’s law: The voltage induced across a coil of wire equals the number of turns in the
coil times the rate of change of the magnetic flux. 

4.2.2. Lenz’s law: The induced EMF in a circuit causes a current to flow in such a direction that
the magnetic field established by the current reacts in such a way as to stop or oppose
the motion that generated the EMF. 

4.3. Number of turns;  Core material;  Coil diameter (or cross-section);  Length of coil 

QUESTION 5

5.1 Digital and analog oscilloscopes are distinguished from each other by the way in which
the input signal is processed prior to being displayed on the screen.
Digital scope: Samples the analog signal voltage and uses an ADC to convert the signal
to digital information.
Analog scope: The signal voltage being measured is applied to an electron beam that is
sweeping across the screen. The measured voltage deflects the beam up and down
proportional to the amount of voltage, immediately tracing the waveform on the screen.

5.2 Describe the functions of any seven controls of an analog oscilloscope. (7)
Intensity: varies the brightness of the screen trace. 
Focus: focuses the electron beam so that it converges to any tiny point at the screen. 
Horizontal and vertical position switch: move a trace horizontal across the screen and
up or down for easier viewing or measurement. 
AC-GND-DC Switch: allows the input to be AC coupled, DC coupled or grounded. 
Signals inputs: to connect (to CH1 or CH2) the signal voltages to be displayed. 
Mode switches: provide for displaying either or both channel input switch signals,
inverting channel 2 signal (INVERT) adding two waveforms (ADD), and selecting
between alternate (ALT) and chopped (CHOP) mode of sweep. 
Trigger controls: allows the scope to be triggered from various selected sources. 

5.3.1 Frequency: The number of complete cycles of AC completed each second/ the number of
repetition of any periodic wave in a unit. 
5.3.2 Period : The amount of time it takes a waveform to complete one cycle. 

5.4.1 The peak value: VP = 25 volts 

5.4.2 The peak-to-peak value: Vp-p = 2 × VP = 50 volts
5.4.3 The rms value: VRMS = 0.707 × Vp =0.707 × 25 = 17.675 V
5.4.4 The average value: Vave = 0.637 × Vp =0.637 × 25 = 15.925 V
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5.4.5 The frequency; T = 2mS
1 1
F   500 Hz 
T 2  103

V (volts)

25

1 2
0 T
(mS)

-
25

Figure 6
[22]

QUESTION 6

6.1 Draw the schematic symbols of the following capacitors:

6.1.1 Polarised electrolytic capacitor. (1)
6.1.2 Fixed capacitor. (1)

6.2 Explain, in detail, six applications of capacitors. (12)

6.3 How can a capacitor be discharged after removal from the circuit? (1)

6.4 Refer to Figure 7.

S1 R1

8.2 k ohm

VT C1
50 V 0.01 uF

Figure 7

Determine:
6.4.1 The time constant (2)
6.4.2 The capacitor voltage 100 μs after the switch is closed if the capacitor is initially
uncharged. (3)

6.5 Draw the charging curve of question 6.4 above. (4)

[24]

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Answer/Solution:
6.1.1 Polarised electrolytic capacitor.

or

6.2.2. Fixed capacitor.

6.2. Explain, in detail, six applications of capacitors. (Refer to the textbook)

(1) Electrical storage
(2) Power supply Filtering
(3) DC blocking and AC coupling
(4) Power line decoupling
(5) Bypassing
(6) Timing circuits
(7) Signal filters
(8) Computer memories

Any six (×2) = 12

6.3. Connect a resistor or a wire across the terminals of a capacitor

6.4.1 The time constant:   R  C  8200  0.01106  82 sec

6.4.2 The capacitor voltage 100 μs after the switch is closed if the capacitor is initially
uncharged.
t 100
 
VC  VF (1  e RC
)  50(1  e 82
)  35.231volts
6.5 It takes 5 time constants to fully charge a capacitor. 5 τ = 5 × 82 µS = 410 µS
V (volts)

100

35.25
1

0 50 410 t (µs)

TOTAL = 100
©
UNISA

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 ASSIGNMENT 3

QUESTION 1

1.1 Explain the meaning of the term ‘inductance’. (2)

1.2 List four parameters that contribute to the inductance of a coil. (4)

1.3 Draw the symbols of the following inductors:

1.3.1 Air core. (1)
1.3.2 Iron core. (1)
1.3.3 Ferrite core. (1)

1.4 Explain three applications of inductors that you know. (6)

[15]
Answer/Solution:
1.1 Inductance is a measure of a coil’s ability to establish an induced voltage as a result of a
change in its current and that induced voltage is in a direction to oppose that change in
current.

1.2 Core material; number of turns of wire; length of wire; cross-sectional area of the core

1.3.1 1.3.2 1.3.3

1.4 Power supply filter: An inductor can be used in a filter to smooth out the ripple voltage.
The inductor placed in series with the load tends to oppose the current fluctuations
caused by ripple voltage, and thus the voltage developed across the load is more
constant. 

RF choke: chokes are used in applications where radio frequencies must be prevented
from getting into other parts of the system, such as power supply or radio section of a
receiver. 

Tuned circuits: Tuned circuits allow a certain band of frequencies to pass through while
other frequencies are rejected 

(One mark for application and one for explanation)

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QUESTION 2

2.1 Refer to Figure 1.

R XL
Vs
220 ohm 150 ohm
12 V

Figure 1

Determine:
2.1.1 The current through the resistor. (2)
2.1.2 The current though the coil. (2)
2.1.3 The total current of the circuit. (2)

2.2 The phase angle. (2)

2.3 Draw the current phasor diagram. (3)

2.4 Explain, with the aid of sketches, how power factor can be improved in an inductive
circuit. (4)
[15]
Answer/Solution:
2.1.1 The current through the resistor.
V 12
IR  S   54.5mA
R 220 
2.1.2 The current though the coil.
V 12
IL  S   80mA
X L 150 
2.1.3 The total current of the circuit.
ITOT  I R 2  I L 2  54.52  802  96.8mA


2.2 The phase angle.

 R 
  tan 1    55.7
 XL  

2.3 Draw the current phasor diagram.

11
 IR = 54.5 mA
Θ = 
55.7°

IL=80 mA
IT = 96.8 mA



2.4 Explain, with the aid of sketches, how power factor can be improved in an inductive
circuit.
Power factor of an inductive load can be increased by the addition of a capacitor in
parallel.  The capacitor compensates for the phase lag  of the total current by creating
a capacitor component of current that is 180° out of phase  with the inductive
component. This has a cancelling effect and reduces the phase angle, thus power factor
as well as the total current. 

QUESTION 3

3.1 Define the following terms:

3.1.1 Quality factor. (2)
3.1.2 Selectivity. (2)
3.1.3 Bandwidth. (2)

3.2 Mention three conditions for a parallel LC circuit to be at resonance. (3)

3.3 List four applications of resonant circuits. (4)

3.4 Find the resonant frequency and the branch currents in the ideal (winding resistance
neglected) parallel LC circuit of Figure 2. (15)

C
L
0.047 uF
10 V Fr 100 mH

Figure 2
[28]

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Answer/Solution:
3.1.1 Quality factor: The ratio of the reactive power in the inductor to the true power in the
winding resistance of the coil and any other resistance in series with the coil. 
3.1.2 Selectivity: A measure of how effectively a filter passes certain frequencies and rejects
others. 
3.1.3 Bandwidth: The usable frequency range for which signals pass from input to output
without significant reduction in amplitude. 

3.2 Mention three conditions for a parallel LC circuit to be at resonance.

XL = XC;  IL = IC and out of phase by 180° ; Z = ∞; I (TOTAL) = 0A; 
Phase angle = 0°.

3.3 List four applications of resonant circuits.

Tuned amplifiers;  Antennae input to a receiver;  Double-tuned transformer coupling
in receivers;  Signal reception and separation in a TV receiver 

3.4 Find the resonant frequency and the branch currents in the ideal (winding resistance
neglected) parallel LC circuit of Figure 2.
1 1
fr = = = 2.32 kHz 
2π LC 2π (100mH)(0.047μF)

Branch currents:

XL = 2πfL = 2 × π × 2.32 ×103 ×100 ×10-3 = 1.46kΩ

X C = X L = 1.46kΩ

VS 10
IL = = = 6.85mA
XL 1.46 ×103
IC = IL = 6.85mA

IT = IL - IC = 0A

QUESTION 4

4.1 Explain the operation of a transformer. (4)

4.2 One of the applications of transformers is in the matching of load impedance to source
impedance. What is the purpose of impedance matching? (2)

4.3 Describe the following losses that occur in the core of a transformer:
4.3.1 Eddy-current loss (2)
4.3.2 Hysteresis loss (2)

4.4 Describe in detail what happens within a transformer in a no-load condition and in a load
condition. (4)

4.5 Why isn’t a transformer’s power handling capacity rated in watts? (1)

4.6 A certain transformer is rated at 5 kVA, 2400/120 V, at 0 Hz.

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 4.6.1 What is the turns ratio if the 120 V is the secondary voltage? (2)
4.6.2 What is the current rating of the secondary if 2400 V is the
primary voltage? (2)
4.6.3 What is the current rating of the primary if 2400 V is the
primary voltage? (2)

4.7 A power transformer with a voltage step-up ratio of 1:3 is connected to a 120 V AC line.
What is the smallest load resistor that can be connected to the secondary without
exceeding a power rating of 50 VA? (3)
[26]
Answer/Solution:
4.1 A transformer is a device that transfers electrical energy from one circuit to another
without physical connection between them. The electrical energy is always transferred
without a change in frequency but may involve changes in magnitudes of voltage and
current.
A transformer’s transfer of energy from one circuit to another is accomplished by the
process of mutual induction. Mutual induction involves a varying magnetic field of one
coil inducing a voltage into a nearby coil.

4.2 Maximum power is delivered to the load when the load resistance is equal to the fixed
internal source resistance.

4.3.1 Eddy-current loss: Heat induced in a conductor (soft iron when it is rotated in a
magnetic field)
4.3.2 Hysteresis loss: Heat loss caused by magnetic properties due to molecular friction. For
example when an armature rotates the magnetic dipoles of the armature keeps changing
direction. The molecular friction produces heat. The heat is transmitted to the armature
winding and causes the armature resistance to increase.

4.4 No-load condition exists when a voltage is applied to the primary, but no load is
connected to the secondary. The current flows in the secondary. A small current, existing
current, forms. The level of primary current is kept small by what is known as counter-
emf. As current flows in the primary, a magnetic field builds and expands outwards. This
changing flux cuts through the primary wire and induces a voltage in the opposite
direction to the source (Lenz’s Law).

In Load condition, the load is connected across the secondary. An increase in primary
current occurs due to mutual induction. The flux links in both directions (i.e. the primary
links to the secondary, and the secondary links to the primary).

4.5 This is because the power is not actually dissipated by transformer but by the load
connected to the secondary. The watt is reserved for the actual dissipation of power in a
resistive load but the volt-ampere is called apparent power therefore it is the power
apparently used by the transformer.

4.6.1 What is the turns ratio if the 120 V is the secondary voltage?

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Nsec 120
n= = = 0.05
Vpri 2400
Ratio = 1: 20

4.6.2 What is the current rating of the secondary if 2400 V is the primary voltage?
Pa 5kVA
Isec = = = 41.7A
Vsec 120V
4.6.3 What is the current rating of the primary if 2400 V is the primary voltage?
Ipri = n×Isec = 0.05 × 41.7 = 2.09 A
Pa 50
Pa = Ipri× Vpri ÞIpri = = = 0.417 A
Vpri 120
Vpri 120
Rpri = = = 287.77 Ω
Ipri 0.417
2
 1 287.77
Rpri =   RL  RL = = 2.59 kΩ
n (0.333)2

4.7 A power transformer with a voltage step-up ratio of 1:3 is connected to a 120 V AC line.
What is the smallest load resistor that can be connected to the secondary without
exceeding a power rating of 50 VA?

Pa 50
Pa = Ipri× Vpri  Ipri = = = 0.417A
Vpri 120
Vpri 120
Rpri = = = 287.77Ω
Ipri 0.417
2
 1 287.77
Rpri =   RL  RL = = 2.59kΩ
n (0.333)2

QUESTION 5

5.1 Sketch the curve to show the characteristics of a PN junction. (4)

5.2 Show the circuit of a PN junction diode when:

5.2.1 It is FORWARD biased. (2)
5.2.2 It is REVERSE biased. (2)

5.3 Draw and label a full-wave rectifier using two diodes. Illustrate the expected input and
output wave forms. (6)

5.4 If the turns ratio of the transformer used in question 5.3 above is 1:1 and the input
voltage (i.e. the primary voltage) is 25 V, what minimum PIV rating must the diodes
have? (2)
[16]

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Answer/Solution:
5.1
IF (mA) 

Forward 
bias 

VR VF
(volts) 0.7 V  (volts)
 Reverse 
bias 

IR (mA) 

5.2.1 5.2.2
V V
- + - +
0.000 V 0.000 V

D D

R R

Vbias Vbias

5.3 Input Output

D1
T1

D2

5.4 Turns ratio: 1: 1

PIV = Vp (sec) = n × Vp(in) = 1 × 25 = 25 volts

TOTAL = 100
©
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