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7
Principles of Electronics and Associated Formulas
The four basic components of an electrical circuit are: Potential (volts), Resistance (ohms), Current (amps), and
Power (watts). These components are related and interdependent within the confines of a complete circuit.
1.
- the amount of eletromotive force available to perform work in a circuit, measured in volts.
2.
- the load placed on the potential in a circuit, actually performs work (drops voltage, activates coils,
heats water/air). Measured in ohms.
3.
- the measurement of potential doing work through a load. Measured in amps.
4.
- the amount of work actually being perfomed in a circuit. Measured in watts.
These basic components and their relationship make up a set of guidelines used for looking at any circuit. This
relationship is known as Ohm's Law. Ohm's Law states that if you have 1 volt and 1 ohm you will have 1 amp of
current. Given 1 amp, 1 ohm, and 1 volt you will produce 1 watt of power. It is most easily demonstrated
mathematically:
Potential
Resistance
Current
Power
Watts
Watts
Watts
Watts
Ohms
Ohms
Ohms
Ohms
P
P
P
P
R
R
R
R
Amps
Amps
Amps
Amps
Volts
Volts
Volts
Volts
A
A
A
A
V
V
V
V
-
Volts
find
To
Ohms-
find
To
Amps-
find
To
Watts-
find
To
Heater
Element
Load
10 Ohms Resistance
Supply Potential
120 Volts
V
=
120v
R
=
10
12amps
=
120
=
=
A
10
P
=
A x V = 120v x12a
= 1440watts
Example:
A x R
P
A
P X R
V
A
P
A
V
P
V
R
P
V
P
R
V X A
A X R
V
R
2
2
2
2
=P
=A
=R
=V
V
R
Technical Services
To find Horsepower-
HP = Watts
or HP = (Amps x Volts)
745.7 745.7
