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AC ELECTRONICS

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The term AC stands for alternating current. This means that a current value oscillates in a periodic manner between a positive and a negative range. The term AC does not only pertain to current only, AC systems involve AC voltage and AC power as well. The basis for AC electronics is the sine wave which is also referred to as the sinusoidal waveform or simply, sinusoid. The electrical service provided by the power companies is in the form of sinusoidal voltage and current. In addition other types of periodic waveforms are composites of many individual sine waves called harmonics. Examples of such waveforms are the Triangular, Rectangular, Square and Sawtooth waveforms. Subjects covered in the DC training session are:

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ALTERNATING CURRENT And VOLTAGE:

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  • This chapter provides an introduction to alternating current (ac) circuits. Alternating currents and voltages fluctuates with time and periodically change polarity and direction according to certain patterns called waveforms. This chapter emphasizes on the sine waveform because of its importance in ac circuits. Other types of waveforms are also introduced, including Rectangular, Triangular and Sawtooth. The characteristics of these waveforms are displayed and measured by the use of a measurement device called the Oscilloscope. The topics explained in this chapter are:

    • Sine Wave Voltage Sources.

    • Voltage and Current Values of Sine Waves.Angular Measurements of a Sine Wave.Ohm's Law and Kirchhoff's Laws in AC Circuits.

    • Superimposed DC and AC Voltages. Non sinusoidal Waveforms.

    • The Oscilloscope.

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CAPACITORS:

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  • The capacitor is an electrical device that can store electrical charge, thereby creating an electric field which in turn stores energy. The measure of that energy-storing is called the capacitance. In this chapter, the basic capacitor is introduced and its characteristics are explained. The physical construction and various types of capacitors are discussed. The basic behavior of capacitors in both DC and AC circuits is explained, and series and parallel capacitor combinations are analyzed. The topics explained in this chapter are:

    • The Basic Capacitor.

    • Series Capacitors.

    • Parallel Capacitors.

    • Capacitors in DC Circuits.

    • Capacitors in AC Circuits.

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INDUCTORS:

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  • Inductance is the property of a coil of wire that opposes a change in current. The basis for inductance is the electromagnetic field that surrounds any conductor when there is current through it. The electrical component designed to have the property of inductance is called the inductor, coil or choke. All of these terms refer to the same type of device. In this chapter the inductor and its characteristics are explained. Various types of inductors are covered in terms of their physical construction and their electrical properties. The basic behavior of inductors in both DC and AC circuits is explained, and series and parallel inductor combinations are analyzed. The topics explained in this chapter are:

    • The Basic Inductor.

    • Series Inductors.

    • Parallel Inductors.

    • Inductors in DC Circuits.

    • Inductors in AC Circuits.

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TRANSFORMERS:

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  • The inductor exhibits what is called the self inductance. There is another type of inductance called the mutual inductance. This type of inductance occurs when two or more coils are very close to each other. It is based on the principal of magnetic coupling. A basic transformer is formed by two coils that are magnetically coupled but have no electrical connection between them. The transfer of energy from one coil to the other occurs entirely through a changing magnetic field. The topics explained in this chapter are:

    • Mutual Inductance.

    • The Basic Transformer.

    • Step-Up and Step-Down Transformers.

    • Reflected Loads.

    • Matching Load and Source Resistances.

    • Non-ideal Transformer Characteristics.

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RC CIRCUITS:

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  • An RC circuit contains both resistance and capacitance. It is one of the basic types of reactive circuits that will be explained. In this chapter, basic series and parallel RC circuits and their responses to to sine wave voltages are covered. Series-parallel combinations are also examined. Power considerations in RC circuits are introduced, and practical aspects of power ratings are discussed. The topics explained in this chapter are:

    • Sinusoidal Response of RC Circuits.

    • Impedance and Phase Angles of Series RC Circuits.

    • Analysis of Series RC Circuits.

    • Impedance and Phase Angles of Parallel RC Circuits.

    • Analysis of Parallel RC Circuits.

    • Analysis of Series-Parallel RC Circuits.

    • Power in RC Circuits.

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RL CIRCUITS:

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  • An RL circuit contains both resistance and inductance. In this chapter, basic series and parallel RL circuits and their responses to sine wave voltages are covered. In addition, series-parallel combinations are examined. Power considerations in RL circuits are introduced and practical aspects of the power factor and its improvement are discussed. The topics explained in this chapter are:

    • Sinusoidal Response of RL Circuits.

    • Impedance and Phase Angles of Series RL Circuits.

    • Analysis of Series RL Circuits.

    • Impedance and Phase Angles of Parallel RL Circuits.

    • Analysis of Parallel RL Circuits.

    • Analysis of Series-Parallel RL Circuits.

    • Power in RL Circuits.

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RLC CIRCUITS And RESONANCE:

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  • In this chapter, the frequency response to the RLC circuit is explained. Both series and parallel RLC circuits, including the concept of series and parallel resonance will be discussed. Because it is the basis for frequency selectivity, resonance in electrical circuits is very important to the operation of many types of electronic systems, particularly in the area of communications. The topics explained in this chapter are:

    • Sinusoidal Response of RLC Circuits.

    • Impedance and Phase Angles of Series RLC Circuits.

    • Analysis of Series RC Circuits.

    • Series Resonance.Series Resonant Filters.

    • Parallel RLC Circuits.

    • Parallel Resonance.

    • Parallel Resonant Filters.

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