Electrical Basics
In this post I'll be telling some electrical basics which should be know before getting started with solar power plant project.
Polarity
A lack of electrons (positive charge) or an excess of electrons (negative charge) results in a material assuming a charge. When the electrons distribution in equal, the material will be electrical neutral. Changing the balance of electrons produces a potential difference, which can then be applied to a change by rubbing a piece of plastic, or it may be the chemical energy stored in a battery which gives rise to the positive and negative polarity.
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| A charged battery with a large potential difference discharges, until the potential difference is zero |
Type of Materials
- Conductors
A conductor is a material in which electrons can move easily from one atom to another. Generally, all
metals are conductors with silver being the best conductor and copper second. The purpose of a conductor is to allow an electric current (electrons) to flow from a source to a load with the least amount of opposition. For example, the wire connecting a torch globe to the battery of the torch are conductors. Copper is generally used because it cost less than silver, although long transmission lines are now likely to be aluminium, which is only slightly behind copper as a conductor but is lighter and cheaper.
2. Insulators
Insulators are materials in which the electrons do not move easily, but are move tightly bound in their atomic orbits. These materials resists the flow of electrical current from areas where it is not required or where it might prove dangerous. An example would be the coating/covering on cables.
An insulator is able to store an electric charge because it resist the movement of electrons within its structure. An insulator used to store a charge is called a dielectric. Dry air is a dielectric, an anyone who has received a static electricity shock can confirm. On days when the air is humid, static electricity drains away through the air to ground.
3. Semi - Conductors
Materials which area neither insulator nor conductors, but exhibits some of the properties of both, are called semi conductors. Examples of semi conductors materials are carbon, silicon and germanium. Germanium was very popular in early manufacture but now has largely been replace by silicon. the microchip industry, as well as the solar cell industry, is a large consumer of silicon.
Volts and Potential Difference
Potential refers to the possibility of doing work. When energy is applied to a material to cause a change in its state of charge (that is, we give it potential) it is given the ability to do work as it attempts to return to the neutral state. One unit if charge, called a Coulomb (C) has a quantum number of 6.27 x 10^18 electrons. The difference between between two charge states is called the Potential Difference (PD) and is measured in units called Volts.
The volt (V) is the unit that measures the work needed to move one unit of charge between two points. Briefly, when 1 Joule of energy is needed to move 1 coulomb of charge two points, there is a potential difference between the two points of 1 volt. Voltage is the potential difference two points.
Voltage is sometimes referred to as Electromotive Force or EMF and given the symbol (ΞΎ) but the standard for a potential difference is V, either for a generating source (e.g. solar cell) or voltage drop across a passive component (e.g. resistor).
An insulator is able to store an electric charge because it resist the movement of electrons within its structure. An insulator used to store a charge is called a dielectric. Dry air is a dielectric, an anyone who has received a static electricity shock can confirm. On days when the air is humid, static electricity drains away through the air to ground.
3. Semi - Conductors
Materials which area neither insulator nor conductors, but exhibits some of the properties of both, are called semi conductors. Examples of semi conductors materials are carbon, silicon and germanium. Germanium was very popular in early manufacture but now has largely been replace by silicon. the microchip industry, as well as the solar cell industry, is a large consumer of silicon.
Volts and Potential Difference
Potential refers to the possibility of doing work. When energy is applied to a material to cause a change in its state of charge (that is, we give it potential) it is given the ability to do work as it attempts to return to the neutral state. One unit if charge, called a Coulomb (C) has a quantum number of 6.27 x 10^18 electrons. The difference between between two charge states is called the Potential Difference (PD) and is measured in units called Volts.
The volt (V) is the unit that measures the work needed to move one unit of charge between two points. Briefly, when 1 Joule of energy is needed to move 1 coulomb of charge two points, there is a potential difference between the two points of 1 volt. Voltage is the potential difference two points.
Voltage is sometimes referred to as Electromotive Force or EMF and given the symbol (ΞΎ) but the standard for a potential difference is V, either for a generating source (e.g. solar cell) or voltage drop across a passive component (e.g. resistor).
