ElectricalSafety.ppt

Alternating Current, Power Distribution, and Voltage Systems Electricity for Refrigeration, Heating and Air Conditioning 7th Edition Alternating Current, Power Distribution, and Voltage Systems Upon completion of this chapter the student will be able to: Key Terms Alternator Capacitive Reactance Delta System Effective Voltage Frequency Impedance Inductance Inductive Reactance Peak Voltage Phase Power Factor Reactance Sine Wave Single Phase Three Phase Wye System Power Distribution Direct Current was used in the beginning to supply consumers with their electrical needs. However this has many disadvantages. Transmission for a long distance is impossible without using generators to boost the power. Its inability to raise and lower it’s voltages. The use of large transmission equipment Direct Current Electrons flowing in an electric circuit is called current. Current flow can be obtained in an electric circuit by a bolt of lighting, by static electricity, or by electron flow from a generator. There are two types of electric current: direct current and alternating current. Direct current flows in one direction only. Typically produced by dry cell batteries. Alternating Current Sine Waves Cycles and Frequency When a conductor rotates through on complete revolution, it has generated two alternations, or flow reversals. Two alternations (changes in direction) equal one cycle. One cycle occurs when the rotor, or conductor, cuts the magnetic field of a north pole and south pole. Frequency The frequency of alternating current is the number of complete cycles that occur in a second. The frequency in known as hertz (Hz), but many times it is referred to as cycles. In the United States the common frequency is 60 Hz. Effective Voltage Because alternating current starts at 0, reaches a peak, and then returns to 0, there is always a variation in voltage and an effective value has to be determined. Alternating current reaches a peak at 90 electrical degrees, also known as the peak