Automotive Electrical and Electronic Systems Classroom Manual Fifth Edition Update by John F. Kershaw

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3
Electrical
Fundamentals
LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
Upon completion and review of this chapter, you
should be able to:
• Explain the terms conductor, insulator, and
semiconductor, and differentiate between
their functions.
• Identify and explain the basic electrical concepts
of resistance, voltage, current, voltage
drop, and conductance.
• Define the two theories of current flow
(conventional and electron) and explain the
difference between DC and AC current.
• Explain the cause-and-effect relationship in
Ohm’s law between voltage, current, resistance,
and voltage drop.
• Define electrical power and its Ohm’s law
relationship.
• Define capacitance and describe the function
of a capacitor in an automotive electrical
circuit.
KEY TERMS
Ampere
Capacitance
Capacitor
Circuit
Conductors
Conventional Theory
Current
Ground
Insulators
Ohm
Ohm’s Law
Resistance
Resistors
Semiconductors
Voltage
Voltage Drop
Watt
INTRODUCTION
This chapter reviews all of the basic electrical
principles required to understand electronics and
the automotive electrical/electronic systems in the
later chapters. An automotive technician must
have a thorough grasp of the basis of electricity
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