Welcome to the

ELCE 200 “Circuits Theory” Class

2020 Fall Semester
 Lecturer – Dr. Alex Ruderman
 Born in 1957 in Leningrad, USSR (St. Petersburg, Russia)
 MSc from Leningrad Electrical Engineering Institute (1980); PhD from
Leningrad Polytechnic Institute (1987)
 Since 1990, live and work in Israel. Industry jobs:
- Intel Microprocessor Design Center, Haifa (Research Scientist, 1995-2003);
- Elmo Motion Control, the makers of compact lightweight servo drives
allegedly used by NASA in Mars Curiosity and InSight missions (Chief
Scientist 2006-2012)
 Taught electronics related courses in Bar Ilan University, Ariel University,
Holon Institute of Technology
 Since December 2013, Associate Professor at NU School of Engineering,
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
 Research fields: power electronics
 Google research profile:
http://scholar.google.com/citations?user=jG3h-dQAAAAJ&hl=en
 Married, father of 2 daughters, grandfather of 2
 Hobby – playing piano, basketball
 How to Reach Me
 Office 3e.545

 Office hours - Tuesday, 17:00-19:00

 Write me email:

Dear AR, …
 Teaching Assistants
 Mr. Nurkanat Nargelov - Office 3.218

 Nurkanat will be your contact for labs – we

are planning on conducting 4 of them
 Classes Schedule
 Lectures
* Monday, 12:00-12:50
* Wednesday, 12:00-12:50
* Friday, 12:00-12:50
 Labs
• Tuesday, 16:00-18:50
 Attendance Rules
 Door closed at the beginning of the classes (14:05 for 14:00 – 14:50)

 Students are not allowed to leave

 Cell phones / IPads switched off

 Sleeping students sent out

 Lecture attendance is mandatory

 Students with low attendance (<80%) are not eligible for university

benefits (workshops, internships abroad etc.)

 Circuits Theory
 Rationale:
The course aims to cover the characteristics of the basic circuit components
such as resistors (R), inductors (L) and capacitors (C); the mathematical
modeling of the circuits with RLC-components, study analysis techniques for
the circuits with DC and AC sources, steady state and transients.
 Required textbook:
Allan R. Hambley 2014 (2011). Electrical Engineering: Principles and
Applications, 6th (5th) ed. London: Pearson Higher Education.
 Additional textbook:
Svoboda J.A. and Dorf, R.C. 2014 (2010). Introduction to Electric
Circuits. 9th (8th) ed. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
 Elements of Assessment
 Final exam – 40%

 Midterm exam – 20% (week 7 ?)

 Practical (4 labs) – 20%

 Coursework (4 assignments) – 20% (to be submitted electronically)

 All the required information can be found in the Course Spec

(Syllabus) document on Moodle – lecture topics, assignment / lab

reports due dates etc

 Examination offences / plagiarism info copied at the next slide

 Examination Offences /
Plagiarism
NU and SEDS take matters of examination misconduct very seriously. The following
are examples of actions that constitute examination offences:
- Cheating, attempting to cheat or assisting someone else to cheat
- A student having unauthorised items on or under their desk or about their person
(unauthorised calculators, any electronic devices etc.)
- Writing notes on hands, arms or other parts of the body
- Committing plagiarism that is presenting someone else’s work or ideas as your
own, with or without their consent

Under the NU regulations, plagiarism is a severe disciplinary offence for both donor
and acceptor. You all declare your course work submissions plagiarism-free in
written. Plagiarism examples: copied (parts of) Assignment solutions / calculations
(even with mistakes), simulation results (screenshots), Lab Reports etc etc.

All plagiarism-caught Assignment / Lab Report submissions will be graded down

to zero mark. Any repeated plagiarism case will be raised to the School to consider
disciplinary measures, among them involving a risk of expulsion from the University.
 What is electrical and electronic
engineering (EEE)?
•Electrical engineering deals with power and
energy systems and Electronic engineering
deals with signal processing & information systems
•Power and energy systems: power is converted
from one form to another and bulk energy is
transmitted from one place to another
•Information (Communication) systems:
electrical / electronic means are used to transmit,
store and process information

IEEE Transactions lists over 150 EEE subjects!

 There are eight major areas in EEE

1.Communication systems – transport information in electrical

form
(Cellular phones, radio, satellite television, and the internet
are examples of these systems)
2. Computer systems – process and store information in digital
form.
3. Control systems – gather information with sensors and use
electrical energy to control a physical process
4. Electromagnetics – is the study and application of electric
and magnetic fields
(Cellular phones, microwaves, manufacturing processes are
examples of usage of these fields)
 There are eight major areas in EEE
5. Electronics – study and application of materials, devices,
and circuits used in switching and manipulating electrical
signals (amplifying, modifying etc)
(Electronic instrumentation, components-transistors, diodes
etc. are examples of these systems)
6. Photonics is an exciting new field of science and
engineering that promises to replace conventional computing,
signal-processing, sensing and communication devices based
on manipulating electrons with greatly improved products
based on manipulating photons. (light generation by lasers and
LEDs, transmission of light through optical components, as well
as switching, modulation, amplification, detection, and steering
light by electrical, acoustical, photon-based devices.
(DVD disks, holograms, optical signal processing, and fiber-
optic communication systems)
 There are eight major areas in EEE

7. Power Systems - convert energy to and from electrical form

and transmit energy over long distances.
(Generators, transformers, distribution lines, motors etc are
examples of such systems)

8. Signal processing – is concerned with information-bearing

signals. Often, the objective is to extract useful information from
electrical signals derived from sensors.
(Examples are application of machine vision for robotics and
manufacturing or controlling ignition system of IC engines.)
Power and Energy systems
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
Definition of electric circuit:
An electric circuit consists of various types of circuit elements
connected in closed path by conductors.

Example is the headlight

circuit of an automobile.

The circuit is closed if

switch is closed and
circuit is open when the
switch is open.
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages

Another example of circuit with basic circuit elements.

Voltage source create

“forces” (e.m.f.) that
cause charge to flow
through the conductors
(wires) and other circuit
elements.
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
Definition of electric current:
Electric current is the time rate of flow of electric charge
through a conductor or circuit element (dq/dt).

•The units are amperes (A), which are equivalent to Coulombs

per second. (The electron charge is 1.60210-19 C)

•The reference direction for the flow needs to be selected

•Positive charge crossing in the reference direction is counted

as a positive contribution to net charge and positive charge
crossing opposite to the reference is counted as a negative
contribution.
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
Definition of electric current:
Electric current is the time rate of flow of electric charge
through a conductor or circuit element.

• The electrical current flowing through the element in the

reference direction is

• If current is given then the charge is

 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
• In analyzing electrical circuits, we may not initially know the
actual direction of current flow in a particular circuit element.
Therefore, we start assigning current variables and arbitrary
selecting a reference direction for each current of interest

• Solving for the current values may have negative values for
some currents. That means those currents actually flow in
opposite direction with respect to the selected reference
directions.
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
Definitions of dc and ac currents:
• Direct current (dc) is a constant with time current.
• Alternating current (ac) is a current that varies with time.

When ac current i(t)

takes negative values,
the actual current
direction is opposite to
the reference one for
this current.
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
• One way to indicate the reference direction for currents is
to use arrows alongside circuit elements or conductors.
Other way of doing that is to label the ends of the element
and use double subscripts as shown for the resistive
element below

• The iab has its reference direction pointing from a to b and

iba has its reference direction pointing from b to a. Obviously,
iab = - iba in terms of directions.
Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
Definition of voltage:
The voltage associated with a circuit element equals the
energy transferred per unit of charge that flows through the
element.

• The units of voltage are volts (V), which are equivalent to

Joules per Coulomb (J/C)

• For example, if the voltage across the terminals of battery

is 12 V, that means energy of 12 J are transferred to or from
the battery for each Coulomb that flows through it
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
• Voltages are assigned polarities that indicate the direction
of energy flow as shown in figure below

• If positive charge moves from the positive polarity through

the element towards the negative polarity, the element
absorbs energy that appears as heat, mechanical energy,
stored chemical energy and so on
• If positive charge moves from negative polarity towards the
positive one, the element supplies energy
• For negative charge, the direction of energy transfer is
reversed
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
• If actual polarities of some of the voltages are not known,
we simply assign voltage variables choosing reference
polarities arbitrarily like shown in figure below

• Then after applying circuit principles we define actual

polarities of the elements in the circuit

• If a given voltage has an actual polarity opposite to the

arbitrary chosen one, we obtain a negative value for the
voltage
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
• Another way to indicate the reference polarity of a voltage
is to use double subscript on the voltage variable similar to
the current.

• vab represent the voltage between points a and b with the

positive reference at point a. Similarly, vba is the voltage
between a and b with positive reference at point b.
Obviously, vab = -vba
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
Definition of power:
Power p (rate of energy transfer through the element) is the
product of current i through and voltage v across the circuit
element
p=vi or p(t)=v(t)i(t)

• In other words, the rate of energy transfer p is the product

of the rate of flow of charge i and the energy transferred per
unit of charge v.

• The units are:

Volts  amperes = (Joules/Coulombs)  (Coulombs/second)
= Joules/second = Watt
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
The energy can be supplied or absorbed by the circuit
element.

• The arrangement in figure below when current reference

enters the positive polarity is called passive reference
configuration and power calculated as p=vi

• If in the figure above current enters the negative end of the

reference polarity (not a passive reference configuration),
we compute the power as p= -vi
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
In either case, for a given values of current and voltage:

• Positive value for calculated power means that energy is

being absorbed by element

• Negative value for calculated power means that energy is

supplied by element
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
• Example

(a): p= (122) =24 W (passive reference configuration,

positive power, and the power is absorbed)
(b): p= - (121) =-12 W (non passive reference
configuration, negative power, and the power is supplied)
(c): p= 12 (-3) = -12 W (passive reference configuration,
negative power, and the power is supplied). In this case
current actually flows in opposite direction
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
Power and energy calculations
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL)

Definitions

A node in an electrical circuit is a point at which two or more

circuit elements are joined together

Kirchhoff’s Current Law:

• The net (total) current entering a node is zero or, (alternatively)

• The sum of the currents entering a node equals the sum of the
currents leaving a node

To compute the net current entering a node, we add the currents

entering and subtract the currents leaving the node
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
•Example
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
Definitions of series circuits:

• When circuit elements are connected end to end, we say that

they are connected in series provided no other element is
connected to the nodes connecting them.

• The current that enters a series circuit must flow through each
element in the circuit.
Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages

Definition of loop:
A loop (mesh; контур) in an electric circuit is a closed path
starting at a node and proceeding through circuit elements,
eventually returning to the starting node.
• Usually several loops can be identified for a given developed
circuit
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL)

Definition

Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law:

• The algebraic sum of the voltages equals zero for any closed
path (loop) in an electric circuit (v=0).
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
While traveling around the loop we should decide whether a
particular voltage should be added or subtracted in the
algebraic sum.

• If we pass from positive to negative polarity reference of

the voltage while traveling the circuit, it carries a plus sign

• Conversely, if we pass from negative to positive polarity

reference of the voltage while traveling the circuit, it carries a
negative sign as shown in figure below.

•
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
• Example
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages

Definition of parallel elements:

We say that two circuit elements are connected in parallel if

both ends of one element are connected directly to
corresponding ends of other

• A and B are in parallel connection as well as D, E, and F.

However, C is not in parallel with any other element.
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
The voltages across parallel elements are equal in magnitude and
have the same polarity.
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
Circuit Elements

Conductors

• The voltage between the ends of an ideal conductor is zero

regardless of the current flowing through the conductor

• When two points in a circuit are connected together by an ideal

conductor, we say that the points are shorted together

• If no conductors are connected between two parts of a circuit, we

say that an open circuit (no current can flow) exists between the two
parts of the circuit.
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
Circuit Elements

Independent Voltage Sources

• An ideal independent voltage source maintains a specified voltage

across its terminals and it is independent of other elements that are
connected to it and of the current flowing through it.
• Symbols of independent voltage sources are shown in figure below
• A battery is a good example of voltage source
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
Circuit Elements

Independent Voltage Sources

• We should avoid self-contradictory circuit diagrams such as one

below.

• Voltage source requires vx = 12V. However, according to the

definition of ideal conductor the voltage should be vx = 0V. So it is
conflicting situation.
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
Circuit Elements

Dependent or Controlled Voltage Sources

• A dependent or controlled voltage source voltage source has voltage

across its terminals as a function of other voltages or currents in the
circuit
• Symbols of dependent voltage sources are diamonds instead of
circles as shown below
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
Circuit Elements
Dependent or Controlled Voltage Sources

• A voltage-controlled voltage source is a voltage source having a

voltage equal to a constant (gain) times the voltage vx across a pair of
terminals elsewhere else
• A current-controlled voltage source is a voltage source having a
voltage equal to a constant (gain) times the current ix through some
other element in the circuit
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
Circuit Elements

Independent Current Sources

• An ideal independent current source forces a specified constant

current to flow through itself and is independent of other elements
connected to it
• Symbols of independent current sources are shown in figure below

• If an open circuit exists across the

terminals of current source, we have
a contradictory circuit (a); should be a
loop to conduct a current
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
Circuit Elements

Dependent Current Sources

• The current flowing through a dependent current source is

determined by a current or voltage elsewhere in the circuit times gain
• There are voltage-controlled current source (i=3vx, fig a) and
current-controlled current source (i=2iy, fig b)
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
Circuit Elements

Resistance, Conductance and Ohm’s Law

• The voltage v or vab across an ideal resistor is proportional to the

current i through the resistor. The constant of proportionality is the
resistance R. a
v  iR
vab  iab R

• The units of resistance V/A, which is called Ohms ()

• Conductance is as follows and have units Siemens (S)
1
G
R
i  Gv
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
Circuit Elements

Dependent, or Controlled, Sources

• 4-terminal, or 2-port, devices

• Voltage controlled voltage source (a)

• Current controlled voltage source (b)

• Voltage controlled current source (c)

• Current controlled current source (d)

50
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
Circuit Elements
Resistors

• Resistors are made of many types of conductive materials, such as

most metals, their alloys (сплавы) and carbon

•The unit of resistance V/A called Ohm ()

 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
Circuit Elements

Resistors
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
Circuit Elements

Resistors
 Circuits, Currents, and Voltages
Circuit Elements
Resistance Related to Physical Parameters
L
R
A
 - is the resistivity of the material
from the tables
A = d2/4

Materials are classified into:

• Conductors have lowest resistivity (highest conductivity)

• Insulators have very high resistivity (very low conductivity)
• Semiconductors fall between conductors and insulators

Power to resistance calculations: P=vi; P=Ri2; P=v2/R

 PSIM Instructions
 PSIM is power electronics circuits simulation software
 Demo version can be downloaded from Powersim website –

https://powersimtech.com/try-psim/
Thanks for your attention and
Good Luck!