Basic Electronics Engineering I : Potential Difference,Voltage Source

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Basic Electronics Engineering I

:: Voltage (Potential Difference)

Any charge has the potential energy to move another charge by either attraction or repulsion. The difference in the potential energy of two charges that move a certain number of electrons from one point to another is called potential difference or voltage.

Voltage is expressed as energy (W) divided by charge (Q) U = W/Q. The unit of voltage is the volt, symbolized by V. One volt equals one joule of energy required to move one coulomb of charge from one point to the other. Remember that voltage is potential difference between two points.

:: Voltage Sources

A DC voltage source is an energy source that provides a constant voltage. The battery converts chemical energy into electrical energy and creates a potential difference between two electrodes. The symbol of any DC voltage source with constant polarity is shown in the figure. The larger lines indicate the positive side.

DC power supply converts AC voltage from the power lines to a constant (DC) voltage regulated at various voltage levels

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