Assignment #3

Assignment #3

The "theory" of electricity states that electricity is the term used to describe the flow of an electrical charge.

A conductor is an object that electric current can easily pass through. An insulator is an object that electric current can not pass through easily.

Voltage potential is the difference of electrical potential between two points of an electric or electronic circuit.

The two most common voltages used in computer parts are 120 volts and 230 volts. Current is the flow if electric charge.

The 1-10-100 rule is the cost to repair a defect increases exponentially the later in development lifecycle that is identified.

You calculate the amount of current through a circuit by using an ammeter to find the current and then using the formula I=V/R (Current = Voltage divided by Resistance.

The difference between AC and DC is AC current can change its direction where DC current can not.

The relationship between electric power and energy: electric power is the rate where electrical energy is transferred.

Resistance is a measure in which the degree of passing electric current changes into heat. Impedance is just like resistance but it happens in Alternating Current.

The human body’s resistance capability is 0.1A before it becomes fatal.

5 safety precautions for avoiding electric shock are: make sure your equipment is turned off before moving it, keep your tools and other equipment insulated, make sure all the equipment you are using is grounded before using, make sure you are grounded before working on anything, and make sure all the equipment is well covered that you are using.

Static Electricity is the build up of electrons on an object. It can be very dangerous to people because it can cause a heart attack and it can wipe out a computer with the static jump.

5 ways to prevent static discharge are: use hand moisturisers on a regular basis, wear a metal thimble and make sure it is always in contact with your skin, wear leather shoes, carry a coin and use it to touch metal, wear a grounded wrist band-you will never build up a charge.

5 ways to prevent static build-up are: don’t wear wool, don’t drag your feet while walking on carpet, don’t wear rubber shoes, use dryer sheets, and keep the air in the room you are working in humid.

2 things that are found in an ESD-prevention kit are: a rubber mat to work on and a grounding wire strap for your wrist.

The job of the PC’s power supply is to covert Alternating Current into Direct Current for computer use.

Specific Power Supply requirements for:
Motherboard- 240V-300V
Memory- 5-10 watts
CPU- 45 watts
Hard Drive- 1 amp of +12v
CD ROM drive- 360 watts
Floppy drive- 10-20 watts

The motherboard is the component that the power light goes on when it is started up. It is important because then the computer has power for all the components to work and think and make the computer work.

Different Power Connectors:
Molex- most common power connector, 4-pin connector
Berg- used to connect the floppy disk to the power supply, 4-pin connector
ATA-connected to the power supply and connects to serial connectors, 4-pin connector

Bibliography:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electricity
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/conins.html
http://en.wikiepdia.org/wiki/Voltage
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_supply
http://searchsmb.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid44_gci21181,00.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_current
http://blog.softwareproject.org/the-110100.rule-6.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternating_current
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_power
http://en.wikidepia.org/wiki/Resistanc
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/phy00/phy00367.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A6378744
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/power-supply.htm