Electrical Analogy

[svaurez]

I'm trying to compare electron movement to automobile traffic.

Cars=Electrons
Freeways=Feeders
Surface streets=Branch Circuits
Traffic Jams=Overloads
Stop sign=Single pole switch
Yield sign=Dimmer switch
Head on collision=Short circuit
Car slamming into guardrail=Ground fault
Highway patrol=Overcurrent protection

 

[bphgravity]

Re: Electrical Analogy

That is pretty good, and it gets the idea across pretty well also.

Water works as well:

Water Pump = Generator (source of power)
Water Pipe = Conduit (path)
System PSI = Voltage (pressure)
Gallons per Minute = Amperes (flow)
Restriction = Resistance (opposition to flow)
Sprinkler = Outlet (load)
High-pressure cutout switch = OCD (protection)

 

[bphgravity]

Re: Electrical Analogy

Double Post

[ June 17, 2003, 07:06 AM: Message edited by: bphgravity ]

 

[iwire]

Re: Electrical Analogy

With my background in hydraulic systems I compare it to those systems.

Hydraulic Pump = Generator (source of power)

Pipe = Conduit (path)

System PSI = Voltage (pressure)

Gallons per Minute = Amperes (flow)

Restriction = Resistance (opposition to flow)

Pressure Relief valve = OCD (protection) This is a stretch, for fluid systems overpressure is the issue as opposed to overflow for electric systems.

Hydraulic motor = motor

Hydraulic accumulator = battery

Reservoir = capacitor

Big cylinder acting on a small cylinder = step up transformer.

Small cylinder acting on a big cylinder = step down transformer.

Double the flow and pressure drops by half.

One thing I like about this analogy is that it is a complete circuit (or you have a big mess) as opposed to the one direction nature of most water piping.

We can also chose to run things in series or parallel.

Two hydraulic motors in parallel get same pressure but less flow, as long as the source is capable.

[ June 17, 2003, 08:43 AM: Message edited by: iwire ]