How does resistance affect a circuit?
The relationship between resistance and the area of the cross section of a wire is inversely proportional . When resistance is increased in a circuit , for example by adding more electrical components , the current decreases as a result.
What are the hazards of damaged insulation?
Worn, frayed, or damaged insulation around any wire or other conductor is an electrical hazard because the conductors could be exposed. Contact with an exposed wire could cause a shock. Damaged insulation could cause a short, leading to arcing or a fire. Inspect all insulation for scrapes and breaks.
What happens if wire insulation is damaged?
Sometimes wire insulation gets damaged. The wire will still work, but exposed metal increases the risk of short circuit, electrical shock, or even fire. When you come across damaged insulation, you really need to fix it.
Can a high voltage circuit damage a low voltage circuit?
In low voltage circuits usually the voltage rating is not an issue- but if you were to take (say) an ordinary 0805 20M resistor and apply 2kV to it the power would be (in theory) only 200mW (which might be in spec or slightly outside of it) but the resistor could arc over and cause irreversible damage almost instantly.
What causes the damage to an electronic component?
A general answer is that electronic/electrical components are damaged when their electrical ratings are exceeded. Excessive current results in excessive heat which will destroy both passive and active components.
What happens when the voltage of an insulator is too high?
When the voltage across an insulator gets too high, it is possible that the insulator will stop insulating and will instead start letting some current through. This current flow can cause damage. If voltages are high enough, dielectric breakdown can result in arcing, which can cause heating, pitting, etc.
What causes a component on a circuit to fail?
Discrete Component Failure. (Includes capacitors, resistors, zener diodes, diodes, GALs, PALs, IC’s, Microprocessors, Driver Chips) Causes of failure: normal component aging, excessive heat, over or under voltage surges and sags, rises in ESR (equivalent series resistance) values, corrosion and drying (esp. of electrolytic capacitors).