TERM 3 WEEK 6

TOPIC: ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AND CONTROL

CORE CONCEPTS SKILLS AND VALUES: • Transistors: A transistor is a device that can act as a switch
and it can amplify a small current
Sensors – Important input devices:
• LDR (Light Dependent Resistor) – a component whose
resistance decreases with light
• Thermistor: A component whose resistance varies with
temperature. Two types exist:
-- + t: Resistance increases with increasing temperature
-- - t: Resistance decreases with increasing temperature.
• Touch or moisture detector: A component that can be
bridged using a “wet” finger, thus completing the circuit,
indicating the touch
• Capacitors: A component which can store and then release
electrical energy

REQUISITE PRE-KNOWLEDGE: electrical circuits

LESSON 1
LESSON TITLE: TRANSISTORS
DATE: 27.8.2025
DURATION: 1 HOUR
KEY CONCEPTS: • A transistor is a device that can act as a switch off and it can amplify a small current
• npn type transistors

TRANSISTORS
• A transistor is a semiconductor device that
consists of three conducting pins /
terminals.
• Each pin / terminal has its own connection
point with a specific name: collector, base,
and emitter.

• The three legs have to be connected in a special way:

 The base receives the signal from the input of the circuit.
The collector is connected to the part of the circuit that must be switched
on (the positive side of the circuit).
The emitter is connected to the negative pole battery/circuit.
• A transistor works as a type of switch to turn current on and off.
• It can also amplify a current.

• A NPN transistor have electrons.

• It is polarity sensitive (a definitive positive and negative pole).
• It has a relatively small base current, the resistance between the collector and the
emitter is changed.
• As the base current increases, the collector emitter resistance decreases.

USES OF TRANSISTORS:
• As switches: The output is either on or o depending on the input current, which
usually comes from a sensor. Transistors used in this way are called NPN transistors. So,
it is an electrically controlled switch
• As amplifiers: The output current is an enlarged version of the input current.
• It is used in many electronic applications, e.g., radios, amplifiers, and motherboards.

A SIMPLE TRANSISTOR CIRCUIT

• A closed switch allows current to flow
from the battery (9 V) into the base terminal of the transistor via the resistor (1 K).
• The resistor is used to protect the transistor
from power damage.

• The current flows through the collector to

light up the bulb (LED) and out to the
emitter (0 V).
CLASSWORK
1. Explain the function(s) of the transistor.(2)

2. Name the three legs of the transistor by labelling the diagram below and explain how
each leg is connected to the circuit. (6)

B
A

Labels Name of leg How leg is connected to the circuit

C
LESSON 2
LESSON TITLE: SENSORS/ INPUT DEVICES
DATE: 29.8.2025
DURATION: 1 HOUR
KEY CONCEPTS: • light dependent resistors (LDR)
• thermistors
• capacitors

SENSORS / INPUT DEVICES

• Sensors are important electronic input devices or senses change in the
environment and respond by producing a change of voltage.
• These changes could be temperature, light, moisture or movement.
• E.g. a movement sensor detects movement and responds by converting
kinetic energy into light energy.

Light Dependent Resistors (LDR)

• A light-dependent resistor, also called an LDR.
• Its resistance depends on the amount of light it
receives.
• Resistance increases in the absence of light and
decreases its resistance in the presence of light.
• It can therefore be used to detect light and trigger warning devices
in cases where light may cause problems.
• An LDR has two terminals that can be inserted any
way around into a circuit, so it is a non-polar device.

USES OF LDRs:
• to amplify the LDR signal to an output device
(such as a loudspeaker, motor)
• to switch an output device (such as a lamp,
buzzer, or motor) on or off
• Circuit of a day/night switch - Day/night
switches are often used to turn on street and
outside lights once it gets dark.
• It has an advantage above time switches, since
the time settings can go wrong, and the amount of
daylight does not remain constant during
different weather conditions.
• In this example, a light-dependent resistor (LDR) is the input device, an NPN transistor is the
control device, and an LED is the output device.

THERMISTORS
A thermistor is an electronic device that can sense the temperature of
its environment. It is a sensor, so it is an input device.
A variable resistor / rheostat can be adjusted to give different amounts
of resistance.

The volume control on a radio uses a variable resistor to change the amount of current. This
varies the amount of electrical energy that is converted into sound energy.
 • A thermistor is a heat-sensitive resistor.
• Two types of thermistors are made:

 The resistance of + t thermistors increase with temperature.

 The resistance of – t thermistors decrease with temperature.

USES OF THERMISTORS:
• The main purpose of a thermistor is to give a circuit the ability to sense changes in
temperature.
• A thermistor is a component which has the ability to change its resistance as
temperature changes.
• Thermistors are used in some fire alarms to sense an increase in temperature.
• to amplify the signal (make the signal stronger) to an output device such as a
lamp, loudspeaker, or motor.
• to switch an output device such as a lamp, loudspeaker, or motor, on or off.

CAPACITOR
• A capacitor is an electronic device that stores and releases energy.
• Capacitors are used to smooth the flow of current in circuits.
• Capacitors are control devices.
• When a circuit that includes a capacitor is switched on, the capacitor gets charged
up with electrical energy from the circuit.
• When the source of energy is cut off the capacitor slowly discharges its energy back
into the circuit.
• Capacitance is the measure of the energy a capacitor can store. Capacitance is
measured in farad (F) Because the farad is such a large unit, practical values usually
have the prefixes m (milli-), µ (micro-), n (nano-) or p (pico-).
• The symbol “C” is used for capacitance.
If a capacitor can store a lot of energy, we say it has a high cap.
• A capacitor consists of two metal plates separated by an insulator called a
dielectric.
• When capacitors are connected in parallel, the total area of the metal plates on each
side is increased, so the total capacitance is increased.
• When capacitors are connected in series, the
distance between the opposite plates is
increased, because capacitance is inversely
proportional to the distance between the plates, the
total capacitance is reduced to less than that of the
smallest capacitor.
• Capacitors can be non-polarised (non-electrolytic)
or polarised (electrolytic).
NON-POLARISED (NON-ELECTROLYTIC): capacitors can be connected in Non
any way without malfunctioning. They have a low capacitance value.
POLARISED (ELECTROLYTIC) capacitors have positive (+) and a negative (-) leads.
The leads must be connected correctly in a circuit. They have a high capacitance
value.
 USES OF A CAPACITOR:
Used in many electronic applications as:
• Time delays or timers e.g., traffic lights,
photograph timers and electric cookers
CHARGE AND DISCHARGE OF A CAPACITOR
• The charging and discharging of a capacitor can
be observed by building the circuit in the diagram
below.
• When the switch is switched to position A, the
current will flow from the + of the battery,
through LED1, through the switch to one plate
of the capacitor.
• The negative of the battery is connected to the
other plate of the capacitor through the resistor
R1. While the capacitor is charging, LED1 will
be ON.
• After the capacitor has been charged and the switch is switched to position B, a
current will now flow from the + plate of the capacitor through LED2 and will
discharge through the resistor R1.
• While the capacitor is discharging, LED2 will be ON.

CLASSWORK
1. What is the function of a light dependent resistor in a circuit? (1)
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2. Draw the circuit symbol for a ldr. (1)
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3. What is the function of a thermistor in a circuit? (1)
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4. Differentiate between a +t and a – t thermistor. (2)
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5. What is the function of a capacitor in a circuit? (1)
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6. What is meant by the capacitance of a capacitor? (1)
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7. What is the unit of measurement of capacitance? (1)
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8. Name the two types of capacitors we find. (2)
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