Ohm's Law; Power; Electrical Circuit - Honda Motorcycle Service Manual

ELECTRICAL FUNDAMENTALS
OHM'S LAW
<OHM'S LAW>
The amount of current flowing through a conductor in a closed
circuit is proportional t o the voltage applied t o the conductor.
The relationship between voltage and current flow and
resistance is known as Ohm's law.
POWER
VOLTAGE (E)
CURRENT (I)
=
RESISTANCE (R)
For example, if a 6 Q resistor is connected t o the
+
and - ter-
minals of a 12 V battery, the current flowing through the
resistor can be calculated by Ohm's law:
Current
=
Voltage
+
Resistance
=
12
+
6
=
2 A
We use electricity to operate headlights or starter motors, or
we convert it t o heat. The amount o f work required t o d o
these things is measured i n Watts. Changing voltage (Volts)
or the rate of current flow (Amperes) increases or decreases
electrical power output (Watts). The relationship is defined
as:
W = E.1 (Power
=
Voltage x Current)
I
VOLTAGE
=
CURRENT x RESISTANCE
1 3 CURRENT
=
VOLTAGE
+
RESISTANCE
RESISTANCE
=
VOLTAGE
+
CURRENT
ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT
As shown i n the diagram at right, when a light bulb is co-
nnected t o
a
battery, the current flows i n the direction o f the
arrow and the light bulb turns on.
The path in which an electric current flows, is called a circuit.
On Honda motorcycles, scooters and ATVs, the ground wire
of an electrical circuit is connected t o the engine o i frame.
Grounding the negative terminal is called a negative terminal
ground type.
All Honda motorcycles, scooters and ATVs share the negative
ground circuit shown in the diagram.
Date of issue: March,
1995
0
HONDA MOTOR CO.,LTD.
21 -9