KidWind Kit Inventory List: Names: _________________________________________________________________________________ Kit Number _________ Container Part Date: Bag 1: Load Devices 2 Alligator clip wires 3 LED lights with wires Protractor Motor Propeller Capacitor Bag 2: Turbine Parts 2 gears (not on nacelle) 1 motor with wires 1 motor without wires 2 wing nuts Bag 3: Pump Parts Graduated cylinder Plastic tubing Pump Box: Large Multi‐meter 2 lead wires Small Multi‐meter 2 lead wires Turbine base ‐ 2 boards Turbine tower ‐ 1 dowel Nacelle Motor mount and motor Hub and driveshaft 2 gears (installed on nacelle) Additional drive shaft 3 plastic‐board blades 5 wooden blades 24 ‐ 6”x ¼” dowels Note: Place all bags in the box when the inventory is complete. Wind Generator Engineering Record (Sample & Master) Names: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Component Variable Modification Result Conclusion (RPM, voltage, weight, cost, etc.) Blade Number of blades 2 3 4 5 Length of blades 40 cm 30 cm 20 cm Pitch 15 degrees 30 degrees 45 degrees 60 degrees Shape Rectangular (sketch) Rounded (sketch) Tapered (sketch) Material Plasti‐board Balsa wood Cardboard Wind Generator Engineering Record Names: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Component Variable Modification Result Conclusion (RPM, voltage, weight, cost, etc.) Power Of Wind Turbine Electricity Generation Notes: Basic Electricity understandings and safety: • Electrons flow from negative to positive • Generally (in DC circuits) red is positive and black is negative • Some materials (insulators) do not share or release electrons easily – they have high resistance; Conductors easily share electrons and have low resistance • It takes about 40 volts or more to be dangerous (this is enough to overcome the resistance of the human body); but high voltage is really only dangerous if there is also high current • High current traveling though the body is more dangerous than high voltage; anything above .1 amps [100 ma], especially passing through the heart, can be fatal) The basic parts of an electric circuit are: • Pressure to make electrons move (Electromotive force measured in volts) – typically provided by a battery or generator • A load and conductor that allow electrons to move (Current measured in Amperage) • A load and conductor that impedes or slows the electron flow (Resistance measured in ohms) • The total Power (Watts) used is found by multiplying the voltage by the amperage Two mathematical relationships exist between these electrical characteristics: • Ohm’s Law: E= IR (voltage = amperage x resistance) • Watt’s Law; P= EI (Watts = voltage x amperage) • Symbols: P= Watts, I= Current, R= Resistance, E= Voltage Glossary additions: Alternating Current – Electrons flow one direction in a circuit then reverse and flow the other direction. The current direction alternates. Amperage – the amount of electrons or “current” flowing in a circuit. Measured in amps (milliamps, microamps, etc.). Direct Current – Electrons flow only one direction in the circuit (from negative to positive). Electricity – the movement or flow of electrons from one atom to the next. Resistance – the opposition to the flow of electrons. Measured in ohms (Ω). Low resistance materials are called conductors; high resistance materials are insulators. Wattage – The measure of electrical power used; found by multiplying the voltage by the amperage 4­H POW Electricity Information Periodic Table of the Elements The Periodic Table of the elements is a chart of all of the elements discovered to date that make up our earth and atmosphere. But more than a listing, this table has arranged the elements by their characteristics, and much can be discovered about the elements based on where they are located in the chart. Of particular interest to the Power of Wind study is the group of elements that are considered conductors. Most of the best conductors are metals, including copper, nickel, iron, aluminum, lead, tin, mercury, silver and gold. And it doesn’t take long in studying the table to see that these conductors are clustered together in the table; which means they must have similar characteristics. Also, if one looks for non‐conductors (insulator elements in the chart), they will also be clustered together. This is an ideal topic for students to research as they work with the wind turbines, because the generated electricity will need to be transmitted down the tower and into lines that carry the electricity into a home, business or the electric grid. Questions to consider and research when looking at the electrical characteristics of conductors and insulators: •
If cost were no object, what would be the best (most efficient) conductors to use as wires in a wind generation system? •
According to the Periodic Table, what are the characteristics of the conductors that you know about? •
By looking at the periodic table, what elements that you were not aware of might possibly be considered good conductors? •
The smallest particle of an element (that retains all of the characteristics of that element) is called an Atom. All atoms have a nucleus made of protons and neutrons; and orbiting that nucleus are electrons. How many electrons do each of the conductors have? •
The number of electrons in the outermost orbit of a conducting atom is a critical clue as to why some elements are good conductors. What are the characteristics of these conductor atom’s outer orbits that make them good conductors? •
Atomically speaking, how is it that electrons really travel from one atom to another? •
Can you draw a diagram showing how electrons flow (travel) from one atom to another? Notice the metals (typically conductors) clustered in the middle of the table… 6
Multi­Meter Basic
This is the DC voltage section of the meter. Example: use for measuring battery voltage. Circuit power must be on. This is the resistance section of the meter (ohms). Example: use it to check for breaks in wiring (continuity). Circuit power must be off. The black lead wire is connected to the Common or negative terminal. It is assumed to be the negative lead when working with DC circuits. This is the AC voltage section of the meter. Example: use for measuring 110v house outlet voltage. Circuit power must be on. The Amperage section of the meter is used to measure amps or milliamps. Example: use to measure how much current is flowing. Circuit power must be on. The red lead wire is connected to the VΩmA terminal. The red lead is also considered positive when working with DC circuits. When measuring very large direct currents, this lead could be inserted into the 10ADC terminal. Notes: • If unsure about expected voltage or amperage, always start with a higher voltage/amperage setting and switch lower as needed. • When measuring resistance (ohms), circuit power must be off! The meter will be damaged if the circuit has power applied to it. • When measuring large voltages/currents make meter connections with circuit power off. • Return the selector switch to the “Off” position when done to save the battery. If storing for months, remove the battery. 7
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