Does this device follow Passive Sign Convention?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the application of the Passive Sign Convention (PSC) in a circuit diagram. Participants seek to determine whether the current and voltage assignments in the provided circuit image adhere to this convention, which is relevant in the context of electrical engineering and circuit analysis.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if the current I flows towards the positive voltage V in the circuit image, which is necessary for PSC.
  • Another participant suggests that the symbol in the image resembles an active power source and requests clarification on the PSC definition.
  • A participant provides a link to a detailed description of PSC, indicating difficulty in interpreting the circuit image.
  • One participant asserts that the current through a passive element should point towards the positive end, noting that the image appears to show current leaving a power source.
  • Another participant expresses confusion about the problem, suggesting that it looks like the current is leaving from the positive end.
  • Participants discuss the implications of current direction, with one stating that if current goes from positive to negative, it follows PSC, while the opposite direction indicates Active Sign Convention (ASC).
  • There is a query about the interpretation of current direction if the arrow points away from the positive end, with a later reply confirming it would be considered ASC.
  • Further questions arise regarding the direction of current if it leaves from the negative end, with one participant stating it would be PSC.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing interpretations of the current direction in relation to the PSC, leading to a lack of consensus on whether the circuit follows the convention. Some participants assert that the current is leaving from the positive end, while others argue it is entering at the positive end.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference the definitions and implications of PSC and ASC, but there are unresolved interpretations regarding the specific circuit image and the direction of current flow.

Alpha Russ Omega
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Hello:
I need help determining if I and V assignments follow the passive sign convention.

Here is the image of the circuit:
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/9572/pic1xu2.gif

I know that in order for it to follow PSC the current I needs to flow towards +V. I'm not sure if that is happening in this picture.

Please help!
 
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That looks like a symbol for an active power source. I'm not familiar with what you call the PSC. Can you provide a web pointer to the definition of that convention?
 
PSC stands for Passive Sign Convention.

The following link describes it in detail: http://morley.eng.ua.edu/E125-2PassiveConv.pdf

With the image that my teacher gave me, it's kind of hard for me to tell if it follows it or not. Maybe I'm not looking at it correctly...
 
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I was just about to give you the link you just provided for passive sign convention. From that you can see that the current through a PASSIVE ELEMENT (like a resistor) has the convention of pointing to the + end. Your picture looks like the current is leaving a power source (like a battery).
 
I think I got it figured out now. Thanks guys! :-)
 
So tell us the answer is it PSC?? I'm also confused my professor gave us the same problem and it got me confused.. for me it looks like the current is leaving from the + end
 
That is passive sign convention. If the current goes from + to -, that's PSC. If the current goes from - to +, that's ASC or Active Sign Convention.
 
isen't it leaving from the + though??
 
No, the current is entering on the + sign, leaving from the - sign
 
  • #10
alright how about if the arrow was going away from the + end toward the box.. would that be considered ASC?
 
  • #11
hadia said:
alright how about if the arrow was going away from the + end toward the box.. would that be considered ASC?

Correct.
 
  • #12
alright i think i got it one last question lol how about if the arrow was leaving from - end toward the box is that ASC or PSC?
 
  • #13
hadia said:
alright i think i got it one last question lol how about if the arrow was leaving from - end toward the box is that ASC or PSC?

PSC.
 
  • #14
Alright thanks for your help...
 

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