This course provides a comprehensive introduction to electrical systems, covering essential concepts, safety practices, and hands-on labs to develop practical skills. Students will learn about electrical safety principles, basic electrical concepts, DC and AC circuits, magnetism, electromagnetism, electrical power generation, residential systems, troubleshooting techniques, and introduction to the National Electric Code (NEC). Hands-on labs and activities complement theoretical learning, ensuring students gain both knowledge and practical experience in electrical systems.
Students enrolling in this class must meet the following Math requirements:
Completion of MATH 94, MAP 117 (5 credits), or Placement in MATH 98/99, or higher level.
Prerequisites
or Instructor Permission
- Explain the basic terms and principles of electricity, including voltage, current, resistance, and impedance.
- Apply electrical safety principles including Lock-out / Tag-out and Arc Flash Protection.
- Describe fundamentals of Electromagnetic Power Generation.
- Build and analyze basic DC and AC circuits.
- Reference Codes and Standards such as the National Electric Code (NEC) for compliance.
- Analyze and troubleshoot components of Single Phase electrical systems up to 240 Volts.
- Electrical Safety and Tools
- Electrical safety principles
- Electrical hazards: shock, burns, arc flash
- Safe work practices and personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Hands-on lab: Lock-out Tag-out
- Introduction to Electricity
- Basic electrical concepts: current, voltage, resistance (Ohm’s Law)
- Power and energy calculations
- Hands-on lab: Introduction to electrical tools & meters (multimeter)
- DC Circuits & Components
- Anatomy of a circuit: conductors, insulators, components (batteries, resistors, switches)
- Series and parallel circuits: voltage and current relationships
- Application of Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL) and Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL)
- Hands-on lab: Experiments with series and parallel circuits
- DC Circuit Analysis
- Voltage dividers and current dividers
- Introduction to capacitors and their properties in DC circuits
- Hands-on Lab: Building and analyzing DC circuits with capacitors
- Magnetism & Electromagnetism
- Basic concepts of magnetism: magnetic fields, poles, electromagnets
- Faraday’s Law of Induction and Lenz’s Law
- Generators and motors: basic principles of operation
- Hands-on Lab: Exploring Electromagnetism
- AC Circuits & Components
- AC vs. DC: sine waves, frequency, amplitude, period
- Average and effective values of AC voltage and current
- Introduction to AC components: capacitors and inductors in AC circuits
- Hands-on lab: Inductance Measurement Lab
- AC Circuit Analysis
- Impedance (combination of resistance, reactance)
- Phasor diagrams for analyzing AC circuits
- Power in AC circuits: active power, reactive power, apparent power
- Power factor and its importance
- Hands-on lab: Active and Reactive Power flow LVSIM Labvolt
- Electrical Power Generation and Transmission
- Power Generation Processes
- Transmission and Distribution Systems
- Grid Stability and Power Quality
- Energy Storage and Grid Integration
- Hands-on lab: Hand crank generator and power measurement
- Residential Electrical Systems & NEC compliance
- Introduction to the National Electrical Code (NEC) (basic safety guidelines)
- Service panels, breakers, and fuses
- Wiring methods and materials
- Grounding and bonding systems
- Hands-on lab: Grounding and Bonding Activity
- Common Electrical Devices, Troubleshooting & Code compliance
- Residential electrical materials
- Introduction to electrical troubleshooting techniques
- Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) and Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs)
- Electrical codes and regulations (overview)
- Hands-on Lab: Wiring sub panels and branch circuits
PO4 Conduct measurements, analyze and interpret data, and propose methods for resolving problems
All subject matter in the course outline will be taught to the depth of learning necessary to ensure students are prepared for the next class in the sequence/program.
The learning outcomes and content outline on this MCO must be reviewed for updates at least every three years.