ELEC 1600 Electrical Principles

This course provides instruction in basic electrical concepts, such as alternating and direct current theory, magnetism, application of Ohm's law and the power formula to series, parallel and combination circuits. Additional course topics include wire sizing, conductor and motor characteristics, circuit requirements, numbering systems, and codes. The student will wire, operate and use a digital multi-meter to troubleshoot and repair various electrical circuits commonly found in residential, commercial and industrial facilities. Prerequisite: Completion of MATH 1500 or MATH 0920. (2 lect., 2 lab)

Credits

3 credits

Major Topics

  • Electrical safety
  • Electron flow
  • Energy
  • DC voltage
  • AC voltage
  • OHM’s Law
  • Power formula
  • Resistive circuits
  • Inductive circuits
  • Capacitive circuits
  • Conductors
  • Insulators
  • Conduits
  • Connectors
  • Numbering systems and codes
  • Digital multi-meter, megohmmeter, receptacle testers
  • Series, parallel and combination circuits
  • Solenoids and transformers
  • Electric motors
  • Power factor
  • Circuit requirements
  • Residential circuits
  • Commercial circuits
  • Industrial circuits
  • Electronic control devices
  • Wiring schematics
  • Wiring, troubleshooting and repairing electrical circuits

Outcomes

In order to successfully complete this course, the student will:

1. Identify electrical units of measure for voltage, current, resistance and power.

2. Use Ohm’s Law to calculate the voltage, resistance and amperage of various circuits.

3. Use Ohm’s Law to troubleshoot circuits.

4. Use the power formula to calculate voltage, current, resistance and watts

5. Combine Ohm’s Law and the power formula to calculate voltage, current, resistance and watts

6. Convert watts to horsepower.

7. Apply safe electrical practices while working with electrical equipment

8. Troubleshoot electrical circuits using a digital multi-meter, megohmmeter and receptacle tester

9. Identify electrical abbreviations, acronyms and symbols

10. Identify conductor material types and ratings, wire sizing, insulation types and color codes.

11. Identify the proper uses of various conductor connectors

12. Identify plug and receptacle ratings and configurations

13. Identify circuit protection devices and ratings

14. Construct and troubleshoot series, parallel and combination circuits

15. Identify the role that magnetism play with solenoids and transformers

16. Identify all parts of a motor nameplate

17. Identify electrical circuit requirements

18. Identify the characteristics and components of basic residential circuits

19. Identify the characteristics and components of basic commercial circuits

20. Identify and characteristics and components of basic industrial circuits

21. Read an electric meter

22. Given an electric meter reading and current electric utility rates calculate electric costs

23. Wire a subpanel

24. Draw wiring schematics

25. Use wiring schematics to wire circuits including the following components:

a. Service entrance equipment

b. Circuit breakers

c. Subpanel

d. Single-pole switch

e. Double-pole switch

f. Dimmer switch

g. Luminaires, ballasts, and lamps

h. AC/DC smoke detectors

i. Arc-fault circuit interrupters

j. Split circuit receptacles

k. Ground-fault circuit interrupters

l. Three and four-way switches