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Optional: Electrical Maintenance Principles and Electrical Motors

DC Principles

Course #: Block A21
Duration: 30 hours
Course Prerequisites: Basic Industrial Math (Block X21);
What Students Learn: In this block consisting of six study units, the trainee will learn the basics of electrical theory. These units introduce electrical terms, symbols, and the operation of simple circuits. Ohm's law receives extensive coverage including practical troubleshooting examples used to industry. A new unit specific to capacitors and inductors provides more in-depth coverage. Up-to-date information on conductors, insulation, and specialty batteries forms a revised study unit. Study units covering magnetism, electromagnetism, motors, and generators are included with industry related examples.
Components: Nature of Electricity (086001); Circuit Analysis and Ohm's Law (086002); Capacitors and Inductors (086003); Magnetism and Electromagnetism (086004); Conductors, Insulators, and Batteries (086005); DC Motors and Generator Theory (086006);
Special Notes: This updated course replaces DC Principles, Block A01. Each study unit contains a progress examination.

Nature of Electricity

Course #: 086001
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: Basic Industrial Math (Block X21);
What Students Learn:

  • Explain the operation of a simple circuit.
  • Define the terms: conductor, insulator, and resistor.
  • Demonstrate that unlike charges attract and like charges repel.
  • List the dangers and benefits of static electricity.
  • Define the terms: volt, ampere, and ohm.
  • Describe common notations and prefixes used to identify electrical and electronic values.
  • Identify carbon resistors, potentiometers, and rheostats, and explain how they work.
  • Identify the common electrical symbols used in schematic diagrams.
  • Explain the difference between a series and parallel circuit.

    • Circuit Analysis and Ohm's Law

    Course #: 086002
    Duration: 5 hours
    Course Prerequisites: Basic Industrial Math (Block X21);
    What Students Learn:

  • Find the total resistance in series, parallel, and series-parallel circuits.
  • Use Ohm's law to calculate the current, voltage, or resistance in circuits.
  • Calculate the amount of power supplied and dissipated in a DC circuit.
  • List the steps for finding current, voltage, and resistance with a digital or analog meter.

    • Capacitors and Inductors

    Course #: 086003
    Duration: 5 hours
    Course Prerequisites: Basic Industrial Math (Block X21);
    What Students Learn:

  • Explain how a capacitor holds a charge.
  • Describe common types of capacitors.
  • Identify common capacitor ratings.
  • Calculate the total capacitance of a circuit containing capacitors in series or in parallel.
  • Calculate the time constant of a resistance-capacitance or RC circuit.
  • Explain how inductors are constructed.
  • Describe the system used to rate inductors.
  • Describe how an inductor regulates the flow of current in a DC circuit.
  • Calculate the total inductance of series or parallel connected inductors.
  • Calculate the time constant for a resistance-inductance or RL circuit.

    • Magnetism and Electromagnetism

    Course #: 086004
    Duration: 5 hours
    Course Prerequisites: Basic Industrial Math (Block X21);
    What Students Learn:

  • Identify the north and south poles of permanent magnets and electromagnets.
  • Name magnetic and nonmagnetic materials.
  • Describe how to magnetize a piece of steel by induction.
  • Explain the difference between simple, compound, and closed magnetic circuits.
  • Locate the direction of magnetic lines of force around a conductor (if the direction of current is known).
  • Use the right-hand rule to locate the poles of a solenoid.
  • Describe the operation of simple electromagnetic relays, buzzers, and stepping switches.
  • Explain how a DC motor operates.
  • Give a simplified explanation for generator action and motor action with electromagnetic induction.

    • Conductors, Insulators, and Batteries

    Course #: 086005
    Duration: 5 hours
    Course Prerequisites: Basic Industrial Math (Block X21);
    What Students Learn:

  • Describe the various types of conductors and discuss their conductivity.
  • Explain the American Wire Gage System of sizing copper conductors.
  • Determine the size of conductor needed for an application.
  • Identify the various types of insulating materials and their temperature ratings.
  • Explain the difference between a dry cell and a storage battery.
  • How to connect cells together to obtain more voltage, more current, or more of both voltage and current.
  • Describe the proper safety precautions used when working with storage batteries.
  • Describe how to properly clean and care for storage batteries.
  • Discuss the instruments used for testing storage batteries.
  • Explain how NiCad, lithium, and other types of special batteries operate, and describe their ratings.

    • DC Motors and Generator Theory

    Course #: 086006
    Duration: 5 hours
    Course Prerequisites: Basic Industrial Math (Block X21);
    What Students Learn:

  • Identify a series-, shunt-, and compound-wound motor and discuss their application.
  • Explain how a permanent-magnet and stepper motor operate.
  • List the steps to reversing a DC motor's direction.
  • Discuss how the speed of a DC motor can be controlled.
  • Explain the basic principle for generating a direct current.
  • Name the factors that affect the strength of the induced voltage.
  • Describe the purpose of a commutator and brush assembly.
  • Discuss the difference between the field connections of series-, shunt-, and compound-wound machines.
  • Give the reason for shifting brushes.
  • Discuss the use of commutating poles and compensating windings for better generator operation.
  • List the various types of machine losses.

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