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Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation
DC and AC Components and Circuits
Course: AIT125

First Term: 2022 Fall
 Lecture   3.0 Credit(s)   2.0 Period(s)   2.0 Load  
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: T - Lab Load


Description: An introductory course in Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC) electric theory. Includes electric circuits using resistors, capacitors and inductors. Also includes solenoids, relays, transformers, basic DC and AC motors, circuit protection devices and a variety of switches.



MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Analyze electrical circuit diagrams by identifying circuit components, voltages, currents and power. (I, VII)
2. Describe the operation of control and sensing components such as limit switches, pressure switches, float switches and proximity sensors when used as interrupters in a circuit. (II)
3. Demonstrate the use of a multimeter to measure voltage, current and resistance in a circuit and to troubleshoot basic electrical problems. (III, V)
4. Select circuit protection devices such as fuses, ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) and circuit breakers. (IV)
5. Test circuit protection devices such as fuses, GFCI and circuit breakers. (IV)
6. Identify the basic use of a multimeter to find basic electrical faults in components such as resistors, capacitors, inductors/solenoids, relays, transformers and electric motors. (V, VI)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.
 
MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Reading and interpreting electrical circuit diagrams
   A. Fundamental electrical theory
      1. Electric charge
      2. Resistance
      3. Electric current
      4. Voltage
      5. Magnetism
   B. Schematic symbols
   C. Operation of components
   D. Electrical components identification
   E. Ohm’s Law
   F. Kirchoff’s Circuit Laws
      1. Kirchoff’s Voltage Law (KVL)
      2. Kirchoff’s Current Law (KCL)
   G. Analysis of circuits
      1. Series circuits
         a. Resistors
         b. Capacitors
         c. Mathematical formulations and calculations
         d. Current flow
         e. Voltage drops
         f. Combinations of components in circuits
      2. Parallel circuits
         a. Resistors
         b. Capacitors
         c. Mathematical formulations and calculations
         d. Current flow
         e. Voltage drops
         f. Combinations of components in circuits
      3. Circuits with inductors
         a. Measuring inductive reactance
         b. Mathematical formulations and calculations
         c. Current flow
         e. Voltage change
         f. Combinations of components in circuits
      4. Circuits with transformers
         a. Measuring resistance
         b. Sizing
         c. Mathematical formulations and calculations
         d. Current load
         e. Voltage change
         f. Turns ratio
II. Sensor and switch function and application
   A. Capacitive sensor
   B. Inductive sensor
   C. Photoelectric sensor
   D. Magnetic reed switch
   E. Limit switch
   F. Float switch
   G. Pressure switch
III. Multimeter use for electrical measurement
   A. Voltage
   B. Current
   C. Resistance
   D. Continuity check
   E. Clamp meters
IV. Circuit protection components
   A. Fuse and circuit breaker selection in accordance with National Electrical Code (NEC)
      1. Determining wire size
      2. Determining wire ampacity
   B. Fuse types and uses
   C. Fuse testing procedures
   D. Circuit breaker testing procedures
   E. Operation of Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs)
V. Multimeters and electrical troubleshooting
   A. Testing resistors
      1. Rated value
      2. Opens
      3. Shorts
   B. Testing capacitors
      1. Rated value
      2. Opens
      3. Shorts
   C. Testing inductors
      1. Rated value
      2. Opens
      3. Shorts
   D. Testing relays
      1. Coils
      2. Contacts
      3. Function
   E. Testing solenoids
      1. Coils
      2. Function
   F. Testing transformer windings
      1. Opens
      2. Shorts
      3. Primary to secondary isolation
      4. Resistance
   G. Testing electric motor windings
      1. Opens
      2. Shorts
      3. Winding insulation resistance
VI. Electric Motors
   A. DC electric motors
   B. Single phase AC motors
VII. Electric wiring
   A. Wiring color code
   B. Wire gauge
 
MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: February 22, 2022

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.