Courses
Electrical Maintenance
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.
Course #: 086001
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: Basic Industrial Math (Block X21);
What Students Learn:
Course #: 086002
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: Basic Industrial Math (Block X21);
What Students Learn:
Course #: 086003
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: Basic Industrial Math (Block X21);
What Students Learn:
Course #: 086004
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: Basic Industrial Math (Block X21);
What Students Learn:
Course #: 086005
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: Basic Industrial Math (Block X21);
What Students Learn:
Course #: 086006
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: Basic Industrial Math (Block X21);
What Students Learn:
Course #: 086800
Duration: 0 hours
Course Prerequisites: DC Principles (Block A21);
What Students Learn: Electronics Workbench is an electronics lab in a computer. A powerful software tool that simulates the behavior of analog circuits, digital circuits, and the corresponding test equipment. Students perform experiments faster, in a safe, user friendly environment.
Sophisticated troubleshooting options allow trainees to make practical evaluations of the theory they have been learning. High quality, visual circuit paths are recreated. The simulator lets students design, build, and verify circuits significantly faster than on a real test bench. As self-paced study, students can experiment with "what if" scenarios. Circuits can be created with any number of faults or malfunctions for students to diagnose, isolate, and repair.
Realistic test instruments used in working applications include the digital multimeter, oscilloscope, function generator, word generator, logic analyzer, logic converter, and bode plotter. A "bottomless" bin of real world components for both digital and analog circuits include over 125 74xx and 74xxx chips, resistors, diodes, capacitors, a wide variety of logic gates, scrs', triacs, npn, and pnp transistors and many more.
Special Notes:
Course #: 387009C
Duration: 10 hours
Course Prerequisites: Electronics Workbench. (086800); DC Principles (Block A21);
What Students Learn: Basic lab exercises and elementary troubleshooting problems using the Electronics Workbench (Versions 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0) are contained in this manual. Practice exercises using electrical notations, prefixes, Ohm's law, series and parallel connections, and basic circuit construction are included. The manual includes the basic operational instructions for the Workbench software and Windows.
Special Notes: The manual contains a file disk of practice circuits.
Course #: Block A22
Duration: 40 hours
Course Prerequisites: DC Principles (Block A21); Basic Industrial Math (Block X21);
What Students Learn: Alternating current is the form of current most often used to furnish electrical energy. Students receive a complete introduction to AC terminology and basic AC circuit configurations. Individual study units on the uses of capacitors and inductors in AC circuits underlines the importance of these components in AC theory. The generation, control, and distribution of AC power are highlighted in study units on alternators, transformers, and energy distribution. How electricity is generated at a power plant and sent to consumers is covered. The student will also be introduced to basic electronics through a study unit on rectification and basic electronic components.
Components: Alternating Current (086007); Alternating Current Circuits (086008); Inductors in AC Circuits (086009); Capacitors in AC Circuits (086010); Transformers (086011); Alternators (086012); Electrical Energy Distribution (086013); Rectification and Basic Electronic Devices (086014);
Special Notes: This updated course replaces AC Principles and Components, Block A02. Each study unit contains a progress examination.
Course #: 086007
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: DC Principles (Block A21); Basic Industrial Math (Block X21);
What Students Learn:
Course #: 086008
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: DC Principles (Block A21); Basic Industrial Math (Block X21);
What Students Learn:
Course #: 086009
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: DC Principles (Block A21); Basic Industrial Math (Block X21);
What Students Learn:
Course #: 086010
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: DC Principles (Block A21); Basic Industrial Math (Block X21);
What Students Learn:
Course #: 086011
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: DC Principles (Block A21); Basic Industrial Math (Block X21);
What Students Learn:
Course #: 086012
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: DC Principles (Block A21); Basic Industrial Math (Block X21);
What Students Learn:
Course #: 086013
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: DC Principles (Block A21); Basic Industrial Math (Block X21);
What Students Learn:
Course #: 086014
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: DC Principles (Block A21); Basic Industrial Math (Block X21);
What Students Learn:
Course #: 387012C
Duration: 10 hours
Course Prerequisites: Electronics Workbench. (086800); DC Principles (Block A21); AC Principles (Block A22);
What Students Learn: This lab manual, designed for use with the Electronics Workbench simulation software (Versions 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0), contains lab exercises and troubleshooting problems that reinforce the theory learned in AC Principles. Problems dealing with impedances of RC and RL circuits, rectification of AC voltages, and series and parallel resonant circuits are part of the learning experience.
The manual contains the basic operational instructions for the Workbench software and Windows.
Special Notes: The manual contains a file disk of practice circuits.
Course #: Block A23
Duration: 15 hours
Course Prerequisites: AC Principles (Block A22); Basic Industrial Math (Block X21);
What Students Learn: In this three unit block, trainees learn how to use electrical test instruments and measuring techniques. The instruments covered are multimeters, volt-ohm-milliameters (VOMs) and oscilloscopes. Students will learn how to measure voltage, resistance, and current valves is a circuit. Troubleshooting tests on both AC and DC systems including PLC input and output problems are emphasized.
Components: Basic Test Equipment (086025); Troubleshooting with Volt-Ohm-Milliamp Meters (VOMs) (086026); Using Basic Oscilloscopes (086027);
Special Notes: This updated course replaces Electrical Measurements and Instruments, Block A03. Each study unit contains a progress examination.
Course #: 086025
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: AC Principles (Block A22); Basic Industrial Math (Block X21);
What Students Learn:
Course #: 086026
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: AC Principles (Block A22); Basic Industrial Math (Block X21);
What Students Learn:
Course #: 086027
Duration: 5 hours
Course Prerequisites: AC Principles (Block A22); Basic Industrial Math (Block X21);
What Students Learn:
Course #: 387014C
Duration: 10 hours
Course Prerequisites: Electronics Workbench. (086800); Analog Circuit Measurement (Block A23);
What Students Learn: Students will complete lab exercises and troubleshooting problems using the Electronics Workbench software (Versions 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0). This lab manual will provide experience using the many simulated instruments that are part of the software package. Troubleshooting simulations using the digital multimeter, oscilloscope, function generator, and bode plotter are included in these exercises. The manual includes the basic operational instructions for the Workbench software and Windows.
Special Notes: The manual contains a file disk of practice circuits.
Course #: 186005
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Preview
This study unit will introduce students to many workplace situations that require you to work safely with electricity. You will learn how and why electricity can be dangerous. Trainees will also learn about various methods used for protection. Safety begins with the careful installation of electrical components by means of approved wiring methods. You should use safety procedures and practices that insulate you from electricity's power anytime you work with, or near, electrical equipment and components.
Objectives
When a student completes this study unit, he and she will be able to:
Course #: Block A24
Duration: 60 hours
What Students Learn: The twelve study units in this block provide the student with the skills and knowledge needed to install basic industrial electrical equipment. In addition to learning the symbols for the various types of equipment, the student will learn how to safely install conductors and electrical fittings. The types of equipment discussed includes outlet boxes, panels, raceways, conduits, switches, fuses, circuit breakers, plugs, receptacles, and lampholders. The student will also learn how to calculate electrical loads, lay out circuits, and troubleshoot control circuits.
Components: Conductors and Insulators in Industry (086070); Working with Conduit (086071); Electrical Boxes (086072); Industrial Enclosures and Raceways (086073); Connecting Electrical Equipment, Part 1 (086074); Connecting Electrical Equipment, Part 2 (086075); Industrial Fuses (086076); Industrial Circuit Breakers (086077); Plugs, Receptacles, and Lampholders (086078); Industrial Switches (086079); Industrial Relay Ladder Logic (086080); Industrial Relays, Contractors, and Solenoids (086081);
Special Notes: This updated course replaces Electrical Equipment, Block A04. Each study unit contains a progress exam.
Course #: 086070
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Preview
As an industrial electrician, students will work with various types of conductors and insulators. For instance, you may install a new service and have to pull conductors through conduit. Electricians will have to select the right size, type, and color of conductor to properly perform the installation. In another instance, you may troubleshoot a problem with an industrial circuit and find a faulty conductor. Your knowledge of the types of conductors and insulators can help you perform this task quickly and efficiently.
This study unit provides electricians with information on conductors and insulators that you will find in industry. This study unit covers a range of conductors from the standard plastic coated, copper conductors to the large, high-temperature conductors. Students will learn about the different types of insulators and how the type of insulator can influence the maximum temperature and current-carrying capability of the conductor. At the end of this study unit, students will learn how to troubleshoot and repair conductor and insulator problems.
Objectives
When students complete this study unit, he and she will be able to
Course #: 086071
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Preview
This study unit focuses on what an electrician needs to know about conduit. First, you will study the characteristics of common types of conduit. Next, students will learn how to work with conduit. The course covers the types of fittings, conduit cutting and threading, and supporting conduit from walls and ceilings. When installing conduit, an electrician frequently has to make bends in the conduit. These bends must be made properly, using the right tools and techniques described in this study unit. Finally, you will study examples of large conduit installations and how to size and pull conductors through conduit.
Objectives
When a student completes this study unit, he and she will be able to:
Course #: 086072
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Preview
This study unit teaches electricians about a very important part of any electrical distribution or control cable wiring system. This important part is the electrical box. The electrical box may be a small component, such as a box for a light switch or receptacle. Or, the box may be a large junction box with many conductors entering and leaving the box.
This study unit provides you with information on the types of electrical boxes their covers, and discusses boxes for pulling and splicing. Students will learn how to select the proper sized box for a situation. You will also learn about the proper ways of installing electrical boxes.
Objectives
When a student completes this study unit, he and she will be able to:
Course #: 086073
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Preview
Whenever a person walks through an industrial plant, you will notice many large electrical enclosures that serve as control cabinets. These enclosures house panelboards to which many control components, protection devices, recorders, and other equipment, connect. As an industrial electrician, it is important for students to know how industrial enclosures and the panelboards they contain are constructed, secured, and connected to the devices throughout the plant.
This study unit provides electricians with the information you will need to construct and install an industrial enclosure, and to connect the panelboard to the field devices through one or more kinds of raceways. Many different types of installations are encountered in industry, and you will be introduced to several of them. Students will also learn about raceway installation and grounding.
Objectives
When a student completes this study unit, he and she will be able to:
Course #: 086074
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Preview
Industrial systems are complex systems having many interconnections. All components work together to keep the system functioning properly. Every component must communicate with a main control panelboard or a main system controller, which, in turn, communicates with the other components of the system. Even a remote device like a single photoeye located on a distant conveyor plays an important role in a systems operation. That photoeye may communicate with the conveyor system controller and possibly the main assembly line controller.
This study unit provides trainees with information on how intermediate or main junction boxes are connected to the main system by means of raceway. Then, you will learn how devices are connected into a wireway, to a junction box, or to another location, using raceway or cabling and strain relief fittings. The next section discusses how connections are made inside control-panelboard enclosures. Students will be introduced to terminal block connections. You will also learn about connections to devices such as fuse holders, circuit breakers, and motor starters. The final section of this study unit covers connections to remote operator stations and remote control stations.
Objectives
When a student completes this study unit, he and she will be able to:
Course #: 086075
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Preview
As an industrial electrician, you will spend a lot of time selecting electrical connectors and making electrical connections. You may perform these activities as part of a new installation or as a repair task. A good electrical connection is critical. A poorly made connection may cause a failure, which can cost thousands of dollars because of downtime in a plant, and possible injury caused by electrical shock.
In this study unit, students will learn how to make good electrical connections using the proper type of electrical connector. This study unit covers solderless terminals, wire nuts, and butt splices. You will learn about larger compression-type connectors and about connections made to smaller devices.
Objectives
When a student completes this study unit, he and she will be able to:
Course #: 086076
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Preview
All electrical and electronic circuits, from the small ones in our homes to the large ones in industry, need to have circuit protection. This protection guards against too much current flowing in the circuit. Too much current in a circuit can cause serious damage. There are two different methods of protecting a circuit: fuses or circuit breakers. This study unit focuses on fuses.
First, this study unit discusses the need for overcurrent protection in modern industrial circuits. There are many reasons why the system wiring, control circuits, and load devices must be protected. Next, fuse ratings and specifications are covered. This section discusses the selection of the correct type and size of fuse in a system.
The following section focuses on typical fuse holders. There are a wide range of fuse holders, from fuses soldered onto a circuit board to those that are clamped into large disconnect switches. Many problems can occur on a fuse holder. This study unit shows how to address the problem until the fuse holder can be replaced. Finally, the unit ends with a discussion of how to safely test and replace fuses in their fuse holders.
Objectives
When a student completes this study unit, he and she will be able to:
Course #: 086077
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Preview
As an electrician, one of the most common devices you will see is a overcurrent protection device (OCD). This may be a fuse or a circuit breaker, and every industrial cabinet will usually contain at least one OCD.
The Industrial Fuses study unit covered the various types of fuses. Here the second kind of protective device, the circuit breaker will be examined.
Most people are familiar with the molded-case circuit breakers used in our homes. The home load center will normally contain a main circuit breaker that protects the entire load center for the home, and smaller circuit breakers that protect the various branch circuits.
An industrial control panel is not much different from a home's load center. A large circuit breaker or fuse system is usually located at the main disconnect that supplies the control panel. Each circuit will then contain a smaller circuit breaker or fuse system to protect the branch circuits inside and outside the panel.
This study unit will look at the types of circuit breakers that are commonly used in industry; how they are designed and how they work. We will also look at typical branch circuits for single-phase and three-phase loads. Finally, the study unit will discuss ground fault circuit breakers and outlets, and how to safely work with circuit breakers.
Objectives
When a student completes this study unit, he and she will be able to:
Course #: 086078
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Preview
Industrial equipment is rarely connected to a control system or to other equipment using direct wiring methods. Instead the power and signal cables are often hooked to the equipment using plugs and receptacles. Trainees will find a wide variety of plugs and receptacles used in industry.
In many cases, an entire work cell or area of a plant is designed and built in a factory, separate from where the equipment will be installed. The machines will interconnect to each other and to the main control system using one of a number of plug and receptacle systems. This study unit will introduce you to those industrial plug and receptacles.
This study unit will begin with information on the common 120 VAC plug and duplex receptacle systems used in both residential and industrial locations. Next students will see the various types of plugs and receptacles used in single phase and three-phase AC power systems. Information on various types of signal plugs and receptacles that are used in industry is covered. Finally, this study unit will conclude with information on various types of lampholders.
Objectives
When a student completes this study unit, he and she will be able to:
Course #: 086079
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Preview
In the maze of wiring, controls, and equipment in most industrial locations, switches are among the most overlooked devices. Yet switches can cause the most problems when they do not work properly. There are many kinds of switches. When troubleshooting, some can be diagnosed simply by looking at their contacts or actuators. But many more switches consist of intricate, sometimes solid-state circuitry, and use component properties such as inductance, capacitance, and magnetism.
These types of switches are found in the basic electrical circuits and in the control rooms of industrial facilities. They also are used in the regulation of such process-line variables as flow, level, temperature, and pressure.
This study unit will introduce electricians to the many designs and technologies of industrial switches, and provide insight into their operation and applications.
Objectives
When a student completes this study unit, he and she will be able to:
Course #: 086080
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Preview
Control circuitry in industrial applications is the brain behind the brawn of motorized power. Motors require one element to perform the work they are designed to do: power. How they get the power is not a concern of the motor, but it is a major concern to the developers of control systems.
Industries, especially those involving sequential operations such as mills, refineries, chemical plants, manufacturing conveyor systems, and any of the processes that require certain events to happen at certain times, require well-designed control systems.
To properly provide sequential operation of these events, a control system designer must start with what is referred to as logic, or sequential events. A ladder diagram is the main tool used by control systems designers to design a control system that causes certain events to happen at certain times.
Once the design is developed, it is up to the electrician or technician to install the system and, later, to maintain it.
Objectives
When a student completes this study unit, he and she will be able to:
Course #: 086081
Duration: 5 hours
What Students Learn: Preview
In the Industrial Relay Ladder Logic study unit, we learned that an electromagnetic relay is an electromechanical switch made up of an electromagnet and a set or sets of contacts.
An electromagnet is created by passing electrical current through a wire, causing a magnetic field to form around the outside of the wire. A ferrous metal, which is a metal that contains iron and can be magnetized, will be pulled toward the magnetic field being emitted by the energized coil. If the ferrous metal is shaped into a rod or plunger and is inserted in the middle of the coil, the magnetic field will pull it into the coil's core, and the rod or plunger will try to align itself in the center of the field. If the bar or plunger is mechanically connected to a contact bar, the device is a relay, starter, or contactor. If the plunger in a coil is mechanically connected to a valve or other operating mechanism, the device is a solenoid.
The magnetic field will pull the contact or mechanical device with it, and cause a movable contact to either make contact or break contact with a stationary contact (in the case of a relay), or cause a mechanical action (in the case of a solenoid).
This study unit will delve deeper into the various types of industrial control relays, magnetic starters, contactors, and solenoids, covering their operating principles, construction, components, and applications.
Objectives
When a student completes this study unit, he and she will be able to:
Course #: VS39XX
Duration: 1.8 hours
What Students Learn: Use this video series to help technicians gain a detailed understanding and diagnosing ability of any electrical system problems.
Components: Introduction to Control Schematics (VS3901); Creating Schematics (VS3902); Electrical Lockout (VS3903); Design and Troubleshooting (VS3904); Energy Management (VS3905); Electronic Controls (VS3906); Responsive Systems (VS3907);