Academic Catalog

APEL 121A: DC THEORY, AC ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, NEC NAVIGATION, PRINT READING, INTRO TO BASIC ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Summer 2025
Units: 8
Hours: 84 lecture, 36 laboratory per quarter (120 total per quarter)
Prerequisite: Per California Code of Regulations, this course is limited to students admitted to the San Francisco Inside Wireman Electrical Program.
Advisory: Not open to students with credit in APRT 121.
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: None
Grade Type: Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass)
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Student Learning Outcomes

  • To understand the layout of the code book and why there is one
  • To understand the basic DC electrical theory

Description

Introduction to the National Electrical Code (NEC), applied codeology toward the National Electrical Code. Discuss and demonstrate basic AC and DC electrical generation. Ohm's Law, understand DC parallel and combination circuits. Basic three-phase AC.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Understand the National Electrical Code
  2. Understand the use of applied codeology towards the National Electrical Code
  3. Understand, discuss, and demonstrate basic AC and DC electrical generation
  4. Understand Ohm's Law
  5. Understand DC parallel and combination circuits
  6. Understand basic three-phase AC

Course Content

  1. National Electrical Code (NEC)
    1. Purpose and intent of electrical codes
    2. Scope on NEC and local codes
  2. Applied codeology
    1. How local codes may differ from other local codes
    2. Recognize and apply dimensions
  3. Basic AC and DC electrical generation
    1. Parts of a AC and DC generator
    2. Calculations of AC resistive circuits
  4. Ohm's Law
    1. Total resistance using product-sum and reciprocal methods
    2. Alternate current paths
    3. Currents
    4. Law of proportion
    5. Power requirements of components
  5. DC parallel and combination circuits
    1. Components
    2. Differences between series and parallel circuits
  6. Basic three-phase AC
    1. Wye and Delta windings
    2. Three-phase sine wave
    3. Operation and characteristics of three-phase systems

Lab Content

Students will complete the following tasks while applying jobsite safety and planning skills and demonstrating proper material and tool material management:

  1. Wire multiple switching applications for lighting, including 3-way switching arrangements and 0-10 dimming applications
  2. Layout and bend conduits with a hand bender, applying principles of conduit shrink and related conduit bending math
  3. Land breakers in electrical panels, pull wire into the panel, and make up the panel in compliance with the NEC
  4. Learn basic clamp-on meter functions and applications

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

Laboratory with electrical tools and equipment, to include:
1. Audio-visual equipment (slide, video, and overhead projectors)
2. Hand benders for conduit
3. Various hand tools for conduit bending
4. Laptop computers
5. Conduit benders

Method(s) of Evaluation

Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:

Results of written quizzes and average of six tests
Results of hands-on projects and homework
Results of class participation
Results of in-class assignments

Method(s) of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:

Lecture
Lab assignments
Group discussion
Demonstration

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

American Technical Publishers and NJATC. Conduit Bending and Fabrication. 2009.

Callanan, M.I., and B. Wusinich. Electrical Systems Based on the 2023 NEC. 2023.

Electrical Training Alliance. Applied Codeology. 2023.

Electrical Training Alliance. Code Calculations Based on the 2023 NEC. 2023.

Mazur, Glen, and William Weindorf. Printreading for Installing and Troubleshooting Electrical Systems. 2015.

Miller, Charles M.. Illustrated Guide to the National Electric Code Based on the 2023 NEC. 2023.

Miller, Charles M.. Ugly's Electrical References. 2023.

NFPA. NFPA 70 National Electric Code. 2023.

NJATC. DC Theory Textbook. 2012.

Although some texts are older than the suggested "5 years or newer" standard, they remain seminal texts in this area of study.

Protech Skills Institute Learning Management System courses:

Electrical Theory 1: Direct Current Computer-Mediated Learning

Electrical Job Information 1 Computer-Mediated Learning

Introduction to Apprenticeship Computer-Mediated Learning

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

  1. Read Chapter 6 in the DC Theory textbook and complete Level 1, Lesson 4 in the Direct Current Computer-Mediated Learning course.
  2. Read Chapter 4 in the Applied Codeology textbook and answer the Chapter 4 questions using your 2023 National Electric Code.
  3. Complete Level 1, Lesson 9 in the Electrical Job Information Computer-Mediated Learning course.

Discipline(s)

Electricity