Academic Catalog

APEL 121: BASIC CIRCUIT CALCULATIONS; BASIC BLUEPRINT READING; DC THEORY; NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE INTRO

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2026
Units: 6
Hours: 69 lecture, 24 laboratory per quarter (93 total per quarter)
Prerequisite: Per California Code of Regulations, this course is limited to students admitted to the Electrical Apprenticeship 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

  • A student will be able to apply electrical theory to parallel circuits.
  • A student will be able to explain direct and alternating current.
  • A student will be able to use a Pipe Bender to bend a conduit.
  • A successful student will be able to apply DC theory to electrical circuits.

Description

Introduction to the National Electrical Code (NEC), DC theory, principles of magnetism and electromagnetism, basic blueprint reading, basic circuit calculations, and construction safety.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Explain and demonstrate DC theory, magnetism, and electromagnetism.
  2. Explain and demonstrate Ohm's Law, series, parallel, and combination circuits.
  3. Utilize symbols used in electrical and related trade blueprints.
  4. Demonstrate the fundamentals of blueprint reading.
  5. Demonstrate awareness of general electrical construction safety practices.

Course Content

  1. Knowledge of electrical theory
    1. Magnetic and electromagnetic theory
    2. Understand electron flow theory
  2. Knowledge of Ohm's Law
    1. Identify parts and types of an electric circuit
    2. Properly use Ohm's Law to calculate resistance, voltage current, and power
  3. Symbols used in blueprints
    1. Electric symbols
    2. Architecture symbols
  4. Fundamental understanding of blueprints
    1. Identify different types of blueprints
    2. Understand the function of different line types
  5. National Electric Code requirements
    1. National electrical and local codes
    2. Purpose and intent of electrical codes
    3. Scope on NEC and local codes
    4. How local codes may differ from other local codes
  6. General electrical construction safety awareness practices

Lab Content

  1. Student will demonstrate the proper use of material and hand tools
  2. Student will properly measure voltage, resistance, and current
  3. Student will demonstrate the proper use of multimeters
  4. Students will demonstrate basic conduit bending calculations and installation practices

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. Laboratory with electrical tools and equipment.
2. When taught as a virtual section, on-going access to computer with software and hardware capable of running video conferencing applications (e.g., Zoom).

Method(s) of Evaluation

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

Results of written quizzes and average of four tests
Results of hands-on projects and homework
Results of class participation
Maintenance of a student's workbook with questions drawn from text

Method(s) of Instruction

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

Lecture
Group discussion
Class demonstration
Lab assignment

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Hart, G.V., and S. Hart. Ugly's Electrical References. 2023.

National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee. Syllabus for First Year Core Curriculum. 2013.

National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee. Conduit Bending and Fabrication. 2007.

National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee. DC Theory, 3rd ed.. 2010.

NFPA. National Electrical Code (NEC). 2023.

Electrical Training Alliance. Construction Documentation. 2024.

Electrical Training Alliance. Applied Codeology. 2020.

National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee. Building a Foundation in Mathematics, 2nd ed.. 2011.

These are the standard electrical textbooks/workbooks used for this course. Although some are older than 5 years, they are the most current books used when teaching this course.

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

Computer mediated learning modules administered to students for self-study and completion outside of class.

Discipline(s)

Electricity