Academic Catalog

APEL 124A: DC/AC THEORY REVIEW; ELECTRONICS; INDUSTRIAL BLUEPRINTS; TRANSFORMERS, GROUNDING; ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Summer 2023
Units: 5
Hours: 36 lecture, 84 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 124.
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 learn why and how grounding is important in the field of electricity
  • To understand how a transformer works and why

Description

Review of AC/DC theory. Study of electronics principles and applications, and industrial blueprint reading. Transformer installation, grounding, and electrical systems.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Differentiate and discuss AC/DC theory
  2. Explain electronic principles and applications
  3. Discuss and use industrial blueprints
  4. Discuss transformer installation, grounding, and electrical systems

Course Content

  1. AC/DC theory
    1. Basic AC/DC electrical generation
    2. DC series parallel circuits
    3. AC/DC waveforms
    4. Basic three-phase AC
  2. Electronic principles and applications
    1. Current and voltage values
    2. Calculating voltages and currents for load and windings
    3. Use of Wye or Delta wiring schemes
    4. Functions, operation, and characteristics of various types of distribution systems
  3. Industrial blueprints
    1. Introduction: extension of basic and intermediate plan reading applied in an industrial setting
    2. Specifications extension of basic and intermediate specification reading applied in an industrial setting
  4. Proper transformer, grounding procedures, and electrical systems
    1. Steps for receiving and preparing transformer for installation
    2. Selection and installation of transformers and grounding
    3. Function, operation, and characteristics of transformers and grounding
    4. Transformer and grounding of classifications and applications
    5. Transformer and grounding losses
    6. Electrical systems

Lab Content

Students will work individually and in teams on proper wiring and grounding of electrical systems. Safe working practices are reviewed and will include:

  1. Equipment safety
  2. Fire protection
  3. Electrostatic discharge (ESD)
  4. Safe handling practices

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. Laboratory with electrical tools and equipment.
2. When taught via Foothill Global Access, 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 six 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
Lab assignments
Group discussion
Demonstration

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

NJATC. NJATC Residential Planning and Design Student Workbook. 2011.

Delmar Cengage Learning and NJATC. Blueprint Reading for Electricians, 2nd ed.. 2009.

American Technical Publishers. Electrical Systems 2014 NEC. 2014.

American Technical Publishers. Transformer & Grounding Principles and Applications. 2010.

NJATC. NJATC Code and Work Practices 2. 2014.

NJATC. NJATC Transformers Workbook. 2010.

NJATC. NJATC Residential Print Set. 2009.

NJATC. NJATC Commercial Print Set. 2009.

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

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

  1. Reading assignment from Electrical Systems based on the NEC and published by American Technical Publishers, Inc.
  2. Writing assignment from Electrical Systems based on the NEC
    1. Write articles on safety considerations per the National Fire Protection Association, NEC. NFPA 70: National Electrical Code

Discipline(s)

Electricity