Academic Catalog

APPT 173: BASIC ELECTRICITY FOR THE HVAC SERVICE TRADE

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Summer 2022
Units: 4.5
Hours: 36 lecture, 63 laboratory per quarter (99 total per quarter)
Prerequisite: Per California Code of Regulations, this course is limited to students admitted to the Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanical Service Apprenticeship Program.
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: None
Grade Type: Letter Grade Only
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Student Learning Outcomes

  • A student will be able to demonstrate basic electrical theories.
  • A student will be able to apply Ohm's law.
  • A student will be able to use simulators and apply D.C. power and A. C. power.

Description

Provides students with a working knowledge of basic electricity, including AC/DC theory and Ohm's Law. Students will be expected to apply these theories in the laboratory using electronic and testing instruments.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate basic electrical theories
  2. Explain Ohm's Law
  3. Explain DC and AC power

Course Content

  1. Basic electricity
    1. Electrical theory
    2. Volts, current, resistance
  2. Ohm's Law
    1. E = I x R
  3. DC and AC power for HVAC systems
    1. Direct current circuitry
    2. Alternating current circuitry
    3. Electronics

Lab Content

Students will work individually and in teams with electrical and testing tools and demonstrate basic electrical theories in the lab, which includes:

  1. Study of AC and DC theory
  2. Principles of thermodynamics #1 related to refrigeration enthalpy
  3. Electrical safety practices

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. Laboratory with electrical and testing tools
2. Personal protective equipment
3. When taught via Foothill Global Access, on-going access to computer with email software and hardware; email address

Method(s) of Evaluation

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

Written examination
Hands-on demonstration
Chapter quizzes
Group and classroom participation

Method(s) of Instruction

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

Lecture
Discussion
Laboratory
Demonstration

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices. Electrical Controls for Mechanical Equipment Service. 2020.

Meyer, Leo A.. Basics of Electricity. 2019.

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

  1. Readings from the textbooks
    1. Application of Ohm's Law to a DC circuit
    2. Review NFPA 99c to be in compliance with fire protection and/or circuit protection code
    3. Read Chapter 1: Switch Action, Rheostat, and Potentiometer, and complete assignment at the end of the chapter
  2. Writing assignments are related to the assignments given in the laboratory
    1. Calculations Ohm's Law to AC circuitry
    2. Calculating load to motor control circuits
    3. Lab assignments at the end of each chapter of the textbook
    4. Complete writing assignment for Two Stage Cooling Thermostat

Discipline(s)

Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, Heating