Course Syllabus

ELPT 1311 - Basic ElectricalTheory

Revision Date: 8-18-14

Catalog Description: Basic theory and practice of electrical circuits. Includes calculations as applied to
alternating and direct current.

Lecture hours = 2, Lab hours = 3

Prerequisites: None
Semester Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours per Week: 2
Lab Hours per Week: 2
Contact Hours per Semester: 80
State Approval Code: 4603010000
Instructional Goals and Purposes: The purpose of this course is to teach students how to explain
atomic structure and basic values such as voltage, current, resistance, and power; determine electrical
values for combination circuits in direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) containing resistance,
inductance, and capacitance; summarize the principles of magnetism; calculate voltage drop based on
conductor length, type of material, and size; and utilize electrical measuring instruments.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Identify electrical symbols and measuring instruments.
2. Explain how to find resister values with a meter and color code.
3. Use an electrical meter to measure voltage, amperage, diodes, continuity, farads and ohms.
4. Use Ohms law to find unknown values and calculate voltage drop.
5. Define a series circuit and their properties.
6. Define a parallel circuit and their properties.
7. Solve a combination circuit using the laws of series and parallel.
8. Explain how capacitance and inductance influence voltage and current relationships.
Specific Course Objectives (includes SCANS):
After studying all materials and resources presented in the course, the student will be able to:
1. Identify electrical symbols and measuring instruments. SCANS (1 A-I, 1A-ii, 1Aiv, 1B-iii, 1B-iv, 1 C-I,
1C-iv, 2A-I, 2A-iii, 2B-I, 2C-i, 2C- ii, 2C-iii, 2D-ii, 2D-iii, 2E-ii)
A. Sketch and use electrical schematics in class.
B. Identify and define electrical Symbols used on electrical measuring instruments.
C. Describe the functional differences and operation of digital and analogue meters as well as an
oscilloscope.

2. Explain how to find resister values with a meter and color code. SCANS (1 A-I, 1A-ii, 1Aiv, 1B-iii, 1Biv, 1 C-I, 1C-iv, 2A-I, 2A-iii, 2B-I, 2C-i, 2C- ii, 2C-iii, 2D-ii, 2D-iii, 2E-ii)
A. Use an Ohmmeter to measure a resister.
B. Identify resisters value with a color code and prove that reading with a meter.
3. Use an electrical meter to measure voltage, current, continuity, farads,
diodes, and ohms.
SCANS (1 A-I, 1A-ii, 1Aiv, 1B-iii, 1B-iv, 1 C-I, 1C-iv, 2A-I, 2A-iii, 2B-I, 2C-i, 2C-ii, 2C-iii, 2D-ii, 2D-iii, 2E-ii)
A. Explain the use of a meter in a class experiment to measure various values
B. Describe the differences between the functions of different models and makes of electrical
meters.
4. Use Ohms law to find unknown values and calculate voltage drop. SCANS (1 A-I, 1A-ii, 1Aiv, 1B-iii,
1B-iv, 1 C-I, 1C-iv, 2A-I, 2A-iii, 2B-I, 2C-i, 2Cii, 2C-iii, 2D-ii, 2D-iii, 2E-ii)
A. Identify Ohms law and use the correct formula to solve for unknowns in a given circuit.
B. Calculate voltage drop with a given wire size and length.
5. Define a series circuit and their properties. SCANS (1 A-I, 1A-ii, 1Aiv, 1B-iii, 1B-iv, 1 C-I, 1C-iv, 2A-I,
2A-iii, 2B-I, 2C-i, 2C- ii, 2C-iii, 2D-ii, 2D-iii, 2E-ii)
A. List the formulas that apply to a series circuit.
B. Define series circuit construction and prove the applicable laws.
6. Define a parallel circuit and their properties. SCANS (1 A-I, 1A-ii, 1Aiv, 1B-iii, 1B-iv, 1 C-I, 1C-iv, 2A-I,
2A-iii, 2B-I, 2C-i, 2Cii, 2C-iii, 2D-ii, 2D-iii, 2E-ii)
A. List the formulas that apply to a parallel circuit.
B. Define parallel circuit construction and prove the applicable laws.
7. Solve a combination circuit using the laws of series and parallel. SCANS (1 A-I, 1A-ii, 1Aiv, 1B-iii, 1Biv, 1 C-I, 1C-iv, 2A-I, 2A-iii, 2B-I, 2C-i, 2C- ii, 2C-iii, 2D-ii, 2D-iii, 2E-ii)
A. Explain how a combination circuit uses the laws of series and parallel circuitry
B. Construct a combination circuit and demonstrate the applicable laws.
8. Explain how capacitance and inductance influence voltage and current
relationships. SCANS (1
A-I, 1A-ii, 1Aiv, 1B-iii, 1B-iv, 1 C-I, 1C-iv, 2A-I, 2A-iii, 2B-I, 2C-i, 2C- ii, 2C-iii, 2D-ii, 2D-iii, 2E-ii)
A. Define how transformers operate and compute primary and secondary supplies.
B. Explain how inductance changes an AC wave form.
C. Explain how capacitance changes an AC wave form.
Course Content:
Students in all sections of this course will be required to do the following:
1. Students will study assigned materials and complete quizzes and exams to assess understanding and
comprehension.
2. Students will complete all lab assignments as scheduled and students are required to ware PPE
(Personal Protective Equipment) in the lab.
Methods of Instruction/Course Format/Delivery:
Students in both the traditional class and in the Internet class will have access to courses via Canvas.
Students in the traditional class will meet regularly for lecture. Students in the Internet class will be
required to take quizzes and exams at an approved testing facility, or they may be administered by the

instructor. Resources for this course provided through Canvas include the following Sections in
Canvas.
Modules: Chapter study materials, self-assessment exercises, quizzes and exams
Announcements and Recent Activities List: Instructor Announcements
Inbox: Email (to communicate with instructor and classmates inside Canvas)
Grades: Student grades
Others sections, such as, Chat and etc.: as assigned by the Instructor Students in both the traditional
classes and in the Internet classes should use the People feature within Canvas (includes Canvas Email)
to communicate with the instructor. Using Canvas Email located in the In Box menu, gives the student
access to the instructor and other classmates without having to remember or type email addresses the
student just selects a name from the list. The instructor will attempt to respond to all Canvas email within
24 hours. If the student makes an appointment with the instructor through Canvas email to take an exam,
for example, the instructor will reply to the students Canvas email if the instructor does not reply within
the time needed, call the instructors at his or her office. Please, always include in the subject line of the
Canvas email, the students name, course number and course section number.
Assessment:
The following items will be assigned during the semester and used to calculate the students final grade:
ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION
Students are expected to attend face to face classes and labs, and be on time. Students are also
required to participate with other students during class exercises.
QUIZZES
After working through the chapter or chapters and completing the assignments, the student will
take online quizzes or in paper form over the chapters studied. The Quizzes generally contain
True/False, Multiple Choice, Matching and or Fill In-The-Blank questions.
ASSIGNMENTS
Students are provided with step-by-step instructions for completing each assignment.
Assignments may include laboratory exercises, case studies, team-group assignments and other
instructor work. For example, during each laboratory exercise, the student is expected to wire
circuits, make electrical measurements and complete performance sheets related to the exercise.
On these sheets, the student will report on the theoretical and practical aspects underlying the
laboratory exercise in addition to the students tabulated results. The student may be required to
compile and turn in a notebook containing the completed performance sheets along with the
3students tabulated data or as otherwise directed by the instructor.
Throughout the semester there will be lab exercises both virtual and hands on. Students will be
assessed on his or her ability to complete the task with minimal assistance.
EXAMS
Multiple exams may be given during the semester with the final exam being cumulative in one or
two parts that will span the students various skills and could include lab exercises.
Course Grade:
The grading scale for this course is as follows:
Category Percentage
Exams = 50%
Quizzes = 20%
Lab Exercises= 30%

Grading Notes:
Missed Exams: Missed exams due to legitimate reasons should be taken prior to the reporting of midterm or final grades as applicable. It is the responsibility of the student to reschedule the make-up. The
Instructor reserves the right to change the test format of the make-up.
Missed Quizzes: Missed quizzes due to legitimate reasons should be rescheduled within one week of the
scheduled quiz. It is the responsibility of the student to reschedule make-up quizzes. The Instructor
reserves the right to change the test format of the make-up quiz.
Attendance: Attendance is based on the student missing no more than 2 days out of the semester without
a valid excuse. On the third absent day the instructor may withdraw the student at their discretion. Any
student thirty or more minutes late will be counted absent. Missed Lab Exercises: Students will have one
day out of the semester assigned by the instructor to make up any lab exercises missed due to the
student being absent for legitimate reasons. Instructors will not provide make up work for missed
assignments or assignment missed due to unexcused absences.
Grading Scale A=90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79, D=60-69, F=69 and below
Texts, Materials, and Supplies:
Text: Delmars Standard Textbook of Electricity (Fifth Edition) by Stephen L. Herman 4
Calculator
Note pad
Access to a computer and the Internet
Other:
For current texts and materials, use the following link to access bookstore listings:
[Link]
For testing services, use the following link: [Link]
If any student in this class has special classroom or testing needs because of a physical learning
or emotional condition, please contact the ADA Student Coordinator in Support Services located
in the Administration Building or go to [Link] for more information.
Withdrawing from a course is the students responsibility. Students who do not attend class and
who do not withdraw will receive the grade earned for the course.
Student Handbook, The Pathfinder: [Link]

SCANS CRITERIA
1) Foundation skills are defined in three areas: basic skills, thinking skills, and personal
qualities.
a) Basic Skills: A worker must read, write, perform arithmetic and mathematical operations, listen,
and speak effectively. These skills include:
i) Reading: locate, understand, and interpret written information in prose and in documents
such as manuals, graphs, and schedules.
ii) Writing: communicate thoughts, ideas, information, and messages in writing, and create
documents such as letters, directions, manuals, reports, graphs, and flow charts.
iii) Arithmetic and Mathematical Operations: perform basic computations and approach practical
problems by choosing appropriately from a variety of mathematical techniques.
iv) Listening: receive, attend to, interpret, and respond to verbal messages and other cues.
v) Speaking: Organize ideas and communicate orally.
b) Thinking Skills: A worker must think creatively, make decisions, solve problems, visualize, know
how to learn, and reason effectively. These skills include:
i) Creative Thinking: generate new ideas.
ii) Decision Making: specify goals and constraints, generate alternatives, consider risks, and
evaluate and choose the best alternative.
iii) Problem Solving: recognize problems and devise and implement plan of action.
iv) Visualize ("Seeing Things in the Mind's Eye"): organize and process symbols, pictures,
graphs, objects, and other information.
v) Knowing How to Learn: use efficient learning techniques to acquire and apply new knowledge
and skills.
vi) Reasoning: discover a rule or principle underlying the relationship between two or more
objects and apply it when solving a problem.
c) Personal Qualities: A worker must display responsibility, self-esteem, sociability, selfmanagement, integrity, and honesty.
i) Responsibility: exert a high level of effort and persevere toward goal attainment.
ii) Self-Esteem: believe in one's own self-worth and maintain a positive view of oneself.
iii) Sociability: demonstrate understanding, friendliness, adaptability, empathy, and politeness in
group settings.
iv) Self-Management: assess oneself accurately, set personal goals, monitor progress, and
exhibit self-control.
v) Integrity and Honesty: choose ethical courses of action.
2) Workplace competencies are defined in five areas: resources, interpersonal skills,
information, systems, and technology.
a) Resources: A worker must identify, organize, plan, and allocate resources effectively.
i) Time: select goal-relevant activities, rank them, allocate time, and prepare and follow
schedules.
ii) Money: Use or prepare budgets, make forecasts, keep records, and make adjustments to
meet objectives.
iii) Material and Facilities: Acquire, store, allocate, and use materials or space efficiently.
Examples: construct a decision time line chart; use computer software to plan a project; prepare a
budget; conduct a cost/benefits analysis; design an RFP process; write a job description; develop
a staffing plan.
b) Interpersonal Skills: A worker must work with others effectively.
i) Participate as a Member of a Team: contribute to group effort.
ii) Teach Others New Skills.
iii) Serve Clients/Customers: work to satisfy customer's expectations.

iv) Exercise Leadership: communicate ideas to justify position, persuade and convince others,
responsibly challenge existing procedures and policies.
v) Negotiate: work toward agreements involving exchange of resources, resolve divergent
interests.
vi) Work with Diversity: work well with men and women from diverse backgrounds.
Examples: collaborate with a group member to solve a problem; work through a group conflict
situation, train a colleague; deal with a dissatisfied customer in person; select and use
appropriate leadership styles; use effective delegation techniques; conduct an individual or team
negotiation; demonstrate an understanding of how people from different cultural backgrounds
might behave in various situations.
c) Information: A worker must be able to acquire and use information.
i) Acquire and Evaluate Information.
ii) Organize and Maintain Information.
iii) Interpret and Communicate Information.
iv) Use Computers to Process Information.
Examples: research and collect data from various sources; develop a form to collect data;
develop an inventory record-keeping system; produce a report using graphics; make an oral
presentation using various media; use on-line computer data bases to research a report; use a
computer spreadsheet to develop a budget.
d) Systems: A worker must understand complex interrelationships.
i) Understand Systems: know how social, organizational, and technological systems work and
operate effectively with them.
ii) Monitor and Correct Performance: distinguish trends, predict impacts on system operations,
diagnose deviations in systems' performance and correct malfunctions.
iii) Improve or Design Systems: suggest modifications to existing systems and develop new or
alternative systems to improve performance.
Examples: draw and interpret an organizational chart; develop a monitoring process; choose a
situation needing improvement, break it down, examine it, propose an improvement, and
implement it.
e) Technology: A worker must be able to work with a variety of technologies.
i) Select Technology: choose procedures, tools or equipment including computers and related
technologies.
ii) Apply Technologies to Task: understand overall intent and proper procedures for setup and
operation of equipment.
iii) Maintain and Troubleshoot Equipment: Prevent, identify, or solve problems with equipment,
including computers and other technologies.
Examples: read equipment descriptions and technical specifications to select equipment to meet
needs; set up and assemble appropriate equipment from instructions; read and follow directions
for troubleshooting and repairing equipment.