Mar 28, 2024  
2023-2024 Cowley College Academic Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Cowley College Academic Catalog

MEC3484 PRINCIPLES OF ELECTRICITY COURSE PROCEDURE


MEC3484 PRINCIPLES OF ELECTRICITY

3 Credit Hours

Student Level:  

This course is open to students on the college level in either the freshman or sophomore year and to area high school vocational students. 

Catalog Description: 

MEC 3484 - Principles of Electricity (3 hrs.) 

Students will learn and apply the fundamentals of electricity in the following; motor phasing, conductor sizing, wiring, single & three-phase power, conduit bending, and the use of ladder diagrams and test equipment to meet acceptable codes and basic electrical standards used in various scenarios and industry types.  

Course Classification: 

Lecture/Lab 

Prerequisites: 

None 

Controlling Purpose: 

This course is designed to help Students increase their knowledge regarding fundamentals of electricity. 

Learner Outcomes: 

Upon completion of the course, Students will be able to demonstrate a proficiency in basic electrical concepts. 

Unit Outcomes for Criterion Based Evaluation: 

The following outline defines the minimum core content not including the final examination period. Instructors may add other material as time allows. 

UNIT 1: Electricity Principles

Outcomes: Upon completion of this course students will be able to successfully demonstrate the use of terminology and principles used in the industry.

  • Identify and describe the basic principles of electricity. 

  • List and describe common forms of electricity. 

  • Describe the fundamental properties of matter and atomic structure.  

  • Describe the properties of conductors, insulators, and semiconductors.  

  • Identify chemical elements that have special interest to the electrical field.

  • Identify applications where the electrical properties of compounds are important. 

  • Describe common methods of electricity generation.

UNIT 2: Basic Electrical Types

Outcomes: Upon completion of this course students will be able to successfully describe the fundamental properties of energy. 

  • List and describe common types of voltage. 

  • Describe and Calculate common types of AC concepts. 

  • Describe and Calculate the common types of DC concepts. 

  • List and describe common types of current, current flow, power and circuits.  

  • Calculate power factor. 

  • Explain the function of resistance, conductors, and insulators in an electrical circuit. 

  • Preform and interpret electrical measurements using industry standard equipment. 

  • Describe the properties of heat and heat measurement. 

  • Describe the fundamental properties of light. 

UNIT 3: Ohm’s Law and the Power Formula

Outcomes: Upon completion of this course students will be able to calculate voltage, current, and resistance using Ohm’s law. 

  • Explain the voltage/current relationship and the current/resistance relationship according to Ohm’s law. 

  • Understand the power formula and its role in calculating power, voltage, and current as well as power/current relationship.  

  • Describe common applications of the power formula. 

UNIT 4: Numbering Systems and Codes

Outcomes: Upon completion of this course students will be able to describe the function and operation of the decimal and binary numbering systems.

  • Convert a binary number to a decimal number. 

  • Describe the function and operation of the binary coded decimal (BCD) system.  

  • Convert a BCD number to a decimal number. 

  • Describe the function and operation of color. 

UNIT 5: Taking Standard Measurements

Outcomes: Upon completion of this course students will be able to successfully use proper measurement techniques 

  • Identify common measurement principles. 

  • Describe common procedure for taking voltage, current, resistance, temperature and speed measurement. 

  • List and describe common types of scopes and their operation. 

  • Describe common applications of scopes. 

  • Describe the operation and common applications of digital logic probes.

UNIT 6: Symbols and Print Reading

Outcomes: Upon completion of this course students will be able to successfully utilize and read symbols and prints.

  • Interpret and understand electrical schematics. 

  • Describe the characteristics and function of power sources. 

  • Describe the characteristics and function of disconnects. 

  • Describe the characteristics and function of OCPDs. 

  • Describe the characteristics and function of contacts.  

  • Describe the characteristics and function of control switches. 

  • Describe the characteristics and function of relays. 

  • Describe the characteristics and function of timers. 

  • Describe the characteristics and function of contactors. 

  • Describe the characteristics and function of motor starters. 

  • Describe the characteristics and function of solenoids. 

  • Describe the characteristics and function of resistors.  

  • Describe the characteristics and function of thermistors. 

  • Describe the characteristics and function of capacitors. 

  • Describe the characteristics and function of diodes. 

  • Describe the characteristics and function of switching devices. 

  • Describe the characteristics and function of digital logic gates. 

  • Describe the characteristics and function of transformer and coils. 

  • Describe the characteristics and function of motors. 

  • Describe the characteristics and function of lights, alarms, meters, and wiring. 

  • Describe the function of symbols in process control and instrumentation drawings. 

  • Define and Describe the use of symbols on plans and drawings. 

UNIT 7: Circuits and Motors

Outcomes: Upon completion of this course students will be able to successfully describe and preform maintenance on circuits, controls and motors. 

  • Describe a series/parallel connection and a series and parallel circuit. 

  • Calculate capacitance and inductance in any kind of circuit. 

  • Describe the function of batteries and solar cells in any kind of circuit. 

  • Calculate resistance, voltage, current, and power in any kind of circuit. 

  • Describe the relationship between torque, horsepower, and motor speed. 

  • List and describe common types of DC motors. 

  • Describe differences, and common types of single phase and three phase motors.

Projects Required: 

As assigned. 

Textbook: 

Contact Bookstore for current textbook. 

Attendance Policy: 

Students should adhere to the attendance policy outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus. 

Grading Policy: 

The grading policy will be outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus. 

Maximum class size: 

Based on classroom occupancy. 

Course Time Frame: 

The U.S. Department of Education, Higher Learning Commission and the Kansas Board of Regents define credit hour and have specific regulations that the college must follow when developing, teaching and assessing the educational aspects of the college.  A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester hour of credit or an equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time.  The number of semester hours of credit allowed for each distance education or blended hybrid courses shall be assigned by the college based on the amount of time needed to achieve the same course outcomes in a purely face-to-face format. 

Refer to the following policies: 

402.00 Academic Code of Conduct 

263.00 Student Appeal of Course Grades 

403.00 Student Code of Conduct 

Disability Services Program:   

Cowley College, in recognition of state and federal laws, will accommodate a student with a documented disability.  If a student has a disability which may impact work in this class which requires accommodations, contact the Disability Services Coordinator. 

DISCLAIMER: THIS INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. FOR THE OFFICIAL COURSE PROCEDURE CONTACT ACADEMIC AFFAIRS.