Course Syllabus

ELPT 1311 - Basic Electrical Theory

Revision Date: 1/12/17

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: ​3
Contact Hours per Semester: ​80

State Approval Code:​ 46.0301

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 Ohm’s 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. (1 A-I, 1A-ii, 1A-iv, 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. (1 A-I, 1A-ii, 1A-iv, 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. Use an Ohmmeter to measure a resistor.
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. (1 A-I, 1A-ii,
1A-iv, 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 Ohm’s law to find unknown values and calculate voltage drop. (1 A-I, 1A-ii, 1A-iv, 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. Identify Ohm’s 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. (1 A-I, 1A-ii, 1A-iv, 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. (1 A-I, 1A-ii, 1A-iv, 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 parallel circuit.
b. Define parallel circuit construction and prove the applicable laws.

7. Solve a combination circuit using the laws of series and parallel. (1 A-I, 1A-ii, 1A-iv, 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 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. (1 A-I, 1A-ii,
1A-iv, 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:

A general description of lecture/discussion topics included in this course are listed in the Learning Objectives
/ Specific Course Objectives sections of this syllabus.

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.

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2. Students will complete all lab assignments as scheduled and all students are required to wear Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE) in the lab.

● Methods of Instruction/Course Format/Delivery:

Students in traditional, hybrid and Internet classes 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 also be administered by the instructor. Students in
hybrid classes will have both in class and online assignments.Hybrid classes are required to read assigned
material, take quizzes and exams as assigned by instructor, and complete assigned homework prior to
meeting for the face to face labs. 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

• Other sections, as assigned by the Instructor: Students in both the traditional and Internet classes should
use the People feature within Canvas (includes Canvas Email) to communicate with the instructor. Using
Canvas Email located in the “Inbox” 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. For example, if a student makes an
appointment with the instructor through Canvas email to take an exam, the instructor will reply to the
student’s Canvas email – if the instructor does not reply within the time needed, call the instructor’s at his or
her office. Please, always include in the subject line of the Canvas email, the student’s name, course
number and course section number.

● Major Assignments / Assessments:

The following items will be assigned and assessed during the semester and used to calculate the student’s
final grade.

● Lab Exercises

Hands on lab exercises will be conducted with one or more students in a group, full participation and
demonstration of the skill is required in order to pass the skill and move to the next.

● Exams

Multiple exams may be given during the semester with the final exam being cumulative in one or
two parts, will assess the students various skills and may include lab exercises.

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 ● Attendance

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. Attendance is based on the student
missing no more than 10% out of the semester without a valid excuse. After the 10% the instructor may
withdraw the student at their discretion. Any student thirty or more minutes late will be counted absent.
Students that leave before class is

● Quizzes

After working through the chapter or chapters and completing the assignments, the student will
take online or paper quizzes over the chapters studied. Quizzes will generally contain
True/False, Multiple Choice, Matching and/or Fill In-The-Blank questions.

● Lab Exercises

Weekly lab exercises and or assignments will be administered during face to fac meetings as assigned
by instructor.

● Course Grade:

The grading scale for this course is as follows:

Category Percentage:

Exams = 40%

Quizzes = 30%

Lab Exercises = 20%

Attendance = 10%

● 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 makeup
with the instructor. The Instructor reserves the right to change the test format of any makeup. Instructors
are not required to makeup work for an unexcused class absence. The Instructor also reserves the right

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to give full or partial credit for any makeup work that is allowed and that resulted from an unexcused
absence.

Missed Quizzes: Missed quizzes due to legitimate reasons should be rescheduled within one week of
the scheduled quiz or a date assigned by the Instructor. It is the responsibility of the student to
reschedule makeup quizzes. The Instructor reserves the right to change the test format of the makeup
quiz. Instructor is not required to makeup work for unexcused class absences. Instructor reserves the
right to give full or partial credit for any make up work that is allowed and that resulted from an
unexcused absence.

Attendance: Attendance is based on the student missing no more than 10% out of the semester without
a valid excuse. After the 10% the instructor may withdraw the student at their discretion. Any student
thirty or more minutes late will be counted absent. Students that leave before class is dismissed will be
counted absent. The Instructor reserves the right to dock points for any missed class without a
legitimate excuse.

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
are not required to make up work for unexcused class absences. Instructors reserve the right to give full
or partial credit for makeup work that is given because of unexcused absences.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism shall be defined as appropriating, buying, receiving as a gift or obtaining by any
other means, another person’s work and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of it in one’s
own written work. All papers submitted to Canvas will be scanned with​ ​turnitin.com and the instructor
reserves the right to dock points based on the results.

Cheating: Cheating on a test shall include:

a. Copying from another student’s test

b. Using test materials not authorized by the person administering the test

c. Collaborating with or seeking aid from another student during a test without permission from the test
administrator

d. Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, or soliciting, in whole or in part, the contents of an
unadministered test.

e. The unauthorized transporting or removal, in whole or in part, of the contents of the unadministered
test.

f. Substituting for another student, or permitting another student to substitute for one’s self, to take a
test.

g. Bribing another person to obtain an unadministered test or information about an unadministered test
Absolutely no cheating is tolerated.

h. If a student is observed cheating they will be sent home immediately counted absent and given a zero
on the assignment they were cheating on.

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 Safety: All students are required in lab exercises to bring and wear the proper PPE as instructed by your
instructor. Failure to do so will result in one warning; if a student continues to violate safety rules the
student will be sent home and counted absent.

Class Conduct: All cell phones should be turned off in all classes. If you must receive a call notify your
instructor and step out of the the classroom. No cell phones are allowed during testing. No disruptive
behaviour is allowed in class; if a student is being disruptive as determined by the instructor one warning
will be given. If behavior persist student will be sent home and counted absent.

Grading Scale A=90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79, D=60-69, F=69 and below

Texts, Materials, and Supplies:

● Standard Textbook of Electricity 6th Edition ISBN-13: 978-1-285-85270-6 ISBN-10:
1-285-85270-2
● Experiments in Electricity for use with Lab-Volt 5th Edition lab manual
ISBN-13:978-1-111-53917-7
● Calculator - not your phone
● Notepad
● Hard hat
● Safety glasses

Required Readings:
● Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning 20th edition ISBN:978-1-63126-354-5
● Experiments in Electricity for use with Lab-Volt 5th Edition lab manual
ISBN-13:978-1-111-53917-7
Recommended Readings:
● none

Other:
● For current texts and materials, use the following link to access bookstore listings:
http://www.panolacollegestore.com
● For testing services, use the following link:​ ​http://www.panola.edu/elearning/testing.html
● 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
http://www.panola.edu/student-success/disability-support-services/​ for more information.
● Withdrawing from a course is the student’s responsibility. Students who do not attend class and
who do not withdraw will receive the grade earned for the course.
● Student Handbook, ​The Pathfinder:
http://www.panola.edu/student-success/documents/pathfinder.pdf
SCANS CRITERIA

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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 flowcharts.
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.

a. 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.

a. Personal Qualities: A worker must display responsibility, self-esteem, sociability,

self-management, 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.

1. 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.

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 Examples: construct a decision timeline 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.

a. 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.

a. 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 databases to research a report; use a computer
spreadsheet to develop a budget.

a. 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.

a. 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.

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 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.