Overview
Most students of electricity begin their study with what is known as direct current (DC). This is different than static electricity, which typically collects on the surface of a non-conductor such as a piece of plastic. It is also different than alternating current (AC) electricity, which flows back-and-forth in a conductor. In DC circuits, the polarity of the voltage source and current does not change over time. The direction of the flow of current in a circuit is always taken to be the direction in which a positive charge would move. By convention, we show DC current flow as originating at the positive terminal of the source, traveling through the circuit and returning to the negative terminal. The main source of DC is from batteries, photocells, fuel cells, rectifiers and DC generators.
This 6-hour course provides the basic fundamental concepts, laws and terminology as they relate to DC circuits. This course will help readers gain an understanding of resistance, voltage, and current in series and parallel direct current (DC) circuits.
The course material is based entirely on Naval Education and Training Materials (NAVEDTRA 14173), Electricity and Electronic Training Series; Module-1 “Introduction to matter, energy and direct current” and covers Chapter 3, “Direct Current”. The text is arranged to let you progress at your own pace, and concepts and terms are introduced as you need them, with many detailed examples and illustrations. This course will be extremely helpful to electrical engineers looking for a refresher course in direct current, as well as engineers in other disciplines who would like to expand their knowledge in fundamental electrical engineering concepts.
The student must take a multiple-choice quiz consisting of thirty (30) questions at the end of this course to obtain PDH credits.
Specific Knowledge or Skill Obtained
This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:
- State the equation for Ohm’s law and describe the effects on current caused by changes in a circuit
- Identify the term "power", and state three formulas for computing power
- Compute circuit and component power in series, parallel, and combination circuits
- Describe how voltage polarities are assigned to the voltage drops across resistors when Kirchhoff’s voltage law is used
- Define open and short circuits and describe their effects on a circuit
- State the meaning of the term "source resistance" and describe its effect on a circuit
- Describe in terms of circuit values the circuit condition needed for maximum power transfer
- Solve for unknown quantities of resistance, current, and voltage in a parallel circuit
- State the significance of the polarity assigned to a current when using Kirchhoff’s current law
- State the meaning of the term "equivalent resistance"
Course
Click on the following link to the PDF document to review the course material before taking the quiz for credit.
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