50-620-703DC Electricity for Mechatronics
Course Information
Description
This course introduces the fundamental concepts and computations related to DC electricity. Emphasis is placed on circuit analysis and the problem-solving skills necessary for the maintenance of mechatronic systems and manufacturing equipment. Competencies related to metering and safe use of measuring devices are included.
Total Credits
1
Course Competencies
  1. Examine the basic nature of electricity
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Lab/Shop activity
    Apprentice Course Worksheet
    Criteria
    apprentice lists three major sub-atomic particles
    apprentice describes the spatial relationships between sub-atomic particles
    apprentice explains the significance of the valence shell
    apprentice explains the law of attraction and repulsion charges
    apprentice describes centrifugal forces
    apprentice describes the significance of free electrons
    apprentice differentiates between positive and negative ions
    apprentice explains a conductor, insulator, and semi-conductor as they related to the electrons in the valence shell

  2. Perform basic mathematical functions
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Lab/Shop activity
    Apprentice Course Worksheet
    Criteria
    apprentice performs addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of fractions
    apprentice converts fractions to their decimal equivalents
    apprentice performs basic functions with decimal numbers (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division)
    apprentice performs basic mathematical functions using positive and negative numbers
    apprentice determines the square and square root of a given number
    apprentice stores and retrieves values from the calculator memory
    apprentice converts decimal numbers to their "powers of ten" equivalent in scientific notation
    apprentice assigns the proper metric suffixes to a number expressed in E notation
    apprentice performs basic mathematical functions with numbers expressed in scientific and E notation with the use of a calculator
    apprentice rounds numbers to the three most significant digits

  3. Compare sources of electricity
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Lab/Shop activity
    Apprentice Course Worksheet
    Criteria
    apprentice identifies sources of potential difference (EMF)
    apprentice identifies basic effects of electron flow
    apprentice compares the sources and effects
    apprentice contrasts the sources and effects
    apprentice differentiates between electron flow and conventional current flow

  4. Apply units of measure for electrical quantities
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Lab/Shop activity
    Apprentice Course Worksheet
    Criteria
    apprentice matches electrical terms and definitions
    apprentice identifies the letter abbreviation used for the terms
    apprentice applies the common unit of measure for each term

  5. Analyze a resistive series circuit
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Lab/Shop activity
    Apprentice Course Worksheet
    Criteria
    apprentice demonstrates proper use of electrical measuring devices
    apprentice calculates values for current, resistance, voltage drops, power dissipated for each resistor, and total power dissipation
    apprentice constructs the series circuit
    apprentice measures the components for the following values: resistance of each resistor, total resistance, source voltage, voltage dropped across each resistor, total current

  6. Analyze a parallel circuit
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Lab/Shop activity
    Apprentice Course Worksheet
    Criteria
    apprentice demonstrates the proper use of measuring devices
    apprentice calculates the values for total current, branch currents, voltage drops, resistance, power dissipated for each resistor, and total power
    apprentice constructs the parallel circuit
    apprentice chooses the appropriate measuring tool
    apprentice measures components for the following values: resistance of each resistor, total resistance, source voltage, voltage drop across each resistor, each branch current, and total current

  7. Analyze combination circuits
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Lab/Shop activity
    Apprentice Course Worksheet
    Criteria
    apprentice calculates values for current, resistance, voltage drops, and power dissipation
    apprentice constructs the combination circuit
    apprentice chooses the appropriate measuring tool
    apprentice measures resistance of each resistor and total resistance, voltage drop across each resistor and voltage source, and current at two or more points in the circuit

  8. Analyze principles of magnetism
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Lab/Shop activity
    Apprentice Course Worksheet
    Criteria
    apprentice defines magnetic terms
    apprentice applies the theory of magnetic domains to describe the molecular structure of magnetic materials
    apprentice sketches lines on a drawing to represent the flux patterns that would surround a magnetic object
    apprentice lists the major characteristics of flux
    apprentice applies the characteristics of flux to the describe the operation of various devices
    apprentice applies the characteristics of flux to describe the process of shielding

  9. Examine how electromagnetic devices operate
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written or Graphic Assessment
    Lab/Shop activity
    Apprentice Course Worksheet
    Criteria
    apprentice defines electromagnetic terms
    apprentice describes how and why electrons flowing through a conductor, produces a measurable magnetic field
    apprentice identifies the facts that affect the strength of that field
    apprentice explains why bending a conductor into a coil intensifies the magnetic field that surrounds the coil
    apprentice lists the factors that affect the magneto-motive force of a coil
    apprentice describes how an alternating magnetic field induces voltage across a field
    apprentice describes the motor effect
    apprentice explains how a simple generator works, the principles involved, and the factors that affect the value and polarity of the voltage induced
    apprentice lists three requirements necessary to induce voltage