Learn to understand electricity

what it is, how it is measured and used, and how electronics  is applied in the modern world.

This course is a foundation for anyone who works with electricity or electronic equipment, from lights to computers, and household goods.

Course Content

Nine lessons as follows:

Lesson 1. Nature and Scope of Electronics

• Introduction
• Linear and Non Linear Electronics
• AC DC Current
• Electrostatics
• Conductors and Insulators
• Making an Electroscope
• Coulomb's Law
• The Electric Field
• Current
• Safety Warning
• Using an Electrician

Lesson 2. Measuring Electricity

• Measuring Flow
• Voltage
• Resistance
• Ohm's Law
• Relationship between Electricity and Power
• Generating and Storing Electricity
• Turbines and Generators
• Fusion Power
• Solar Cells
• Batteries

Lesson 3. Passive Components

• Resistors
• Capacitors
• Inductors
• Magnets
• Magnetic Forces
• Ferromagnetism
• Creating Magnets
• Curie Temperature
• Earths Magnetic Field
• Geomagnetic Reversal
• Electromagnetism
• Electromagnetism and Solenoids
• Electric Motors
• Magnetic Force
• Right Hand Rule
• Induction
• Lenz's Law

Lesson 4. Circuits

• Conductors
• Insulators and Non Conductors
• Fuses
• Circuit Breakers
• Relays
• Circuits
• Series
• Parallel Circuit
• Reading Schematic Diagrams

Lesson 5. Other Components

• Printed Circuit Boards
• Bread Board
• Switches
• Input/output Types -SPST, SPDT, DPST, DPDT
• Integrated Circuits (IC, Chip, Microchip)
• Relays
• Normal Open and Normal Closed
• Diodes
• Transformers

Lesson 6. Input and Output devices

• Input Devices
• Output Devices
• Interactions with Input and Output Devices
• Sensors
• How some I/O Devices Work
• Signals Processing

Lesson 7. Digital Electronics

• Digital versus Analog Electronics
• Binary
• Mechanical Analog Computers and Noise
• Digital Analog Audio
• Digital Analog Images
• Analog Radio/TV and Digital Transmission of Signals
• Boolean Algebra
• Logic
• Synchronous and Asynchronous Systems
• Algorithms

Lesson 8. Applications - Working with Electronics

• Soldering
• Wire Stripping/Crimping Tools
• Anti Static Straps
• Terminals
• Multimeters
• How to Use a Multimeter
• Forming Connections in a Series or Parallel
• Measuring Voltage
• Measuring Current
• Measuring Resistance
• Electrical Tape, Punch Down Tool, Cable Ties
• Printed Circuit Boards and Etching

Lesson 9.  PBL Project to research appliance circuit diagrams and use a bread board to model a key component.

Course Aims

• To explain the nature and scope of electricity, electric currents and applications for electric power.
• To explain how electricity is measured.
• To identify and explain the function of important electrical components including resistors, capacitors and inductors.
• To interpret circuit diagrams.
• To identify and explain the function of other components commonly found in electronic devices, including switches, diodes, semi conductors, integrated circuits and semi conductors.
• To explain how electric devices engage with a user, both through input and output components.
• To explain digital electronics and how it differs to analogue electronics.
• To explain the operation, maintenance and repair of a range of electronic devices.
• To analyse the electronic components of a chosen device, determine how it’s electronic circuits function, then suggest any maintenance, repairs or other work that may be carried out with that device to sustain or improve it’s use. 

START BY UNDERSTANDING WHAT ELECTRICITY IS

Electrons are particles that have a negative electric charge, and in a stable atom, these negative charges are balanced out by other particles that have a positive charge.  
When there is an excess of this negative charge, that excess can move to adjacent atoms within the same material, and continue moving. Some types of atoms (i.e. conductive materials) will allow this movement of a negative charge readily, but other types of atoms do not.

• Negatively charged electrons are held loosely in atoms of conductive materials, and that allows a flow of electricity readily.
• When the negatively charged particles are held more tightly, the electricity does not flow as well. Such materials are called insulating materials. 

There are two main types of electronics that we come across, linear and non-linear.

LINEAR ELECTRONICS

A linear circuit is one in which the circuit parameters are not changed with respect to the current and voltage.  That is to say, the flow of electricity (Current), is directly proportional to the applied voltage.  For example, if we increase the applied voltage, then the current flowing through the circuit will also increase.  Some examples of linear electronic components are resistors, capacitors and inductors.

NON-LINEAR ELECTRONICS

A non-linear circuit is one in which the circuit parameters are changed with respect to the current and voltage.  In these situations, the flow of electricity is not directly proportional to the applied voltage.  Some examples of non-linear electronic components are diodes and transistors.

AC AND DC CURRENT

The flow of electricity is not limited to one direction.  AC and DC current describe the types of current flow within a circuit.  In a direct current (DC), the current only flows in one direction.  In an alternating current (AC) circuit, the current changes direction periodically.  In AC circuits, the voltage also periodically reverses because of the change in direction of the current.

Most digital electronics that we come across use DC, however AC has its advantages.  AC circuits are able to convert voltage levels with a single component known as a transformer.  This is why AC was chosen as the means to transmit electricity over long distances and is therefore why AC is found within the home.

If you haven't already got a sound understanding of electricity; and get a little lost when you look at a circuit diagram or in the back of a computer or TV; this course could be a serious benefit to you.

Anyone who owns, uses, or even more so, works with electrical devices or equipment, can greatly benefit from this course. It is a fundamental study, laying a sound foundation for working or studying further in fields as diverse as I.T, robotics, drone technology, household appliances or industrial machinery. It is a course that fits well with many of our other courses, including alternative energy, mechanics, physics and computer servicing.