This is a foundation course in electrical and electronic systems for first year learners of Automation Engineering. It covers the basic theoretical and practical aspects of electricity, magnetism and direct current electric circuits. It also introduces the learner to the basic principles of operation of digital electronic circuits. The module aim is to equip learners with the basic theoretical and practical skills required to analyse and test low voltage direct current electrical and small signal electronic circuits, while also equipping them with the foundation skills required for further studies in the areas such as electrical systems, electronic systems, electronics and instrumentation.
Introduction highlighting the strategic importance of electricity and outlining some significant applications.
Basic Electrical safety Guidelines Atomic Model, Electric Charge, Static Electricity, Electric Current, Conductors, Semiconductors and insulators. Electric Current – The Ampere, Electric Voltage – The Volt
Electric Circuits, Circuit Diagrams Resistance and Ohms Law
Power in electric circuits, Efficiency
Circuit Analysis using formulae for Resistors in Series, Resistors in Parallel and the Voltage and Current divider formula
Use of the Ammeter, Voltmeter and Ohmmeter
Basic electrical laboratory practise including safety principles, reading circuit diagrams, wiring circuits, use of meters including voltmeters, ammeters and ohmmeters.
Calculate the fundamental properties of sinusoidal signals.
Thevenin’s Theorem and Kirchoff’s Laws.
Logic gates. Boolean Expressions. Logic families. Combinational logic circuits. Sequential logic circuits - T flipflops. The binary counter and data latch. Memory Devices. Binary adder.
Introduction to digital sampling
Laboratory Experiments (from the following)
Build a basic electric circuit
Make basic measurements of voltage and resistance
Construct a basic electrical circuit by soldering components and verify Ohm’s Law.
Measure current and calculate power consumption.
Verify formula for resistors in series and parallel.
Verify Voltage and Current Divider theory.
Demonstrate the ability to build a basic circuit from a schematic diagram.
Behaviour of basic logic gates
Build a combinational logic circuit
Build a 4-bit binary counter
