Direct Current Fundamentals for Non-Electrical Engineers

In Direct Current Fundamentals for Non-Electrical Engineers, you'll learn ...

• How to find voltage, current and resistance in series and parallel circuits
• Why conventional flow notation is easier for non-electrical engineers to understand
• How to analyze a circuit using the principles of Kirchhoff’s Laws
• How bridge circuits are used for component measurement and sensor signal conditioning

Overview

Preview a portion of this course before purchasing it.

Credit: 2 CPD

Length: 43 pages

Direct current (DC) is a continuous electric current that flows in one direction only, without substantial variation in magnitude. DC is commonly found in many extra-low voltage applications and some low-voltage applications, especially where these are powered by batteries or solar power systems, which can produce only DC. Most electronic circuits require a DC power supply.

Direct current is not used for long-distance power transmission because it is difficult to step up the voltage to a level that is efficient for energy transfer and then to step the voltage back down again for safe domestic use. It is possible with alternating current (AC) to build electric generators, motors and power distribution systems that are far more efficient than DC, and so we find AC used predominately across the world in high power applications.

In this course, you’ll learn about the concepts of voltage, current, resistance, capacitance and inductance and you’ll learn how to analyze both series and parallel DC circuits. The course uses pictorial representations and fluid flow analogies to help non-electrical engineers understand the material.

This is an excellent refresher course for mechanical, civil, process, control systems, HVAC, industrial and transportation engineers.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Use modern applications of direct current in a representative engineering or safety scenario.
• Describe voltage, current, and resistance and demonstrate understanding through an assessment question or scenario.
• Solve DC circuit problems using Ohm’s law and Kirchhoff’s laws and course principles and given data.
• Explain electron versus conventional flow notation and demonstrate understanding through an assessment question or scenario.
• Contrast series and parallel circuits, citing the distinguishing characteristics relevant to engineering decisions.
• Identify sources and loads in a circuit and demonstrate understanding through an assessment question or scenario.
• Implement the principles of bridge circuits and their common applications in a representative engineering or safety scenario.
• Locate and describe the principles of electromagnetism with sufficient accuracy to distinguish them from related concepts.
• Classify the concepts of capacitance and inductance with sufficient accuracy to distinguish them from related concepts.

Certificate of Completion

You will be able to immediately print a certificate of completion after passing a multiple-choice quiz consisting of 10 questions. CPD credits are not awarded until the course is completed and quiz is passed.