Maricopa Community Colleges  ABC108   20052-20086 
Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 07/22/08
ABC108 20052-20086 LEC 2 Credit(s) 2 Period(s)
Introduction to Alternating Current
General distribution of alternating current, basic generator principles and specific electrical characteristics of alternating current including frequency, periods, and effective voltage. Ohm's Law for alternating current, characteristics of induction, alternating current capacitance, series and parallel circuits.
Prerequisites: Registered apprentice status or permission of the apprenticeship coordinator.
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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
 
ABC108   20052-20086 Introduction to Alternating Current
1. Compare and contrast alternating and direct current listing the advantages and disadvantages of each. (I)
2. State the relationship between alternating current (AC) and frequency, periods, time, and wavelength. (II)
3. Define the terms "in-phase" and "out-of-phase" for alternating current voltage. (II)
4. Explain the application of Ohm's law to alternating current. (III)
5. Define the terms impedance, resistance, and reactance in AC circuits. (III)
6. Explain the use of transformers in the transmission of electrical energy and state the reasons for using AC voltage with transformer. (IV)
7. Define induction and inductance. (V)
8. Explain how inductors act in series and parallel. (V)
9. Calculate specific problems exemplifying inductive reactance. (V)
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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
 
ABC108   20052-20086 Introduction to Alternating Current
    I. Overview of currents
        A. Direct Current (DC)
          1. Characteristics
          2. Advantages
          3. Disadvantages
        B. Alternating current (AC)
          1. Characteristics
          2. Advantages
          3. Disadvantages
      II. Alternating current generation
          A. Basic generator principles
          B. Electromagnetic induction
          C. Relationship to frequency
          D. Relationship to period
          E. Relationship to time
          F. Relationship to wavelength
          G. In-phase
          H. Out-of-phase
        III. Ohm's law for alternating current
            A. Application
            B. Impedance
              1. Resistance
              2. Reactance
          IV. Transformers
              A. Basic transformer theory
              B. Alternating current transformers
              C. Transmission of electrical energy
              D. Construction
            V. Characteristics of induction
                A. Definition
                B. Current changes
                C. Inductance
                  1. Counter-electromotive force
                  2. Effect of increased source current
                  3. Effect of decreased source current
                  4. Inductance in an AC circuit
                  5. Coils
                  6. Factors affecting inductance
                  7. Unit of inductance
                  8. Rating inductors
                  9. Energy storage
                  10. Inductors in series
                  11. Inductors in parallel
                D. Inductive reactance
                  1. Calculations
                  2. Other
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