Module 3 Electrical Fundamentals study plan
Module 3 Electrical Fundamentals · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
AC Theory and AC Circuits & DC Circuits
Define and compute RMS, average, peak, and peak-to-peak values for sinusoidal waveforms.
Explain phase relationships between voltage and current in purely resistive, inductive, and capacitive AC circuits.
Calculate impedance in series and parallel RLC circuits using complex numbers or phasor diagrams.
Apply Ohm's and Kirchhoff's laws to solve DC series, parallel, and series-parallel circuits with multiple sources.
Solve for unknown currents and voltages using mesh and nodal analysis on simple DC networks.
Your checkpoint
A worked problem set of 10 AC and 10 DC circuit problems with step-by-step solutions and phasor sketches.
AC Theory and AC Circuits & Inductance and Inductors
Compute resonant frequency, bandwidth, and Q factor for series and parallel RLC circuits.
Analyze the effect of frequency on reactance and impedance in AC circuits.
Describe how inductance depends on coil geometry, core material, and number of turns.
Calculate induced EMF using Faraday's and Lenz's laws for changing magnetic fields.
Explain self-inductance, mutual inductance, and the role of inductors in filtering and energy storage.
Your checkpoint
A one-page summary sheet of AC resonance and inductance formulas with a solved example for each formula.
Capacitance and Capacitors & Magnetism
Calculate equivalent capacitance for series and parallel capacitor networks.
Determine charge, voltage, and energy stored in capacitors, including transient charging/discharging behavior.
Describe the properties of magnetic fields produced by permanent magnets and current-carrying conductors.
Apply the right-hand rule to determine magnetic field direction around a straight wire and inside a solenoid.
Explain magnetic hysteresis, permeability, and reluctance in magnetic circuits.
Your checkpoint
A concept map linking capacitance, electric fields, magnetic fields, and inductance, with at least 10 labeled connections and a solved capacitor transient problem.
Resistance and Resistors & Power
Calculate resistance from resistivity, length, and cross-sectional area, and explain temperature effects.
Determine equivalent resistance for series, parallel, and series-parallel resistor networks.
Apply the resistor color code to read and specify resistor values and tolerances.
Compute electrical power using P = VI, P = I²R, and P = V²/R in DC and AC circuits.
Analyze power dissipation and efficiency in resistive circuits, including maximum power transfer.
Your checkpoint
A resistor and power problem set (10 problems) with a color-code reference table and a power budget for a simple circuit.
Electrical Terminology & DC Sources of Electricity
Define and relate voltage, current, resistance, conductance, charge, and energy with correct units.
Describe the construction, characteristics, and applications of primary and secondary cells.
Explain battery capacity, internal resistance, and series/parallel connection of cells.
Compare DC power sources: batteries, generators, solar cells, and rectified AC.
Calculate battery life and terminal voltage under load for given internal resistance.
Your checkpoint
A comparison table of at least five DC sources with key parameters and a worked battery-life calculation.
Generation of Electricity & Static Electricity and Conduction
Explain the principles of electromagnetic induction, including Faraday's law and Lenz's law.
Describe how generators and alternators produce EMF from mechanical energy.
Explain static electricity, charging methods (friction, induction, conduction), and Coulomb's law.
Describe conduction in solids, liquids, and gases, including the role of free electrons and ions.
Identify electrostatic hazards and protective measures in aircraft and electronic systems.
Your checkpoint
A written explanation (300 words) of how a generator produces electricity, including a diagram, plus a list of static discharge precautions.
Electron Theory & DC Circuits
Describe atomic structure, electron shells, and the behavior of valence electrons in conductors, semiconductors, and insulators.
Explain the difference between conventional current and electron flow.
Apply Kirchhoff's voltage and current laws to complex DC circuits with multiple loops.
Use Thevenin's and Norton's theorems to simplify DC networks.
Solve for maximum power transfer conditions in DC circuits.
Your checkpoint
A set of 8 mixed electron theory and DC circuit analysis problems with full solutions, including one Thevenin equivalent circuit.
AC Theory and AC Circuits & DC Circuits & Capacitance and Capacitors & Inductance and Inductors
Integrate AC and DC concepts to analyze mixed circuits with resistors, capacitors, and inductors.
Solve problems involving transient response in RC and RL circuits.
Compute power factor and apparent, real, and reactive power in AC circuits.
Review and solve practice problems covering all domains, focusing on weak areas identified in prior weeks.
Complete a timed mock exam under realistic conditions.
Your checkpoint
A timed 40-question mock exam with a score report and a personalized review sheet listing three areas for final review.
Milestones
Week 2: Can solve series and parallel RLC circuit problems for impedance and resonance without reference materials, scoring at least 80% on a self-made quiz.
Week 4: Can correctly calculate resistance, power, and energy in mixed circuits, and interpret resistor color codes, achieving 90% on a 20-question quiz.
Week 6: Can explain the principles of electricity generation and static electricity, and solve related numerical problems, with a score of at least 75% on a practice set.
Week 8: Score at least 75% on the timed mock exam and demonstrate mastery of at least 80% of the learning objectives across all domains.