EUT110-01 Electrical Principles I
Syllabus – Fall, 2008
Professor: Sharron L. Gillies, M.Ed.
Email: sharrong@qcc.mass.edu
Telephone: (508) 854-2711
QCC Mailbox: 125
Office: 334A
Office Hours: Tuesday 9-10 am (Room 214S); Friday 10-11 am (Room 334A); Other times by
appointment.
Course Description: The course examines the foundations of basic DC circuit analysis concepts.
Topics include voltage and current sources, Ohm’s law, Kirchhoff’s Laws, concept of resistance,
conductance, capacitance, inductance, network topologies such as elements in series and parallel,
Thevenin’s and Norton’s Theorems, and transient behavior of RC and RL circuits. Students utilize
computer software tools and laboratory experiments to reinforce concepts.
Prerequisite: MAT 095 or appropriate placement score.
Corequisite: ENG 100, EUT 100. F
Course Objectives: Students successfully completing this course shall demonstrate the following
competencies:
1. Use the computer as an analytical tool, know how to use computer simulation software to
solve DC problems, print solutions.
2. Collect data and create files with the data and print graphs
3. Log onto WebCT, and download and upload files.
4. Identify the characteristics of DC sources, and calculate their effect on voltage, current and
power in passive networks.
5. Describe the V-I characteristics of resistors, capacitors, inductors, and utilize these circuit
elements with DC excitation.
6. Given a series of parallel circuit calculate quantities using: Ohm’s Law, Kirchhoff’s Voltage
Law; Kirchhoff’s Current Law, Voltage divider rule, current divider rule, Superposition
Theorem, internal resistance and the Maximum Power Transfer Theorem.
7. Measure the load currents and determine the power used by a load.
This product was funded by a grant awarded under the President’s Community-Based Job Training Grants as
implemented by the U.S. department of labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The information
contained in this product was created by a grantee organization and does not necessarily reflect the official
position of the U.S. Department of labor. All references to non-governmental companies or organizations, their
services, products, or resources are offered for informational purposes and should not be construed as an
endorsement by the Department of Labor. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it and is
intended for individual, organizational, non-commercial use only.
8. Given an RC or RL series circuit driven by a switched DC source, calculate the time
constant and any current or voltage at any time as required, using the universal time
constant curve.
9. Follow and describe prescribed lab test procedures, set up equipment, take
measurements, interpret results, and run computer simulations. Interpret schematic
diagrams and construct breadboard circuits. Troubleshoot circuits.
10. Given a supplemental assignment or an activity assignment, develop a technical report
(using a computer) in one of the areas described above.
11. Use the library, Internet and other sources to collect supplemental information to write a
technical report which includes and introduction, main body and summary.
12. Develop a formal laboratory report including objectives, theory, procedures, equipment,
schematics, calculated/measured data, and conclusion.
13. Listen and think critically, apply mathematical procedures and quantitative methods,
logically troubleshoot electronic circuits and propose corrective measures.
Methodology:
1. Text: The Science of Electronics: DC/AC, David M. Buchla & Thomas L. Floyd
ISBN-13: 9780130875655
2. Five hours of lecture and lab per week.
3. Reading assignments.
4. Demonstrations and computer simulations of pertinent concepts
5. Laboratory exercises involving the use of a computer, a calculator, and by connecting
actual circuits on a breadboard for the purpose of using actual and virtual instruments to
take measurements and learn troubleshooting techniques.
6. Technical research assignment
Attendance: Mandatory. Students who anticipate an absence should contact the instructor by
email and will be responsible for obtaining missed material and/or alternate assignments.
Evaluation:
1. Exams (40%)
2. Lab Reports (40%)
3. Homework/Quizzes/Discussions (20%)
Tentative Exam Schedule:
Exam 1: Monday, September 29, 2008
Exam 2: Monday, October 20, 2008
Exam 3: Monday, November 10, 2008
Exam 4: Monday, December 1, 2008
Exam 5: Monday, December 15, 2008
Note: Because of time constraints, one or more of the exams may be given online.
Academic Dishonesty:
Plagiarism (as defined in the 2008-2009 Student Handbook) and any other form of cheating will be
dealt with in the following manner:
First offense: All students involved will receive a grade of zero for the quiz/assignment in
question. The original will remain in my possession and a copy will be forwarded to the
department head.
Second offense: Disciplinary action will be taken as outlined in the Student Handbook.
Cellphones: Electronic communications devices are disruptive to the learning environment. All
phones must be set to vibrate during classes and conversations must take place outside the
classroom. All devices must be turned OFF during in class exams.
Course Outline:
Week/Date
Week 1
9/8/2008
Week 2
9/15/2008
Week 3
9/22/2008
Week 4
8/29/2007
Week 6
Topic
Introduction
Scientific Notation
Engineering Notation
Metric Prefix
Color Codes
Ohm’s Law
Electric Charge
Atomic Structure
Basic Quantities
Current
Work and Energy
Voltage
Resistance
Conductors, semiconductors and Insulators
Linear resistance and slope
Switches
Power and Energy
Power as a rate
Power related to voltage and current
Energy units, joules, kilowatt-hour
Power units, watts and horsepower
Resistor tolerance, and power
ratings
Test 1
Series circuits and Power Supplies
Applying Ohm’s Law
Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law
Voltage Divider
Series circuits continued
10/1/2008
Week 5
10/13/2008
Week 7
10/20/2008
Week 8
10/27/2008
Week 9
11/3/2008
Week 10
11/10/2008
Week 11
11/17/2008
Week 12
11/24/2008
Week 13
12/1/2008
Ground
Polarity
Voltages relative to ground
Use of a voltmeter
Power in a series circuit
Measuring current
Columbus Day – No Classes
Test 2
Parallel Circuits
Equal-potential points
Applying Ohm’s Law
Kirchhoff’s Current Law
Parallel Circuits continued
Power in a parallel circuit
Conductance
Open and shorted resisters
Capacitors
DC Motors
Motors and Switches
Motor speed control
Measuring load current
Intro to Series-Parallel Circuits
Introduction to circuit analysis
Capacitors in series and Parallel
Time Constants
Test 3
Series-Parallel Circuits continued
Power
Effects of shorts and opens
Complex circuits
Coils, Inductors
Inductors in series and parallel
Time constants
Current Storage
Voltage Dividers and Current Dividers
Meters
Multimeters
Voltmeters
Ammeters
Ohmmeters
Power meters
Test 4
Networks
Voltage Sources
Week 14
12/8/2008
12/15/2007
2:00-4:00 PM
Current Sources
Efficiency and Maximum Power Transfer
Conductors
Cross Section area
Resistivity
American Wire Gage
Internal Resistance
Magnetism and Alternating Current
The generator
Electromagnetic effects of a coil
Electromagnets
The Sine Wave
AC Power circuits and nomenclature
Test 5
Tentative Laboratory Experiments:
Week
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Week 14
Week 15
Description
Metric Prefixes, Scientific Notation
Resistor Color Code
Measurement of Resistance
Laboratory Meters and Power Supplies
Voltage Measurement and Circuit Ground
Ohm’s Law
Power in DC Circuits
Series Circuits
The Voltage Divider
Parallel Circuits
Series-Parallel Combination Circuits
The Loaded Voltage Divider
The Superposition Theory
Thevenin’s Theorem
Meter Construction
DC Motors and Controls
Series and Parallel Capacitors
Time Constants
Electro Magnetism
Wire Gage, Conductance Measurement
Alternating Current
Lab Evaluation:
1. In class demonstration to instructor. (20%)
2. Laboratory area cleanup/care of instruments. (20%)
3. Neatly typed reports. (Drawings may be hand sketched or pasted from simulation
screens.) (10%)
4. Acceptable conclusions. (20%)
5. Data/results presented neatly and understandably. (20%)
6. Laboratory Participation. (10%)
Note: In all cases the instructor reserves the right to change the order of topics when necessary to
enhance the flow of the class.
This product was funded by a grant awarded under the President’s Community-Based Job Training
Grants as imp0lemented by the U.S. department of labor’s Employment and Training
Administration. The information contained in this product was created by a grantee organization
and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of labor. All references
to non-governmental companies or organizations, their services, products, or resources are offered
for informational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement by the Department of
Labor. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it and is intended for individual,
organizational, non-commercial use only.