Electrical Control Equipment Training
Electrical Skills
Course 1 – Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Prerequisites: This lesson is for those familiar with AC/DC theory, electrical safety, electrical schematics, and the proper use of hand tools and electronic test instruments.
Description: This lesson covers the operation and maintenance of fuses and circuit breakers within electrical control systems. It details procedures for testing, removing, and installing these components, focusing on following national electrical safety standards.. The lesson also examines molded case, multiple, and ground fault circuit breakers, highlighting their roles in power distribution and ensuring safe electrical installations.
Objectives:
- Describe the fundamental operation of fuses in.
- Learn how to choose the right fuses according to electrical codes.
- Verify that a circuit is de-energized before performing electrical work, ensuring adherence to safety standards.
- Select and install proper replacement fuses.
- Explain the operation of small, molded case circuit breakers within power distribution networks.
- Reset tripped circuit breakers safely and efficiently.
- Learn how circuit breakers detect issues and how to maintain breaker panels.
- Install a circuit breaker and identify one that is a multiple.
- Use a characteristic trip curve to interpret test results.
- Identify and test the operation of a ground fault circuit breaker and install it.
Course 2 – Limit switches
Prerequisites: This lesson is designed for participants familiar with AC and DC theory, electrical safety, electrical schematics, and the proper use of test instruments.
Description: This lesson covers how limit switches work and where they are used in control panels and electrical systems. It includes how to maintain, troubleshoot, and adjust them, focusing on following electrical codes. The lesson also addresses safety considerations in various work environments, ensuring proper electrical installations and effective problem-solving skills.
Objectives:
- Explain what limit switches do in electrical control systems.
- Identify different types of limit switches used in control panels & electrical installations.
- Visually recognize various limit switches and know their uses.
- Follow safety guidelines when replacing switches, according to electrical codes.
- Understand the internal function of a lever-actuated limit switch and its role in control circuits.
- Maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and adjust lever-actuated limit switches in various work environments.
- Explain how photoelectric and proximity switches function and how they’re used in control circuits.
- Identify and fix common issues in these switches.
- Explain the internal function of geared limit switches and torque switches in control circuits.
- Maintain and repair photoelectric and proximity switches safely.
- Describe how geared limit switches and torque switches operate.
- Troubleshoot and repair these switches in electrical installations.
Course 3 – Switches, Coils, and Overloads
Prerequisites: This lesson is designed for participants familiar with AC and DC theory, electrical safety, electrical print reading, electrical connections, and the proper use of electrical test instruments. An understanding of the operation of control circuits and components, such as switches, relays, fuses, and circuit breakers is recommended.
Description: This lesson delves into switches, coils, and overloads within electrical control systems. It explains the types and operations of switches and overload relays, including their roles in power supply and power distribution. The lesson provides procedures for testing these components, verifying de-energized circuits, and diagnosing malfunctions using circuit diagrams and manufacturer’s literature. Emphasis is placed on technical skills and adherence to electrical codes during electrical work.
Objectives:
- Explain what types of switches are used in industry and know how to tell if they are functioning properly.
- Test coils and replace overload relays in control panels, following electrical codes.
- Explain what poles and throws mean in switches.
- Describe how momentary and maintained push-button switches operate.
- Understand how selector switches function and where they are used.
- Describe rotary switches and read their connection diagrams correctly.
- Perform continuity checks on push-button switches to ensure they work properly.
- Learn how to check coils for overheating and breaks in the wire winding.
- Explain how overload relays protect motors in electrical systems.
- Describe how bimetallic thermal overload relays work in power distribution.
- Understand how melting-alloy thermal overload relays function and store heat.
- Identify magnetic and electronic overload relays.
- Describe the common problems of thermal overload relays.
- Install thermal overload relays in starters, following electrical codes.
Course 4 – Magnetic Starters
Prerequisites: This lesson is designed for participants familiar with AC and DC theory, electrical safety, electrical print reading, electrical connections, and the proper use of electrical test instruments. An understanding of the operation of control circuits and components, such as switches, relays, fuses, and circuit breakers is recommended.
Description: This lesson focuses on magnetic starters in electrical control systems, detailing their components and operations. It outlines troubleshooting procedures using schematic diagrams, manufacturer’s literature, and electrical tests. The lesson also covers reversing magnetic motor starters, emphasizing technical skills and problem-solving skills necessary for effective electrical installations and maintenance.
Objectives:
- Explain the components and operation of magnetic motor starters in electrical control systems.
- Describe electromagnets and their role in the functioning of contactors within control panels.
- Identify troubleshooting steps for magnetic motor starters, enhancing problem-solving skills.
- Perform sensory inspections to detect issues in magnetic motor starters.
- Test armatures to ensure proper operation within electrical installations.
- Disassemble motor starters safely, applying appropriate technical skills.
- Explain the purpose of interlocks and how mechanical and electrical interlocks function in control systems.
Course 5 – Troubleshooting Electrical Control Circuits
Prerequisites: This lesson is designed for participants familiar with AC and DC theory, electrical safety, electrical schematics, and the proper use of electrical test instruments. An understanding of the operation of control circuits and components, such as switches, relays, fuses, circuit breakers, motor starters, contactors, and control transformers is also recommended.
Description: This lesson provides a systematic approach to troubleshooting electrical control circuits. It guides participants in gathering and verifying symptom information, utilizing schematic diagrams to identify issues, and applying problem-solving skills. The lesson emphasizes adherence to electrical codes and the National Electrical Code during electrical work, ensuring safety and compliance in various work environments.
Objectives:
- Develop a logical and systematic strategy for troubleshooting electrical control circuits in various work environments.
- Obtain all necessary troubleshooting information, utilizing effective communication skills.
- Verify problem symptoms by performing electrical and mechanical operational checks, applying technical skills.
- Isolate problems within control systems, using schematic diagrams and problem-solving skills.
- Replace defective parts in electrical control systems, ensuring compliance with electrical codes.
- Check the operation of replacement parts to confirm successful electrical installations.
Course 6 – Inverters: Operation and Maintenance
Prerequisites: This lesson is designed for participants familiar with AC and DC theory, AC motor theory, electrical safety, electrical print reading, and the proper use of electrical test instruments.
Description: This lesson covers the operation and maintenance of inverters within electrical control systems. It explains inverter functions, identifies common malfunctions, and provides corrective procedures. The lesson highlights the importance of technical skills and problem-solving skills in maintaining efficient power supply and power distribution systems, ensuring compliance with electrical codes during electrical installations and repairs.
Objectives:
- State the function and parts of inverter drives
- Describe the principle of operation of pam and pwm inverters
- Review the operation of a typical induction motor and explain the formula for synchronous speed
- Explain how to calculate slip percentage and how inverters compensate for slip
- Describe the three types of inverter drives and describe open-loop and closed-loop control and how flux-vector control drives work
- Explain how an inverter in a variable-torque application can conserve energy, and how an inverter drive can be used for soft-starting
- Describe environmental conditions that adversely affect inverter drivers and describe safety precautions for working with drives
- Give examples of error messages associated with electrical or motor problems
- Describe a drive overtemperature fault