Title: Lesson
Course: Electrical Theory (IC 101-IC 101) > Section: Web Content

This week will be working on series and parallel in the same circuit, so the emphasis will be to determine when to use the series rules and when to use the parallel rules so don't forget to use those skills of tracing current! We will also examine what will happen when a load (resistance) opens or shorts in one of these circuits. AC will be introduced and how it is generated, how it can be transformed, and it's waveform. Since the AC waveform is a voltage vs time relationship, we examine how to determine it's frequency and introduce the oscilloscope as a measurement tool. Understanding measurements of AC magnitude and AC phase is very important. Most of you probably already know how to use test equipment, but I have added a report for several different pieces of equipment. I want everyone to realize the impact they can have on a circuit, so my expectations are for you to use this to broaden your knowledge on something you will rely on often.
Reading assignment:
Volume 1   Chapter 7   Series and Parallel combination Circuits    http://www.ibiblio.org/kuphaldt/electricCircuits/DC/DC_7.html
Volume 2   Chapter 1   Basic AC Theory (Except Principles of Radio)  http://www.ibiblio.org/kuphaldt/electricCircuits/AC/AC_1.html
Be sure to check out the videos below for explanation of material content.
There is a worksheet to complete under the "coursework" page relating to AC waveforms.
If you haven't had much of an opportunity to use an oscilloscope, I have added a link to a virtual oscilloscope that does a good job of familiarizing you with each of the controls. When you get to the link you will have to follow the instructions to download Macromedia shockwave, if you do not already have it on your computer. The link is http://www.virtual-oscilloscope.com/simulation.html#.
There is a lab relating to series/parallel circuits when faults occur in them. Once you have completed that there are two more circuit challenges, one is calculating for unknowns in a series/parallel circuit and the other is troubleshooting faults in series/parallel circuit. These are highlighted in the coursework section of the course.
You also need to write a report on the design, the impact on a circuit, and how each is applied (inserted) into a circuit for each of the following:
Voltmeter
Ammeter
Ohmmeter
Wattmeter
Volume 1 Chapter 8   DC Metering Circuits (optional) http://www.ibiblio.org/kuphaldt/electricCircuits/DC/DC_8.html, is optional reading material related to this assignment.