Alternating Current Electrical Circuits and Applied Math

This course covers all aspects of alternating current (AC) electricity and includes the associated theory with applied math. It begins with how AC is generated and takes a thorough look at the AC sine wave and how we arrive at peak values, peak to peak values, average values, and effective or RMS values. All components of an AC generator are defined from how the AC is produced to how it is extracted from the generator using brushes and slip rings.

Inductors (coils), capacitors, solenoids, and transformers are defined and described, and the student will have a good understanding how they work in series and parallel configurations. Power factor is defined and described in detail along with power factor correction. Capacitive reactance, Inductive reactance, and LCR circuits are described using all of the applied mathematics.

Students will understand that how components behave in a DC circuit is quite different than how components react in an AC circuit. Unlike ohms of resistance that are used in DC circuits, ohms of reactance will be used to describe opposition to current flow. Key terms are: inductance, capacitance, capacitive reactance, inductive reactance, impedance, power factor, power factor correction, sinusoidal wave forms, and resonance.

Transformer type are discussed such as step up, step down, single phase, three phase, ratios and proportions, auto transformers, and distribution transformers.