Catalog Course Search Details

 Department:    MT

 Course #:    132

 Credits:    5

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    5.5

 CIP:    470616

 EPC:    736

 REV:    2018

 Course Description  

Basic AC and DC electrical systems as found on recreational and small commercial vessels. Installation and troubleshooting of engine operation systems for charging and starting, DC house systems for lights, pumps, and multi-state voltage regulation. Includes proper multi-meter use and electrical safety.

 Prerequisite  

None

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 44

Lab: 22

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0

Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Vocational Preparatory Required for ATA degree, Required for certificate  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

1. Determine battery condition by voltage testing, load testing, and cell density testing, amp/hr testing.
2. Plan and install a second battery with selector switch for a single battery boat.
3. Safely lift, carry, and transport heavy batteries.
4. Work safely with 120 volt AC by being aware of shock hazards and not touching energized wires or terminals.
5. Understand chemical hazards of acid burns with electrolyte in batteries.
6. Use a digital volt/ohm/amp meter to test battery voltage, voltage drop in a DC system, continuity of a wire run, operation of a switch, fuse, bulb or appliance.
7. Use a digital volt/ohm/amp meter to test AC circuits including shore power cords, supplied voltage, voltage drop, continuity of a wire run, operation of a switch, fuse, bulb or appliance.
8. Demonstrate understanding of engine operation gauge systems by correctly troubleshooting common gauge circuits.
9. Measure condition of alternator/voltage regulator DC charging system operation using a volt meter.
10. Install and wire typical vessel DC electrical system components such as batteries, pumps, lights, switches and navigational gear to American Boat and Yacht Council and National Fire Protection Association guidelines and recommended practices.
11. Install and wire typical vessel AC system components such as shore power inlets, galvanic isolators, distribution panels, duplex, receptacles, lights and battery chargers to ABYC and NFPA guidelines and recommended practices.
12. Troubleshoot and repair common engine monitoring gauge problems.
13. Troubleshoot alternator operation using the 3-step method and engine starting system wiring and components.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

0. Application and Integration

Definition: Applying information from one or more disciplines and/or field experiences in new contexts (Outcome 0.1); developing integrated approaches or responses to personal, academic, professional, and social issues (Outcomes 0.2-0.5).

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
0.1 Apply theories and concepts studied in the classroom to field, clinical, shop, research, or laboratory settings.

1. Information Literacy

Definition: Recognizing when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
1.1 Determine the extent of information needed.

2. Critical Thinking

Definition: The ability to think critically about the nature of knowledge within a discipline and about the ways in which that knowledge is constructed and validated and to be sensitive to the ways these processes often vary among disciplines.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
2.2 Analyze issues and develop questions within a discipline.

3. Communication

Definition: Understanding and producing effective written, spoken, visual, and non-verbal communication.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
3.1 Recognize, read, and comprehend academic and/or professional writing.

7. Aesthetics & Creativity

Definition: Interpreting human experience through engagement with creative processes and aesthetic principles.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
7.1 Demonstrate an understanding of the creative process.

Course Contents

1. Introduction to electricity, Direct Current, Alternating Current, and methods of electricity production aboard a vessel.
2. Vessel electrical systems overview, DC systems, AC systems, corrosion control systems, engine monitoring systems.
3. Engine monitoring systems theory of operation and troubleshooting.
4. Battery systems installation guidelines.
5. DC distribution panels, wire sizing, terminations and installations.
6. AC shore power systems, connections aboard a vessel, distribution systems, galvanic protection methods.
7. Voltage testing, load testing, and cell density testing, amp/hr testing.
8. Chemical and shock hazards.
9. AC circuits.
10. Digital volt/ohm/amp meters and load tester.
11. Engine operation gauge systems.
12. Alternator/voltage regulator DC charging system.
13. DC electrical system component.
14. American Boat and Yacht Council and National Fire Protection Association guidelines and recommended practices.
15. Alternator operation using the 3-step method.