Download Student Handout: Project #2 Basic Electricity

amp circuit breaker on the main line. Two fluorescent
lights (60 watts each) are in the garage now. Some of
the items on the list can be..
St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley: Gateway to Technology: An integrated study of Mathematics, English, Reading and Engineering/Tech
 TV/VCR
PROJECT #2 BASIC ELECTRICITY
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Objectives
Students will study Ohm’s Law and learn the difference
between series and parallel circuits
Students will use appropriate electrical terminology and
accurate electrical information in order to solve the module
problem.
Students will investigate electrical hazards.
Students will employ problem-solving and teaming skills
that will be evaluated by self-evaluation, peer evaluation,
and the faculty team.
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Microwave oven
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refrigerator
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toaster oven
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stereo
Your team will investigate the power requirements of
these appliances and develop a plan that will make the
most effective use of the room's electrical circuit yet still
meet local electrical codes. What kind of circuit is
needed? The plan will indicate capital expenditures not
to exceed $1,000 (or an amount decided by you?) and
will predict monthly operational costs.
You will submit to your landlord (parents, etc) a
comprehensive report describing the process necessary
to complete the renovation, including time and cost
projections as well as any foreseeable problems.
Background Information for Project 2
In a mechanical system, you have seen
that the work done is the product of the
force (F) applied in the direction of the
motion and the distance (d) moved.
Therefore, work (W) can be thought of as
Performance Expectations
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Investigate the power needed to support a number of
electrical appliances using Ohm’s Law.
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Determine a plan to equip a recreation room using
available electrical power and budget.
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Measure voltage and current and determine power in
an electrical circuit.
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Write a process-based report for solving problem.
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Have opportunities for self-evaluation, peer
evaluation, and team evaluations. Proposal will be
evaluated and graded by the faculty team.
the product of a quantity that causes motion
and the measure of the resulting motion.
©2005 STLCC at Florissant Valley
Gateway to Technology
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St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley: Gateway to Technology: An integrated study of Mathematics, English, Reading and Engineering/Tech
Background Information for Project 2
In a mechanical system, the work done
is the product of the force (F) applied in the
direction of the motion and the distance (d)
moved. Therefore, work (W) can be thought
of as the product of a quantity that causes
motion and the measure of the resulting
motion.
F
W=Fd
F
d
This concept can be applied in an
electrical system as well. The quantity that
causes motion is the voltage difference and
the measure of the motion is the charge.
Therefore, work in an electrical system can
be calculated by:
Work = (voltage difference) x charge
W = Vq, where V = voltage difference and
q = charge
Electric motors transform electrical
energy into mechanical energy to perform
tasks. Motors may turn fans to move air,
operate pumps to move fluids, and turn
metalworking machines such as lathes,
mills, and drills. Therefore, the purpose of
most electrical devices is to convert
electrical work into other forms of work or
energy, such as energy of motion, heat,
light, or sound.
The motion of charge through
conductors will transform some of the
electrical energy into heat. In devices such
as toasters, ovens, and hair dryers, the
heat is wanted and is useful. In other
devices such as an incandescent light bulb,
computers, and televisions, the heat is an
unwanted byproduct caused by the
operation of the device.
©2005 STLCC at Florissant Valley
Gateway to Technology
In electrical systems, the amount of
electrical energy used is important. In fact, the
bills that we receive from the electric company
are based on the energy that we use. In many
electrical systems, however, not only is the
energy used important, but so is the rate at
which the energy is delivered. All electrical
devices are rated on the rate of use of
electrical energy. This rate is called
power (P) and is measured in watts.
Power = work/time
Power = (voltage x charge)/time
Power = voltage x charge/time
Power = voltage x current
Basic Electrical Vocabulary
Ampacity
Amperes (amps)
Battery
Branch circuit
Circuit breaker
Current (I)
Fuse
Ground
Hertz (Hz)
National Electrical Code
Ohm’s Law
Ohms (Ω)
Overcurrent
Panelboard
Parallel
Power (P)
Receptacle
Resistance (R)
Series
Voltage (E) (V) (Volts)
Watts
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St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley: Gateway to Technology: An integrated study of Mathematics, English, Reading and Engineering/Tech
Assignment for Basic Electricity Project
Internal Proposal Report
A proposal is a process/problem-based report, usually five to six sections including a memo-type
heading. You will want to include the overall dollar budget.
Parts of a Proposal:
HEADING:
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT: (similar to a title) Proposal for ………….
INTRODUCTION:
Present main idea of report and summarize proposal in one paragraph. (Paragraph)
PROBLEM:
Summarize problem to be solved in one paragraph. Explain the present state of the space and what
electricity and electric use is in it now. (One short summary paragraph; include any electrical hazards
present)
SOLUTION OR RECOMMENDATION: (REQ)
Explain process you are planning to carry out to solve problem (what you want to do with the present
space). You will want to include the following:
LIST OF ITEMS TO BE INSTALLED AND SPECIFICATIONS: you'll need to list the items and
the volts, amps, power, etc. (List or Table)
LIST OF ELECTRICAL REFITTINGS NEEDED: tell what needs to be done to be able to use the
above items. (Table) can be done in Excel with auto calculations
COSTS: In this section you explain what the cost of each expense is and how the overall amount fits
within the budget. A table is a good feature to use here. Introduce it with a sentence or two.
(Separate table or part of table with specs)
SCHEDULE/TIMETABLE: In this section you show how much time your proposed process will take
and on what schedule it will be completed. (Table) optional
CONCLUSION:
Tell what you above proposal will accomplish and why it is a good idea to follow through with it. You
may want to explain when budgeted costs may change, for example, in 60-90 days. (One short
paragraph)
EVALUATION: by teaching team according to student team-created rubric
©2005 STLCC at Florissant Valley
Gateway to Technology
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St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley: Gateway to Technology: An integrated study of Mathematics, English, Reading and Engineering/Tech
CRITERIA FOR ELECTRIC PROJECT PROPOSAL (student designed ‘05)
1 = Weak 2 = Moderately Weak 3 = Average 4 = Moderately Strong 5 = Strong
Electricity Problem:
1. The student has determined the facts of a problem and what additional information is needed to
understand it.
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2. The student develops appropriate reasons to support the answers.
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3. The student makes a proposal for solution of the problem based on the answers.
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4. The student’s problem solving employs the accurate factual calculations.
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5. The student’s problem solving shows an understanding of the concepts or topics in the electricity unit and
uses acceptable vocabulary.
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Written Proposal Assignment:
6. Each paragraph in the proposal starts with a topic sentence.
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7. The organization of the proposal is clear and easy to follow in a neatly typed and formatted report.
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8. The proposal’s content fulfills all the requirements of the project.
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9. The proposal is concise (not wordy) and explained using correct vocabulary in clear paragraphs, lists and
tables.
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10. The spelling, punctuation, and grammar are in acceptable standard English.
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Additional Comments: ___________________________________________________________
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Total Points/Grade: __________
©2005 STLCC at Florissant Valley
Gateway to Technology
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