Online Electric eLearning

Energy Savings in Building Electrical Mechanical and Plumbing Systems ...plines involved in design-architect, mechanical engineer, electrical engineer, interior design professional, etc.-work together to come up with design solutions that maximize performance, energy conservation, and environmental benefits. In this course the student will learn a wide variety of integrated sustainable concepts and practical ideas for building electrical, mechanical and plumbing  more...

Selecting an Energy-Efficient Motor ...electrical energy consumed in the U.S. is used by electric motors. Energy savings amounting to many times the initial cost of a motor can be realized by selecting an energy-efficient motor for a new application. Substantial savings can also be realized by replacing older, inefficient motors with new energy-efficient models. However, selection of an energy-efficient motor is not always cost  more...

Introduction to Area Classification ...fely operate the facilities. Article 500 of the National Electric Code (NEC) defines area classification based on Classes, Divisions and Groups. The Class designates in broad terms the type of flammable substance that may be present in an area (i.e. flammable gas vs. combustible dust). The Division designates the likelihood of the flammable substance being present. Finally, the Group further  more...

Induction and Synchronous Motor Fundamentals ...ponsible for sizing, specifying, selecting, or purchasing electric motors. The student must take a multiple-choice quiz consisting of ten questions at the end of this course to obtain PDH credits. Specific Knowledge or Skill Attained This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills: Synchronous and induction motor principles of construction and operation Relative  more...

Controlling Electrical Hazards ...Electricity can expose workers to electric shock, electrocution, burns, fires and explosions on the job. Electrocutions resulted in 278 work-related deaths in the U.S. in 1999. Most work-related injuries and deaths can be prevented by employing OSHA electrical safety standards. In this course, the student will review OSHA 3075, "Controlling Electrical Hazards". This publication  more...

The Electric Transmission Grid ...electric transmission grid in the United States. In this course we will review the basic structure of the industry, look at the historical events that have helped shape the industry, including significant legislation affecting the industry and discuss a couple of key components that will likely make up the future electric transmission system. The student must take a multiple-choice quiz  more...

Introduction to Batteries ...Electricity cannot always be generated where and when it is needed, so batteries are used in instances where direct current is needed and/or there is no access to a power outlet, or a cord becomes cumbersome. A battery is a device where chemical energy is converted to electrical energy. Many different types of batteries are available for a wide variety of applications, from storing solar  more...

Inductance Fundamentals ...electric circuit component that opposes any change in electric current. It is a measure of the amount of magnetic flux produced for a given electric current and is designated by letter ? L? . An inductor is a component designed to produce a specific inductance i.e. having no resistance or capacitance. An inductor, when subjected to an increasing electrical current flow, generates a back voltage  more...

Introduction to Capacitance ...electric conductor that characterizes its ability to store an electric charge. An electronic device called a capacitor is designed to provide capacitance in an electric circuit by providing a means for storing energy in an electric field between two conducting bodies. A capacitor in its simplest form consists of two conducting plates separated by an insulating layer called a dielectric. When a  more...

Circuit Protection Devices ...electric circuit can damage the circuit and create a safety hazard. How much current is "too much current"? That depends on the circuit and its components. For some circuits, 1 ampere would be too much current, while for other circuits 1 ampere would be perfectly acceptable. Circuit protection devices protect electrical equipment by rapidly disconnecting power to components in the  more...

How Harmonics are Generated ...s course is to show how harmonics are generated by modern electrical and electronic systems. It starts with classical harmonic generators and some older electronic devices. It emphasizes single phase systems and how harmonics are generated by diodes, silicon controlled rectifiers, and triacs. Special emphasis is made of the fact that it is the harmonic currents that flow that cause the  more...

Radioactivity Fundamentals ...increased interest in the application of nuclear power in electric power generation and the associated engineering, a review of the principles of radioactivity is important. There have been changes in the units and measurement of radioactivity in the past 30 years. This course is intended to be a review of the fundamentals of radioactivity; what it is, where it is found, what its  more...

Written Pole Motors Overview This is a three-hour course about a relatively new form of single-phase induction motor known as the Written-Pole? Motor. The motor was developed by Precise Power Corporation and it uses an innovative approach of controlling the magnetic field of the motor to reduce the starting current requirements. The result is a motor that has starting current requirements of only about twice the  more...

Reliability Fundamentals for Electric Power Engineers ...damental concepts of reliability technology as applied to electric power systems serving industrial and commercial facilities. Because it is not possible to talk about the reliability without looking at the reliability of the electric utility system that supplies these installations, we will also spend some time with the techniques used to assess reliability of larger systems as well. Although  more...

Symmetrical Components ...ion of symmetrical components to unbalanced conditions on electric power systems. Unbalanced conditions occur during faulted conditions and can be very difficult to analyze using basic circuit analysis. Applying the concepts of symmetrical components to three-phase electric power networks makes the analysis of unbalanced conditions manageable. The student must take a multiple-choice quiz  more...

Electricity Modernization Act of 2005 ...Act of 2005. This portion of the Act is also known as the Electricity Modernization Act of 2005 (EMAct? 05) and concerns reliability of the electric utility grid in the United States. EMAct? 05 amends the Federal Power Act to address reliability, transmission upgrades, transmission operations, alternative fuel sources, and other items related to the operation of electric power systems. The  more...

Reactance in AC Circuits - Fundamental Concepts ...apacitance in a circuit rather than by resistance. Steady electric currents flowing along conductors in one direction undergo opposition called electrical resistance, but no reactance. Reactance is present in addition to resistance when conductors carry alternating current. Reactance also occurs for short intervals when direct current is changing as it approaches or departs from steady flow  more...

Alternating Current Motors and Generators ...ute(RPM) produces 50 Hz, and 3600 RPM produces 60 Hz. The electric current in North American homes has a frequency of 60 hertz, while in Europe it is 50 Hz. An alternating current motor, or AC motor uses electrical energy to produce motion and torque. Very simple AC motors are called "Squirrel cage motors"; these have only one or more stationary coils within which a special kind of  more...

Basic Electrical Theory - Electricity and Magnetism ...Electricity and magnetism run nearly everything we plug in or turn on. Although it? s something we take for granted, it has taken hundreds of years of experimentation and research to reach the point where we flick a switch and the lights go on. Magnetism and electricity are closely related phenomena. Electric charge is a fundamental property of matter. Matter is made up of electrons,  more...

Electrical Forensics Engineering ...ourse is a discussion of the science of forensics and how electrical energy fits into that science. Designed for engineers of all disciplines, this course contains much of the basic theory that is needed to even begin looking at the causes of failures in the electrical world. The discussion will include an emphasis on energy concepts. It is relatively easy to see and understand energy from  more...

Electric Distribution Overvoltage Protection ...electric utility distribution systems and the primary methods to protect the utility system from overvoltages. The principle cause of overvoltages on an electric distribution system is lightning surges. Lightning surges are covered in detail as well as the design and operation of surge arresters. Protection methods including shielding, surge arrester application, and structure design are  more...

Direct Current Motors and Generators ... generator uses slip rings to transfer the current to the electrical circuit, while the DC generator uses a split-ring commutator. Generators can be very small or quite huge. Commercial DC generators are commonly found in traction applications like subways and trains. Factories that do electrolysis, electroplating and those that produce aluminum, caustic soda, chlorine, and some other  more...

Electrical Power System Design for Industrial Facilities ...electric power system for an industrial system that absolutely guarantees that the result will be successful. This course presents the approach that the ideal way to design an industrial power system is to first define a set of quantifiable parameters that can be either calculated during the design process, or measured on the physical system after it has been constructed. Then, the process of  more...

Smart Grid ...nt of Energy project to define the next generation of the electric utility industry. The concept is that future, or modern grid, will be ?smarter? than the current electric grid and will be more reliable, more secure, more environmentally friendly, safer, and will have an new economic paradigm where consumers are more actively involved in real-time decision concerning their power consumption.  more...

Revisions for the 2008 National Electric Code - Part 2 ...der with the major changes contained in the 2008 National Electrical Code. It is suitable for anyone exposed to the NEC at any level. The course addresses Code revisions that apply to all types of occupancies: residential, commercial, and industrial. Part I of this course contains Code-wide changes, definitions, and an analysis of approximately 30 of the most noteworthy revisions in the 2008  more...

Revisions for the 2008 National Electric Code - Part 1 ...der with the major changes contained in the 2008 National Electrical Code. It is suitable for anyone exposed to the NEC at any level. The course addresses Code revisions that apply to all types of occupancies: residential, commercial, and industrial. Part I of this course contains Code-wide changes, definitions, and an analysis of approximately 30 of the most noteworthy revisions in the 2008  more...

Evaporative Cooling Design Guidelines ... source of moving air (supplied by a blower powered by an electric motor). The technology is a versatile and energy-efficient alternative to compressor-based cooling. Compared to air-conditioning which uses mechanical refrigeration, evaporative cooling can fully satisfy building cooling loads using one-fourth the energy of conventional equipment. The performance of evaporative systems  more...

Alternatives to Active HVAC Systems ...a few. All these techniques require little or no input of electrical energy. Even when these alternatives cannot avoid the use of compressive cooling systems completely, their role can optimize the energy consumption and the peak electric load. This 6-hour course will introduce you to the passive cooling systems and is intended to be used as guidelines to choose technologies that are  more...

Introduction to CHP Technologies ...electric industry deregulation, environmental concerns, unease over energy security and other industry related issues, interest in combined heat and power (CHP) technologies has been growing among energy customers, regulators, legislators, and developers. CHP is a specific form of distributed generation (DG), which refers to the strategic placement of electric power generating units at or near  more...

Design of Microhydro Electric Systems ...ic system components and site requirements for microhydro electric systems. The vast majority of the hydropower produced in the United States comes from large-scale projects that generate more than 30 megawatts (MW)—enough electricity to power nearly 30,000 households. Small-scale hydropower systems are those that generate between 0.1 to 30 MW of electricity. Hydropower systems that  more...

Mechanical Design of Pumping Stations - Pump Drivers ...f Engineers document EM 1110-2-3105, "Mechanical and Electrical Design of Pumping Stations". These chapters cover the criteria used for selecting pumping station drivers, including engines and electric motors. This course is particularly relevant to engineers responsible for designing flood control pumping stations. However, it is also relevant to any engineer responsible for or  more...

Advances in Solar Electric Generation Technology ... at a brisk pace. This course covers the basics of solar electric generation technology, including the various types of systems available and their relative merits. The latest developments in solar power technology are discussed, as well as the current and future commercial potential for each type of system. The course text is Chapter 3 from a report entitled Fuel From the Sky: Solar  more...

Small Wind Powered Electric Generation Systems ...asic design concepts for small (residential) wind powered electric generation systems. Wind energy systems are one of the most cost-effective home-based renewable energy systems. Depending on your wind resource, a small wind energy system can lower your electricity bill by 50 to 90 , help you avoid the high costs of extending utility power lines to remote locations, prevent power interruptions,  more...

Advances in Wind Powered Generation Technology ...asic design concepts behind large commercial wind powered electric generation systems. The goal of the wind energy industry is to contribute 100 GW of wind electricity to our Nation's energy supplies by 2020. By meeting that goal, wind energy will help secure our Nation's energy future and clean up our environment by displacing about 3 quadrillion BTUs of primary energy per year and 65  more...

Energy Independence Act ...for appliances and lighting, and new expectations for the electric utility industry to respond to the need for energy efficiency. The course includes a 15-question multiple-choice quiz to test your understanding of the material. State Board Acceptance This course can be used by professional engineers to fulfill PDH requirements mandated by state and provincial licensing boards. Decatur  more...

Thermodynamics of Cogeneration ... the thermodynamic aspects of cogeneration (generation of electric power and utilizing the waste heat for thermal energy needs). It briefly explains basic thermodynamic concepts in terms that mechanical engineers can grasp, and provides a refresher for those who have not worked with heat engine cycles for a while. Carnot and Rankine cycles are described. The importance of understanding the  more...

Applications of Wind Energy for Municipal Water Systems ...re placed on water supplies, wastewater services, and the electricity needed to power the growing water services infrastructure. Water is also a critical resource for thermoelectric power plants. Future population growth in the United States is therefore expected to heighten competition for water resources. Many parts of the United States with increasing water stresses also have significant  more...

Pumps ...pump. The course also discusses pump drivers, including electric motors, turbines, diesel engines and air-operated pumps. Prevention of motor overload and applications for variable speed motors are discussed. Finally, piping suction and discharge piping problems are discussed. Methods are discussed to reduce the potential for entry of vapor into the pump suction. Parallel and series pump  more...

Valve Fundamentals ...ation for different types of actuators, including manual, electric motor, pneumatic, hydraulic and solenoid actuators State Board Acceptance This course can be used by professional engineers to fulfill PDH requirements mandated by state and provincial licensing boards. Decatur Professional Development is an approved provider of continuing education in all states that pre-approve course  more...

HVAC - Chilling Systems ...ing, centrifugal or screw compressors that are powered by electric motors whereas the absorption cycle uses heat (usually steam or direct fire) to raise the refrigerant temperature. Mechanical chillers are most commonly used in residential and commercial buildings, whereas absorption systems are often an excellent choice for industrial applications, where there is scope of waste heat recovery.  more...

Introduction to Separation of Oil and Water ...electric power plants and many other industrial facilities the separation of various oil and water mixtures can cause problems. These problems are often the result of imperfect understanding of the nature of the mixtures and how to take advantage of their properties to accomplish the required separations. In addition, many states and cities require treatment of stormwater from parking lots  more...

Wind Energy Systems ...wind resources, and the impacts of wind energy systems on electric power systems as well as their impact on the environment. The student must take a multiple-choice quiz consisting of twenty (20) questions at the end of the course to obtain PDH credits. State Board Acceptance This course can be used by professional engineers to fulfill PDH requirements mandated by state and provincial  more...