On-Line Training

Basic Electrical Principles for the Solar Installer ©

INTRODUCTION

This section is designed to introduce the installer of solar controls to the basic electrical principles necessary for an understanding of what is occurring when connecting wires and forcing a control system into various operating modes. The operation of a DIFFERENTIAL TEMPERATURE CONTROLLER (DTC) is not at all hard to understand. However, an improperly wired DTC can be seriously damaged when power is applied to it for the first time.

If the control system is properly wired, but the installer gets called back on a troubleshooting service call, will the installer have the necessary understanding of the controls to pinpoint the trouble? Many of the control systems in operation today are more than a simple DTC. Some systems have been custom designed to the job and consist of a relay logic matrix. If such a situation exists, the troubleshooter will have a real job if a system schematic has not been provided as a road map. Even with a schematic, the troubleshooter will have to know how to

read it and from that, determine how the system operates. A thorough understanding of the system operating modes is necessary for a quick and accurate determination of the problem and how best to go about fixing it.

It may not be immediately obvious to the installer, but an understanding of basic electrical principles will be a great benefit when troubleshooting begins. Neither employer nor customer will be willing to pay for a damaged controller because of improper installation.

Shown below is an outline of the topics covered in this on-line training session. If you have paid for this session and have received your On-Line Training User Name and Password, you may click HERE (you will be asked to first enter your On-Line Training User Name and Password, then your Members Only User Name and Password) and get started or continue with your studies. If you have not yet received a Members Only User Name and Password, please contact Jon at Jon.Klima@gmail.com.

Module #1, Ohm's Law, Current, Voltage, and Resistance
Review Questions
Kirchoff's Current and Voltage Laws and Review Questions
Electrical Circuit Calculations and Review Questions
Power Dissipation and Review Questions

Module #2, Voltage Sources
Using the Digital Multimeter
Transformers
Relays and Solenoids
Review Questions

Module #3, Solid State Devices
Reactance - Capacitive and Inductive
Power Factor
Review Questions

Module #4, DC from AC Power
Soldering Techniques
Troubleshooting
Review Questions

Send any course material questions to Jon at Jon.Klima@gmail.com

Contact CoSEIA at any of the addresses below.

Main office -
8745 W. 14th Ave., Lakewood, CO 80215
Denver metro phone: 303 333-7342
Non-metro phone: 1 866 633-9764
E-mail: info@coseia.org

CoSEIA Records -
PO Box 77, Como, CO 80432
Phone: 719 836-4804
E-mail: coseiarecords@hughes.net

This page last updated on 10-22-07