Standard

AMT 103 Aircraft Electricity and Electronics

Course Description

Basic Electricity and Electronics provides a study of the relationships of voltage, current, and resistance in aircraft electrical systems, and the use of meters. Alternators; generators; starters; motors; charging systems; basic AC and DC systems; and semiconductor, solid state, and integrated circuit fundamentals are introduced. Topics include: basic electricity; determine the relationship of voltage, current, and resistance in electrical circuits; read and interpret electrical circuit diagrams; measure voltage, current, resistance, and continuity; calculate and measure electrical power; calculate and measure capacitance and inductance; inspect and service batteries; and solid state devices applications.

Competency Areas		Hours
Basic Electricity		Class	5
Determine the Relationship of Voltage, Current, and Resistance in Electrical Circuits		D. Lab	5
Read and Interpret Electrical Circuit Diagrams		P. Lab/O.B.I.	0
Measure Voltage, Current, Resistance, and Continuity		Credit	7
Calculate and Measure Electrical Power
Calculate and Measure Capacitance and Inductance
Inspect and Service Batteries
Solid State Devices Applications
Prerequisite:	AMT 100 (diploma), or MAT 191 (degree)
Corequisite:

Course Guide

Competency	After completing this section, the student will:	Hours
		Class	D.Lab	P.Lab/ O.B.I.
BASIC ELECTRICITY		10	0	0
Safety	Describe safe electrical work habits and methods.
Electron theory	Explain electron theory.
Static and electrostatic electricity	Define static and electrostatic electricity.
	Explain how to minimize the effects of static electricity in aircraft.
Magnetic theory	Define and explain magnetic theory.
DETERMINE THE RELATIONSHIP OF VOLTAGE, CURRENT, AND RESISTANCE IN ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS		10	12	0
Ohm's law	Demonstrate the relationship among current, voltage, and resistance.
Voltage drop	Measure voltage drops using a voltmeter.
Factors affecting current flow	Compare voltage drops with current flow.
	Calculate and measure amperage.
Resistance and continuity	Measure resistance and check for continuity.
	Calculate and measure drop across resistors.
READ AND INTERPRET ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT DIAGRAMS		4	6	0
Electrical symbols	Identify and interpret electrical symbols and their functions, including solid state devices and functions.
Aircraft wiring diagrams	Trace circuits in aircraft wiring diagrams.
Electrical malfunctions	Identify electrical malfunctions by reference to circuit diagrams.
	Use circuit diagram to assist in troubleshooting.
MEASURE VOLTAGE, CURRENT, RESISTANCE, AND CONTINUITY		6	6	0
Meaning of electrical quantity and prefixes	Identify and explain the prefixes kilo, milli, micro, meg, and mega.
DC electrical instruments	Demonstrate the use of DC electrical instruments.
Voltmeter and ammeter connections	Connect voltmeter and ammeter in circuits and obtain correct readings.
Ohmmeter	Demonstrate the use of an ohmmeter to locate open, closed, and shorted circuits.
CALCULATE AND MEASURE ELECTRICAL POWER		5	5	0
Power requirements	Calculate and measure power requirements for various electrical devices in aircraft electrical systems.
Power for an electric motor	Calculate and measure electric power required to operate an electric motor given efficiency and load.
Power rating of electric motors	Calculate and measure total electric power to be furnished by a generator for a specified airplane.
CALCULATE AND MEASURE CAPACITANCE AND INDUCTANCE		6	12	0
Inductance	Explain laws of magnetism, polarity, natural magnetism, relays, and solenoids.
Electromagnetic induction	Discuss effects of current polarity, generator action, transformer action, and self-induction.
Effects of inductance in an electrical circuit	Describe self and mutual inductance and solve series and parallel circuits.
Capacitance	Explain dielectric material, factors affecting capacitance, and voltage ratings.
Inductive and capacitive reactance and impedance	Solve AC RLC circuits. Measure capacitance and inductance.
INSPECT AND SERVICE BATTERIES		5	9	0
Principles of battery construction and operation	Differentiate among types of batteries, capacity, and ratings.
Characteristics of aircraft storage batteries	Identify characteristics of aircraft storage batteries.
Inspection and charging	Perform inspection of an aircraft battery.
Battery installation	Remove, inspect, clean, and install a battery.
SOLID STATE DEVICES APPLICATIONS		4	0	0
Semiconductor materials	Identify properties of semiconductor materials.
P-N junctions	List properties of P-N junctions diodes.
Diode characteristics	Demonstrate the effect of forward and reverse bias on a diode.
Diode applications	Describe the applications of different diodes.
Solid state device	Read and incorporate solid state device symbols.

Suggested Resources

Books

Bose, K. W. (1983). Aviation electronics (4th ed.). Casper, WY: IAP.

Eismin, T. K., et al. (1989). Aircraft electricity and electronics (4th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Harris, F. (1983). Electronic circuit devices. Casper, WY: IAP.

IAP, Inc. (1976). Airframe and powerplant mechanics general handbook. Casper, WY: Author.

IAP, Inc. (1988). AC 43.13-1A-change three--acceptable methods, techniques, and practices: Aircraft inspection and repair. Casper, WY: Author.

IAP, Inc. (1990). AC 43.13-2A--acceptable methods, techniques, and practice: Aircraft alterations. Casper, WY: Author.

IAP, Inc. (1992). Electrical systems for A & P mechanics. Casper, WY: Author.