AC and Switching Circuits from edX

Alternating current (AC) is the type of electricity commonly used throughout the world to connect power plants, homes, and businesses. This course will give you an understanding of why AC is used and will allow you to design and analyse circuits which use AC electricity.

You will learn how to calculate voltages, currents and power in circuits with AC sources, how to calculate RMS voltage and current, how to handle both sinusoidal and non-sinusoidal sources, how to use relays and transistors as switches, how to design circuits with transformers, how to model realistic, non-ideal transformers, how to design and build simple DC power supplies and rectifiers, and we will explore concepts of maximum power transfer with AC circuits. In terms of sequencing, this course would be suitable for students who already have a working knowledge of basic DC circuits (such as our other MOOC Circuits for Beginners).

What you'll learn

At the end of this MOOC, learners will be able to discuss:

how to calculate voltages, currents and power in circuits with AC sources
how to calculate RMS voltage and current
how to handle both sinusoidal and non-sinusoidal sources
how to use relays and transistors as switches
how to design circuits with transformers
how to model realistic, non-ideal transformers
how to design and build simple DC power supplies and rectifiers
concepts of maximum power transfer with AC circuits

What's inside

Learning objectives

How to calculate voltages, currents and power in circuits with ac sources
How to calculate rms voltage and current
How to handle both sinusoidal and non-sinusoidal sources
How to use relays and transistors as switches

How to design circuits with transformers
How to model realistic, non-ideal transformers
How to design and build simple dc power supplies and rectifiers
Concepts of maximum power transfer with ac circuits

How to calculate voltages, currents and power in circuits with ac sources
How to calculate rms voltage and current
How to handle both sinusoidal and non-sinusoidal sources
How to use relays and transistors as switches
How to design circuits with transformers
How to model realistic, non-ideal transformers
How to design and build simple dc power supplies and rectifiers
Concepts of maximum power transfer with ac circuits

Syllabus

Week 1:- Introduction to AC Circuits Week 2: Phasors Week 3: Non-Sinusoidal AC Circuits Week 4: Transformer Circuits Week 5: AC-DC Conversion Week 6: Switching Circuits

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides foundation for learners looking to understand alternating current circuits

Develops skills to calculate voltages, currents, and power in circuits with AC sources

Examines non-sinusoidal sources, making it suitable for learners looking to go beyond basic AC circuit analysis

Includes coverage of transformers, rectifiers, and DC power supplies, expanding the scope of concepts covered

Teaches learners to design and build simple DC power supplies and rectifiers, fostering hands-on understanding

Explored from the perspective of electrical engineering, catering to learners seeking a technical approach

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in AC and Switching Circuits with these activities:

Review of Basic DC Circuits

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Lay a stronger foundational understanding to better grasp AC circuitry.

Browse courses on DC Circuits

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Review your lecture notes.
Study textbooks or online resources.
Work through a few practice problems.

Animate Transformer Operation

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To maximize your retention and broaden your understanding, build a visual presentation.

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Create a diagram of a transformer in PowerPoint.
Use the animation tools to show how the transformer works.
Record an audio or video explanation.

Discuss AC Circuit Applications

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Engage with peers to enhance your learning.

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Form a discussion group.
Share your knowledge of AC circuit applications.
Work together to solve problems.

One other activity

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Show all four activities

Explore AC circuit examples

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Following tutorials will solidify your understanding of AC circuits from real-world applications.

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Find examples of AC circuits.
Review the circuit diagrams and explanations.
Try to build the circuits yourself.

Career center

Learners who complete AC and Switching Circuits will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Electrical Engineer

An Electrical Engineer designs, develops, tests, and supervises the installation of electrical systems and equipment. This course may be useful for this role because it introduces AC circuits, phasors, non-sinusoidal AC circuits, transformer circuits, and AC-DC conversion. These are all topics that Electrical Engineers should be familiar with.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrical Engineer

Robotics Engineer

A Robotics Engineer designs, develops, and tests robots. This course may be useful for this role because it introduces AC circuits, phasors, non-sinusoidal AC circuits, transformer circuits, and AC-DC conversion. These are all topics that Robotics Engineers should be familiar with.

See salaries and explore the career path for Robotics Engineer

Mechatronics Engineer

A Mechatronics Engineer designs, develops, and implements mechatronic systems. This course may be useful for this role because it introduces AC circuits, phasors, non-sinusoidal AC circuits, transformer circuits, and AC-DC conversion. These are all topics that Mechatronics Engineers should be familiar with.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mechatronics Engineer

Electronics Engineer

An Electronics Engineer designs, develops, and tests electronic circuits and systems. This course may be useful for this role because it introduces AC circuits, phasors, non-sinusoidal AC circuits, transformer circuits, and AC-DC conversion. These are all topics that Electronics Engineers should be familiar with.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electronics Engineer

Power Systems Engineer

A Power Systems Engineer designs, develops, and operates power systems. This course may be useful for this role because it introduces AC circuits, phasors, non-sinusoidal AC circuits, transformer circuits, and AC-DC conversion. These are all topics that Power Systems Engineers should be familiar with.

See salaries and explore the career path for Power Systems Engineer

Electrician

An Electrician installs, maintains, and repairs electrical wiring and equipment. This course may be useful for this role because it introduces AC circuits, phasors, non-sinusoidal AC circuits, transformer circuits, and AC-DC conversion. These are all topics that Electricians should be familiar with.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrician

Controls Engineer

A Controls Engineer designs, develops, and implements control systems. This course may be useful for this role because it introduces AC circuits, phasors, non-sinusoidal AC circuits, transformer circuits, and AC-DC conversion. These are all topics that Controls Engineers should be familiar with.

See salaries and explore the career path for Controls Engineer

Renewable Energy Engineer

A Renewable Energy Engineer designs, develops, and implements renewable energy systems. This course may be useful for this role because it introduces AC circuits, phasors, non-sinusoidal AC circuits, transformer circuits, and AC-DC conversion. These are all topics that Renewable Energy Engineers should be familiar with.

See salaries and explore the career path for Renewable Energy Engineer

Electrical Technician

An Electrical Technician installs, maintains, and repairs electrical systems and equipment. This course may be useful for this role because it introduces AC circuits, phasors, non-sinusoidal AC circuits, transformer circuits, and AC-DC conversion. These are all topics that Electrical Technicians should be familiar with.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrical Technician

Power Electronics Engineer

A Power Electronics Engineer designs, develops, and tests power electronic circuits and systems. This course may be useful for this role because it introduces AC circuits, phasors, non-sinusoidal AC circuits, transformer circuits, and AC-DC conversion. These are all topics that Power Electronics Engineers should be familiar with.

See salaries and explore the career path for Power Electronics Engineer

Electronics Technician

An Electronics Technician installs, maintains, and repairs electronic circuits and systems. This course may be useful for this role because it introduces AC circuits, phasors, non-sinusoidal AC circuits, transformer circuits, and AC-DC conversion. These are all topics that Electronics Technicians should be familiar with.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electronics Technician

Energy Efficiency Engineer

An Energy Efficiency Engineer designs, develops, and implements energy efficiency measures. This course may be useful for this role because it introduces AC circuits, phasors, non-sinusoidal AC circuits, transformer circuits, and AC-DC conversion. These are all topics that Energy Efficiency Engineers should be familiar with.

See salaries and explore the career path for Energy Efficiency Engineer

Instrumentation Technician

An Instrumentation Technician installs, maintains, and repairs instrumentation systems. This course may be useful for this role because it introduces AC circuits, phasors, non-sinusoidal AC circuits, transformer circuits, and AC-DC conversion. These are all topics that Instrumentation Technicians should be familiar with.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instrumentation Technician

Electric Vehicle Engineer

An Electric Vehicle Engineer designs, develops, and tests electric vehicle systems. This course may be useful for this role because it introduces AC circuits, phasors, non-sinusoidal AC circuits, transformer circuits, and AC-DC conversion. These are all topics that Electric Vehicle Engineers should be familiar with.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electric Vehicle Engineer

Power Line Technician

A Power Line Technician installs, maintains, and repairs power lines. This course may be useful for this role because it introduces AC circuits, phasors, non-sinusoidal AC circuits, transformer circuits, and AC-DC conversion. These are all topics that Power Line Technicians should be familiar with.

See salaries and explore the career path for Power Line Technician