Circuits for Beginners from edX

We start from the very beginning in electronics. What is voltage? What does it physically mean? What is current? What happens in a circuit and how can things like power consumption be calculated?

In this course we learn how to analyze circuits through a variety of methods, including the Kirchoff voltage and current laws, superposition, Node Voltage Analysis, Thevenin’s Theorem and concepts such as impedance matching and maximum power transfer. These are useful to predict the performance of circuits.

We look at various types of equipment used for electrical circuit measurements, including power supplies, multimeters, oscilloscopes, and function generators. At the end of the course, students will be able to use resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, and batteries in circuits as well as analyse and design circuits containing these components. One of the circuits built in the course is a light sensing circuit.

What you'll learn

What is voltage?
What is current?
What is power?
How are these calculated?
Circuit analysis methods
Electrical measurement equipment
How to calculate voltage, current, and power
How to use resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes in circuits
Impedance matching
How to transfer maximum power in a circuit
How to choose components (power ratings)

What's inside

Syllabus

Week Theme

1. Introduction

2. Resistors, Kirchoff’s Voltage and Current Laws

3. Linear Circuit Analysis

4. Capacitors, Inductors, and LEDs

5. Time Dependence in Circuits

6. Thevenin-Equivalent Circuits/Input and Output Impedance

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Develops the basics of electronics, including voltage, current, and power, which serves as a solid foundation for further learning

Provides a comprehensive introduction to circuit analysis methods, including Kirchoff’s Voltage and Current Laws, superposition, Node Voltage Analysis, Thevenin’s Theorem, impedance matching, and maximum power transfer

Introduces various types of equipment used for electrical circuit measurements, including power supplies, multimeters, oscilloscopes, and function generators

Covers a wide range of circuit components, including resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, and batteries, which is essential for building and analyzing circuits

Includes a practical component where students build a light sensing circuit, applying the concepts learned in the course

Requires no prior knowledge of electronics, making it accessible to beginners

Career center

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

Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the installation of electrical systems and equipment. They work on a wide range of projects, from small residential installations to large commercial and industrial systems. This course would be helpful for Electrical Engineers because it provides a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electricity, including voltage, current, and power. It also covers circuit analysis methods, electrical measurement equipment, and the use of resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, and batteries in circuits.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrical Engineer

Electronics Engineer

Electronics Engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the installation of electronic systems and equipment. They work on a wide range of projects, from consumer electronics to medical devices. This course would be helpful for Electronics Engineers because it provides a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electricity, including voltage, current, and power. It also covers circuit analysis methods, electrical measurement equipment, and the use of resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, and batteries in circuits.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electronics Engineer

Computer Hardware Engineer

Computer Hardware Engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the installation of computer hardware systems. They work on a wide range of projects, from personal computers to supercomputers. This course would be helpful for Computer Hardware Engineers because it provides a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electricity, including voltage, current, and power. It also covers circuit analysis methods, electrical measurement equipment, and the use of resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, and batteries in circuits.

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Electrical Technician

Electrical Technicians install, maintain, and repair electrical systems and equipment. They work on a wide range of projects, from small residential installations to large commercial and industrial systems. This course would be helpful for Electrical Technicians because it provides a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electricity, including voltage, current, and power. It also covers circuit analysis methods, electrical measurement equipment, and the use of resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, and batteries in circuits.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrical Technician

Electronics Technician

Electronics Technicians install, maintain, and repair electronic systems and equipment. They work on a wide range of projects, from consumer electronics to medical devices. This course would be helpful for Electronics Technicians because it provides a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electricity, including voltage, current, and power. It also covers circuit analysis methods, electrical measurement equipment, and the use of resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, and batteries in circuits.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electronics Technician

Electrician

Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring and equipment in homes, businesses, and other buildings. This course would be helpful for Electricians because it provides a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electricity, including voltage, current, and power. It also covers circuit analysis methods, electrical measurement equipment, and the use of resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, and batteries in circuits.

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Solar Panel Installer

Solar Panel Installers install, maintain, and repair solar panels. This course may be helpful for Solar Panel Installers because it provides a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electricity, including voltage, current, and power. It also covers circuit analysis methods, electrical measurement equipment, and the use of resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, and batteries in circuits. However, this course does not specifically cover solar panels, so additional training may be required.

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Maintenance Electrician

Maintenance Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical systems and equipment in buildings and other facilities. This course would be helpful for Maintenance Electricians because it provides a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electricity, including voltage, current, and power. It also covers circuit analysis methods, electrical measurement equipment, and the use of resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, and batteries in circuits.

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Wind Turbine Technician

Wind Turbine Technicians install, maintain, and repair wind turbines. This course may be helpful for Wind Turbine Technicians because it provides a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electricity, including voltage, current, and power. It also covers circuit analysis methods, electrical measurement equipment, and the use of resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, and batteries in circuits. However, this course does not specifically cover wind turbines, so additional training may be required.

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Industrial Electrician

Industrial Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical systems and equipment in industrial settings. This course would be helpful for Industrial Electricians because it provides a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electricity, including voltage, current, and power. It also covers circuit analysis methods, electrical measurement equipment, and the use of resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, and batteries in circuits.

See salaries and explore the career path for Industrial Electrician

Robotics Technician

Robotics Technicians install, maintain, and repair robots and robotic systems. This course may be helpful for Robotics Technicians because it provides a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electricity, including voltage, current, and power. It also covers circuit analysis methods, electrical measurement equipment, and the use of resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, and batteries in circuits. However, this course does not specifically cover robotics, so additional training may be required.

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Avionics Technician

Avionics Technicians install, maintain, and repair avionics systems on aircraft. These systems include navigation, communication, and flight control systems. This course may be helpful for Avionics Technicians because it provides a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electricity, including voltage, current, and power. It also covers circuit analysis methods, electrical measurement equipment, and the use of resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, and batteries in circuits. However, this course does not specifically cover avionics systems, so additional training may be required.

See salaries and explore the career path for Avionics Technician

Telecommunications Technician

Telecommunications Technicians install, maintain, and repair telecommunications systems and equipment. This course would be helpful for Telecommunications Technicians because it provides a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electricity, including voltage, current, and power. It also covers circuit analysis methods, electrical measurement equipment, and the use of resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, and batteries in circuits.

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Broadcast Engineer

Broadcast Engineers design, install, and maintain broadcast systems for radio and television. This course may be helpful for Broadcast Engineers because it provides a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electricity, including voltage, current, and power. It also covers circuit analysis methods, electrical measurement equipment, and the use of resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, and batteries in circuits. However, this course does not specifically cover broadcast engineering, so additional training may be required.

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Audio Engineer

Audio Engineers design, install, and maintain audio systems for a variety of purposes, including live sound reinforcement, recording, and broadcasting. This course may be helpful for Audio Engineers because it provides a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electricity, including voltage, current, and power. It also covers circuit analysis methods, electrical measurement equipment, and the use of resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, and batteries in circuits. However, this course does not specifically cover audio engineering, so additional training may be required.

See salaries and explore the career path for Audio Engineer

Circuits for Beginners

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