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Circuits for Beginners

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)

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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

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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 Circuits for Beginners with these activities:

Review basic concepts of electricity

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Brushing up on the fundamentals of electricity will help you better comprehend the more advanced concepts covered in the course.

Browse courses on Voltage

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Revisit your notes or textbooks from previous courses on electricity.
Look for online resources or tutorials that provide a concise overview of basic electrical concepts.

Join or start a study group with fellow students

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Engaging with peers in a study group can provide support, enhance understanding, and make learning more enjoyable.

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Reach out to classmates or fellow students through online forums or social media to form a study group.
Establish regular meeting times and locations.
Collaborate on assignments, discuss course material, and quiz each other to reinforce learning.
Provide support and encouragement to fellow group members.

Explore simulations and interactive tutorials on circuit analysis

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Engaging with interactive simulations and tutorials will allow you to visualize and experiment with circuit behavior, reinforcing your understanding of the principles taught in the course.

Browse courses on Circuit Analysis

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Search for online platforms or software that offer interactive circuit simulations.
Follow guided tutorials that demonstrate how to analyze circuits using Kirchhoff's laws and other techniques.
Experiment with different circuit configurations and component values to observe their impact on circuit behavior.

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Solve practice problems on circuit analysis

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Regular practice in solving circuit analysis problems will enhance your problem-solving skills and deepen your understanding of the course material.

Browse courses on Circuit Analysis

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Find textbooks or online resources that provide practice problems on circuit analysis.
Set aside dedicated time for practicing problem-solving.
Review the concepts and formulas related to the problems you are solving.
Attempt to solve the problems independently, referring to your notes or textbooks when needed.
Check your solutions against the provided answers or consult with your instructor for feedback.

Design and build a simple electrical circuit

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Applying your knowledge to a hands-on project will solidify your understanding of circuit concepts and provide practical experience in circuit design and implementation.

Browse courses on Circuit Design

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Brainstorm ideas for a simple electrical circuit project that aligns with the course material.
Research and gather the necessary components and materials for your project.
Design the circuit schematic and layout.
Assemble and wire the circuit according to your design.
Test and troubleshoot the circuit to ensure it functions as intended.

Write a blog post or article on a topic related to circuit analysis

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Explaining concepts to others helps reinforce your understanding and allows you to share your knowledge with the community.

Browse courses on Circuit Analysis

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Choose a specific topic related to circuit analysis that you are passionate about or have a good understanding of.
Research and gather information from reliable sources.
Organize your thoughts and create an outline for your writing.
Write a clear and concise explanation of the topic, using examples and illustrations to enhance comprehension.
Proofread and edit your writing for clarity, accuracy, and grammar.

Contribute to open-source projects related to circuit analysis

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Contributing to open-source projects allows you to apply your skills, learn from others, and make a valuable contribution to the community.

Browse courses on Circuit Analysis

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Identify open-source projects related to circuit analysis or electrical engineering.
Review the project documentation and codebase to understand the project's goals and technical requirements.
Identify areas where you can contribute your skills and knowledge.
Submit pull requests or issue reports to the project maintainers.
Collaborate with other contributors to improve the project.

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Hardware Engineer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrician

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Solar Panel Installer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Maintenance Electrician

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wind Turbine Technician

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Robotics Technician

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Telecommunications Technician

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Broadcast Engineer

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

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Circuits for Beginners.

Introduction to PSpice for Electric Circuits

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This classic circuits textbook is commonly used at academic institutions due to its reputation for being well-written, comprehensive, and accessible to a wide range of students. The book provides a strong foundation in circuit analysis and provides a good initial resource to solve problems.

Circuits for Beginners

What you'll learn

Two deals to help you save

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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