Electrical Conductors
In Electrical Conductors , you'll learn ...
- How to calculate standard units of measurement for conductors, such as square mil, circular mil, and circular-mil-foot
- Factors to consider when selecting the size of wire to be used for transmitting and distributing electric power
- Properties of the most commonly used insulating materials for electrical conductors
- The primary methods for protecting wire or cable
Overview
A conductor is a piece of metal used to conduct electricity, known colloquially as an electrical wire. Conductors are the means for tying the various components of an electrical or electronic system together. Many factors determine the type of conductor to be used in a specific application, including size, weight, cost, composition, resistivity, and the environment where the conductor will be used.
This course introduces the student to the general requirements, classifications, and application information for electrical conductors. It begins with a discussion of the standard units of measurement for determining conductor sizes and includes sample problems and solutions as an aid to learning the material. It also explains how to calculate the resistance (in ohms) of a conductor and how to use the American Wire Gauge (AWG) method for measuring wire size. Other important topics covered in the course are the most common types of insulation and protection for wire or cable conductors, as well as a comparison of some of the characteristics of copper and aluminum.
Specific Knowledge or Skill Obtained
This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:
- The definitions of unit size, mil-foot, square mil, and circular mil
- Specific resistance, including the three factors used to calculate it in ohms
- The proper use of the American Wire Gauge (AWG) when making wire measurements
- The factors required in selecting proper size wire
- The advantages and disadvantages of copper or aluminum as conductors
- Insulation resistance and dielectric strength
- The safety precautions to be taken when working with insulating materials
- The most common insulators used for extremely high voltages
- Nonmetallic and metallic protective coverings for wire or cable
- The design and use of coaxial cable
Certificate of Completion
You will be able to immediately print a certificate of completion after passing a multiple-choice quiz consisting of 15 questions. PDH credits are not awarded until the course is completed and quiz is passed.
This course is applicable to professional engineers in: | ||
Alabama (P.E.) | Alaska (P.E.) | Arkansas (P.E.) |
Delaware (P.E.) | District of Columbia (P.E.) | Florida (P.E. Area of Practice) |
Georgia (P.E.) | Idaho (P.E.) | Illinois (P.E.) |
Illinois (S.E.) | Indiana (P.E.) | Iowa (P.E.) |
Kansas (P.E.) | Kentucky (P.E.) | Louisiana (P.E.) |
Maine (P.E.) | Maryland (P.E.) | Michigan (P.E.) |
Minnesota (P.E.) | Mississippi (P.E.) | Missouri (P.E.) |
Montana (P.E.) | Nebraska (P.E.) | Nevada (P.E.) |
New Hampshire (P.E.) | New Jersey (P.E.) | New Mexico (P.E.) |
New York (P.E.) | North Carolina (P.E.) | North Dakota (P.E.) |
Ohio (P.E. Self-Paced) | Oklahoma (P.E.) | Oregon (P.E.) |
Pennsylvania (P.E.) | South Carolina (P.E.) | South Dakota (P.E.) |
Tennessee (P.E.) | Texas (P.E.) | Utah (P.E.) |
Vermont (P.E.) | Virginia (P.E.) | West Virginia (P.E.) |
Wisconsin (P.E.) | Wyoming (P.E.) |