ET-110: Electric Circuit Analysis I

Course Information

Course, prefix, number, & title: ET-110 Electric Circuit Analysis I

Hours (Class, recitation, Laboratory, studio): 3 class hours, 3 laboratory hours

Credits: 4

Co-requisites (if any): MA-114. This course must be completed with a grade of C or better before a student will be permitted to register for advanced courses in electrical engineering technology.

Course Description in college catalog:

An introductory course to the fundamentals and basic principles of DC and AC circuits. Topics include: resistance, voltage, current, Ohm's Law, Kirchhoff's Laws, power, superposition, network theorems, Thevenin's and Norton's Theorems, maximum power transfer, introduction to AC, capacitors and inductors. Laboratory hours complement class work.

Textbook: Introductory Circuit Analysis, 13th Edition, by Professor Robert L. Boylestad,
2016, Pearson, ISBN-13: 9780133923605

Other Supplemental materials:

  • Calculator: Scientific Calculator (Examples: TI-84 Plus, Casio fx-115ES PLUS)

Academic programs for which this course serves as a requirement or an elective:

A.A.S. Electronic Engineering Technology

A.A.S. Computer Engineering Technology

A.A.S. Telecommunications Technology


In order to pass ET-110, a passing grade must be obtained in both Lecture and Laboratory. ET-110 must be completed with a grade of C or better before a student will be permitted to register for advanced courses in electrical engineering technology.

General Education Outcomes: Below is a listing of General Education Outcome(s) that this course supports.

  1. Use analytical reasoning to identify issues or problems and evaluate evidence in order to make informed decisions

  2. Reason quantitatively as required in various fields of interest and in everyday life

Course-specific student learning outcomes:

ET 110 Course Goals: Students will be able to apply Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL), Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL), along with component characteristics, and element equations including Ohm's Law. Students will be able to analyze DC circuits by using the laws of electric circuits and employing various techniques such as Mesh analysis, Nodal analysis, and Equivalent Resistance Combinations, along with theorems such as Superposition, Thevenin's, and Norton's theorems. Students will be able to find the parameters of AC sinusoidal waveforms and analyze series resistive-capacitive-inductive circuits with a sinusoidal source.

ABET Criterion 3 Student Outcomes addressed by ET-110:

Student Outcome (1) - an ability to apply knowledge, techniques, skills and modern tools of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology to solve well-defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline:

  • Performance Indicator ETCT1-4 Interpret relevant technical standards.

Student Outcome (2) - an ability to design solutions for well-defined technical problems and assist with engineering design of systems, components, or processes appropriate to the discipline:

  • Performance Indicator ETCT2-1 State and apply appropriate circuit laws to analyze and implement electrical and electronic systems.

Student Outcome (4) - an ability to conduct standard tests, measurements, and experiments and to analyze and interpret the results;

  • Performance Indicator ETCT4-1 Verify system performance by taking measurements and interpreting results.

Program-specific outcomes

ABET Student Outcome A - an ability to apply the knowledge, techniques, skills, and modern tools of the discipline to narrowly defined engineering technology activities. 

ABET Student Outcome C – an ability to conduct standard tests and measurements, and to conduct, analyze, and interpret experiments (Student Outcome C is addressed in ET 110 Lab). 

ABET Student Outcome E - an ability to identify, analyze, and solve narrowly defined engineering technology problems. 

ABET Student Outcome F- an ability to apply written, oral, and graphical communication in both technical and nontechnical environments; and an ability to identify and use appropriate technical literature. 

ABET Student Outcome I - a commitment to quality, timeliness, and continuous improvement.


Supplemental Information

ET 110 Lecture Course Topics- Table of Week Numbers and Lecture Course Topics:

ET 110 Lecture Course Topics- Table of Week Numbers and Lecture Course Topics
Week Lecture Topics
1 Units, Conversions, Powers of Ten, SI Prefixes, Scientific, Engineering Notation
2 Voltage, Current, Resistance, Resistors, Conductors, Insulators, Sources, Calculator
3 Ohm's Law, Power, Energy, Conductance, Voltmeters, Ammeters, Ohmmeters
4 Series Circuits: Equivalent Resistance, Current, Voltages, Powers, Multiple Sources, Kirchhoff's Voltage Law, Exam 1
5 Series Circuit Voltage Divider Rule; Parallel Circuits: Equivalent Resistance, Voltage, Currents, Powers, Kirchhoff's Current Law, Parallel Circuit Current Divider Rule
6 Series-Parallel Networks, Open and Short Circuits, Voltmeter Loading
7 Current Sources, Superposition with Voltage and Current Sources
8 Current to Voltage Source Conversions, Mesh (Loop) Analysis
9 Voltage to Current Source Conversions, Nodal Analysis, Exam 2
10 Thevenin's and Norton's Theorems, Maximum Power Transfer Theorem
11 Capacitance, Capacitors, Transients in Resistor-Capacitor Circuits, Capacitor (Average) Current Equation, Capacitors in Series and Parallel
12 Inductance, VL (avg), Sinusoidal AC Voltage and Current Waveforms: Peak, Peak-to-Peak values, Period, Frequency, Angular Velocity, Sinusoidal Waveform Math Equation Format, instantaneous values, Exam 3
13 AC Phase Angle relationships, Effective (rms) values of Sine Waves, Capacitive and Inductive Reactance, Currents and Voltages in Circuits with one R, L, or C
14 Phasor Representations, Impedance and analysis of Series R-L-C circuits with an AC sinusoidal source: Total Impedance, Phasor Current and Voltages, Power
15 Review and Final Exam

ET 110 Lab Course Topics- Tables of Week Numbers and Lab Course Topics:

ET 110 Lab Course Topics- Tables of Week Numbers and Lab Course Topics
Week Lecture Topics
1 Lab 1: Introduction, Mathematical Review, Use of Calculator
2 Lab 2: Resistors: Power Rating, Color Code and Resistance Measurements.
Potentiometers
3 Lab 3: Voltage and Current Measurements
4 Lab 4: PSpice and the Schematics Program
Lab 4b: Circuit Simulation Using Multisim
5 Lab 5: Ohm's Law and Plotting Current versus Voltage Data for Resistors
6 Lab 6: Ohm's Law, Series Circuits, KVL and the Voltage Divider Rule
7 Lab 7: Parallel Resistive Circuits, KCL and the Current Divider Rule
8 Lab 8: Series-Parallel Circuits, Kirchhoff's Laws, and Conservation of Energy
9 Lab 9: Power in Resistive Circuits and Superposition
10 Lab 10: Thevenin's Theorem and Norton's Theorem
11 Lab 11: Capacitors and Inductors
12 Lab 12: Analysis, Design, and Breadboarding of Analog DC Voltmeters and Ammeters
13 Lab 13: The Oscilloscope, Function Generator, and Sinusoidal Waveforms
14 Lab 14: Series R-C and R-L-C Circuits with a Sinusoidal Voltage Source
15 Make-Up Lab

Methods by which student learning will be assessed and evaluated; describe the types of methods to be employed; note whether certain methods are required for all sections:

  • Laboratory Experiments performed in the lab
  • Laboratory Reports (Written reports including data, analyses, calculations, % differences, conclusion)
  • Laboratory Exercises
  • Quizzes as applicable
  • Exams as applicable
  • Presentation Report or Project

Academic Integrity policy (department or College):
Academic honesty is expected of all students. Any violation of academic integrity is taken extremely seriously. All assignments and projects must be the original work of the student or teammates. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any questions regarding academic integrity should be brought to the attention of the instructor. The following is the Queensborough Community College Policy on Academic Integrity: "It is the official policy of the College that all acts or attempted acts that are violations of Academic Integrity be reported to the Office of Student Affairs. At the faculty member's discretion and with the concurrence of the student or students involved, some cases though reported to the Office of Student Affairs may be resolved within the confines of the course and department. The instructor has the authority to adjust the offender's grade as deemed appropriate, including assigning an F to the assignment or exercise or, in more serious cases, an F to the student for the entire course." Read the University's policy on Academic Integrity opens in a new window.

Disabilities
Any student who feels that he or she may need an accommodation based upon the impact of a disability should contact the Office of Accessibility Services in Science Building, Room S-132, 718-631-6257, to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. You can visit the Office of Accessibility Services website.

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