Service Technician's and Engineer's Guide to Electricity for Refrigeration, Heating and Air Conditioning: Introduction and Index of Articles

0. Index of Articles and Introduction (this page)

Ideal for learners and students and newer technicians, this guide, Electricity for Refrigeration, Heating and Air Conditioning, concentrates in on the basic and fundamental electrical principles required to comprehend modern control systems. This superbly-practical approach lets one concentrate exclusively on the electronics information they will use in the field, without weighing them down in unnecessary theory. We also include information on motor frames and electronically-commutated motors, ECM: e.g., the circuits being discussed in schematic diagrams, and the direction of the current flow within circuits. The emphasis, however, is on developing systematic diagnosis and troubleshooting methods and procedures in order to enable learners to become highly-skilled, professional HVAC-R service engineers and technicians.

1. Electrical Safety: Objectives • Key Terms • Introduction 1 Electrical Injuries • 2 Dealing with Shock Victims • 3 National Electrical Code • 4 Electrical Grounding • 5 Circuit Protection • 6 Circuit Lockout Procedures • 7 Electrical Safety Guidelines • Summary • Review Questions

2. Basic Electricity: Objectives • Key Terms • Introduction • 1 Atomic Theory • 2 Positive and Negative Charges • 3 Flow of Electrons • 4 Conductors and Insulators • 5 Electric Potential • 6 Current Flow • 7 Resistance • 8 Electric Power and Energy • 9 Ohm’s Law • 10 Calculating Electric Power • Summary • Review Questions

3. Electric Circuits: Objectives • Key Terms • Introduction • 1 Basic Concepts of Electric Circuits • 2 Series Circuits • 3 Parallel Circuits • 4 Series-Parallel Circuits • Summary • Review Questions

4. Electric Meters: Objectives • Key Terms • Introduction • 1 Electric Meters • 2 Ammeters • 3 Voltmeters • 4 Ohmmeters • Summary • Review Questions

5. Components, Symbols, and Circuitry of Air-Conditioning Wiring Diagrams: Objectives • Key Terms • Introduction • 1 Loads • 2 Contactors and Relays • 3 Magnetic Starters • 4 Switches • 5 Safety Devices • 6 Transformers • 7 Schematic Diagrams • 8 Pictorial Diagrams • 9 Installation Diagrams • Summary • Review Questions

[ Sections 6-8 coming soon! ]

9. Basic Electric Motors: Objectives • Key Terms • Introduction • 1 Magnetism • 2 Basic Electric Motor • 3 Types of Electric Motors • 4 Shaded-Pole Motors • 5 Capacitors • 6 Split-Phase Motors • 7 Permanent Split-Capacitor Motors • 8 Capacitor-Start—Capacitor-Run Motors • 9 Three-Phase Motors • 10 Electronically Commutated Motors • 11 Hermetic Compressor Motors • 12 Service Call Protocol • 13 Service Calls • Summary • Review Questions • Practice Service Calls

10. Components for Electric Motors: Objectives • Key Terms • Introduction • 1 Starting Relays for Single-Phase Motors • 2 Current or Amperage Relays • 3 Potential Relays • 4 Solid-State Starting Relays and Devices • 5 Motor Bearings • 6 Motor Drives • 7 Service Calls • Summary • Review Questions • Practice Service Calls

11. Contactors, Relays, and Overloads:

Glossary