Basic Electricity for the Non-Electrician Skills Training- May, 2026

Purpose of Training

This course provides students with a practical, real-world education in basic electricity. Specific needs and concerns of each student will be addressed so that upon completion they’ll be able to reduce equipment downtime, improve overall efficiency and safety, and fix problems they’ve never been able to fix before.

 

This course will also come in handy for those wishing to join our security courses as trainees but lack basic electricity skills

Solutions learned in this class will more than pay for the cost of training, a dozen, a hundred, or a thousand times over.

Upon completion of this 2-WEEK TRAINING (10 days), the student will receive a certificate of completion with 6 classroom hours per day attended.

Course Title: Practical Basic Electricity for the Non-Electrician (

Course Duration: 10 Days (80 Hours)

“Basic Electricity for the Non-Electrician.” This outline is designed for maintenance technicians, facility managers, machine operators, or any professional who needs a foundational understanding of electricity for their job, without becoming a qualified electrician.

The philosophy is “Hands-On, Minds-On” – combining essential theory with extensive practical exercises.

Course Title: Practical Basic Electricity for the Non-Electrician

Course Duration: 10 Days (80 Hours) Target Audience: Maintenance technicians, facility managers, machine operators, engineers in non-electrical fields, HVAC technicians, plumbers, and any professional who needs to understand electrical systems for safety and basic troubleshooting.

Course Goal: To provide participants with a fundamental, practical understanding of electrical principles, circuits, and equipment, emphasizing safety, basic troubleshooting, and the proper use of common electrical test instruments.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Explain basic electrical concepts like voltage, current, resistance, and power. Identify common electrical components and their functions.
• Demonstrate safe work practices and use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Accurately use a digital multimeter (DMM) to measure voltage, current, and resistance.
• Read basic electrical schematics and wiring diagrams.
• Build and troubleshoot simple AC and DC circuits.
• Understand the operation and application of transformers, relays, and motors.
• Perform basic continuity, voltage, and resistance checks on common devices.
• Understand the purpose and basics of electrical safety devices like fuses, circuit breakers, and GFCIs.

Required Materials:

Participant handbooks, whiteboard, projector, and for each participant/group: a hands-on training kit including:

• • Digital Multimeter (DMM) Breadboard or training panel Assorted resistors, lamps/LEDs, switches, fuses
  • Small control transformer (e.g., 120V-24V)
  • Relay and contactor
  • Sample wires and connectors
  • PPE: Safety glasses, voltage-rated gloves (for demonstration).

10-Day Course Outline

Day 1: The “Why” of Electricity & Foundational Safety (8 Hours)
Theme: Building an unshakable safety-first mindset and a conceptual model for electricity.

Module 1: Introduction & Electrical Safety Culture (4.5 Hours)

• • Course introduction, objectives, and participant backgrounds.

  • In-Depth Discussion: The Hazards of Electricity (Shock, Arc Flash, Arc Blast) with real-world case studies.

  • Expanded Activity: Group discussion on identifying electrical hazards specific to participants’ workplaces.

  • Deep Dive: Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) – Principles, types of lockouts, and a detailed, step-by-step demonstration.

Module 2: Introduction to Electrical Theory (2 Hours)

• • Atomic Theory: Conductors, Insulators, Semiconductors.

  • The Water Flow Analogy: Building a strong mental model.

  • Defining Voltage, Current, and Resistance.

Hands-On Lab 1: Safety & Meter Familiarization (1.5 Hours)

• • Activity: PPE “Gear-Up” drill.

  • Activity: Detailed familiarization with the Digital Multimeter (DMM) – all functions, leads, settings.

  • Activity: Basic LOTO simulation on a training panel (practice the procedure).

 

Day 2: Quantifying Electricity & Introduction to Hands-On Measurement (8 Hours)
Theme: Moving from concept to calculation and practical measurement.

Module 2 (Cont.): Ohm’s Law & Power (3 Hours)

• • Deep Dive: Ohm’s Law (V = I x R). Derivation and practical calculation exercises.

  • Electrical Power and Energy (P = I x V, kWh). Calculating cost of operation.

  • Practice problems and group worksheets.

Hands-On Lab 2: Introduction to Measurement (5 Hours)

• • Activity: Safely measuring Voltage on a low-voltage DC power supply.

  • Activity: Measuring Resistance of various components (resistors, lamps, wires, fuses).

  • Activity: Verification Lab: Using measured V and R in Ohm’s Law to predict current, then measuring to verify.

  • Activity: Introduction to the breadboard/training panel.

Day 3: DC Circuits – Series & Parallel Analysis (8 Hours)
Theme: Understanding how circuits behave and how to measure them correctly.

Module 3: DC Circuit Principles (4 Hours)

• • Deep Dive: Series Circuits – Characteristics, calculating total resistance, current flow, and voltage drops.

  • Deep Dive: Parallel Circuits – Characteristics, calculating total resistance, branch currents, and total current.

  • Introduction to Series-Parallel circuits.

  • Circuit analysis worksheets.

Hands-On Lab 3: Building & Analyzing DC Circuits (4 Hours)

• • Activity: Building a series circuit and measuring voltage drops across each component.

  • Activity: Building a parallel circuit and measuring current in each branch.

  • Activity: Troubleshooting simple faults in the circuits (e.g., open resistor).

 

Day 4: Alternating Current (AC) Fundamentals (8 Hours)
Theme: Transitioning to the AC world that powers our facilities and homes.

Module 4: AC Theory (4 Hours)

• • AC vs. DC: A detailed comparison.

  • The AC Sine Wave: Instantaneous value, Peak, Peak-to-Peak, and RMS values.

  • Frequency (Hz) and Period. Why 60Hz (or 50Hz)?

  • Deep Dive: Single-Phase and Three-Phase Power – Concepts, applications, and how to identify them.

Hands-On Lab 4: Measuring AC Safely (4 Hours)

• • Extended Safety Briefing: Measuring AC Mains.

  • Activity: Using the DMM to measure AC voltage from a control transformer (e.g., 120V to 24V) – a safe, practical proxy.

  • Activity: Comparing AC and DC waveforms on a training oscilloscope (if available) or using simulations.

  • Activity: Identifying single-phase and three-phase connections on equipment diagrams and real-world photos.

 

Day 5: Magnetism, Electromagnetism, and Applications (8 Hours)
Theme: Understanding the invisible force that makes modern electrical devices work.

Module 5: Magnetism & Electromagnetism (4 Hours)

• • Magnetic Principles: Fields, flux, poles.

  • Deep Dive: Electromagnets – How current creates a magnetic field. Factors affecting strength.

  • Solenoids: Theory and practical applications (e.g., door locks, valves).

  • Introduction to Inductance.

Hands-On Lab 5: Electromagnetic Devices (4 Hours)

• • Activity: Building and testing an electromagnet (varying the number of coils and current).

  • Activity: Testing a solenoid.

  • Activity: Disassembling a small transformer to see the windings.

  • Activity: Demonstrating magnetic induction (creating a voltage by moving a magnet through a coil).

 

Day 6: Common Electrical Components – Part 1 (8 Hours)
Theme: Getting familiar with the “pieces” of an electrical system.

• Module 6: Protection & Control Devices (4 Hours)

  • Deep Dive: Fuses – Types (fast-blow, slow-blow), sizes, and how to test them.

  • Deep Dive: Circuit Breakers – Types (thermal, magnetic, thermal-magnetic), operation, and how to reset them safely.

  • Switches and Push Buttons: NO, NC, and selector switches.

Hands-On Lab 6: Component Identification & Testing (4 Hours)

• • Activity: “Mystery Box” – Identifying fuses, breakers, and switches by sight and with a DMM.

  • Activity: Continuity testing on switches and push buttons in their on/off states.

  • Activity: Wiring a simple circuit with a switch, fuse, and lamp.

Day 7: Common Electrical Components – Part 2 & Introduction to Diagrams (8 Hours)
Theme: Working with the brains of the control system and learning to “read the map.”

Module 7: Loads, Transformers & Relays (3 Hours)

• • Types of Loads: Resistive (heaters), Inductive (motors, relays), Capacitive.

  • Transformers: Operation, step-up/step-down, isolation, and control transformers.

  • Deep Dive: Relays and Contactors – How they work, the difference between them, and their applications.

Module 8: Reading Electrical Diagrams (2 Hours)

• • Types of Diagrams: Schematics vs. Wiring Diagrams vs. Pictorials.

  • Learning Standard Symbols (JIC/ANSI/IEC).

  • Tracing current paths on a simple schematic.

Hands-On Lab 7: Relay Control Circuits (3 Hours)

• • Activity: Using a schematic to wire a circuit where a push button controls a relay, which in turn powers a lamp.

  • Activity: Verifying operation and measuring voltage at different points.

 

Day 8: Motors, Motor Starters & Systematic Troubleshooting (8 Hours)
Theme: Understanding a critical industrial load and developing a methodical approach to faults.

Module 9: AC Induction Motors & Starters (3 Hours)

• • Deep Dive: How a three-phase induction motor works.

  • Motor Starter “Stack”: Disconnect, Contactor, Overload Relay.

  • Deep Dive: Reading a Motor Nameplate – A practical, line-by-line review.

Module 10: Systematic Troubleshooting (2 Hours)

• • The Troubleshooting Mindset.

  • The “Half-Split” Method and why it’s efficient.

  • Developing a logical sequence: Visual → Power → Signal → Component.

Hands-On Lab 8: Troubleshooting Practice (3 Hours)

• • Activity: Guided troubleshooting on the relay control circuit from Day 7. Instructor introduces faults (open wire, failed relay, blown fuse).

  • Activity: Teams use their sequence and DMMs to find and fix the problems.

Day 9: Capstone Lab – Comprehensive Troubleshooting Challenge (8 Hours)
Theme: A full-day simulation applying all learned skills in a realistic scenario.

Capstone Lab 9: The Grand Challenge (7 Hours)

• • Scenario-Based: “The production line is down.” Participants work in teams.

  • Complex System: A multi-circuit training panel simulating a real-world system (e.g., conveyor with start/stop station, warning light, and motor).

  • Multiple Faults: The system will have several faults (e.g., loss of control power, open overload, faulty switch).

  • Resources: Teams must use provided schematics, DMMs, and logical sequences to diagnose and repair the system.

  • Instructor Role: Acts as a facilitator and safety observer.

Final Review & Q&A (1 Hour)

• • Recap of the capstone experience and key lessons learned.

  • Open forum for participant-specific questions.

 

Day 10: Final Assessment, Advanced Topics, and Course Wrap-Up (8 Hours)
Theme: Validating learning, looking forward, and closing the loop.

• Knowledge/Theory Assessment (1.5 Hours)

  • Final multiple-choice quiz covering key concepts and, especially, safety.

Module 11: Advanced Topics & Future Learning (3 Hours)

• • Discussion: Introduction to Capacitors and Power Factor (basic concept).

  • Discussion: Introduction to Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and their purpose.

  • Discussion: Basics of Electrical Codes (NEC/CE Code) for compliance.

  • Resources for continued learning.

Practical/Skill-Based Assessment (2 Hours)

• • Instructor observation and final sign-off on core competencies (safe DMM use, circuit building, LOTO procedure).

Course Wrap-Up (1.5 Hours)

• • Review of the 10-day journey.

  • Presentation of Certificates of Completion.

  • Final Course Evaluations.

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Summary of Key Enhancements in the 80-Hour Version:

• Safety: More time for LOTO practice, hazard identification, and safety culture discussion.

• Theory: Time for worksheets, practice problems, and deeper dives into why things work.

• Hands-On Labs: Every lab is expanded with more activities, repetition, and troubleshooting practice before the final capstone.

• Troubleshooting: An entire day is dedicated to practicing a systematic method before the capstone, and another full day is dedicated to the capstone itself.

• Pacing: Ample time for questions, review, and ensuring all participants are comfortable before moving on.

• Assessment: More robust and comprehensive, with a dedicated day for final assessment and advanced topic discussion.