Fundamentals of Electrical and Electronics 1 (Automotive)

Course Description

AER0311C — Fundamentals of Electrical and Electronics 1 is a Postsecondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) clock-hour course in the Florida Department of Education's Automotive Service Technology career-preparatory program (Program Number I470301; Career Cluster: Transportation, Distribution & Logistics). The course introduces students to fundamental concepts of automotive electrical and electronic systems: DC circuit theory, Ohm's Law, automotive battery construction and testing, starting and charging systems, basic body electrical (lights, horns, wipers), and introduction to vehicle communications networks (OBD-II, CAN bus). The "C" suffix denotes integrated lecture and laboratory with hands-on work on training boards and live vehicles.

This course is offered at Florida district technical colleges and career centers delivering the FLDOE Automotive Service Technology Curriculum Framework, including Lake Technical College, Manatee Technical College, Pinellas Technical College, Sheridan Technical College, Lindsey Hopkins Technical College, Atlantic Technical College, Orange Technical College, Polk State College, Pensacola State College, Suncoast Technical College, and others. Successful program completion supports preparation for ASE certification.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of AER0311C, students will be able to:

• Apply basic electrical theory: voltage, current, resistance, power; Ohm's Law; series, parallel, and series-parallel circuit calculations.
• Use standard automotive diagnostic equipment safely and correctly: digital multimeter (DMM), test light, jumper wires, scan tool, oscilloscope (introductory), battery and charging-system tester.
• Read and interpret automotive wiring diagrams and schematics: component symbols, connector identification, color coding, circuit tracing.
• Test and diagnose automotive batteries: state-of-charge testing, load testing, conductance testing; identify battery types (flooded lead-acid, AGM, lithium-ion start-stop) and applications.
• Test and diagnose starting systems: starter motor, solenoid, neutral safety switch, ignition switch; voltage drop testing across cables and connections.
• Test and diagnose charging systems: alternator output testing, voltage regulator function, drive belt/system inspection.
• Diagnose common body electrical circuits: headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, horn, wipers, power windows, power locks (introductory).
• Apply introductory understanding of OBD-II diagnostic protocol: data link connector, generic diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), freeze-frame data, MIL behavior.
• Apply safety practices: PPE; battery safety (acid handling, hydrogen explosion risk); high-voltage awareness for hybrid and EV systems (preliminary); proper jumper-cable use; airbag/SRS system safety.
• Apply workplace professional behaviors: documentation, customer service, time management, manufacturer-specification adherence.

Optional Outcomes

• Develop introductory understanding of vehicle communications networks: CAN (Controller Area Network), LIN, FlexRay; multiplexing concepts.
• Apply introductory oscilloscope diagnostic techniques to electrical signals.
• Develop awareness of hybrid and electric vehicle high-voltage systems and additional safety requirements.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Electrical Theory: Atomic structure; current flow (electron versus conventional); Ohm's Law; Kirchhoff's voltage and current laws (introductory); power calculations.
• Circuit Configurations: Series, parallel, and series-parallel circuits; voltage division; current splitting; circuit-protection devices (fuses, circuit breakers, fusible links).
• Electrical Components: Switches, relays, solenoids, resistors, capacitors, diodes, transistors (introductory).
• Test Equipment Operation: Digital multimeter (DC/AC voltage, current, resistance, continuity); test light; jumper wires; scan tool; oscilloscope (basic); battery/charging tester.
• Wiring Diagrams and Schematics: Manufacturer service-information systems (Mitchell, ALLDATA, OEM service manuals); component locator; circuit tracing; voltage drop testing.
• Battery Systems: Flooded lead-acid, AGM, gel; lithium-ion (start-stop and hybrid/EV applications); state-of-charge testing; load testing; conductance testing; cleaning and replacement.
• Starting Systems: Starter motor construction and operation; solenoid function; circuit components (neutral safety switch, ignition switch); voltage-drop testing across the starter circuit.
• Charging Systems: Alternator construction (rotor, stator, rectifier bridge, voltage regulator); output testing; ripple testing; drive system inspection.
• Body Electrical: Lighting circuits (headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals); horn and wiper circuits; power-accessory circuits (windows, locks, mirrors).
• OBD-II Introduction: Data link connector; generic versus enhanced diagnostic trouble codes; freeze-frame data; MIL operation; readiness monitors (introductory).
• Safety: Battery acid and hydrogen-explosion hazards; high-voltage hybrid/EV awareness; airbag/SRS system safety; lockout/tagout introduction.

Optional Topics

• Vehicle Networks: CAN bus introduction; multiplexing concepts; communication-network diagnosis.
• Oscilloscope Diagnostics: Reading waveforms; common automotive electrical signals; lab scope versus DSO scan-tool integration.
• Hybrid/EV Awareness: High-voltage system identification; orange-cable convention; insulated tools; service-disconnect procedures.

Resources & Tools

• Industry Texts: James D. Halderman Automotive Electricity and Electronics (Pearson); Tim Gilles Automotive Service: Inspection, Maintenance, Repair (Cengage); CDX Learning Systems automotive curriculum.
• Service Information: Mitchell ProDemand, ALLDATA, manufacturer-specific (Ford, GM, Toyota, Honda, etc.) service portals.
• Test Equipment: Digital multimeters (Fluke 88V or comparable automotive-rated); scan tools (Snap-on, Autel, Bosch, OEM); oscilloscopes; battery testers (Midtronics conductance testers); brake/starting/charging system analyzers.
• Industry Standards: SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) standards; ASE (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence) test specifications; OSHA 29 CFR 1910.
• FLDOE Curriculum Framework: Automotive Service Technology PSAV (Program Number I470301).
• Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO): SkillsUSA.

Career Pathways

Successful completion of AER0311C, combined with subsequent courses in the Automotive Service Technology PSAV sequence, qualifies students for entry-level employment in:

• Automotive Service Technician (SOC 49-3023, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics) — The primary occupational target. Florida's large vehicle population and consistent year-round driving conditions support strong demand.
• Automotive Maintenance Technician at dealerships, independent repair shops, fleet operations, and corporate fleet centers.
• Service Advisor after additional customer-service training and experience.
• Specialized Diagnostic Technician with continuing certification (ASE Master Technician designation requires passage of all 8 ASE Automobile Technician tests).

Florida's automotive employment is concentrated in the major metro areas: South Florida (Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach), Tampa Bay, Orlando, and Jacksonville. Major dealership groups (AutoNation, Asbury Automotive, Group 1 Automotive) maintain substantial Florida operations.

Special Information

Industry Certifications

This course supports preparation for the following industry credentials:

• ASE A6 (Electrical/Electronic Systems) — the foundational ASE certification for automotive electrical work; requires 2 years of qualifying experience plus passing exam.
• ASE Entry-Level Certifications available for current students.
• EPA Section 609 Certification for motor vehicle air-conditioning refrigerant handling (covered in subsequent automotive HVAC coursework).

Program Structure (PSAV / Clock-Hour)

AER0311C clock-hour allocation typically ranges from 150 to 225 clock hours depending on institutional structure. The full Automotive Service Technology program is approximately 1,800 clock hours across multiple OCPs aligned with the eight ASE Automobile Technician test areas. Per FLDOE PSAV requirements, students must meet minimum TABE scores.

Articulation

Clock-hour credit earned may be articulated toward A.S. in Automotive Engineering Technology (where offered, e.g., Seminole State College) or Engineering Technology programs at Florida College System institutions per institutional articulation agreements.