DC Circuit Analysis

Course Description

EET 1015C is a fundamental combined lecture and laboratory course in direct current (DC) electric circuits, classified under the Engineering Technologies > Electronic Engineering Technology taxonomy of Florida's Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS). The course is intended for students majoring in Electronics Engineering Technology and related disciplines. Students learn basic electrical safety, fundamental electrical components, and resistive circuit network analysis. Classroom lectures are supplemented with laboratory projects that provide hands-on experience in the use of electronics test equipment, proper techniques for data measurement and interpretation, circuit troubleshooting, and orderly documentation of test results and conclusions. This course prepares students for AC circuits (EET 1025C/1035C) and subsequent advanced courses in the EET program.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate safe laboratory practices, including electrical shock prevention, proper use of personal protective equipment, and correct procedures for de-energizing circuits before servicing.
• Use engineering notation and SI metric prefixes to express and convert electrical quantities.
• Describe atomic structure and relate it to the behavior of conductors, insulators, and semiconductors.
• Define and calculate voltage, current, resistance, power, and energy in DC circuits using Ohm's Law and the Power Law.
• Analyze and troubleshoot series DC circuits, applying Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL) and the voltage divider rule.
• Analyze and troubleshoot parallel DC circuits, applying Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL) and the current divider rule.
• Analyze and troubleshoot series-parallel DC circuits, identifying possible circuit faults from a given set of measurements.
• Apply the Superposition Theorem to circuits containing multiple voltage and/or current sources.
• Simplify circuits using Thévenin's Theorem and Norton's Theorem.
• Operate standard DC test instruments including digital multimeters (DMM), power supplies, and breadboards to measure voltage, current, and resistance, and verify theoretical calculations.
• Document laboratory results accurately, draw logical conclusions, and write clear technical lab reports.

Optional Outcomes

The following outcomes appear in select Florida college offerings and may be included at instructor or program discretion:

• Analyze the Wheatstone bridge circuit in both balanced and unbalanced conditions.
• Apply mesh (loop) analysis and nodal analysis to multi-source DC networks.
• Describe the principles of electromagnetism and electromagnetic devices (relays, solenoids).
• Introduce the basic characteristics of capacitors and inductors in DC circuits (charging/discharging behavior, time constants).
• Use circuit simulation software (e.g., Multisim) to design, simulate, and verify DC circuit behavior.
• Demonstrate an understanding of electrostatic discharge (ESD) precautions for handling sensitive electronic components.

Major Topics

Required Topics

The following content areas are consistently covered across Florida college offerings of EET 1015C:

1. Electrical Safety — Shock hazards, body resistance, current path, PPE, laboratory safety procedures, and power disconnect operation.
2. Electrical Fundamentals — Atomic structure, charge, current flow (conventional vs. electron), voltage, resistance, energy, and power; engineering notation and metric prefixes.
3. Resistors and Components — Fixed and variable resistors, resistor color code, tolerance, standard values (EIA series), and component identification.
4. Ohm's Law and the Power Law — Applying Ohm's Law (V = IR) and power equations to complete circuits and individual components.
5. Series DC Circuits — Total resistance, current, voltage drops, KVL, voltage divider rule, and open/short fault analysis.
6. Parallel DC Circuits — Total resistance, branch currents, KCL, current divider rule, and fault analysis.
7. Series-Parallel DC Circuits — Reduction techniques, equivalent resistance, voltage and current calculations, and troubleshooting.
8. DC Circuit Theorems — Superposition theorem, Thévenin's theorem, Norton's theorem, and maximum power transfer.
9. DC Test Instruments and Laboratory Technique — Digital multimeter (DMM) operation, DC power supply setup, breadboard construction, proper measurement techniques, and technical documentation.

Optional Topics

The following topics appear in some but not all Florida college offerings and may be covered depending on program emphasis and contact hours available:

• Mesh (Loop) Analysis and Nodal Analysis — Systematic methods for solving multi-loop, multi-source networks.
• Wheatstone Bridge — Balanced and unbalanced bridge configurations; applications in measurement.
• Magnetism and Electromagnetism — Magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction, relays, and solenoids.
• Capacitors in DC Circuits — Construction, capacitance, series/parallel combinations, RC time constant, and charging/discharging.
• Inductors in DC Circuits — Construction, inductance, RL time constant, and energy storage.
• Circuit Simulation Software — Introduction to tools such as Multisim or LTspice for virtual circuit construction and verification.
• Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Awareness — Sources of ESD, component vulnerability, and handling precautions.

Resources & Tools

• Textbook: A standard introductory DC/AC circuits text such as DC/AC Fundamentals by Floyd & Buchla or Introductory Circuit Analysis by Boylestad (instructor-selected edition).
• Laboratory Kit / Breadboard: Resistor assortment, jumper wires, and a solderless breadboard for circuit construction.
• Digital Multimeter (DMM): For measurement of voltage, current, and resistance in laboratory experiments.
• DC Power Supply: Adjustable bench-top or lab-grade DC power supply.
• Circuit Simulation Software: NI Multisim (commonly used at Valencia College and Miami Dade College) or equivalent (LTspice, Falstad Circuit Simulator — free browser-based option).
• Scientific Calculator: Required for circuit calculations; graphing calculator optional.
• Florida SHiNE / Canvas LMS: Course materials, lab reports, and assessments typically delivered via the institution's learning management system.

Career Pathways

Successful completion of EET 1015C supports entry into the following programs and career fields:

• A.S. in Electronics Engineering Technology — This course is a foundational requirement for the degree pathway at most Florida state colleges.
• Electronics Technician — Installation, maintenance, and repair of electronic equipment in manufacturing, telecommunications, and defense sectors.
• Electrical/Electronics Engineering Technologist — Supporting engineering design and testing teams in product development environments.
• Biomedical Equipment Technician (BMET) — Maintenance and troubleshooting of medical electronics in healthcare settings.
• Industrial Maintenance Technician — Electrical troubleshooting in manufacturing and process control environments.
• Avionics Technician — DC circuit knowledge is foundational for FAA-regulated avionics and aircraft electrical systems work.

Special Information

The "C" suffix in EET 1015C designates a combined lecture and laboratory course under Florida's SCNS, meaning lecture and lab components meet together in the same place and time. A lab fee is typically assessed at registration (amount varies by institution).

Content in this course aligns with foundational knowledge areas recognized by the Electronics Technicians Association International (ETA-I) and supports preparation for the Associate CET (Certified Electronics Technician) examination. Students planning to pursue the CET credential should pay particular attention to Ohm's Law applications, series/parallel circuit analysis, and DC circuit theorems covered in this course.

Some institutions (e.g., Miami Dade College) list this course as Direct Current Circuits and may award 4 credit hours; the 3-credit version is the most widely offered format across the Florida college system. Students should confirm credit hours and lab fee requirements with their home institution prior to enrollment.