Electricity for HVACR Technicians

A thorough introduction to the concepts of electricity and magnetism, description of basic electrical devices that use these concepts, the concepts of alternating current and related devices, and the basic explanation of electrical schematics.

  • NATE CEHs: 36
  • CEUs: 3.6
  • Course length: Approximately 30-40 hours
  • Price - Full course: $225, $150 for RSES members
  • Price - Module: $60, $40 for RSES members

Designed For:

Service technicians

After Completing This Course, You Will Understand:

  • The concepts of electricity and magnetism
  • The fundamentals of alternating currents
  • The functioning of basic electrical devices and circuit protection devices
  • The electrical schematics

Course Description:

  • On-demand, interactive course of 12 modules ("short courses")
  • Online course reader with easy-to-print PDFs
  • Online self-assessment

Modules: Also sold individually as short courses

  1. Terminology and Units of Measurement
  2. Electronics - History and Concepts
  3. Series Circuits, Parallel Circuits, and Power
  4. Magnetism and Transformers
  5. Magnetic Attraction, Repulsion, and Shielding
  6. Transformers
  7. Relays, Contactors and Starters
  8. Fundamentals of Alternating Current
  9. Alternating Current: Reactance, Impedance & Power Factor
  10. Circuit Protection Devices: Fuses
  11. Circuit Protection Devices: Circuit Breakers & Overload Protection
  12. Understanding Electrical Schematics

Every Module Includes:

  • Reading assignment
  • Learning activities
  • Lesson summary
  • Module exam

Outcomes: The 12 online modules help you to understand:

  • Introduction to the various terminologies and the units of measurement used in the study of electricity.
  • The basic concepts of electronics, especially as used in the HVACR industry.
  • The two basic ways in which two circuit components can be connected and the concept of power, its calculations and how the power consumed by the two types of circuits is different.
  • The principles that define magnetism, the various types of magnets available today, the methods used to produce magnets, and the various theories on the nature of magnetism.
  • The concepts of magnetic fields and lines of force.
  • The components that make up a transformer, how transformers are rated, and the different types of transformers in use today.
  • Troubleshooting techniques for relays, contactors, and starters used in the HVACR field.
  • The fundamentals of alternating current and the reason why it can be used in the power distribution system.
  • Calculation of the different resistance introduced in an ac circuit by capacitors, inductors, and resistors and the concept of power factor.
  • The different types of fuses, their usage and rating, and how they are tested.
  • The circuit-breakers as circuit-protection devices and the concepts of internal and external overloads.
  • The symbols and conventions commonly used in schematic diagrams.

How This Course Relates to Existing RSES Training:

This online course is a great complement to the instructor-led trainings being offered by RSES Chapters.

The modules that make up the Electricity for HVACR Technicians course most directly resemble content within the first few Lessons of the, "Electricity for HVACR Technicians," manual as well as various lessons covered throughout the Electricity Unit manuals, however, because the eLearning courses are available in short, segmented, module format, you can also choose to use any of the independent modules to supplement nearly any course in which further study or explanation is needed in a given topic area.