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Tools, procedures, and equipment are covered/demonstrated in both the classroom and lab environment. Mathematics is used for practical electrical theory and application of series and parallel electrical circuits as found in the HVAC/R trade. Emphasis is placed on the understanding and application of the four main components of a mechanical compression refrigeration system, each of their functions within the system including the pressures and temperatures associated with each component.

Students develop the necessary skills for the application and use of electrical and HVAC/R tools and equipment. Students are introduced to steel pipe threading and basic sheet metal fabrication concepts including several sheet metal projects using not only sheet metal hand tools, but the heavier shop fabrication equipment associated with the fabrication of HVAC duct systems. Students learn the required skills and techniques for the proper joining of copper to copper and copper to steel tubing by use of oxyacetylene torches. Students begin practical application of refrigeration operation and troubleshooting on residential air conditioning systems.

Studies expand on the four main components of the refrigeration system. This section of the program also introduces central forced air electric heating systems. Students continue reading and using schematic and ladder diagrams and learn to develop their own electrical diagrams to meet specific operations. Students learn about low voltage t/stats and are introduced to control systems.

Lab time includes an emphasis on electrical measurements for troubleshooting and hands-on wiring of equipment. Students complete the wiring and operation of relays, capacitors, single and multi-speed single-phase fractional horsepower motors, heaters, low-voltage heat/cool thermostats, compressors, and fan motors. Time is used for wiring, troubleshooting, and maintaining controls as well as actual operation and troubleshooting of electric furnaces and their controls.

Students review shop safety procedures and are introduced to fall protection and ladder safety. Safe handling of refrigerants and proper HVAC system charging are covered, including refrigerant recovery and applications of R-22, HFC refrigerants R-410A, and R-422B. Students learn the fundamentals of humidifiers and air filtration, including all types of disposable air filters to state-of-the-art  electronic air cleaners. Students learn to interpret both ladder and pictorial wiring diagrams. All types of single-phase motors are discussed. The curriculum covers both packaged and split systems of residential and light commercial HVAC equipment. Students will advance their knowledge about control systems.

This section emphasizes the application of control strategies used to wire and operate HVAC equipment. Students develop all types of wiring diagrams utilizing actual HVAC units. Students are exposed to systems such as heat pumps, oil, gas, and electric forced air HVAC systems. Typical lab projects include tasks such as soldering, steel pipe threading, wiring, and proper refrigerant charging of A/C units. Students are introduced to basic sheet metal fabrication concepts including several sheet metal projects using not only sheet metal hand tools, but the heavier shop fabrication equipment associated with the fabrication of HVAC duct systems.

In this section, students study heating systems that include fossil fuel units such as natural gas, LP gas units, oil heating systems, electric heating, and heat pump systems. The section covers the combustion and venting process as it relates to fossil fuel heating systems. The duct design process is introduced. Students learn to apply control strategies covered in the classroom to wire and operate several types of HVAC equipment. Residential load calculations are introduced. Students learn the basics of air distribution and balancing residential and light commercial HVAC air delivery systems. The curriculum introduces several types of air side components such as grills, registers, and diffusers as well as equipment typically used for air balancing.

This course helps students apply the knowledge learned in the classroom to operational HVAC equipment. All laboratory/shop tasks will be performed on heating systems that include fossil fuel units such as natural, LP gas units, oil heating systems, electric heating, and heat pump systems. The scope of tasks involves electrical wiring, mechanical operation, and combustion analysis of oil and gas heating systems. Students complete several lab projects including wiring of all heating systems and combustion analysis on natural gas furnaces and oil heating systems using digital analysis tools.