This is a six-hour course that will provide students an overview of power and electricity; from choosing a power supply, powering components for access control, intrusion, and video, as well as electricity components.
Learning Objectives
Power Supplies
- Using a manufacturer’s specification sheet, read and interpret the manufacturer’s specifications (voltage, permissible load, etc.).
- Using the NTS worksheet (found in the NTS Dictionary) and the manufacturer’s specifications, the student will be able to determine the minimum size power supply needed.
- Using an NTS worksheet and the manufacturer’s specifications, the student will be able to calculate the size battery needed for a system to operate for specified number of hours (4, 24, 60, 72) without primary power.
- Using the NTS worksheet and manufacturer’s specifications, the student will be able to calculate the size battery needed for a system to operate without primary power as required by NFPA and UL requirements.
- Select the proper transformer for power supply as well as install and wire the transformer.
- After determining the proper battery, list reasons for its failure for a given system.
Choosing a Power Supply
- Describe what features and environmental factors to consider when choosing a power supply for an alarm system.
- Explain the purpose of a transformer and the difference between a step-up transformer and a step-down transformer.
- Understand how to calculate the maximum normal load and alarm load for secondary power.
- Understand how to calculate the battery amp hours needed for different categories of alarm systems.
- Explain the two categories of power and what supplies the power.
- The two ways of connecting batteries to an alarm system and the characteristics of each.
System Power and Intrusion
- Determine the need for, and the proper methods for providing surge protection.
- Configure a switch and a contact.
- Address long wire runs (heavier wire vs. local power supplies)
Powering Components and Access
- Describe the primary power requirements for an Electronic Access Control (EAC) system
- Explain secondary power requirements for fail safe and non-fail-safe devices.
- Identify surge protection components that are commonly used in conjunction with an EAC system.
Power and Video
- Describe Ohm’s and Watt’s Laws as well as the relationship between Ohms, Amps, Volts, and Watts.
- List the kinds of components you will need to consider when determining the total load of a circuit.
- Elaborate on how to choose the appropriate size wire for a given distance.
- Identify the major types of power for cameras, i.e., AC, DC, and POE.
- Define Transformers and distributed power supplies and state their benefits.
Electricity
- Define current, voltage and resistance and the unit of measurement and symbol used for each.
- Explain the function of a resistor and how to identify resistor ratings.
- Explain the function of a conductor and describe the different conducting materials.
- Explain the function of an insulator and describe different insulating materials.
- Describe the theory of circuits, simple series, and parallel circuit.
- Describe how to find all the values of a circuit when provided with the necessary information.
- Describe the formula for finding power using Watt’s Law and Ohm’s Law.
What to expect in this course: The presentation includes text, audio, graphics, videos and activities to help you absorb the information presented. This course has a short quiz at the end, which you will be required to pass with a 80% or greater to complete the course.
