Lesson 1Cabling basics: power cables, multi-core control cables, shielded signal cables, and conduit vs tray selectionThis lesson covers the fundamentals of cabling for power, control, and signals, including sizing conductors, types of insulation, shielded cables, and deciding between conduit and tray, with focus on segregation, bending radius, and electromagnetic compatibility in Ghanaian settings.
Conductor sizing and voltage dropPower vs control cable constructionShielded signal cable and groundingSegregation of power and signal routesConduit, tray, and flexible conduit useLesson 2Terminal block selection and distribution: feed-through, fuseable, ground, and shield termination blocksThis lesson discusses selecting and arranging terminal blocks for distribution, including feed-through, fuse, ground, and shield types, with ratings for current and voltage, jumpering, labelling, and layout to ensure safe and easy-to-maintain industrial control panels in Ghana.
Feed-through terminal applicationsFuse and disconnect terminal blocksGrounding and PE terminal designShield termination and EMC controlJumpering, labelling, and groupingLesson 3Field device choices: photoelectric sensor types, cable gland and connector selection, appropriate ingress protection (IP) ratingsThis lesson explains choosing field devices and interfaces, such as photoelectric sensor types, cable glands, connectors, and IP ratings, stressing the environment, mounting, wiring methods, and mechanical protection for dependable operation in Ghanaian industrial environments.
Diffuse, retroreflective, and through-beam sensorsPNP vs NPN and 2-wire vs 3-wire sensorsCable gland sizing and strain reliefM12 and other industrial connector typesIngress protection (IP) and NEMA ratingsLesson 4Protection devices: MCCB, MCB, fuses, motor protection circuit breakers, and overload relaysThis lesson reviews protection devices for feeders and motors, like MCCBs, MCBs, fuses, motor protection breakers, and overload relays, concentrating on interrupting capacity, trip curves, coordination, and safeguarding cables and equipment in low-voltage setups.
MCB and MCCB ratings and trip curvesFuse types, classes, and applicationsMotor protection circuit breakers (MPCBs)Thermal and electronic overload relaysSelective and backup coordination basicsLesson 5VFD selection criteria: voltage rating, current rating, overload capacity, braking, EMC filtersThis lesson details selecting VFDs based on voltage and current ratings, overload capacity, braking options, and EMC filters, matching to motor specs, ambient conditions, cable length, and needed control interfaces and protections for Ghanaian applications.
Matching VFD voltage and currentNormal and heavy duty overload classesDynamic braking and braking resistorsInput and output EMC filter optionsCable length, dV/dt, and motor stressLesson 6Three-phase supply types and selection (208V/230V/400V/480V) and impact on motor/VFD sizingThis lesson covers common three-phase supply systems (208, 230, 400, 480 V), their frequency, grounding, and short-circuit levels, and how they influence motor and VFD selection, insulation ratings, and panel component clearances in Ghana.
Wye vs delta and grounded systems208 V vs 230 V vs 400 V vs 480 V useFrequency and motor speed implicationsShort-circuit level and SCCR impactVoltage tolerance and derating rulesLesson 7Motor selection and thermal ratings for 5–10 HP motors including service factors and nameplate interpretationThis lesson addresses selecting 5–10 HP motors, focusing on voltage, enclosure, and duty, reading nameplate data, thermal classes, service factor, and their effects on overload settings, starting methods, and coordination with drives in industrial use.
Reading motor nameplate dataInsulation and temperature rise classesService factor and allowable overloadEnclosure types and cooling methodsDuty cycle and starting requirementsLesson 8Control power supplies: AC vs DC control, sizing 24VDC supplies, redundancy and filteringThis lesson compares AC and DC control power, shows how to size 24 VDC supplies for steady and inrush loads, and discusses redundancy, buffering, and filtering to boost reliability and noise resistance in industrial panels across Ghana.
AC vs DC control power advantagesCalculating 24 VDC load and inrushDerating power supplies for temperatureRedundant and parallel supply schemesEMI filtering and surge protectionLesson 9Auxiliary devices: contactors, control relays, timers, pushbuttons, pilot devices, stack light modulesThis lesson explains choosing auxiliary devices like contactors, control relays, timers, pushbuttons, pilot lights, and stack lights, focusing on coil ratings, utilisation categories, mechanical life, and fit for control schemes in Ghanaian factories.
Contactor utilisation categories and coilsControl relays and interposing relaysOn-delay, off-delay, and multifunction timersPushbuttons, selector switches, pilot lightsStack lights, buzzers, and signalling levels
