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Courses/Engineering/Electrical Engineering Basics

Basic Electrical Controls & Diagram Reading

Learn the basics of industrial motor control systems and electrical diagram reading.

Created byNORMAN BURTON
4.8
(13 reviews)
BeginnerUpdated Sep 23, 2025
Basic Electrical Controls & Diagram Reading

What You'll Learn

check_circleInterpret various electrical diagram types.
check_circleDistinguish between power and control sections.
check_circleIdentify NEMA and IEC electrical symbols.
check_circleUnderstand wire numbering and device tagging.
check_circleAnalyze diverse motor control methods.
check_circleRead and interpret single line diagrams.

About This Course

Unlock the foundational principles of electrical control systems with "Basic Electrical Controls & Diagram Reading." This comprehensive course demystifies the essential diagrams that underpin industrial control systems.

You'll gain a thorough understanding of:

  • Electrical Diagram Types: Differentiating between wiring, schematic, and single-line diagrams, and their applications in various electrical sectors.
  • Component Identification: Mastering the universal IEC and NEMA symbols for switches, loads, and other critical components, empowering you to effectively interpret any diagram.
  • Circuit Analysis: Learning the basic rules for arranging switching devices (series/parallel) and loads, along with the distinct layouts of IEC and NEMA schematics.
  • Wiring & Component Tagging: Exploring wire identification and numbering systems (sequential and reference-based), and understanding "parent-child" component relationships crucial for large-scale schematics.
  • Motor Control Fundamentals: Delving into various motor control methods, including Direct Online (DOL) starters, reversing starters, soft starters, and Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), comprehending their operation and integration within circuits.
  • Timers & PLCs: Grasping the role of timers in control systems, their common functions, and how Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) are represented and programmed in schematic sets.

By the end of this course, you'll be equipped with the practical knowledge to confidently read, interpret, and troubleshoot a wide range of electrical diagrams, preparing you for success in any electrical or industrial control environment.

The course includes 3 hours and 50 minutes of video material, plus 1 hour and 10 minutes is reserved for exercises and assignments. 

Your Instructor

NORMAN BURTON
NORMAN BURTON

Certified Construction & Maintenance Electrician, Certified Master Electrician

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star143 reviews

Norman Burton Education: My educational background is trades centric. I started a high school co-op in the early eighties and spent six years obtaining an Automotive Machinists’ license. Afterward, I started an Electrical Construction and Maintenance apprenticeship. Having successfully completed the academic portion of the apprenticeship at Durham College I became a C+M Interprovincial licensed Electrician in 1998. Working as an Electrician, I have completed numerous continuous learning programs such as: Arc Welding, PLC programming, Automation Technology, Teaching and Training Adults and a Masters Electrician Course. I became a licensed Master Electrician in 2007. Professional Experience: Working in the trades has been exciting and wide-ranging having worked in the construction, industrial and institutional sector. I have also spent considerable time working in the automation and controls sector. In 2007 I started an electrical business, Burton Electro Technical Inc. The business focus is primarily industrial controls, installations and troubleshooting. The business also builds electrical training equipment for learning institutions and private companies. Burton Electro Technical Inc. has customers throughout Canada and the United States. In addition to working in the Electrical industry I have been instructing part time since 2005 at Georgian College in the Electrical Apprenticeship program. While working in the Electrical Industry, I have travelled to the United States, Mexico, Japan, throughout Central Ontario and British Columbia. Current Endeavors: Owner / Operator Burton Electro Technical Inc. Instructing electrical apprenticeship programs part time at the Georgian College Skilled Trades Center in Midland, Ontario.

Credit Information

Do these courses count toward my professional development requirements?

This portal is provided as a training and development resource for City of Markham employees. Every course is delivered by a qualified subject matter expert or learning organization, is quantifiable in hours, and is verifiable — you receive a documented certificate of completion for every course you finish, stored on LearnFormula indefinitely.

If you hold a professional designation (for example in engineering, accounting, human resources, or law), courses may be counted as professionally relevant, verifiable learning activities toward your continuing professional development. Individual practitioners are responsible for confirming that an activity meets the requirements of their professional body. For questions about the City of Markham's training and development policies, please speak with your people leader or Human Resources.

What Students Are Saying

4.8
Student's Choice
13 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

We are a registered provider with 327+ associations and regulatory bodies worldwide. We operate across 29 global markets including Canada, the US, Australia, and the UK. Every course page clearly displays its specific accreditations. Upon completion, you receive a professional certificate that can be validated online. Our certificates include all necessary accreditation details, credit hours, and completion dates, and are formatted specifically to meet the submission requirements of most global regulatory bodies.