The Home Electronics curriculum is designed to fulfill the growing requirement of trained professionals in the area of Home Technology Automation. In fact, home technology integrators anticipate seeing nearly 15 percent growth in their business in 2007, according to a January survey by CE Pro magazine. That follows a year (2006) in which integrators said they experienced revenue growth of 35 percent. But home technology integration firms face a challenge in finding individuals with the right skills.

The Lighting, Temperature, and Water Control Systems course discusses effective management of three energy and utility-based systems — lighting, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC), and water — through implementation of home technology. It introduces the basic concepts of the three systems and discusses the devices and components used to automate and manage lighting, HVAC, and water systems. The course also discusses the current industry standards, rules, and regulations pertaining to the three systems.

Students learn how to plan, design, install, and configure the three systems based on client requirements and other technical considerations. They also learn how to detect and troubleshoot common problems.

PREREQUISITES: Electrical and Electronic Fundamentals

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Discuss the basic concepts of light and its characteristics.
2. Identify devices and components used in a home lighting control system.
3. Discuss industry standards and regulations that govern lighting system installation and implementation.
4. Plan and design a lighting control system for a residential location.
5. Identify connectivity devices and methods used to install and implement lighting control systems.
6. Install the components of the lighting system in accordance with the design plan and recommended guidelines.
7. Configure the settings of the lighting system for automated control.
8. Test the lighting system for optimal functionality.
9. Identify and troubleshoot common lighting problems.
10. Identify different types of heating and air-conditioning systems used in residential location.
11. Identify physical components and devices that constitute HVAC systems.
12. Discuss industry standards and regulations that govern installation and implementation of HVAC systems.
13. Plan and design an HVAC system for a residential environment.
14. Identify connectivity devices and methods used to install and implement HVAC systems.
15. Install HVAC system components in accordance with the design plan and recommended guidelines.
16. Configure HVAC system settings for predetermined and/or automated control.
17. Test HVAC system for optimal functionality.
18. Diagnose and troubleshoot common HVAC problems.
19. Identify components and devices used in home water control systems.
20. Discuss industry standards and regulations that govern installation and implementation of water control systems.
21. Plan and design a water control system for efficient management of water and energy.
22. Identify connectivity devices and methods used to install and implement water control systems.
23. Install components of the water control system in accordance with the design plan and recommended guidelines.
24. Configure settings for predetermined and/or automated control.
25. Test the water control system for optimal functioning.
26. Identify and troubleshoot common problems.

• Understand the basic principles of lighting.
• Identify different sources of lighting in a house.
• Discuss the terms used in home lighting.
• Calculate lighting load requirements for a house.

Section II: Lighting System: Devices and Components

• Identify various types of lighting and fixtures.
• Identify wired and wireless lighting control devices.
• Discuss wiring components used while installing a lighting control system.

• Identify lighting requirements of a house.
• Discuss the implementation of a lighting control system in new and retrofit constructions.
• Identify factors affecting the design of a lighting control system.
• Calculate the load and wattage requirements of lighting circuits.
• Design the layout of a lighting control system.
• Develop connectivity documentation and schematics.
• Discuss industry standards on lighting control systems, wiring standards, regulations, and codes.
• Install and configure the lighting control system.
• Test the lighting control system.
• Discuss measures for preventive maintenance of lighting control systems.

• Diagnose a problem correctly and perform troubleshooting.

Section IV: HVAC Systems: Devices and Components

• Understand the principles of home temperature and climate control.
• Discuss different types of heating and air conditioning systems.
• Identify HVAC devices and components.
• Describe the components and methods used for device connectivity.

• Identify customer requirements.
• Identify factors affecting HVAC system design.
• Design the layout of the HVAC system.
• Develop connectivity documentation and schematics.
• Discuss industry standards and regulations that govern installation and implementation of the HVAC system.
• Install an HVAC system and configure HVAC zone controllers.
• Diagnose a problem correctly and perform troubleshooting.

• Understand water management fundamentals.
• Discuss different types of water control systems.
• Identify water control system devices and components.

• Test and troubleshoot water control systems.