Basic electrical training kit?

[TwoBlocked]

Oooofda! Am realizing more and more how green the "Techs" are in this new shop of ours. Can anyone recommend a basic electrical training kit? Something battery operated with lights and switches that show how series and parallel circuits work and give practical experience with ohm's law? They all have meters, but... The most experienced of them borrowed mine to do some calibration the other week because his "had a dead battery" (Uh, you can't find time to replace it???) It came back with a blown mA fuse, which he hadn't mentioned, probably because he didn't know, and is likely the problem with his meter...

 

[LarryFine]

I suggest shopping for "electrical experiment kit" online. You want electrical with switches and lights and maybe a motor, not electronic with transistors and capacitors.

When I was little, my parents bought me a kit that I loved. I had to assemble the light sockets and multi-pole switches, and wind and assemble the motors and buzzers.

 

[TwoBlocked]

I suggest shopping for "electrical experiment kit" online. You want electrical with switches and lights and maybe a motor, not electronic with transistors and capacitors.

I know there's a ton of stuff like that on line. Am hoping some of the Fine Folk here have recommendations from what they have actually seen used.

 

[LarryFine]

I don't have anything in mind, but I recommend kits that use wires, and not snap-together parts.

You could even get different miniature knife switches and lamp sockets, and make your own kits.

 

[TwoBlocked]

...

You could even get different miniature knife switches and lamp sockets, and make your own kits.

Thanks, but I need something with instructional material, and I don't have time to write it.

 

[Fred B]

Try This:

Mike Holt Enterprises - Classroom Training Products.

We specialize in creating electrical training products that work. Reach out today to see how we can help your program with our dynamic books, instructor resources, and online training system.

www.mikeholt.com

 

[TwoBlocked]

Try This:

Mike Holt Enterprises - Classroom Training Products.

We specialize in creating electrical training products that work. Reach out today to see how we can help your program with our dynamic books, instructor resources, and online training system.

www.mikeholt.com

Mike's books are top notch. Too bad just a text is unsuitable in this situation. The guys need stuff that explain and demonstrate basic circuits.

 

[rambojoe]

Mike's books are top notch. Too bad just a text is unsuitable in this situation. The guys need stuff that explain and demonstrate basic circuits.

How about A.I.? Or good old fashion apprenticeships?

 

[TwoBlocked]

How about A.I.? Or good old fashion apprenticeships?

Thanks, but just don't see that working with these guys.

 

[TwoBlocked]

I am looking at this one. Anyone familiar with it?

https://www.amazon.com/EUDAX-Electricity-Experiment-Electromagnetism-Electronics/dp/B07FM2QFQK?ref_=ast_sto_dp

 

[ptonsparky]

Where is the bad neutral video?
Make that and let them play with their meters.

 

[LarryFine]

Where is the bad neutral video?

This one?

 

[TwoBlocked]

Where is the bad neutral video?
Make that and let them play with their meters.

The "Techs" stick to DC circuits. Usually their work consists of getting on the computer and verifying operation of discrete and analog field devices. But when it comes to using a meter and actually troubleshooting or installing wiring, then there's trouble. I don't want to blame the victims here. They are being thrown in the deep end without the necessary training or resources. I am trying to improve that situation.

Yesterday I had a helper that's been here a year. He had gone to the company's school out West for a week like 9 months ago. We were installing some float switches and had time (a rarity) to demonstrate and practice wiring N.O. vs N.C. and series vs parallel circuits with a little breadboard and an LED. He said he learned more during that 90 minutes than he had that entire week out west, where everything was too advanced for him to understand much of anything.

 

[ptonsparky]

This one?

Yes.
I'm slow. Finally figured out how to tag it. Also watched some of his other videos.
Another source, and worth the time for some of the guys here that are trying to learn.

 

[HEYDOG]

The following is a link that gives you real simulated circuits to troubleshoot and repair. Has all the circuit diagrams LOTO, using meters to read voltage, amperage, resistance. Finding faulty components, open circuits. I am not sure how much the cost is now, but worth the money. I taught high school students Motor Control Circuits, Basics of Control Circuits, Troubleshooting Control Circuits. I used the following links software to get the students familiar with control circuits and using meters, reading schematics, finding faulty components, etc. without the dangers of working on live circuits. May not be what your looking for but it’s worth checking out!

Online electrical industrial skills training for troubleshooters

TPC’s electrical simulations recreate common electrical faults, errors, and malfunctions to allow your technicians to learn troubleshooting by practicing it in a controlled, simulated environment.

www.tpctraining.com

 

[TwoBlocked]

The following is a link that gives you real simulated circuits to troubleshoot and repair. Has all the circuit diagrams LOTO, using meters to read voltage, amperage, resistance. Finding faulty components, open circuits. I am not sure how much the cost is now, but worth the money. I taught high school students Motor Control Circuits, Basics of Control Circuits, Troubleshooting Control Circuits. I used the following links software to get the students familiar with control circuits and using meters, reading schematics, finding faulty components, etc. without the dangers of working on live circuits. May not be what your looking for but it’s worth checking out!

Online electrical industrial skills training for troubleshooters

TPC’s electrical simulations recreate common electrical faults, errors, and malfunctions to allow your technicians to learn troubleshooting by practicing it in a controlled, simulated environment.

www.tpctraining.com

Thanks! I'll take a look.

 

[Geber]

I noticed Fluke has a multimeter course that includes CD-ROM and components. I didn't explore far enough to see if it is still available or what the cost is. Knowing what to do with a multimeter is half the battle.

 

[PaulMmn]

A selection of knife switches-- SPDT and DPDT, light bulb sockets (and bulbs), and a battery and holder, will provide a chance to wire 3-way and 4-way circuits - some of the most 'challenging' circuits! If the parts are not anchored down, you can play with the topology- switch at the light, light in the middle, etc.

 

[LarryFine]

When I was in technical school (second half of the day instead of high school) we had practice boards, maybe 10" x 15", with two octagon boxes and four 4" sq boxes in a 2x3 pattern, with nipples between them all. We were given switches, lamp-holders, and wire, and told to wire it all so certain switch(es) control certain light(s).

 

[junkhound]

grew up with Eico, heathkit, knight, etc kits, most included the theory plus the kit of parts for everything from toys to o'scopes.

was going to suggest that, but OMG !, looked on ebay for old kits, prices astronomical!!

No idea if modern versions exist.

Far out idea: Go to any auto towing auction site, buy an older wrecked car for $200 to $300. Fix the electrical with aid of appropriate auto service manual. An old land rover is good, full online manuals. Ya have lights, switches, relays, alternator, starter, small motors, various sensors, even cpu to play with.
Strip and resell parts when done and even make a profit.