vcc.ca
HPAS 2130: Electrical and Electronic Systems
Effective date
January 2026
Department
Auto Serv Tech Diploma Intl
School
Trades, Technology and Design
Description
This course offers a comprehensive overview of automotive electrical systems, including the fundamentals of electrical circuits and components. Students will learn to use electrical test equipment, interpret wiring diagrams, and diagnose and repair electrical faults. Additionally, the course covers battery design, starting and charging systems, lighting systems, and various electrical options and accessories, with hands-on practice to develop essential diagnostic and repair skills.
Credits
4.0
Year of study
2nd Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
HPAS 1000.
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Describe the fundamentals of electrical circuits and components, including terminology, Ohm's law, and magnetism.
- Use electrical test equipment to measure voltage, amperage, and resistance and perform voltage drop tests.
- Interpret wiring diagrams, including abbreviations, symbols, colors, identification numbers.
- Describe, diagnose and repair electrical faults such as opens, shorts, and grounds in circuits.
- Perform visual inspections and repair wiring harnesses.
- Describe battery design and operation, select, test, and maintain batteries, and diagnose the battery failure.
- Describe, diagnose and repair starting and charging systems and related components.
- Describe, diagnose and repair lighting systems, including conventional, adaptive, HID, and LED types, along with their wiring and controls.
- Describe, diagnose and repair electrical options and accessories, such as sunroofs, mirrors, seats, windows, keyless entry, and theft deterrents.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 20
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 80
Total Hours: 100
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 80
Total Hours: 100
Instructional Strategies
Classroom activities are lectures, demonstrations, audio-visual presentations and exercises. Practical experience takes place in an active shop setting. The extensive workshop experience provides reinforcement of theoretical concepts, develops hand skills, and familiarity with repair procedures, electronic equipment and standard safety procedures. All modules are designed to enable the student to work independently and in groups.
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
70%
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Assignments |
15 |
Assignments related to Electrical and Electronic Systems. |
|
Quizzes/Tests |
15 |
|
|
Final Exam |
30 |
Students are given final exam at the end of the course to assess their theoretical knowledge. |
|
Lab Work |
30 |
Practical knowledge and skills are evaluated in the shop while students are working on training aids and customer vehicles. |
|
Participation |
10 |
Demonstrated engagement with course activities and discussions. |
Course topics
- Fundamentals of electrical circuits and components
- Electrical faults
- Wiring diagrams
- 12 volts batteries
- Starting and charging systems
- Lighting and wiper systems
- Electrical options and accessories
Learning resources
Automotive Technology: Principles, Diagnosis, and Service (Published by Pearson)
Moodle (LMS)
Moodle (LMS)
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.