Fundamentals of Electrical and Illumination Systems for Building

Catalog description

In Fundamentals of Electrical and Illumination Systems for Buildings ( AE 311 ), students gain an understanding of the basic knowledge and methods for analyzing, designing, and specifying building lighting and electrical systems. Lighting content introduces vision and perception, color, photometric calculations, luminaire types and their application, lighting controls, architectural lighting design principles, and lighting design documents. By the end of the course, students will be able to analyze, design, and specify simple architectural lighting systems. More specifically, students will gain a working knowledge of the terminology and principles of architectural lighting design and the role of lighting designers within the building design process; learn to apply the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) design guidelines, and applicable energy code requirements in various space types. They will also be able to recognize, select, configure, and specify architectural luminaires and related control systems; understand the basics of color theory and the psychological impacts of lighting; and create and validate simple computer models for the purpose of facilitating lighting design. Electrical content introduces fundamental electrical calculations, electrical design processes, power distribution layout and equipment selection; the National Electrical Code, including application of its overcurrent and grounding requirements; electrical construction documents; and utility coordination. By the end of the course, students will be able to analyze, design and document architectural electrical systems. Specifically, students will gain a working knowledge of the terminology and principles of architectural electrical systems and the role of electrical engineers within the building design process; size and specify conductors, conduit, and overcurrent protection devices according to the National Electrical Code, and coordinate and layout panelboards and switchboards; identify topics in electrical building system design that create safety issues; and understand electric utility services and rate structures as they apply to building design. Lecture material is reinforced with homework, hands-on practicums, and team projects. AE 311 is a required course for all students in the Architectural Engineering undergraduate program and typically taken in the third year. This course serves as a prerequisite for courses on building illumination and electrical systems in the Architectural Engineering undergraduate program.