skills for the trade
Electrical academy
Short lessons on the thinking behind safe, reliable low-voltage switchboards. Each one uses plain words, a worked idea and three questions to check yourself.
Learning material, not a design or safety instruction. Electrical work must be done by qualified people following the maker's instructions and local rules.
five lessons
Choose a lesson
- catalogue
Training by market segment
How we organise topics by the market a learner works in, with building automation as a first example.
See the segments - lesson 1 · 10 min
Keeping a switchboard dry
Damp air is a quiet enemy of electrical equipment. This lesson shows why panels collect moisture and how a few small heaters stop it.
Start lesson 1 - lesson 2 · 12 min
Starting a motor: normal and heavy duty
A motor draws far more current for a few seconds when it starts. This lesson explains what makes a start heavy and why that changes the circuit.
Start lesson 2 - lesson 3 · 15 min
How long can a cable be?
A longer cable resists fault current more. If the fault current gets too small, the protection may not trip quickly. This lesson shows the idea with a worked example.
Start lesson 3 - lesson 4 · 12 min
Wiring inside a switchboard
Cables inside a panel sit in warmer, tighter spaces than cables in a room. This lesson covers how to size and fit them.
Start lesson 4 - lesson 5 · 8 min
Fitting circuit breakers: keep the vents clear
When a breaker clears a big fault, hot gas escapes through vents. This lesson shows why those vents must stay open and what to fit around them.
Start lesson 5
Who it is for
Apprentices, technicians, panel builders, maintenance teams and supervisors who want the reasons behind the rules. The lessons teach principles. They are not a substitute for the maker's instructions or for the standards that apply where you work.