Electrical Circuit Basics Part 2 - Intro to Ladder Diagrams

Bryan gives the Kalos techs an intro to ladder diagrams as part 2 of his electrical circuit basics series. He builds on the line and load basics by covering the differences between 240v, 120v, and 24v power as well as the differences between L1, L2, neutral, common, and ground.
We work with loads, switches, and power sources; a power source always has two points, and ground is not one of them. When you're testing to ground, you have to remember that it isn't the intended path, so it isn't the best practice you can do.
When mapping out a circuit, you can help keep things straight by differentiating between the line and load sides. However, you can't accurately copy the schematic if you draw the circuit with a distinct line and load side. You must also remember that alternating current (AC) electricity is common in motors and other similar components, so the legs of line-side power alternate between positive and negative charges, which makes the electrons move. All we need is the motion of electrons for things to happen; it doesn't matter whether they go forward or backward. It's also worth noting that on transformers, "common" doesn't exist until we dedicate one side to ground.
When we draw switches on a circuit map, normally closed switches will be drawn closed, and normally open switches will be drawn open. Also, even though the switch only has one "line side," the other leg of power is still relevant.
To show electrical behavior, we use sine waves, which are really just "unrolled" circles that show the behavior of electricity as a motor turns. When we draw the sine waves for a 240v system, we would draw two lines exactly 180 degrees out of phase with each other (when one is high, the other one is low and vice versa).
The path after the load changes depending on the circuit type; it would be L2 in a 240v with 120v on each leg, common on a 24v circuit, or neutral on a 120v circuit; neutral is different from common in that "neutral" is a more specific term and doesn't relate to a bunch of blanket conditions as common does (i.e., in the case of the common point on a capacitor terminal AND the common point on a wire). "Neutral" specifically refers to the other side of the load from line on a 120v circuit.
Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at www.hvacrschool.com/

[@hozerhvac4406]

Your an Awsome boss. Very lucky employees

[@drew22]

My left ear enjoyed your lesson

[@buddhimanirman7495]

I changed my earphones and laughed at myself after seeing your comment 🤣

[@jeffgrizzel9499]

Really enjoyed this video. You did a great job explaining what can be a confusing topic. Thanks.

[@lucianorosel8128]

Immediately your presentation helped me understand diagrams/schematics! I went to trade school but the instructor was being overwhelmed with questions!

[@skullanclawbones]

Just starting to re-learn what I never had to use after college as applied to AC circuits/DC circuits. You make it interesting to listen to, subscribed.

[@scouser66]

Thank you so much for your videos Bryan!!! i got into the trade via the labor pool opening in my province's construction commission meaning i did not go to school for it. The HVAC School youtube is probably the best option for anybody who gets in without traditional schooling. Get all your theory here from a great teacher and train hands on at the job.

[@chadgerman8173]

This Instructor Is phenomenal

[@cortlandtatt6750]

Awesome awesome teaching. Very well explained

[@davejohnsonnola2758]

Looking forward to more.

[@Hiddenplace414]

Omg you are the best at teaching these things 🤯🙏 thank you so much

[@BillyN31]

I always tell new guys wanting to get into the trade to put a ton of energy into learning schematics and using your multimeter.

[@michaelparker3532]

Will this be on the electrical license exam?

[@BillyN31]

Not sure man. I had to take a Ct state exam

[@kidalwys]

Bryan where is the rest I was enjoying it so much.

[@kylelikeskjvbible]

This is great info for electricians too. I'm also interested in HVAC, I want to learn it all.

[@ojingaj30]

Good to hear you say that! All that extra knowledge will just make you that much better of a technician👊

[@OcRefrig]

Good video.

[@logankollatt2857]

I wish it was a longer video

[@jennifercase9306]

Want to ask at one time there used to be a 20 Degree Offset on the out put. Since this was what it was it cooled better and more efficiently yet never made you too cold or let the Thermostat go above the Temp you set it at, yet they set them now to the Thermostat say 70 and you run at 70, this does not cool corectly and allows the Temps to rise even with it properly set. Anyone answer this please would be helpful. But this would also cut down Electricity and Use.

[@tashitsenkyap21]

What is Jim from The Office doing in the front row !?

[@xevierred6330]

Common can mean that a neutral wire can be landed so that when that contact changes position from NO to NC it can complete the circuit to another component. Like a shunt trip.

[@kylehall3493]

Love the videos! Just wanted to point out that the electrical circuit basics video are not in order in the "HVAC fundamentals playlist"

[@HVACS]

thanks for your feedback! we fixed the playlist

[@chriscooley906]

Great info Bryan, Amazing explanation, you are so personable with your guys, wish you would donate yourself to science so we could clone you and have you run every HVAC company, Thanks for sharing your wealth much appreciated.

[@dalvindersinghmanku8243]

Sir...can you please discribe in RAC model why cannot mixed or replace same type of upto 2.0tr splits ac R410/32 gases.... please

[@camdenchild]

The reason why one leg wants to travel between 1 leg to the other, is not because it’s alternating current, it’s because the two phases are 90 degrees out of phase and their potential difference is 240 degrees

[@BBQPitmaster626]

Where is this school? Looks fun.

[@luisromero851]

The video is gone. Why???

[@michealplater9007]

240vac bulbs, dont see many of these, come to Australia or many other countries

[@Nadamarak]

Isnt using 2 phase wire make it 2 phase supply how can other be neutral if its live

[@frankroper3274]

Everybody in that class looks like they are going to fall asleep! This guy takes the long way to get to the point! He must think his students take the short bus!

[@shahbazmalik1862]

Hey where is audio

[@davidaliperti]

which class is this?

[@84DavidM777]

Yes common on the cap is not common on the circuit. Let's just not worry about how I learned that.

[@Waafa]

Can someone please explain to me why it changes from L2, to common, and then to neutral based on change of voltage?

[@yacineelyas8756]

All the lines: Line 2, Neutral, or common are doing the same job in the circuit. Regrouping all the load wires. For electricians, it's important to specifie what kind of current source is used. If we mention Line 2, the electrical circuit is multiple phases 220, or 480, 575 volts etc. If we mention neutral, it is a simple phase 120v, if we mention common, it is a control loop transformer 10, 24, 48 volts.

[@johnalanis8400]

The sound isn’t working

[@CoachTobyXL]

The instructor seems like a good guy who genuinely wants to help people, but at the same time gets frustrated when people don’t catch on quickly. That could make a person afraid to ask questions to avoid embarrassment, delaying the learning process even further because someone may be afraid to admit when they don’t understand something.

[@Nelcomarproductions]

Most people in HVAC are like that. That's its biggest failure. they want you to learn fast despite needing practice to actually be good.

[@NFatu8ed]

Something is off with your sound. It's a bit uncomfortable, but great info

[@bolao7386]

no audio

[@HVACS]

sorry, audio it's only on the right side, so only through the right side headphone/speaker

[@BelRahk]

my left ear learned alot not my right tough

[@lyndarafferty2735]

Hi 🙋

[@andy321373]

whats wrong with the audio

[@HVACS]

I don’t hear anything strange

[@OcRefrig]

audio is fine here on my desktop.

[@HomeCode]

This was super helpful but I had to stop because of the sniffing...

[@JuanSanchez-nn1db]

Ground is never the intended path

[@jnote8147]

Sorry but the phlegm is killing me 😓