Wiring and Troubleshooting
This National FFA lesson, “Wiring and Troubleshooting,” introduces students to electrical tools, symbols, and circuit diagrams as a supplement to the Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems CDE. Using the “Wired for Success” worksheet and an Electrical Diagrams packet, students complete wiring diagrams, intentionally introduce errors, then swap with partners to diagnose and fix the mistakes, building troubleshooting skills.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
-
- Interpret electrical diagrams and symbols to understand how a circuit should function.
- Trace and label wiring paths on diagrams.
- Create and identify wiring errors on paper diagrams to demonstrate troubleshooting skills.
- Collaborate by swapping diagrams with peers and diagnosing/fixing intentional mistakes.
- Time required
- 60 minutes (*Time requirements may vary based upon student understanding and class schedule.)
- Grade level
- Grades 9 and 10
- Materials
-
- A copy of the "Wired for Success" worksheet for each student
- A copy of the Electrical Diagrams packet for each student
- Description of Lesson
- This lesson introduces students to electrical tools and symbols and is a supplement to the National FFA Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems Career Development Event (CDE). These lessons are designed to be used in order.
- Vocabulary
- Circuit; Ground; Hot Wire; Neutral Wire
- Resources/References
- Electrical Diagrams Activity; Electrical Diagrams Activity Answer Key
- Related Resources
- SAE Idea Cards, https://FFA.box.com/s/0j0438zo941eymcncgpqabh5iqzzlrpg
- Cross-Curricular Connections
- Science – Wire different types of circuits.
- SAE and FFA Connections
- Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems CDE; Agricultural Proficiency Area: Agricultural Mechanics Design and Fabrication; Foundational SAE Connections: Agricultural Literacy
- Bell Ringer
- Why do you think it is important to understand basic electrical wiring, no matter what career you go into in the future?
- Exit Ticket
- Name one common wiring mistake and how to fix it.
Downloads & Links
Aligned Standards
AFNR Career Ready Practices
- CRP.02Apply appropriate academic and technical skills. Career-ready individuals readily access and use the knowledge and skills acquired through experience and education to be more productive.
- CRP.04Communicate clearly, effectively, and with reason. Career-ready individuals communicate thoughts, ideas and action plans with clarity, whether using written, verbal and/or visual methods.
- CRP.07Employ valid and reliable research strategies. Career-ready individuals are discerning in accepting and using new information to make decisions, change practices or inform strategies.
- CRP.08Utilize critical thinking to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. Career-ready individuals readily recognize problems in the workplace, understand the nature of the problem, and devise effective plans to solve the problem.
AFNR Performance Element
- PST.04Plan, build and maintain AFNR structures.
Common Career Technical Core
- AG-PST4Plan, build and maintain AFNR structures.
Common Core – Reading: Informational Text
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.9-10.1Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Common Core – Science & Technical Subjects
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.2Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; trace the text's explanation or depiction of a complex process, phenomenon, or concept; provide an accurate summary of the text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.4Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 9-10 texts and topics.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.9Compare and contrast findings presented in a text to those from other sources (including their own experiments), noting when the findings support or contradict previous explanations or accounts.
Common Core – Speaking and Listening
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.1Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.4Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and task.
FFA Precept
- FFA.PG-J.Mental GrowthEmbrace cognitive and intellectual development relative to reasoning, thinking and coping.
- FFA.PL-A.ActionAssume responsibility and take the necessary steps to achieve the desired results, no matter what the goal or task at hand.