Electrical Systems

Electrical

The nervous system of every robot.

Electrical systems are like the nervous system of a robot, carrying the energy and signals that bring a machine to life. In this Tech Crest you will explore how electricity flows from a battery to motors, sensors, and microcontrollers. By practicing safe wiring and learning how to connect components without a short circuit, you will gain the skills to build a robot that is reliable, powerful, and ready for action.

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Requirements

What you'll do

Some requirements are independent; others you'll do with your trainer. Check off items as you go — your progress is saved in this browser.

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Safety & Fundamentals

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  • 1. Identify potential hazards in electrical work on robots. Explain appropriate precautions to perform electrical work safely.
  • 2. Explain the following electrical terms: voltage, current, resistance, power, circuit, short circuit, circuit breaker, brownout, and wire gauge.
  • 3. Identify at least four methods for making an electrical connection on a robot, explain when it is appropriate to use each method.

Making Connections

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  • 4. Demonstrate each of the following connection techniques:
  • 4a. Demonstrate how to properly strip the insulation from the end of a wire.
  • 4b. Demonstrate how to properly crimp an Anderson Powerpole to 12 AWG wire.
  • 4c. Demonstrate how to properly connect wires with crimped terminals.
  • 4d. Demonstrate how to properly connect wires with clamping terminals.
  • 4e. Demonstrate how to properly make a soldered connection and how to remove solder.
  • 4f. Demonstrate how to properly secure and safeguard connections with strain relief.

Wiring & Battery

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  • 5. Explain the importance and principles of good wire management.
  • 6. Demonstrate the proper procedure for each of the following:
  • 6a. Demonstrate the proper procedure for changing the robot battery.
  • 6b. Demonstrate the proper procedure for charging a robot battery.
  • 6c. Demonstrate the proper procedure for monitoring battery charge and health.

Progress shown here is your own local checklist for planning — it doesn't submit to anyone. Your trainer files the official completion form when you finish.

Tech Crests™ requirements may be updated at any time. A student who completes the requirements as they are written at the time that they begin work on the Tech Crest™ will be considered to have completed the Tech Crest™ even if the requirements change while they work. An earned Tech Crest™ will not be retroactively invalidated if the requirements change after completion.

For Trainers

When all requirements are satisfied, submit the official completion form to record this achievement.

Submit Completion Form →

Tech Crests™ are developed by Scouting Robotics, Inc in partnership with FIRST Robotics Competition Team 321, the RoboLancers. Copyright is assigned to Scouting Robotics, Inc. All rights reserved. This document is provided freely for public review. Teams may implement the Tech Crests™ system if they agree to use the provided completion form to provide usage tracking data and feedback. Tech Crests™ is a registered trademark of Scouting Robotics, Inc.

Ready to start?

Find your trainer. Make a plan.

A trainer is a coach, mentor, or more experienced student with content-area expertise and your coach's approval. Ask your coach to help identify an eligible trainer for Electrical.

For Students Guide For Trainers Guide →
Process
  1. 1 Identify your trainer with help from your coach
  2. 2 Meet to discuss your plan of work and timeline
  3. 3 Complete requirements; check in periodically
  4. 4 Present yourself for review at completion
  5. 5 Trainer submits the Tech Crest completion form
More in Electrical Systems

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 Soldering and PCBs
Soldering and PCBs
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