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Week 1 — Safety, Tools, Professionalism
Lockout/tagout fundamentals, PPE verification, readiness documentation, and professional technician mindset.
Course syllabus
Appliance Repair Academy, 12 week program
Read this first. It shows what each week covers, how to move through the portal and how you are graded. The course is self paced, so you can work ahead or slow down as needed.
How to get around
- Click Home to go back to the portal, where you see every week, your progress checkmarks and your grades.
- Open one week at a time and work the tabs across the top from left to right.
- When the quiz and assignment for a week show a checkmark on the portal home page, move to the next week.
What each tab is for
Orientation
Start here each week for the overview and any orientation videos.
Videos / Visuals
Watch every video in full. Pause and rewatch anything that is not clear before moving on.
Readings
Read the articles and reference material. They explain the theory behind the videos.
Parts
Learn each component: what it is, what it does and how it fails.
Manuals
Work through the service manual material to build your skill with real documentation.
Study Guide
Review the key points before you take the quiz.
Quiz
Take it after the other tabs. Score 80% or higher to pass. You can retake it.
Assignment
Complete the hands on assignment. Some have an upload, some are practice only. Do them all.
Works Cited
The sources used for the week, if you want to read further.
Week 10 is different: it uses Simulations and 3D Lab tabs where you diagnose faults step by step.
Weekly schedule
- 1
Safety, Tools and Professionalism
Safe work habits, PPE, de-energizing appliances, documentation.
- 2
Tool Fundamentals and the Appliance Repair AI App
Multimeter basics and how to use the AI app on real jobs.
- 3
Washers
Top load and front load systems, common failures and tests.
- 4
Dryers
Electric and gas dryers, heating, airflow and safety devices.
- 5
Refrigerators
Sealed system basics, defrost and cooling diagnostics. Links to EPA 608 prep.
- 6
Specialty Refrigeration Systems
Ice makers, dispensers and specialty units.
- 7
Stoves and Ranges
Electric and gas ranges, elements, igniters and controls.
- 8
Microwaves
High voltage safety, magnetron circuit and interlocks.
- 9
Dishwashers
Wash, drain, fill and heating systems.
- 10
Applied Diagnostics
90 diagnostic scenarios plus 80 interactive 3D simulations.
- 11
Comprehensive Review
Review of every unit to prepare for the final exam.
- 12
Certification Final Exam
75 questions. Score 80% or higher to earn your certificate.
How you are graded
- Weekly quizzes, Weeks 1 to 9: 40% of your grade. Your best 8 of 9 count. Each quiz passes at 80%.
- Assignments: 10% of your grade.
- Week 12 final exam: 50% of your grade. 75 questions, 80% to pass.
- Your certificate unlocks when you pass the final exam.
- Letter grades: A is 90 and up, B is 80 and up, C is 70 and up, below 70 is F.
Help along the way
- Marco, AI Instructor (bottom right) answers questions about any lesson or repair, any time.
- Get Help (bottom right) sends a support ticket to our team.
- EPA 608 prep is linked from Week 5. The Academy prepares you for the exam but does not issue EPA certification.
- Safety first on every job: unplug or switch off the breaker, shut off gas, and verify power is off with your meter before touching anything.
Meet Marco
Meet Marco, your AI instructor, and see what the Academy covers.
Orientation video
How to complete this week
- Videos / Visuals tab — Watch every video in full. Take notes. Pause and rewatch anything you do not fully understand before moving on.
- Readings tab — Read every article and reference material. These explain the theory behind what the videos show.
- Parts tab — Review every component listed. Know what it is, what it does, and how it fails.
- Manuals tab — Work through every manual exercise. These build your ability to read and use real service documentation.
- Study Guide tab — Use this to review and reinforce what you learned before taking the quiz.
- Assignments tab — Complete every assignment. Some assignments do not require submission for grading. Complete them anyway — the hands-on practice is where the real learning happens.
- Quiz tab — Take the quiz only after completing all tabs. Score 80% or higher to complete the week.
Independent research
- Look up specific model numbers you encounter and download the OEM service manual.
- Visit the manufacturer website for technical bulletins and support documentation.
- Search YouTube for model-specific repair videos, disassembly walkthroughs, and diagnostic procedures.
- The more you research independently, the faster your confidence and skills will grow.
What to submit this week
- Quiz: Score 80% or higher on the Safety Compliance Quiz.
- Assignment: Completed readiness form and liability waiver.
Assignment note
Assignments marked without a submission field do not require you to turn anything in. However, completing all assignments will significantly strengthen your understanding and hands-on skills. We strongly encourage you to complete them.
Safety reminder
Before beginning any hands-on work, always de-energize the appliance and verify it is safe. Unplug or de-energize the appliance before disassembly. Never assume a unit is safe because it appears off. Live wires, capacitors, and stored electrical energy can be present even when a unit is unplugged. Microwave capacitors in particular can hold lethal voltage after being unplugged — always discharge before touching internal components. Refer to the Week 1 Safety Orientation for full PPE requirements and LOTO procedures. When in doubt, stop and consult before proceeding.
LOTO in the real world
Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) is the gold standard for controlling hazardous energy, and you will see it in factories, commercial kitchens, and large facilities. In residential appliance repair, most technicians do not carry lock and tag kits on every call. That is normal, and it should not worry you.
What every working tech does on every job, and what we expect from you:
- Unplug the appliance and keep the plug where you can see it, or switch off the breaker for hardwired units.
- Shut off the gas supply on gas appliances.
- Verify the power is off with your meter before touching anything.
- Discharge capacitors, especially in microwaves, which can hold a lethal charge after unplugging.
For plug-in appliances, unplugging and keeping the plug under your control is the accepted safe method. Formal LOTO is the extra step for hardwired equipment or when someone else could switch the power back on. If you work for a company that requires LOTO, always follow its policy.