Fundamentals of Appliance Repair Training Course
Learn troubleshooting and diagnostic skills that remove the guesswork and eliminate failed service calls, no matter the make or model of the appliance. See course syllabus.
Overall rating: ★★★★★ based on 141 reviews
Click here to see this course’s reviews!Training 2 or more techs?
Train new techs and bring older techs up-to-speed on modern appliance technology and troubleshooting.
Learn more about MST for Business
Enroll Today
Who the course is for
All techs
# of modules and units
9 modules and 55 units
Estimated time to complete
40-80 hours
Length of access
1 year
Cost of continued enrollment
$5 / month
What You'll Learn
- A foolproof, easy-to-learn method for troubleshooting
- How basic electricity and circuits work
- How to read appliance schematics
- How to test circuit boards and perform a load analysis to accurately identify and fix the source of problems
- How to measure, diagnose and fix gas pressure and flow problems
- How to identify, troubleshoot and fix all varieties of motors and motor control systems
- The name and function of appliance components, including those in modern, computer-controlled appliances
Start Here for a Better Career
Many of our graduates, including many seasoned techs, have called this course a game-changer for their career. Fundamentals of Appliance Repair will teach you troubleshooting and diagnostic skills that remove the guesswork and eliminate failed service calls, no matter the make or model of the appliance.
In short, Fundamentals is NOT about how to disassemble an appliance to change a part. You can find that information in service manuals or free YouTube videos (and which we also provide guidance on). This course is about teaching the foundational technology common to all major appliances–the same for all brands–and the foundational skills needed to identify and fix their problems, knowledge and skills that most techs do not yet have.
To stand out from the crowd, you need a fundamentally better skillset.
How the Courses Work
Need to know more about how the self-pacing, on-demand courses work? Or what to do about the hands-on component of training? Or perhaps you’re wondering how you will know you’re mastering the material? Learn more about how our courses work here.
Certification
Pass quizzes and course exams to earn your Appliance Repair Certification in Fundamentals. Prove to employers and customers that you know your craft. BONUS: Certified techs are eligible for a free membership at our tech support site, Appliantology.
Customers Also Purchase
Technician’s Bundle – Includes Refrigerator Repair, all other courses, and free Professional Service course
Complete Business Bundle – Includes Refrigerator Repair, all other courses, and free Business Management course
Course Syllabus
| Module 1 | Fundamentals Course Orientation |
| Welcome! The objective and mission of the Samurai Tech Academy. How to to get around the Academy and use this course. | |
| Unit 1 | Welcome! Meet your Sensei |
| Unit 2 | How to Use and Interact with the Fundamentals of Appliance Repair Course |
| Module 2 | Tools and Test Instruments |
| Basic tools that every tech needs on every service call. | |
| Unit 1 | Basic Tools to Have on Hand for Every Service Call |
| Unit 2 | Your Tool Back Pack for Appliance Service Calls |
| Unit 3 | Information Tools |
| Module 3 | Basic Electricity |
| Volts, ohms, amps. Ohm's Law. Series and parallel circuits. Loads and voltage drop. Basic electrical measurements. Reading wiring diagrams. | |
| Unit 1 | Basic Electricity: Electrical Terms |
| Unit 2 | What is Electricity? Current and Voltage |
| Unit 3 | Basic Electricity: Voltage, Current, Resistance, and Power |
| Unit 4 | Basic Electricity: Circuit Components |
| Unit 5 | Basic Electricity: Series and Parallel Circuits |
| Unit 6 | Basic Electricity: Circuit Breaker Panels and Power Outlets |
| Unit 7 | Basic Electricity: Electrical Measurements in Appliance Repair |
| Unit 8 | Basic Electricity: Voltage, Voltage Drop, and Load |
| Unit 9 | Basic Electricity: More on DC and AC Voltage and Current |
| Unit 10 | Basic Electrical Wiring Skills in Appliance Repair |
| Unit 11 | Introduction to Schematic and Wiring Diagrams |
| Unit 12 | Basic Electricity Module Exam |
| Module 4 | Basic Electronics |
| Control board configurations in appliances. Common components on electronics boards encountered in appliance repair. Electronics connectors. Handling electronic boards. Testing diodes and rectifiers. | |
| Unit 1 | Fundamentals of Appliance Repair Course Midterm Exam |
| Unit 2 | Electronics in Appliance Repair |
| Unit 3 | Components on Electronic Control Boards |
| Unit 4 | Basic Electronics: Capacitors |
| Unit 5 | Basic Electronics: Transformers |
| Unit 6 | Control Board Configurations Used in Appliance Repair |
| Unit 7 | Working with and Handling Electronics Boards in Appliance Repair |
| Unit 8 | Basic Electronics Module Exam |
| Module 5 | Troubleshooting |
| Fundamental law for troubleshooting. Basic diagnostic and correction procedure. Technician's diagnostic guide. Basic troubleshooting techniques and strategies. Using schematic diagrams to troubleshoot appliances. | |
| Unit 1 | Introduction to Troubleshooting |
| Unit 2 | Troubleshooting Basics and Strategies |
| Unit 3 | The Ten-Step Troubleshooting Tango |
| Unit 4 | Using Schematics to Troubleshoot Appliances, Part 1 |
| Unit 5 | Using Schematics to Troubleshoot Appliances, Part 2 |
| Unit 6 | Pre-Diagnosing the Problem before the Service Call |
| Unit 7 | Troubleshooting Module Exam |
| Module 6 | Basic Gas |
| Gas fuels in appliance repair; Physical properties of gas fuels; Natural gas distribution; How LP gas differs from natural gas; Gas pressure regulators; Measuring gas pressure; Gas flame characteristics. | |
| Unit 1 | Introduction to Gas Fuels in Appliance Repair |
| Unit 2 | Physical Properties of Gas Fuels |
| Unit 3 | Measuring Gas Pressure |
| Unit 4 | Natural Gas Distribution |
| Unit 5 | How LP Gas Differs from Natural Gas |
| Unit 6 | Gas Pressure Regulators |
| Unit 7 | Carbon Monoxide |
| Unit 8 | Gas Flame Characteristics |
| Unit 9 | Basic Gas Module Exam |
| Module 7 | Appliance Parts |
| Familiarization with various parts used in appliances: pumps, switches, relays, motors, sensors, and more. | |
| Unit 1 | Switches and Relays |
| Unit 2 | Pressure Switches, Thermostats, and Sensors |
| Unit 3 | Solenoid Valves |
| Unit 4 | Heating Elements |
| Unit 5 | Gas Appliance Parts: Valves, Flame Detectors, Ignitors, Spark Modules |
| Unit 6 | Appliance Parts Module Exam |
| Module 8 | Appliance Motors |
| Motor systems used in modern appliances. Principles of operation and failure modes. | |
| Unit 1 | Overview of Electric Motors Used in Appliances |
| Unit 2 | Variable Frequency Drive Systems |
| Unit 3 | Single-Phase Asynchronous AC Motors |
| Unit 4 | Appliance Motors: Supplemental Material |
| Unit 5 | Appliance Motors Module Exam |
| Module 9 | Final Exam and Beyond |
| Final exam for the Fundamentals of Appliance Repair course. | |
| Unit 1 | Looking Ahead to other Academy Courses and Beyond |
| Unit 2 | Final Exam for the Samurai Tech Academy Fundamentals of Appliance Repair Course, Part 1 |
| Unit 3 | Final Exam for the Samurai Tech Academy Fundamentals of Appliance Repair Course, Part 2 |
| Unit 4 | Fundamentals Course Wrap-Up |
★★★★★
“Every thing has been great so far! I entered this knowing basically nothing about his field but just getting through this fundamental section has already given me confidence out in the field!”
- Colin Johnsen
★★★★★
“The overall tech bundle course: Is a great course for teaching basic appliance repair and great for making the transition from old to new technology in appliance repair. The courses were well thought out and presented to be easily understandable. Also not over whelming in course content. I strongly recommend this course for beginners and experience appliance techs alike.”
- R. M.
★★★★★
“Real life examples of what you need to know to be an appliance tech. Work smart, not hard!”
- Slav
★★★★★
“Great course and well taught. I knew nothing going into this class and came out of it with a great grasp of the fundamentals of electricity and appliance repair. With this base platform well established, I look forward to advancing further.”
- Paul Johnson
★★★★★
“I love this course. It is phenomenal. It is challenging, which is good because it helps you to think about what you are doing. I will be able to do my jobs: Better, Faster, and more Profitably because of this course. Thank you Master Samurai Tech for all your help. They are very responsive to your questions about everything. I would totally recommend this course.”
- Matthew Tynan
★★★★☆
“Content inside was very helpful but there was a little bit of overkill in it which I enjoyed”
- John bast
★★★★★
“I learned alot. I think ohms law might of been easier for me to understand if I saw it action as it was being explained. and sometimes samurai talked very fast with alot of technical info, motors is what jumps to mind. But with that said Im glad I picked. MST Thank You”
- bkane
★★★★★
“I absolutely LOVED this course. I will admit to being a little wary of what an online course could offer. This surprised, impressed and really challenged me. I have spent the last 23 yrs working in aviation and thought I had a pretty solid background in electronics and basic electricity. Boy was I wrong. This course reinforced what I already knew and added a whole new level of information I didn't know I needed. The only thing I have to complain about is not taking the plunge and purchasing the entire bundle. Once again, this course was outstanding. I can't say enough good things about it. I will definitely be taking the rest of your courses. Thank you Team Samurai.”
- Ron Frias
★★★★★
“Very good course highly recommend. If you have questions or concerns they get right on it. Very impressive.”
- Steve
