Mission Statement
The mission of the Electrical Systems Technology program is to prepare students for careers involving the inspection, installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical and solar-powered systems in residential, commercial, and industrial industries.
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Work Environment
Electricians work indoors and out, at construction sites, in homes, and in businesses or factories. The work may be strenuous at times and may include bending conduit, lifting heavy objects, and standing, stooping, and kneeling for long periods. Electricians risk injury from electrical shock, falls, and cuts, and must follow strict safety procedures to avoid injuries. When working outdoors, they may be subject to inclement weather. Some electricians may have to travel long distances to job sites.
Most electricians work a standard 40-hour week, although overtime may be required. Those who do maintenance work may work nights or weekends and be on call to go to the work site when needed. Electricians in industrial settings may have periodic extended overtime during scheduled maintenance or retooling periods. Companies that operate 24 hours a day may employ three shifts of electricians.
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Nature of the Work
Electricians install and maintain all of the electrical and power systems for our homes, businesses, and factories. They install and maintain the wiring and control equipment through which electricity flows. They also install and maintain electrical equipment and machines in factories and a wide range of other businesses.
Electricians generally focus on either construction or maintenance, although many do both. Electricians specializing in construction primarily install wiring systems into factories, businesses, and new homes. Electricians specializing in maintenance repair and upgrade existing electrical systems and repair electrical equipment. All electricians must follow State and local building codes and the National Electrical Code when performing their work.
Electricians usually start their work by reading blueprints-technical diagrams that show the locations of circuits, outlets, load centers, panel boards, and other equipment. After determining where all the wires and components will go, electricians install and connect the wires to circuit breakers, transformers, outlets, or other components and systems.
When installing wiring, electricians use hand tools such as conduit benders, screwdrivers, pliers, knives, hacksaws, and wire strippers, as well as power tools such as drills and saws. Later, they use ammeters, ohmmeters, voltmeters, harmonics testers, and other equipment to test connections and ensure the compatibility and safety of components.
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Employment
Electricians held about 694,900 jobs nationally in 2008. About 65 percent of wage and salary workers were employed by electrical contracting firms, and the remainder worked as electricians in a variety of other industries. In addition, about 9 percent of electricians were self-employed. Employment of electricians should increase 12 percent between 2008 and 2018. Efforts to boost conservation of energy in public buildings and in new construction will boost demand for electricians because electricians are key to installing some of the latest energy savers, such as solar panels and motion sensors for turning on lights.
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Earnings
In May 2008, median hourly wages nationally of wage and salary electricians were $22.32. The middle 50 percent earned between $17.00 and $29.88. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $13.54, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $38.18.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition (http://www.bls.gov/oco/)
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Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the associate degree and diploma program in Electrical Systems Technology will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Comprehend basic DC and AC theory
- Demonstrate the ability to read interpret, and estimate from a blueprint
- Wire a residential and commercial structure
- Wire an industrial structure
- Inspect, maintain, and repair electric motors
- Inspect, maintain, and repair electrical controls
- Diagnostically troubleshoot electrical components and systems
- Inspect and maintain industrial PLCs
- Understand and apply the National Electric Code
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
Graduates of the technical certificate in Electrician's Assistant will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Adhere to safe work practices
- Comprehend basic DC theory
- Understand and apply the National Electric Code to a residential structure
- Wire a residential structure
- Demonstrate the ability to read, interpret, and estimate from a residential blueprint
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
Graduates of the technical certificate in Photovoltaic Systems Installation and Repair Technician will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Create a safe construction environment
- Comprehend basic DC and AC theory
- Demonstrate the ability to read, interpret, and estimate from a residential blueprint
- Demonstrate the ability to install, inspect, service, maintain, and repair photovoltaic systems
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
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Essential Functions
The purpose of the essential functions list is to allow prospective students who are considering a career to be informed of the physical, emotional, and psychological demands related to training and employment in a field of study. These lists are provided to allow prospective students to make informed career choices by providing them with a summary of the physical abilities and personality traits that are generally required for the successful completion of a curriculum and result in employment in their field of study after graduation.
For students to be successful in the Electric Systems Technology programs, they must be able to perform the following essential functions:
- Ability to Use Senses
- Visual: Acuity to identify wire color and to read fine print on equipment or other documents required in the operation or maintenance of equipment
- Hearing: Ability to hear sounds and emergency signals (with auditory aids or a full-time interpreter for the hearing impaired) and to understand a normal speaking voice without direct access to the speaker's face
- Smell: Ability to evaluate malfunctioning electrical equipment by distinguishing a burning smell
- Tactile: Feel heat/cold, vibration, or pain and evaluate the possible danger of equipment malfunction or electrical shock
- Motor Ability
- Ability to walk long distances and stand for long periods of time; to lift, move, and transfer equipment of at least 50 pounds; to maneuver in limited space; and to climb and balance
- Ability to work while in hot/humid and/or cold conditions
- Ability to work at a height
- Manual dexterity to efficiently and safely use equipment, power tools and hand tools, and other small and large equipment while wearing essential safety glasses, gloves, and/or other necessary required safety gear
- Ability to Understand Need for a Safe Work Environment
- Practical awareness of potential hazards and the required safety procedures
- Ability to wear necessary safety gear, i.e. safety glasses, gloves, head covering, etc.
- Ability to maintain a safe working environment at all times
- Ability to Communicate
- Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written forms to class partners and/or team and to instructor
- Ability to write and perform routine mathematical calculations clearly and correctly
- Basic proficiency in technology (computers and peripheral components) as industry requires
- Ability to Problem Solve
- Intellectual and conceptual ability for measuring, calculating, reasoning, analyzing, and prioritizing daily functions in electrical construction and maintenance
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with a sense of urgency without jeopardizing safety
- Ability to react and adjust as instructed by the instructor(s) during lab or shop instruction or based on customer's needs
- Ability to Maintain Emotional Stability
- Ability to function safely under stress in today's workplace and adapt to changing staff and client/customer situations
- Ability to maintain composure and professionalism at all times in labs and work environment
- Ability to Perform Practical Outcomes
- Ability to function under the practical guidelines of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
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Program Expenses
The Higher Education Act requires all colleges and universities to notify students and prospective students of all program costs for which they will be responsible. Students will be responsible for the following expenses each semester (unless otherwise noted):
- Tuition ($75 per credit hour)
- Registration fee ($39)
- Student activity fees ($30)
- Accident insurance fee ($6)
- Instructional and technology supply fee ($55)
- Program supply fee (Varies - see course descriptions for exact amounts)
- Textbooks (Approximately $1,590 for the Electrical Systems Technology program, $920 for the Electrician's Assistant program, and $630 for the Photovoltaic Systems Installation and Repair program)
- Tools (Approximately $2,200 for the Electrical Systems Technology program, $400 for the Electrician's Assistant program, and $800 for the Photovoltaic Systems Installation and Repair program)
These expenses are based on costs in effect at the time this catalog was published. Prices are subject to change.
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Gainful Employment
Information on graduation rates, job placement rates, median loan debt incurred by students and other gainful employment information is available on the college website.
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Admission Requirements
Applicants must submit the following information to the Admissions Office:
- Completed and signed application for admission and a $20 nonrefundable application fee
- Official high school or GED transcripts and/or official college transcripts from all colleges attended in the past (see General Admission Requirements)
- Valid COMPASS, ASSET, SAT, or ACT test scores (see COMPASS and ASSET Placement Tests)
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