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Electrical Maintenance and Automation

If you are good with your hands, like to solve problems and have a knack for understanding how things work, consider a career as a construction, utility, or maintenance electrician.

As our world’s electrical systems become more sophisticated, so must the skills of electricians. In this program, you’ll learn to maintain, test, repair and/or replace complex electrical systems and controls found in modern industrial plants and large commercial buildings. The program includes hands-on training in motors, generators, robotics, power distribution and other electrical systems.

Whether you are new to the field, or you are an experienced electrician who wants to upgrade your skills, this program opens doors to a variety of challenging job opportunities. Graduates become construction electricians, utility electricians, and technicians in electrical maintenance, production and power systems.

Detailed Information

The Electrical Program prepares students for work in the Electrical Trades. Electricians install, troubleshoot and maintain electrical equipment for production facilities, hospitals, electrical utilities, schools, commercial and residential buildings - anywhere there is electricity.

Electricians are taught both mechanical and electrical skills and are “high tech mechanics”. This program takes students from learning about electrons to wiring and programming automation equipment and everything in between.

Topics covered

Electrical Theory
Electrical Safety and tools for the trade
Generators and Motors
AC and DC Motor Controls
Construction Materials
Conduit Bending
National Electric Code
Programmable Logic Controllers
Electronic Motor Controls - Variable Frequency Drives

Electrical Maintenance and Automation

  1. Understand the inherent dangers of and be able to work safely around electricity.
  2. Be familiar with electrical theory, electrical terms, and electrical circuits (AC & DC).
  3. Be able to identify common electrical materials, parts, and components.
  4. Understand the theory, operation and maintenance of AC & DC generators and motors.
  5. Know basic electronic theory and components and be able to wire, program, and maintain solid state motor controls (Variable Frequency Drives).
  6. Be able to design, sire and troubleshoot conventional motor control circuits.
  7. Understand the components and be able to design, program, wire, troubleshoot, and maintain Programmable Logic Controllers.
  8. Demonstrate proper transformer connections and understand the operation of industrial lighting.
  9. Able to perform electrical conduit bending using trigonometric calculations.
  10. Understand and apply the fundamentals of the National Electric Code.
Power Systems Maintenance
  1. Understand the inherent dangers of and be able to work safely around electricity.
  2. Be familiar with electrical theory, electrical terms and electrical circuits (AC & DC).
  3. Able to identify common electrical materials, parts, and components.
  4. Understand the theory, operation, and maintenance of AC & DC generators and motors.
  5. Know basic electronic theory and components.
  6. Able to design, wire, and troubleshoot conventional motor control circuits.
  7. Demonstrate proper transformer connections and understand the operation of industrial lighting.
  8. Able to perform electrical conduit bending using trigonometric calculations.
  9. Understand and apply the fundamentals of the National Electrical Code.
  10. Understand pneumatic system theory, math, symbols, and circuits.
  11. Understand hydraulic theory, components, symbols, and circuits.
  12. Demonstrated ability to work in the electrical power industry through the documented work experience approved bby the cooperative education supervisor and/or the Bonneville Power Administration.

Breaking Ground on Your Pathway


Plan Your Courses

Meet with our counselors to customize this plan just for you. You can also search the quarterly schedule for class days and times.

Placement

Math placement is not required for this program.
English placement is not required for this program.

Electrical maintenance and automation technicians are responsible for the maintenance, testing, repair, and/or replacement of the electrical systems and controls found in modern industrial plants and large commercial buildings.

As the electrical systems become more sophisticated, so must the skills of the electrical maintenance and automation technician. By mixing the theoretical with practical hands-on lab experiences using modern up-to-date industrial equipment and techniques, the student will be prepared for a challenging career in electrical maintenance.

Students are offered several options within the Electrical Maintenance and Automation program. They may choose to complete an AAS degree with specialized training in one of the following areas: Electrical Maintenance and Automation or Power Systems Maintenance. Electrical Trainee or Electrical Sales option certificates also are offered. Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA in each course of the major discipline before advancing to the subsequent quarter. Students not meeting this minimum are required to repeat the deficient course before progressing.

Electrical maintenance and automation courses may be taken whenever they are offered and in any sequence as long as the student has fulfilled any prerequisites or has instructor permission. This plan allows a great deal of flexibility for retraining people in industry. Potential students should possess a mechanical aptitude, good reading comprehension skills and the ability to pass a color blindness test.

Program Map for

Print/Download

Choose program map:

Total Program Credits: 121


Program Courses

First Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
APLED113
Introduction to Computers for Technology  
3
APLED121
Applied Written Communication   1
4
ELMT 111
Electrical Math  
5
ELMT 112
Electrical Theory  
5
ELMT 113
Safety and Tools  
4
ELMT 114
Materials and Fasteners  
4
Total Credits
 
25

Second Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ELMT 122
DC Circuits  
5
ELMT 123
AC Theory  
5
ELMT 124
Motor Maintenance  
4
ELMT 262
Raceways  
4
Total Credits
 
18

Third Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
APLED123
Leadership Skills for Business and Industry  
3
ELMT 131
Solid State  
5
ELMT 132
DC Generators and Motors  
4
ELMT 135
DC Motor Controls  
4
ELMT 252
Transformers and Industrial Lighting  
5
Total Credits
 
21

Fourth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
APLED125
Employment Preparation   1
3
ELMT 133
AC Motors and Alternators  
4
ELMT 134
Introduction to AC Controls  
5
ELMT 241
AC Motor Controls  
5
ELMT 251
National Electric Code  
4
Total Credits
 
21

Fifth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
FLPT 271
Pneumatic Theory  
5
FLPT 272
Pneumatic Math and Symbols  
4
FLPT 273
Hydraulic Theory  
5
FLPT 274
Applied Hydraulics  
4
Total Credits
 
18

Sixth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
 
Cooperative Education Electives   2
18
Total Credits
 
18
Cooperative Education Electives: Choose 18 credits Cooperative Education Electives: Choose 18 credits  
ELMT 266
Cooperative Education Seminar  
2
ELMT 267
Cooperative Education Work Experience  
16

Cooperative Education Electives  

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ELMT 266
Cooperative Education Seminar  
2
ELMT 267
Cooperative Education Work Experience  
16
1 This related education requirement may be met by any course or combination of courses approved by the instructional dean.
2 The cooperative education supervisor must approve the worksite chosen. ELMT 266 and 267 must be taken concurrently.

Estimated costs for completing this program

 
WA Resident
Non-Resident
International
Tuition
$ 10,929
$ 12,617
$ 23,765
Books
$ 1,612
$ 1,612
$ 1,612
Course Fees
$ 449
$ 449
$ 449
Institutional Fees
$ 672
$ 672
$ 3,195
Total Costs
$ 13,662
$ 15,350
$ 29,021

Costs for completing a degree or certificate can vary. For more information about costs, visit our How Much Does it Cost? page.

Have a question? Let's hear it.

Kim Rose

Pathway Specialist
Kim.Rose@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-8824

 

Alaynah Hardesty

Workforce Transition Specialist
Alaynah.Hardesty@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7398

 

Bill Rambo

Academic Counseling Liaison
Bill.Rambo@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7038

 

Ashley Purdin

Division Dean
Ashley.Purdin@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7065

 

Brandon Livingston

Associate Division Dean
Brandon.Livingston@scc.spokane.edu
509-992-7023

 

Alan Goltz

Department Chair
Alan.Goltz@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7458