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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.

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.

Breaking Ground on Your Pathway


Placement

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

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.

Program Map for

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Total Program Credits: 121 - 139


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
ELMT 242
Advanced AC Controls  
5
ELMT 243
Introduction to Programmable Controllers  
4
ELMT 253
National Electric Code - Article 430  
4
ELMT 254
Programmable Controller Applications  
5
Total Credits
 
18

Sixth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
ELMT 244
Solid State Motor Controls   2
4
ELMT 263
Wiring Techniques   2
4
ELMT 265
Advanced Programmable Controllers   2
5
ELMT 268
Programmable Controller Integration   2
5
Total Credits
 
18

Seventh Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
 
Optional Summer Courses  
0 - 18
Total Credits
 
0-18
Optional Summer Courses: Choose 0 - 18 credits Optional Summer Courses: Choose 0 - 18 credits  
FLPT 271
Pneumatic Theory  
5
FLPT 272
Pneumatic Math and Symbols  
4
FLPT 273
Hydraulic Theory  
5
FLPT 274
Applied Hydraulics  
4

Optional Summer Courses  

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
1 This related education requirement may be met by any course or combination of courses approved by the instructional dean.
2 This course may be substituted with cooperative education (2 credits ELMT 266 and 16 credits ELMT 267) with department permission only. The cooperative education supervisor must approve the worksite chosen. These courses must be taken in the final quarter.

Estimated costs for completing this program

 
WA Resident
Non-Resident
International
Military Tuition Assistance Program
Tuition
$ 11,450
$ 13,552
$ 24,896
$ 8,925
Books
$ 702
$ 702
$ 702
$ 702
Course Fees
$ 1,566
$ 1,566
$ 1,566
$ 1,566
Institutional Fees
$ 764
$ 764
$ 764
$ 764
Total Costs
$ 14,482
$ 16,584
$ 27,928
$ 11,957

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

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