Electrical Maintenance and Automation

Spring 2018

Enrollment:

Fall, Winter

Degrees and Certificates

Program Website:

View the program website

Tuition and Fees

http://www.ccs.spokane.edu/TuitionFees

Additional Costs

Books$1800
Supplies and Equipment$900
* Estimated cost for length of program.

Program Description

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.

Course of Study

Power Systems Maintenance Option: Only students who have received prior approval from the Bonneville Power Administration are eligible for this degree option.

Program Learning Outcomes

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.

Career Opportunities

Increasing employment is being created by the expanding industrial and manufacturing growth in the Pacific Northwest. The current energy crisis and changeover to alternate energy sources (which are primarily electrical) are expected to make the long-range demand for industrial electricians even greater. Ever increasing automation and mechanization of processing and manufacturing plants have created a need for well-trained entry-level electrical maintenance technicians. Average starting salary is $14 - $19 per hour, with advancement possible to the $20 - $30 per hour range.
POTENTIAL POSITIONS INCLUDE: electrician apprentice, electric service technician, industrial plant electrician technician found in automated manufacturing industries such as wood and paper products, food processing, metals processing, hydro projects, and equipment manufacturing.

AAS - SCC

Disclaimer: The college cannot guarantee courses will be offered in the quarters indicated. During the period this guide is in circulation, there may be curriculum revisions and program changes. Students are responsible for consulting the appropriate academic unit or adviser for more current and specific information. the information in this guide is subject to change and does not constitute an agreement between the college and the student.