1st Semester Courses

ELPW 111 – Introduction to the Electrical Industry & Power Grid – 3 Credits
This course will begin with a basic introduction to the systems and components that make up a basic electrical system, including generation, transmission and distribution. Students then study the history behind electrical utility industry, how the electrical system in the United States was established and how Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse influenced the development of electrical systems. They learn how the electrical industry was first regulated and how regulation of the industry has changed. Students learn how the electrical industry is currently being re-regulated to encourage competition. Students will also gain knowledge of the system operations and marketing of electricity. Finally, they study how the electrical industry is segmented into utility sectors, such as investor-owned, federally owned, publicly owned and cooperatively owned utilities.

ENRT 106 – DC Fundamentals – 2 Credits
This course covers basic direct current theory and application. Students will study methods of producing direct current voltage, including batteries, and magnetic fields. Students will learn to calculate voltage, current, resistance, and power in series, parallel, and combination DC circuits. The construction and operation of rotating DC machines including DC generators and DC motors will also be covered.

ENRT 108 – AC Fundamentals – 3 Credits
This course covers basic alternating current theories and applies those theories to electrical systems and related equipment. Students will also study basic generator and motor design, construction and operation principles.

ELPW 114 – Industrial Safety & Health – 3 Credits
This course provides standard safety, health and environmental practices performed in the electrical industry. Students study safe work practices, including personal protective equipment, chemical safety, fire protection, and tool and machine safety. Students will then learn about the electrical safety and protection. Throughout the course, personal responsibility required for safe and environmentally sound work habits will be reinforced.

ENRT 117 – Technical Communication – 3 Credits
In this course, students will learn the proper writing techniques used within the industry through practical industrial writing scenarios such as safety incident, work order request, equipment log and compliance report. In addition, students will study the appropriate interpersonal skills needed to communicate effectively with coworkers and customers including resolving on the job conflicts and establishing positive working relationships. Students will also learn what is considered acceptable behavior in the workplace and how to recognize unacceptable behaviors.

2nd Semester Courses

ELPW 105 – Electrical System Fundamentals – 3 Credits
This course will discuss the basic electrical power grid system from the electrical generation facility to your home usage. Students will study the different types of electrical power production including: fossil fired, hydroelectric, gas turbine, combine cycle, nuclear power and renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and geothermal. The course will also cover what the future of the electrical system might look like using fuel cell and smart grid technology.

ELPW 112 – Electrical System Components – 3 Credits
This course provides in-depth look into the components used in the transmission of electricity. Students begin with an introduction to the generation of electric power. Students will then learn how switchyards, substations, overhead transmission systems, and underground transmission systems transmit that power at the proper voltage levels and provide system protection. Components such as transformers, circuit breakers, regulators, capacitor banks, tap changers, disconnects, current and potential transformers, relays, and lightning arrestors will be examined in detail. Students will also study the various types of electrical conductors, structures, and insulators used to transmit electricity.

ELPW 120 – Industrial Prints & Diagrams- 4 Credits
This course introduces students to the different schematics used in power plant operations and electrical transmission and distribution systems. Students will gain an understanding of the standard symbols and how to read them. Students learn how to read basic piping and instrumentation diagrams, how to interpret single line electrical diagrams and how to navigate complex electrical systems and feeder maps. Students also study schematics that are used when working with electronic systems and system instrumentation that is used to control and monitor the flow of electricity through the electrical system. Throughout the course, students will learn to use the diagrams to troubleshoot system problems and safely isolate sections of the electrical system.

ENRT 221 – Applied Electronics – 3 Credits
This course focuses on the electronic components and devices that are critical in the operation of energy, manufacturing and other industrial facilities. Students will understand the function of a variety of devices and how to troubleshoot them.

3rd Semester Courses

ENRT 224 – Automation & Control – 3 Credits
This course includes an in depth study of discrete motor control devices and the assembly and programming of PLC discrete input and output modules. The application of these devices in energy and industrial environments is included. Understanding of real world control systems and student constructed systems is part of this course. Some of the equipment covered is switches, relays, contactors, motor starters, control transformers, discrete input devices, electronic input devices, and PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers).

ENRT 230 – Power System SCADA – 3 Credits
This course introduces the theories, design and application of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. Topics include equipment, system configuration, communication and security of the SCADA network.

ELPW 204 – Advanced Electrical Systems – 4 credits
This course provides students with a complete understanding of the design and operation of electrical transmission and distribution systems. Students begin by studying the basic principles of transmission and distribution circuits, including the advantages and disadvantages of AC and DC transmission. Students will also learn some of the procedures used by system operators and line crews to maintain the safe and effective delivery of power during adverse conditions and the steps necessary to restore power after outages. An introduction to distribution system automation is also provided.

ELPW 206 – Electrical System Protection – 4 credits
This course covers philosophies and principles used to protect the electrical system from abnormal and fault conditions, beginning with the generator. Instrument transformers, protective relays, and system grounding principles are covered.

4th Semester Courses

CHOOSE ONE SPECIALIZATION AREA OR 12 TOTAL CREDITS FROM THE AREAS BELOW.

Courses required for specialization in Line Construction