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Home > Course Catalog > Course Descriptions > (ECAL) Eletrical Technology

ECAL 100          Introduction to Electricity (3 credits)
An introductory lecture class in electrical fundamentals. A practical approach to the study of electricity including Ohm’s law, power, series and parallel circuits, direct and alternating current, with strong emphasis on diagrams and troubleshooting. (F, S)

ECAL 101          Electrical Fundamentals (5)
This course will introduce the student to the various electrical properties and the equipment which produces those properties. Basic circuitry will be examined, utilizing algebraic skills to perform the calculations. (F)

ECAL 102          Electrical Fundamentals (5)
This course will introduce the student to alternating current. The electrical properties and their effects on the circuit will be examined. Basic trigonometric skills will be utilized to perform calculations for analyzing various electrical circuits. Prerequisites: ECAL 101, MATH 136. (S)

ECAL 103          Electrical Code Study (4)
A preliminary study of the National Electrical Code. Wiring design and protection, wiring methods and materials, and equipment for general use are covered. (F)

ECAL 105          Electrical Safety I - OSHA 10 (1)
This course includes an introduction to OSHA standards relating to the electrical industry.  This includes fall protection, electrical (subpart K), struck by or caught in, personal protection and lifesaving equipment, health hazards in construction, hazard communication, materials handling, stairways, ladders and scaffolds, fire protection and prevention as well as other related topics. Students are required to attend all sessions to complete the certification.  Upon successful completion the student will receive the OSHA 10 hour certification. (F)

ECAL 111          Electric Meters and Motors (3)
A practical hands-on course using ammeters, voltmeters, wattmeters, and multimeters in testing and troubleshooting electric motors, components and wiring systems. A study of single and three phase AC motors, their construction features and operating characteristics. This lecture/laboratory class emphasizes electric motor terminology, identification of motor types, enclosures, mounts, motor selection, connections, maintenance, testing and troubleshooting. Students are also introduced to motor loads, protection, controls, and devices used to connect motors to their loads such as pulleys, V-belts, gear boxes and couplings. (F, S)

ECAL 132          Agricultural Wiring (2)
Consists of lectures giving an introduction to basic electricity, basic wiring circuits, electric motors, materials and tools used and wiring methods. Students also perform laboratory work with actual circuit layout and installation in accordance with the rules and regulations of the National Electrical Code. This course deals primarily with residential wiring methods. (F)

ECAL 133          Basic Wiring (3)
Consists of lectures giving an introduction to basic wiring circuits, materials and tools used and wiring methods. Students also perform laboratory work with actual circuit layout and installation in accordance with the rules and regulations of the National Electrical Code. This course deals primarily with basic wiring methods. (F, S)

ECAL 137          Electrical Drafting (2)
Students will become familiar with basic computer-aided drafting concepts and given exposure to basic symbols used in engineering plans and architectural blueprints. This course will give students a tool that will be used to generate reports for other classes such as AC lab. (F, S)

ECAL 197          Cooperative Education (1-5)
Cooperative education offers students the opportunity to integrate career, social and personal development into the educational process. The cooperative education program allows students to integrate classroom study with a paid work experience related to their fields of study. It is recommended that a student has successfully completed one year of academic study.

ECAL 201          Alternating Current Theory (5)
A study of three phase alternating current circuits and single and three phase transformers and machines as well as the theory and operation of three phase wye and delta circuits and the relationship of voltage, current and power in these circuits. The use of phasor algebra in the solution of alternating current problems is stressed as are the characteristics and use of electrical instruments such as voltmeters, ammeters, ohmmeters and wattmeters. Students learn the theory and operation of transformers with single and three phase connections and are introduced to alternating current machines. Prerequisite: ECAL 102. (F)

ECAL 203          Advanced Electrical Code Study (3)
This course is a continuation of ECAL 103. Several articles of the National Electrical Code not covered in ECAL 103 are studied in this course. In addition, service calculations for residential, multi-family dwelling, commercial and industrial buildings are covered. This course is designed to prepare the student for the written State Journeyman’s exam. Prerequisite: ECAL 103. (S)

ECAL 204          Electrical Planning and Estimating (4)
A residential workbook text is used to go through all parts of a residential electrical system. A complete set of blueprints is supplied with the textbook and is used extensively in the class. A commercial workbook text with a complete set of blueprints for a commercial building is used to learn how to estimate the cost of materials and the total labor hours required to install the electrical system for a typical commercial building. Other factors that must be considered to come up with a total bid price are also discussed. Manual and introduction to computerized estimating techniques are covered. (S)

ECAL 205          Electrical Design and Lighting (3)
A class discussion course dealing with electrical material and equipment sizing, layout and application, applicable wiring codes, regulations and rules, and characteristics of common electrical distribution systems as used in industrial plants and commercial building locations. Included is a study of short circuit current, current limiting and coordination, power factor correction and electrical rates. This course includes the study of modern illumination principles, calculation procedures and equipment for lighting installations. (S)

ECAL 211          AC Measurements (4)
This lecture/lab course consists of a series of experiments to investigate the characteristics of single-phase and three-phase electrical circuits. The connections and testing of transformers in both single-phase and three-phase configurations are stressed. Students also learn the operation of three phase motors from conventional sources. Corequisite:  ECAL 201. (F)

ECAL 223          Electronic Devices (4)
A combination lecture/laboratory course covering diodes, zener diodes, bipolar and field effect transistors, silicon controlled rectifiers, diacs, triacs and unijunction transistors. These devices are studied in typical power-control circuits. The oscilloscope and multimeter are used to verify the correct operation of the circuit as well as for troubleshooting. The 555 and 741 integrated circuits and some of their applications are also studied. (F)

ECAL 224          Automated Industrial Controls (5)
Automated Industrial Controls is a lecture/lab course that will cover digital electronics, basic pneumatic controls and robot operation. The robot is a 5-axis servo machine with inputs and outputs that is programmed in Scorbase. The final lab projects will integrate all three elements. (S)

ECAL 233          Commercial Wiring Laboratory (3)
An extension of ECAL 133 with lectures emphasizing commercial wiring methods. Students will perform laboratory work consisting of actual installation of various raceways, as well as connecting of special equipment used in commercial and industrial applications, all in accordance with the National Electrical Code. Prerequisites: ECAL 103, ECAL 133. Corequisite: ECAL 203. (S)

ECAL 237          House Wiring Rough-In (1)
This course will introduce the student to the logistics and procedures involved with wiring of a residential dwelling. (F)

ECAL 238          House Wiring Trim-Out (1)
This course will introduce the student to the logistics and procedures involved with the proper trim-out of a residential dwelling. (S)

ECAL 241          Basic Motor Controls (3)
A lecture and laboratory class oriented to the study of electromechanical control system concepts. Experiments are designed to illustrate the principles, applications, connection and installation procedures of electrical controllers. Special emphasis is placed on the analysis and development of motor control circuits. (F)

ECAL 242          Advanced Drives  (2)
This is a lecture and laboratory course dealing with the theory, construction, application, installation, and programming of Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) motor controllers. VFDs are an increasingly common method of controlling motors and their related processes. Students will program a variety of controllers to learn the limitations and capabilities of each device. We will also be configuring programmable controllers to communicate with the drives, as well as communications with Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs). This course is a two credit class that will meet for one hour four times per week. (F, S)

ECAL 243          Programmable Controllers (3)
A lecture and laboratory course dealing with the theory, construction, application, installation and programming of microprocessor-based programmable controllers. Logic networks solving typical industrial control problems are developed and programmed into a variety of controllers to learn the operating techniques and capabilities of each machine. (S)

ECAL 245          Medium and High Voltage (1)
This lecture/lab course covers medium- and high-voltage electrical theory, conductors, insulators, overcurrent devices, testing, termination, safety precautions and safety equipment. (F)

ECAL 246          Alarm, Communications and Data Systems (3)
This course will introduce the student to communication systems, fire alarm systems, fiber optics, data and telephone wiring materials and methods. (S)

ECAL 248          Advanced PLC’s (3)
This course is a continuation of ECAL 243 PLC’s. This course will expose the learner to more advanced PLC programming concepts. This course will also expose the learner to different types and manufacturers of PLC’s. HMI’s and multiple communication protocols will also be included as topics in the lecture/lab course.

ECAL 261          HVAC and Building Systems (2)
This is a lecture/lab course which examines the basic components used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems and their electrical circuits. The course focuses on identifying whether the system has failed due to an electrical problem or a mechanical problem. The building envelope is studied to verify proper size equipment or to use electric heat. Energy usage/efficiency will be discussed to maximize savings where possible. Lastly, building usage and scheduling will be studied where systems allow further control of the system to reap energy savings (introduction of building automation).  (F)

ECAL 262          Predictive/Preventative Maintenance (2)
This course is a discussion course of different maintenance types and the equipment used to perform the technician level portion of the tasks. Included in this discussion will be the use of thermography and vibration analysis in the predictive maintenance program and different areas of concern that they can be used to monitor and detect problems. Additional items of discussion will be oil analysis, ultrasound and precision alignment. (S)

ECAL 263          Distributed Electrical Systems (3)
This course is a lecture/discussion course which examines today’s need for more flexible energy systems. The basic components used in distributed generation systems will be discussed as well as the various types (solar, wind, engine drive, etc.). The NEC and wiring perspectives of various systems will also be studied. The students will be required to do research into modern systems as well as consult various industry resources for additional information. (F)

ECAL X92          Experimental Course (1-9)
A course designed to meet special departmental needs during new course development. It is used for one year after which time the course is assigned a different number.

ECAL 297          Cooperative Education (1-5)
Cooperative Education offers students the opportunity to integrate career, social and personal development into the educational process. The cooperative education program allows students to integrate classroom study with a paid work experience related to their field of study. It is required that a student has successfully completed one year of academic study.

ECAL 299          Special Topics (1-9)
A course designed to meet special departmental needs.

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