Electrical Technology

Gear up for a challenging career in electrical wiring or construction, planning and estimating, or as an electrical technician.

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Academic Options

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Electrical Construction

Electrical Construction

The Electrical Construction option adds skills in the area of commercial and industrial wiring systems, advanced code study and planning and estimating. Graduates of this option are well prepared to meet the challenges of today’s modern equipment and wiring systems.

  • Type: A.A.S. degree
  • Locations: Wahpeton
  • Cluster: Architecture and Construction
  • Green Technology Available


» View Program Information & Admission Requirements

Electrical Master Technician

Electrical Master Technician

The Electrical Master Technician curriculum builds on the strengths of a two-year degree in Electrical Construction or Industrial Electrical. It adds cutting-edge technology in medium and high voltage, instrumentation, fiber optics, structured wiring, HVAC/R and other building controls.

  • Type: A.A.S. degree, third-year option
  • Locations: Wahpeton
  • Cluster: Architecture and Construction
  • Green Technology Available


» View Program Information & Admission Requirements

 

Industrial Electrical

Industrial Electrical

The Industrial Electrical option adds skills in the area of automated industrial controls (robotics, pneumatics and digital electronics) as well as large motors and the electronic drives that control those motors.

  • Type: A.A.S. degree
  • Locations: Wahpeton
  • Cluster: Architecture and Construction, Manufacturing


» View Program Information & Admission Requirements

 

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The Electrical Technology program at NDSCS is designed to give students the skills necessary for successful employment in the electrical industry. Electrical Technology includes in-depth study of electrical theory, applied math, code study and residential wiring. A substantial amount of hands-on experience is provided. Our six laboratories contain AutoCAD, test equipment, electric motors, magnetic motor starters, programmable controllers, electronic devices and residential wiring for both options listed later in this section.

In addition, the Electrical Construction option gives students the background necessary to enter the field of electrical wiring on residential, commercial and industrial construction sites. Graduates of this option are prepared to meet the challenges of today’s modern equipment and wiring systems. This option includes planning and estimating, commercial wiring and advanced code study.

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Electrical Technology Graduates from 2022-23 Academic Year - Includes Construction, Industrial and Master Technician
Graduates Registered Avg. Beginning Annual Salary Reported High Annual Salary Placement Rate
47 $48820 $90276 91%

Embracing Renewable Energy: Solar Panels and Wind Tower Enhance Learning Experience at NDSCS Campus

solar panels
06-20-2023

In an era where renewable resources are gaining increasing prominence and support from government authorities, educational institutions are stepping up to incorporate these sustainable technologies into their campuses. North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) has taken a proactive approach by installing solar panels and a wind tower, not only to generate clean energy but also to offer valuable learning opportunities to its students. These installations serve as practical tools for students to gain hands-on experience in installation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of renewable energy systems. Let's delve deeper into the significance and impact of these initiatives at NDSCS.

Enhancing Learning Through Renewable Energy

Ivan Maas, Chairman of the Building Systems Department at NDSCS, shares that the integration of solar panels and a wind tower has greatly enhanced the learning experience for NDSCS students. “By providing exposure to renewable energy from an installation and troubleshooting perspective, students become proficient in assisting with the setup of such equipment. This practical experience equips them with valuable skills that align with the growing demand for renewable energy professionals.”

Installation and Gifting of Solar Panels

NDSCS boasts multiple solar arrays on its campus. The first array, a 3.5KW installation, was placed on a dual-axis tracker in 2011-12. It was purchased using a Career and Technical Education (CTE) grant and installed by Enterprise Sales from Valley City, ND. Recently, this array was upgraded to IQ-7+ micro inverters from Enphase, improving its efficiency and allowing direct integration with the NDSCS power grid.

Arrays #2 and #3, each with a capacity of 1.3KW, were also purchased in 2011-12 through the CTE grant. These arrays were installed on a ground-mounted framework built for student accessibility. The DC power generated by these arrays is fed into Barnard Hall, where it is converted into AC power using a Fronius IG inverter before being integrated into the power grid. In 2020-21, NDSCS added another solar array, known as Array #4, with a capacity of 4.4KW. This installation was funded by the NDSCS Electrical Department and installed by Scott's Electric in Wahpeton, ND, under guidance from Lightspring in Bismarck, ND.

The Future Impact of Solar and Wind Technology

Maas believes that wind energy might see limited growth in the residential and light commercial sectors due to initial high costs, maintenance challenges, and grid interconnectivity issues. However, large-scale wind turbine utilization is expected to continue growing steadily. On the other hand, solar energy is predicted to experience high demand and substantial growth. Solar power's predictability and dependability, coupled with the simplicity of maintenance and absence of moving parts, make it an attractive renewable energy option. Maas mentions that solar "farms" will be installed near existing distribution resources, power plants, and wind turbine installations. Some states, like California since 2020, have even enacted laws mandating solar installations on every new home.

Both private individuals and corporations are increasingly opting for solar installations to reduce their reliance on the electrical grid and minimize their carbon footprint.

Understanding Solar Panel Output

Solar panels come in various sizes and power outputs. Small panels with outputs ranging from 15 to 50 watts are suitable for charging small devices in outdoor settings. Residential and commercial panels typically range from 250 to 500 watts each. Multiple panels can be electrically wired together to form a solar array, while large installations with multiple arrays are often referred to as solar "farms." The output of a panel depends on its voltage and current ratings, which must be matched to the specific application for proper and safe operation.

Impact on Higher Education

Maas shares his thoughts on the future collaborations between renewable energy and higher education:

“I don’t know how many campuses have solar generation capability. It will vary greatly by state and region. My guess is that a very small percentage today have renewable sources/assets and it would be very rare to have their entire electrical power needs coming from renewables (solar/wind/etc.).”

“I believe there are not many colleges teaching solar classes. Some may include discussions in renewable energy but very few (like NDSCS) feature full-fledged installation practices. The most widely known training center (nationally) for solar installations is North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). NABCEP Certifications are very highly respected and recognized nation-wide. Regionally, several colleges in Minnesota have some instruction in solar installation since Minnesota has aspired to be more proactive on renewable energy production/consumption than other states.”

Article written by NDSCS. 

Electrical 100 year reunion

The 100th Anniversary of the Electrical Technology Department and programs of Barnard Hall will be celebrated on May 12-13, 2023!

03-10-2023
North Dakota State College of Science will celebrate its 100th Anniversary of Electrical Technology education in 2023!

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Old Main

NDSCS Students Excel at North Dakota SkillsUSA Contest

05-09-2019
Students from NDSCS received a number of awards at the North Dakota SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference.

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Electrical student

NDSCS Electrical Technology Department to Celebrate 95 Years

09-26-2018
The NDSCS Electrical Technology Department will celebrate its 95-year history during the College’s Homecoming week.

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Old Main steeple

NDSCS Students Excel at North Dakota SkillsUSA Contest

04-17-2018
Students from the North Dakota State College of Science received a number of awards at the North Dakota SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference.

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Old Main

NDSCS Students Excel at North Dakota SkillsUSA Contest

06-01-2017
Students from the North Dakota State College of Science received a number of awards at the North Dakota SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference.

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Electrical Technology student

NDSCS Electrical Technology Department to Recognize Careers in Energy

10-13-2016
The North Dakota State College of Science Electrical Technology Department will commemorate Careers in Energy Week October 17-21, 2016.

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