If you're considering an electrical career, then you might be wondering what type of courses you may cover in your electrical training program.
About Courses in an Electrical Program
Electrician courses vary by school and program, but only slightly. Many will require you to take both a basic and advanced electrical wiring course. These courses should cover electrical drawing, motor controls and transformers, the National Electric Code (NEC), and trade-based mathematics. They will also prepare you for work in both residential and commercial settings.
These courses are designed to perfect your skills and knowledge, and to allow you to stand out to prospective employers. Electrician courses will require hands-on training as well as classroom learning, and they should prepare you for the electrician licensing test.
Courses usually focus on:
- Technical knowledge
- Hands-on study and practical applications
- Theories
- Electrical safety
Let’s go over some of these courses in more detail.
Electrical Courses & Course Descriptions
Introduction to Electrical Wiring Systems
This class is an introductory electrical wiring course that covers working with electrical boxes, conductors, cable raceways, and cables and wiring. The course explains basic wiring and installation procedures for cables and electrical boxes, and the correct techniques for using hand benders. The course also examines how to fit metal conduits, and some of the most common types of fasteners used when attaching raceway supports. You will learn all the basics of electrical wiring systems as well as what is required for electrical jobs.
Introduction to Basic Electrical Drawings
Electrical drawings are needed to help electricians install various electrical equipment; they provide you with the steps needed to carry out any job. This class teaches you how to read the symbols and lines used in electric drawings and how the symbols and lines represent the different types of electrical materials, raceways, and conduits.
Electric Power Systems Analysis
This course examines power transmission guidelines and applications for power systems, AC circuit analysis, parts involved in power systems, transformer load, the different types of system protection, and unit analysis.
National Electrical Code (NEC) Essentials
This course teaches a wide variety of NEC-based topics. The course material for this class may be found in any electrical installation course. You learn how to find out if an installation will be in line with required access and space guidelines, as well as:
- The requirements for different types of circuit conductors
- How to identify electrical component sizes
- How to place an effective grounding scheme
- How to use metal framing and piping when grounding conductors
Power Electronics
This class covers the fundamentals of circuitry for energy processing. The main thing you will learn is how to switch (or convert) from DC to DC, AC to DC, and DC to AC, and the principles behind conversion. Other topics of the course include pulse-width modulation, magnetic components involved in power electronics, and electric semiconductors.
Advanced Power Systems
This course examines advanced topics of power systems based on load flow, electrical components, and short circuits. You will learn how to optimally carry out electrical system operations, how to provide maximum electrical stability, and will learn about transient analysis. You typically will use software to understand practical concepts of advanced power systems.
Transformer Maintenance
This course is usually hands-on and teaches the safety, maintenance, and installation of power transformers. You will learn how to troubleshoot and repair any transformers that are rated 765 kV or less.
Power System Protection Methods
In this class, you learn how to monitor and protect everyday power systems. You will learn how to secure and operate radial and grid systems safely and reliably. You will also study how to protect motors, transmission lines, electrical buses, and transformers against electrical anomalies.
Study Hard and Stay Focused
Your courses will prepare you to do well in your electrical apprenticeship and will give you the knowledge you need to become licensed. Use your instruction time wisely and put yourself to work. Your future self will thank you.
Find an electrical trade school near you.
