Electrical Technology
Gain hands-on electrical technology experience while earning an Associate in Applied Science degree. As the demand grows for quality electricity, so does the need for qualified electricians. Industry trends show that the need for electricians in the workforce will increase by 20% over the next 10 years.
Our program prepares you to enter the workforce as an electrician helper, in which you will be under the supervision of a Journeyman or Master Electrician. You’ll acquire 2,080 hours of on-the-job training right here at Iowa Lakes, contributing toward the typical 8,000 hours required by most states of an apprentice electrician before they may take the electrical examination.
Get real experience and training on power generation, electric motors and controls, renewable energy power systems, HVAC controls and programmable logic control systems. You’ll also learn about the National Electrical Code and how to perform electrical work within the residential, commercial and industrial electronics sectors. By studying our broad curriculum, you’ll develop both core and specialized skills in electrical technology.
If you want a challenging and rewarding career with room to advance, then our Electrical Technology program may be a great fit for you. Develop the skills needed to be an electrician in our two-year program.
PSEP (Postsecondary Electrical Program) approved through the Electrical Licensing and Inspection Program, State Fire Marshal Division, Iowa Department of Public Safety. Electrical Apprenticeship Training Program, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, United States Department of Labor approved.
Faculty Contact
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Doug Zemler Assistant Professor, Electrical Technology Instructor & Coordinator 712-362-8376 | dzemler@iowalakes.educreate new email |
Program Details
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Curriculum
Term 1
COM 753 – Technical Communications†
This course is designed to prepare students for the oral and written communication situations in the working world. The major areas of study include technical communication principles, oral communications, composing technical documents, and using Standard English. Writing projects require the use of a word processing program; therefore, computer experience is recommended.
ELE 119 – Basic Electricity I
Electrical Theory I is an introduction to basic electrical theory and components that make up electrical circuits. Direct Current and Alternating Current will be introduced and basic laws for voltage, current and power relationships will be presented in lecture and laboratory format. Course content will include, but not be limited to basic circuits, electrical components and their applications. Hands-on reinforcement of theory covered during lecture is practiced in lab.
ELE 155 – NEC I
An introduction to the NFPA 70® National Electrical Code®. The course covers Chapters 1 and 2 of the Code, including the structure of the Code, requirements of electricians, and basic wiring and protection.
ELE 181 – Residential Electric/Electronics Systems
This course is designed to introduce students to residential wiring. Discussion topics will include safety, planning, using residential building plans, calculating loads, and wiring methods. Lab settings will require the student to use hand tools and wire circuits. The National Electrical Code will be used in depth to determine the requirements used for residential wiring. We will be using hand and power tools in the labs for wiring practices and installations.
SER 114 – Blueprint Reading
Fundamentals, principles, and practices involved in producing and reading blueprints utilized in the different sectors of the renewable energy industry with a focus on basic blueprint reading.
SER 116 – Career Seminar
A study of the careers available within the renewable energy sector, with an emphasis on analyzing renewable energy industries as related components of a dynamic system. Students will also learn about drafting cover letters, creating resumes, interviewing, and networking.
MAT 743 – Technical Math
Technical Math includes operations with real numbers, use of fractions, ratios, measurement conversion, algebraic equations, functions, geometry, and right angle trigonometry. Applications are designed around situations students may encounter in industrial settings
Term 2
BUS 102 – Intro to Business
The basic fundamentals of business. Basic business and economic concepts and terminology; management, marketing, finance, human resource management, accounting and other business areas.
ELE 136 – Basic Electricity II
Electric Theory II consists of instruction that will build upon experience gained in Electric Theory I. Students will be introduced to advanced concepts of electrical theory.
ELE 156 – NEC II
A continuation of the NFPA 70® National Electrical Code®. The course covers Chapters 3 and 4 of the Code, including wiring methods, materials, and general equipment.
Prerequisites: ELE 155 – NEC I
ELE 195 – Motor Control
This course discusses motor controls, components, operation, and service. Students will learn electric relay control of AC and DC motors along with troubleshooting motors in an industrial application.
ELE 354 – Commercial Electric/Electronics Systems
This course introduces students to commercial wiring. It begins with the planning of the commercial installation by using blueprints, layout, and calculations. They will be required to calculate load for branch circuits, feeders and the electrical service. Wiring methods, luminaires, motors and overcurrent protection will also be covered. The National Electrical Code requirements will be used and explained to understand how they are applied to commercial installations. The labs will consist of bending conduit and use hand tools for wiring methods and practices.
Prerequisites: ELE 181 – Residential Electric/Electronics Systems
SER 101 – Energy, Sustainability & the Environment
Introduction to Sustainable Energy Resources is designed to provide a basic understanding of energy, current trends in energy consumption, and the role of sustainable energy resources in today’s society. Topics covered will include matter and energy laws, the history of energy usage by humans, the categories of energy resources, and the environmental problems currently being caused by energy consumption.
Term 3
ELE 946 – Electrical Technology Internship I
Students will complete their internship (practicum) through job contact experience to improve their readiness to enter their chosen field and focus them on the advanced training in their second year prior to graduation. A minimum 3-page, APA formatted synopsis of their experience is required upon completion of the internship.
Term 4
ELE 158 – NEC III
A continuation of the NFPA 70® National Electrical Code®. The course covers Chapters 5 and 6 of the Code, including special occupancies and equipment.
Prerequisites: ELE 156 – NEC II
ELE 226 – Electric Motors & Generators
Electric motors & generators is an introduction to types of motors and generators that are used today. The characteristics of Direct Current and Alternating Current motors and generators will be discussed and demonstrated through lecture and hands on laboratory sessions.
Prerequisites: ELE 119 – Basic Electricity I
ELE 234 – Electrical Maintenance and Safety
An introduction of the NFPA 70E® Electrical Safety in the Workplace and NFPA 70B® Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance documents. Technicians are required to do preventive maintenance on electrical equipment and to do it safely. These documents will be used to discuss how this is to be accomplished in the workplace.
ELT 732 – Introduction to Industrial Instrumentation
Comprehensive introduction to components, circuits, instruments and control techniques used in industrial systems.
Prerequisites: ELE 136 – Basic Electricity II
HCR 102 – Intro to HVAC
An introduction to HVAC systems, with an emphasis on electrical and mechanical fundamentals skills, including AC and DC electricity; electrical power supplies and wiring materials; meter operations; mechanical math and measurement; fasteners; and PVC assembly.
Prerequisites: SER 124 – Industrial Safety
SER 117 – Estimating for the Trades
This course presents the skills required to organize and prepare an estimate for a trade’s project.
WTT 216 – Power Generation & Transmission
Power Generation and Transmission will serve as an introduction to the generation of electrical power with a wind turbine generator, moving that power through a local transmission system to a substation where a customer will purchase the generated power. This course will cover all aspects of working with components of a high voltage transmission system.
Term 5
BUS 161 – Human Relations†
Students are given the opportunity to apply human relations concepts and evaluate experience and observations. Social skills required in various occupational settings will be developed, emphasizing how appropriate personal attitudes lead to social and business success.
ELE 242 – Programmable Logic Control Systems
Introduce students to Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC’s), primarily the Siemens S7-200 processors, the Siemens LOGO smart relay processor and the Bachmann M1 Controllers. The course will provide students with experiences in the following: Numbering systems associated with programming and addressing PLC’s Hardware and software familiarization associated with PLC’s Using programming instruction sets to create and edit ladderlogic programs Troubleshooting techniques using a PLCTroubleshooting techniques using a schematic and drawings
ELE 255 – NEC IV
A completion and review of the NFPA 70® National Electrical Code®. The course covers Chapters 7, 8, and 9 of the Code, including special conditions, communications systems, and applicable tables to the Code.
Prerequisites: ELE 158 – NEC III
ELE 357 – Industrial Electrical/Electronic Systems
This class will deal with the wiring aspects and electrical components of industrial installations. Modern industrial plants require technicians to be knowledgeable in high voltage, medium voltage, and low voltage systems. Systems from the substation, overcurrent protection, conductors, capacitors, and power quality will be discussed. Wiring methods and practices for hazardous locations will be taught in the class also.
Prerequisites: ELE 354 – Commercial Electric/Electronics Systems
ELT 493 – Industrial Networking and Data Acquisition
Foundational training in local area networking technology, protocols and installation procedures. Introduction to supervisory control and data acquisition for industrial networks.
Prerequisites: ELT 732 – Introduction to Industrial Instrumentation
† indicates a course that fulfills the diversity requirement. This course may also fulfill another general AA requirement.
