Electricity & Residential Wiring
Program Summary
Electricity is essential for light, power, air-conditioning, and refrigeration. Electricians install, connect, test, and maintain electrical systems for a variety of purposes, including climate control, security, and communications. They also may install and maintain the electronic controls for machines in business and industry. Although most electricians specialize in construction or maintenance, a growing number do both.
Electricians work with blueprints when they install electrical systems in factories, office buildings, homes, and other structures. Blueprints indicate the locations of circuits, outlets, load centers, panel boards, and other equipment. Electricians must follow the National Electric Code and comply with State and local building codes when they install these systems. In factories and offices, they first place conduit (pipe or tubing) inside designated partitions, walls, or other concealed areas. They also fasten to the walls small metal or plastic boxes that will house electrical switches and outlets. They then pull insulated wires or cables through the conduit to complete circuits between these boxes. In lighter construction, such as residential, plastic-covered wire usually is used instead of conduit.
Employment Trends
- Job opportunities are expected to be good.
- Most electricians acquire their skills by completing an apprenticeship program lasting 3 to 5 years.
- More than one-quarter of wage and salary electricians work in industries other than construction.
Program Objectives
- Successful completion of each course earns a Certificate of Completion
- State licensure as an Electrician
- Coursework leading to award of a Continuing Education Certificate
- Continuing education needed to maintain state licensure
Program Curriculum
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Crs #
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Course Name GO TO Schedule of Classes
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Hrs
|
|
|
Core Courses
|
|
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OCC314
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Basic Electricity
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27
|
|
CST305
|
Electricity: Residential Wiring I
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27
|
|
CST306
|
Electricity: Residential Wiring, Part II
|
27
|
|
CST329
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Electricity Residential Wiring, Part III
|
27
|
|
|
Program total
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108
|
|
|
Journeyman and Masters Licensing
|
|
|
CST376
|
National Electrical Code: Journeyman Prep
|
42
|
|
CST390
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NEC: Master's Exam Prep Including Calculations
|
81
|
|
|
|
123
|
|
|
Continuing Education for License Renewal
|
|
|
OCU356
|
Elements of Grounding
|
10
|
|
CST380
|
NEC Update
|
10
|
|
|
Program total
|
20
|
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Can I get a job after I complete the Residential Wiring Certificate Program?
There are ample opportunities available for individuals training in the electrical field. All enrolled students can access the college’s career center for assistance with resume development, interviewing skills and opportunities in the technical trades’ field. Another great resource is your course instructor. The college’s instructors have numerous years of experience in the electrical field and will provide practical knowledge of where your skills can be used. The training offered through the college prepares individuals to work under the guidance of a Journeyman or Master Electrician.
- Does PGCC offer an electrical apprenticeship program?
PGCC partners with Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc. (IEC) to offer the first four years of electrical apprenticeship training. Those interested should call IEC at 301-621-9545 or 800-470-3013 to receive information and a brochure about the training program, to register for the program, and to arrange employer-sponsored, on-the-job training which accompanies the classroom portion of the apprenticeship program.
- Can I take all the courses at the same time?
You may take Basic Electricity and Residential Wiring I at the same. If you have previous electrical experience or knowledge, you may skip Basic Electricity and start with Residential Wiring I. Residential Wiring I, II, and III cannot be taken together concurrently.
- I’ve been working in the field for five years. Do I need to start at Basic Electricity?
No. You may be interested in studying for the Journeyman License. Every semester we offer a course to prepare experienced electricians for the exam. Check the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation’s website for up-to-date criteria needed to take the exam. The website is www.dllr.state.md.us.
- I need 10 hours/credit Continuing Education course to renew my Master Electrician License. What does PGCC offer?
The college offers two courses which meets the requirement for Master Electrician License renewal in Prince George’s county. These are courses are Elements of Grounding and National Electrical Code Update. The courses are offered in a Friday evening Saturday all day format. Friday meets from 6-9:30pm and Saturday meets from 9am-4:30pm.
- I have a Limited Master’s Electrician License that I need to renew. Do you have a course to renew the license?
The college offers two courses, but neither course is Limited Master specific. However the courses qualify for renewal of the Limited Master Electrician license. These courses are Elements of Grounding and National Electrical Code Update. The courses are offered in a Friday evening Saturday all day format. Friday meets from 6-9:30pm and Saturday meets from 9am-4:30pm. The college currently doesn’t have enough demand to offer Limited Master license renewal courses.