Electronics Equipment Repairer

Course Description

EEV0500 Electronics Equipment Repairer is a 375-contact-hour vocational course that represents Occupational Completion Point (OCP) C in the Florida Electronic Technology program sequence. The course builds on foundational electronics assembly and testing skills to prepare students for hands-on diagnosis, troubleshooting, and repair of electronic equipment used in commercial and industrial settings. Students develop proficiency with analog and digital circuits, solid-state devices, test instrumentation, soldering and rework techniques, and systematic fault-isolation procedures. Integrated throughout the course are communication, leadership, human relations, employability skills, and safe, efficient work practices aligned to Florida's career and technical education standards.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Apply DC and AC circuit theory — Analyze series, parallel, and combination circuits using Ohm's Law, Kirchhoff's Laws, and related theorems; calculate voltage, current, resistance, and power.
• Interpret circuit diagrams and schematics — Read, interpret, and use electronic schematic diagrams, wiring diagrams, and technical documentation to support repair activities.
• Perform systematic troubleshooting — Apply logical fault-isolation techniques to diagnose malfunctions in electronic circuits and equipment; identify failure symptoms and root causes.
• Use test and measurement equipment — Demonstrate correct operation of digital multimeters (DMM), oscilloscopes, function generators, and power supplies to measure and evaluate circuit performance.
• Identify and test solid-state devices — Test and evaluate diodes, transistors (BJT and FET), thyristors, and integrated circuits; read and apply component datasheets.
• Perform soldering and desoldering — Execute through-hole and surface-mount soldering and desoldering to industry standards; inspect solder joints for quality and compliance.
• Repair and replace electronic components — Remove, select substitute parts for, and reinstall defective components on printed circuit boards (PCBs); restore equipment to operating condition.
• Practice laboratory and workplace safety — Comply with electrical safety rules, OSHA guidelines, and ESD (electrostatic discharge) prevention procedures in a laboratory environment.
• Apply technical recording and reporting — Document repair procedures, test results, and work orders accurately and professionally.

Optional Outcomes

Depending on institutional emphasis, students may also be able to:

• Analyze operational amplifier circuits — Design and evaluate op-amp configurations including comparators, active filters, and amplifier stages.
• Troubleshoot microprocessor-based equipment — Identify faults in microcontroller or microprocessor-controlled devices using diagnostic tools and firmware documentation.
• Perform fiber optic cable assembly and inspection — Fabricate, splice, and test basic fiber optic cable assemblies using appropriate connectors and tools.
• Apply basic communication circuit concepts — Identify oscillators, mixers, filters, and modulation/demodulation stages in communication equipment.
• Demonstrate IPC soldering standards — Prepare for IPC-A-610 or IPC J-STD-001 Certified IPC Specialist (CIS) examination through module-based instruction.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• DC Circuit Fundamentals — Voltage, current, resistance, Ohm's Law, series and parallel circuits, Kirchhoff's Laws, Thevenin/Norton theorems, power calculations.
• AC Circuit Fundamentals — Sinusoidal waveforms, RMS values, capacitance, inductance, RC/RL/RLC circuits, impedance, resonance, transformers.
• Solid-State Devices — Semiconductor theory, diodes, rectifiers, BJTs, FETs, thyristors (SCR, TRIAC), and their applications in circuits.
• Analog Circuits — Amplifier stages, biasing, frequency response, power supplies (linear and switching), voltage regulators.
• Digital Systems — Number systems, logic gates, combinational and sequential logic, flip-flops, counters, encoders/decoders, and basic digital troubleshooting.
• Test Equipment and Measurement — Setup and use of DMMs, oscilloscopes, signal generators, and bench power supplies; measurement of voltage, current, resistance, and frequency.
• Schematic Reading and Technical Documentation — Interpretation of schematic symbols, block diagrams, PCB layouts, and service manuals.
• Soldering and PCB Rework — Through-hole soldering technique, solder joint inspection, desoldering tools (solder wick, desoldering pump), introduction to surface-mount technology (SMT) rework.
• Systematic Troubleshooting Methodology — Symptom identification, half-split method, signal injection/tracing, component substitution, and repair verification.
• Laboratory Safety and ESD Control — Electrical safety, lockout/tagout awareness, OSHA compliance, ESD awareness and prevention, proper tool use.
• Employability and Workplace Skills — Work ethics, teamwork, communication, technical reporting, and customer service fundamentals.

Optional Topics

• Operational Amplifiers — Op-amp characteristics, inverting/non-inverting amplifiers, comparators, integrators, active filters.
• Communication Circuits — Amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), oscillators, phase-locked loops (PLL), and antenna basics.
• Microprocessors and Microcontrollers — Architecture overview, input/output interfacing, diagnostic use of firmware and service tools.
• Surface-Mount Technology (Advanced) — Advanced SMT rework and repair techniques; IPC-7711/7721 rework procedures.
• Fiber Optics Basics — Fiber optic principles, connector types, cable assembly, splicing, and continuity testing.
• Computer-Aided Circuit Simulation — Introduction to simulation software (e.g., Multisim, LTspice) for circuit analysis and troubleshooting practice.
• Power Electronics — Introduction to variable-speed drives, inverters, and power conversion circuits used in industrial settings.

Resources & Tools

• Test Equipment: Digital multimeters (DMM), dual-channel oscilloscopes, function/signal generators, regulated DC bench power supplies, LCR meters, logic probes.
• Soldering Equipment: Temperature-controlled soldering stations, hot-air rework stations, desoldering pumps and braid, ESD-safe workstations.
• Laboratory Trainer Kits: DC/AC circuit trainer boards, analog and digital breadboarding kits, PCB repair practice boards.
• Reference Texts: Industry-standard electronics textbooks covering DC/AC theory, solid-state devices, and digital systems (e.g., Floyd's Electronic Devices, Boylestad's Introductory Circuit Analysis).
• Technical Documentation: Component datasheets, equipment service manuals, IPC standards documents.
• Simulation Software (Optional): NI Multisim, LTspice, or equivalent circuit simulation platforms.
• Online Resources: Florida Department of Education SCNS course profiles (flscns.fldoe.org); ISCET study materials; IPC training modules.

Career Pathways

Completion of EEV0500 awards OCP C — Electronics Equipment Repairer and prepares students for entry-level employment or advancement within the electronics industry. Graduates may pursue careers including:

• Electronics Equipment Repairer
• Bench Technician
• Field Service Technician
• Electronic Engineering Technician
• Computer Repair Technician
• Communication Systems Technician
• Digital Equipment Repair Technician
• Security and Audio/Visual Systems Technician
• Industrial Electronics Maintenance Technician

Students who complete all OCPs in the Electronic Technology program sequence (EEV0010, EEV0100, EEV0500, EEV0616) may earn a full program certificate. Coursework may also articulate toward an Associate in Science (A.S.) in Engineering Technology — Electronics Specialization at participating Florida state colleges. The average wage for electronics technicians in Florida is approximately $29.82 per hour ($62,020 annually), with starting wages of $20+ per hour reported for program graduates.

Special Information

Certification Preparation

• ISCET — International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians: Students are strongly recommended to obtain ISCET certification upon program completion. The Associate CET (Certified Electronics Technician) credential is the primary industry-recognized certification for this occupational level.
• IPC Certification (Optional): Institutions offering IPC-aligned soldering modules may prepare students for IPC J-STD-001 CIS (Certified IPC Specialist) in electronics assembly and soldering, or IPC-7711/7721 CIS in rework and repair.
• Basic Skills Requirements: Per Florida OCP requirements, students must satisfy minimum basic skills levels: Mathematics — Grade Level 10; Language — Grade Level 9; Reading — Grade Level 9.
• Program Note: EEV0500 is a vocational (0-level) course and is generally not transferable under the standard SCNS equivalency guarantee. Students seeking college-credit articulation should consult an academic advisor at their institution.