Electrician (Construction)

Course Description

EEV0650 Electrician (Construction) is a 350-contact-hour vocational course in the Engineering Technologies > Electronics Vocational taxonomy of Florida's Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS). The course provides a rigorous, competency-based introduction to the electrical construction trade, preparing students for entry-level employment in residential and commercial electrical installation. It is part of a larger Electrical and Instrumentation Technology program sequence offered at Florida technical colleges and is aligned with the Architecture and Construction career cluster as defined by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) CTE Curriculum Frameworks.

The content includes, but is not limited to, planning and installing electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures based on job specifications, Florida Building Code requirements, and the National Electrical Code (NEC). Instruction is delivered through a combination of classroom theory and hands-on laboratory practice, producing work-ready graduates who qualify for apprenticeship-level positions in the electrical construction industry.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

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

• Identify and apply fundamental principles of DC and AC electrical theory, including Ohm's Law, series and parallel circuits, inductance, capacitance, and power factor calculations.
• Demonstrate safe work practices on construction job sites, including proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures, and OSHA electrical safety standards.
• Interpret and apply the National Electrical Code (NEC) and applicable Florida Building Code provisions to residential and commercial electrical installations.
• Read and interpret electrical blueprints, schematics, and wiring diagrams to plan and execute electrical installations.
• Select, use, and maintain hand tools, power tools, and electrical testing instruments (multimeters, clamp-on ammeters, ohmmeters) correctly and safely.
• Install, terminate, and test branch circuits and feeder circuits using various cable types and conduit systems (EMT, rigid, PVC).
• Install and wire panelboards, service entrances, circuit breakers, switches, receptacles, and lighting fixtures in compliance with code requirements.
• Perform conductor sizing, voltage drop calculations, and overcurrent protection selection in accordance with NEC standards.
• Install and verify proper grounding and bonding systems for electrical services and equipment.
• Demonstrate proficiency in conduit bending and raceway installation, including EMT, rigid metallic conduit, and PVC.

Optional Outcomes

The following outcomes may be covered depending on institutional resources and program emphasis:

• Describe and demonstrate installation of motor control circuits, including motor starters, contactors, and overload relays.
• Explain the principles and installation requirements for transformers, including control and power transformer applications.
• Install low-voltage systems including fire alarm, smoke/heat detectors, and security system wiring in accordance with NFPA 72 and NEC Article 760.
• Describe the fundamentals of solar photovoltaic (PV) system components, design considerations, and NEC Article 690 requirements.
• Apply load calculation methods for residential and small commercial services per NEC Article 220.
• Identify Florida-specific licensing pathways and the requirements of Chapter 489, Florida Statutes, governing electrical contracting.

Major Topics

Required Topics

1. Electrical Theory Fundamentals — Atomic structure and matter, sources of electrical energy, Ohm's Law, series/parallel DC circuits, AC fundamentals, inductance, capacitance, reactive power, and power factor.
2. Electrical Safety — OSHA construction safety standards, NFPA 70E electrical safety in the workplace, PPE selection, lockout/tagout (LOTO), arc flash awareness, and fall protection.
3. Tools and Instrumentation — Identification, safe operation, and maintenance of hand tools, power tools, conduit benders, wire strippers, and test instruments (multimeter, clamp-on ammeter, voltage tester).
4. National Electrical Code (NEC) Applications — Code structure and navigation; key articles governing wiring methods, conductor sizing, overcurrent protection, grounding, and special occupancies.
5. Blueprint and Schematic Reading — Interpreting electrical floor plans, single-line diagrams, wiring diagrams, and construction drawings; understanding specifications.
6. Conductors and Wiring Methods — Wire sizing (AWG and kcmil), ampacity tables, insulation types, aluminum vs. copper conductors, voltage drop calculations, and NEC wiring method selection (NM cable, MC cable, conduit wiring).
7. Conduit Systems and Raceways — EMT, rigid metallic conduit (RMC), intermediate metal conduit (IMC), and PVC conduit installation; conduit bending (stub-up, back-to-back, offsets, saddles); pulling wire.
8. Boxes, Devices, and Wiring Connections — Outlet, switch, and junction box selection and installation; device wiring; switch leg and three-way/four-way switch circuits; receptacle installation.
9. Overcurrent Protection — Fuses, circuit breakers, panelboard installation, branch circuit and feeder sizing, and NEC overcurrent protection rules.
10. Service Entrance and Panelboards — Service entrance conductors, service equipment, main panels, sub-panels, neutral and grounding conductor sizing, and meter base installation.
11. Grounding and Bonding — System grounding, equipment grounding conductors, grounding electrode systems, bonding jumpers, and NEC Article 250 requirements.
12. Residential Electrical Installation — Branch circuit layout for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry areas, bedrooms; GFCI and AFCI protection requirements; service entrance sizing calculations; pool and spa wiring hazards.
13. Commercial Electrical Installation — Commercial wiring methods, branch circuit and feeder motor load calculations, conductor selection procedures, voltage drop in commercial applications, reading commercial construction plans.

Optional Topics

1. Motor Theory and Controls — Types of AC motors (single-phase and three-phase), starting methods, motor control circuits, contactors, and overload protection.
2. Transformers — Transformer theory, types, control transformers, power transformers, and NEC installation requirements.
3. Low-Voltage and Signal Systems — Fire alarm wiring (NFPA 72/NEC Article 760), smoke and heat detector installation, security and access control system basics.
4. Solar Photovoltaic Systems — PV system components, system design overview, safety regulations, and NEC Article 690 installation requirements.
5. Load Calculations — Residential and small commercial service load calculations per NEC Article 220; demand factors; service sizing.
6. Florida Electrical Licensing Laws — Chapter 489, Florida Statutes; Chapter 61G6, Florida Administrative Code; apprentice, journeyman, and master electrician licensing pathways and requirements.
7. Workers' Compensation and Business Practices — Florida workers' compensation law as applied to the electrical trade; basic contractor business practices.

Resources & Tools

• Primary Reference: National Electrical Code (NEC) — NFPA 70 (current adopted edition); students are expected to own or have access to a current code book.
• Florida Building Code — Building/Residential Volume (current edition), available from the Florida Building Commission.
• NCCER Electrical Curriculum — Levels 1–2 core textbooks and trainee guides (used at NCCER-accredited institutions including Pensacola State College and Manatee Technical College).
• Test Instruments: Digital multimeter, non-contact voltage tester, clamp-on ammeter, wire tracer/circuit finder — provided in lab or required for purchase.
• Hand and Power Tools: Wire strippers, lineman's pliers, conduit benders (½" and ¾"), fish tape, drill/driver — standard electrician's tool kit.
• NFPA 70E — Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace (current edition) for safety module reference.
• SkillsUSA — Approved co-curricular Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) for competitive skill events and leadership development.

Career Pathways

Graduates of EEV0650 are prepared for entry-level roles in the electrical construction industry and are positioned to advance through the formal licensing pipeline established by the State of Florida and local Construction Trades Qualifying Boards.

• Electrician's Helper / Apprentice (SOC 47-3013) — Entry-level position working under a licensed journeyman or master electrician on residential and commercial job sites.
• Construction Electrician (SOC 47-2111) — Installs electrical systems in new construction and renovation projects.
• Electrical and Electronics Repairer, Commercial and Industrial Equipment (SOC 49-2094) — Maintains and repairs electrical equipment in industrial and commercial settings.
• Journeyman Electrician — After completing a 4–5 year registered apprenticeship (8,000+ OJT hours and 576 classroom hours) and passing the local jurisdictional exam, graduates may apply for journeyman certification.
• Master Electrician / Electrical Contractor — Advanced licensure pathway after additional experience and examination under Chapter 489, Florida Statutes.

Upon successful completion, students may be eligible for articulated college credit toward an Industrial Management Technology (A.S.) degree or similar programs at Florida public colleges. Employment of electricians is projected to grow approximately 11% from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations, driven in large part by Florida's ongoing construction expansion.

Special Information

Certification Preparation

This course is aligned with the NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) Electrician curriculum. At NCCER-accredited institutions, students are eligible to earn the following industry-recognized credentials upon demonstrated competency:

• NCCER Core Curriculum credential
• NCCER Electrician Level 1 certification
• NCCER Electrician Level 2 certification (where full program sequence is completed)

The NCCER portable credentials are nationally recognized by contractors and are accepted by many registered apprenticeship sponsors throughout Florida and the United States as credit toward apprenticeship hours.

Basic Skills Requirement

Florida statute requires students to demonstrate basic skills proficiency. A Basic Skills Assessment must be taken within six weeks of the admit date unless an exemption (such as a prior postsecondary degree or qualifying test score) has been documented. Students should consult their institution's student handbook for exemption criteria.

Articulation

Completion of EEV0650 may qualify students for articulated credit at Florida public colleges and universities. Students should speak with a career counselor at their home institution regarding available articulation agreements.