Instrument Mechanic

Course Description

EEV0652 Instrument Mechanic is a 350-contact-hour vocational course within the Engineering Technologies > Electronics Vocational taxonomy of Florida's Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS). It is the core component of the Electrical and Instrumentation Technology program (Program #J110100, CIP# 0615040401) offered at Florida technical centers such as Manatee Technical College (MTC).

This course prepares students for entry-level employment as instrument mechanics and instrumentation technicians in industrial and commercial settings. Students develop the high-tech skills necessary to install, maintain, calibrate, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation and process control systems used in manufacturing, utilities, petrochemical, power generation, and building automation industries. The program emphasizes sound technical fundamentals, hands-on laboratory practice, and workplace employability skills aligned with Florida Department of Education frameworks.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

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

• Apply knowledge of electrical fundamentals — including AC/DC theory, circuit analysis, Ohm's Law, and basic wiring practices — in instrumentation applications.
• Identify, inspect, calibrate, and test instrumentation components — including sensors, transmitters, transducers, gauges, and actuators — to verify correct operation.
• Describe and demonstrate process control principles, including the measurement and control of temperature, pressure, flow, and liquid level in industrial processes.
• Identify and apply various methods of controlling instrumentation in industry, including pneumatic, analog electronic, and digital control strategies.
• Perform calibration procedures using three-point and five-point methods on pneumatic, analog, and smart instrumentation devices.
• Read and interpret technical drawings, wiring diagrams, loop diagrams, piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), and schematic plans.
• Troubleshoot and repair control loops, isolate faults, and commission loops following repair and calibration.
• Demonstrate safe and efficient work practices in the shop and industrial environment, including compliance with applicable safety codes and Hazardous Area Classification (HAC) requirements.
• Apply communication, human relations, and employability skills required for successful entry into the instrumentation and automation workforce.

Optional Outcomes

The following outcomes may be addressed depending on program emphasis and available equipment:

• Program and troubleshoot Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) for industrial automation applications.
• Configure and monitor Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and SCADA systems used in process industries.
• Apply PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) control theory, including open, closed, and visual loop tuning methods.
• Demonstrate knowledge of hydraulic and pneumatic system principles, symbols, safety, and troubleshooting procedures.
• Apply concepts of building automation systems (BAS), including energy management, IT networking, and systems integration.
• Maintain protective relays, metering, monitoring, and computer-based control systems common to utility and power generation facilities.

Major Topics

Required Topics

The following content areas are covered in all identified Florida offerings of this course:

• Electrical Safety and Shop Practices — Personal protective equipment, lockout/tagout, electrical safety codes, and safe use of hand and power tools.
• DC and AC Electrical Theory — Voltage, current, resistance, Ohm's Law, series/parallel circuits, capacitance, inductance, and AC waveforms.
• Test Instruments and Measurement — Use of multimeters, oscilloscopes, clamp meters, signal generators, and bench-test equipment for circuit diagnosis.
• Sensors and Transducers — Types and operating principles of pressure, temperature, flow, and level sensors; transmitters and signal conditioning.
• Calibration Theory and Practice — Calibration standards, procedures, and programs; three-point and five-point calibration methods; pneumatic, analog, and smart device calibration.
• Process Variables and Measurement — Principles of pressure, flow, temperature, and liquid-level measurement; instrument types and mechanisms for each variable.
• Control Loop Fundamentals — Open and closed-loop control concepts; feedback loops; control loop devices, terminology, and documentation.
• Technical Documentation — Reading and interpreting wiring diagrams, loop diagrams, P&IDs, ladder logic diagrams, and equipment manuals.
• Instrument Installation and Maintenance — Piping, tubing, fasteners, conduit bending, and mechanical installation of instruments per manufacturer and industry standards.
• Troubleshooting Methodologies — Systematic fault isolation, loop troubleshooting techniques, documentation of findings, and reporting to supervisors or engineers.
• Employability and Professional Skills — Communication, leadership, teamwork, technical writing, and career readiness in the manufacturing and industrial sectors.

Optional Topics

The following topics may be included based on program track (industrial vs. building automation) and available lab resources:

• Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) — PLC hardware, programming languages (ladder logic), program download/upload, and PLC troubleshooting.
• PID Control and Loop Tuning — PID formulas and applications; open, closed, and visual tuning methods; controller configuration.
• DCS and SCADA Systems — Architecture, data networking, human-machine interfaces (HMIs), and industrial communication protocols.
• Pneumatic and Hydraulic Systems — Principles of fluid power, pneumatic instruments, system symbols, safety, and troubleshooting of pneumatic and hydraulic control components.
• Motor Control Systems — AC and DC motor principles, motor starters, variable frequency drives (VFDs), and motor-driven valve actuators.
• Building Automation Systems (BAS) — Control theory for HVAC, fire/life safety, lighting, and energy management; IT networking fundamentals for building controls.
• Digital Electronics and Data Networks — Basic digital electronics, binary systems, network devices, and industrial data communication concepts.

Resources & Tools

• Florida DOE Program Framework: Electrical and Instrumentation Technology (I150404) — Florida Department of Education framework document (CIP 0615040401) provides the official competency structure for this course.
• NCCER Instrumentation Curriculum: Industry-standard four-level curriculum covering piping, tubing, calibration, process control, loop checking, and commissioning — widely used at Florida technical colleges aligned to this program.
• Test & Calibration Equipment: Multimeters, clamp meters, oscilloscopes, signal generators, loop calibrators, pressure calibrators, and bench-test equipment for hands-on lab work.
• PLC Trainer Stations: Programmable Logic Controller hardware and software (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Siemens) used for automation and control labs (where available).
• Instrumentation Lab Panels: Student-built control panels demonstrating industrial wiring, instrument loops, and process control configurations.
• Technical References: ISA (International Society of Automation) standards; National Electrical Code (NEC); manufacturer equipment manuals and operator guides.
• Software Tools: PLC programming software, HMI configuration software, and basic productivity tools (e.g., Microsoft Office/Excel) for technical documentation and reporting.

Career Pathways

Graduates of EEV0652 are prepared to pursue entry-level employment in high-demand industrial and commercial technician roles. Related O*NET/SOC occupations include:

• 49-2094.00 — Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
• 47-2111.00 — Electricians (industrial/maintenance specialty)
• 51-9061.00 — Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
• 17-3023.00 — Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Typical industries employing program graduates include manufacturing plants, petrochemical and refinery operations, power generation and distribution utilities, municipal water and wastewater treatment facilities, HVAC and building automation systems contractors, and industrial maintenance service firms.

Credits earned in this program may articulate toward credits at Florida public colleges and universities. Students should speak with a career counselor for current articulation agreements.

Special Information

Certification Preparation

Students completing the Electrical and Instrumentation Technology program (of which EEV0652 is a primary component) may be eligible to pursue the following industry credentials:

• PMMI Mechatronics Certification — Industry-recognized credential in automation and mechatronics, available through the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute; preparation is embedded in the Florida DOE framework for this program.
• NCCER Instrumentation Credentials — Nationally portable craft credentials issued by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), aligned to the instrumentation curriculum content covered in this course. NCCER assessments evaluate knowledge across specific craft areas based on industry subject-matter expert input.
• ISA Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST) — Students are encouraged to pursue this credential upon gaining relevant field experience after program completion.

Program Notes

• A Basic Skills Assessment is required within six weeks of the admit date unless exemption criteria are met per Florida State Statute.
• This course is typically delivered in a full-time format at Florida technical centers (approx. Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.) and is part of a broader ~1,000-hour Electrical and Instrumentation Technology program sequence completed in approximately nine months full time.
• Students should be prepared for a lab-intensive learning environment requiring the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and adherence to industrial safety standards at all times.