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Electrician Trainee Program

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses Faculty

Electrician Trainee (ELTRN) Courses

ELTRN 110 Electrician Trainee I

  • Units:4
  • Hours:63 hours LEC; 27 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:MATH 100 or 132 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course is an introduction to the Commercial/Residential Electrician Trainee Program. It includes safety procedures, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements, basic rigging, basic electrical mathematics, Ohm's Law, Direct Current (DC) theory, and construction related CPR and First Aid. This course meets the State of California requirement to obtain an electrician trainee license. This course was previously known as ELECT 210.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • analyze and avoid unsafe conditions and unsafe acts, and observe safety laws and regulations.
  • explain the purpose of and demonstrate the safe use and care of both hand and power tools and equipment.
  • define commonly used hand tools in the electrical trade.
  • demonstrate CPR and First Aid on adults for use on construction job sites.
  • calculate electrical mathematics problems with fractions, basic trigonometric functions, Ohm's Law, square roots, and power formulas.
  • apply electrical mathematics in calculating resistance, current, and voltage in DC series, parallel, and combination circuits.
  • integrate the metric system and metrication changes in measurements, tolerances, and specification within the electrical trade.

ELTRN 111 Electrician Trainee II

  • Units:4
  • Hours:63 hours LEC; 27 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:ELTRN 110 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course covers Alternating Current (AC) theory, including AC and Direct Current (DC) generation, phase, and circuit mathematical calculations. It also covers the use of meters in different applications of alternating current, and provides a basic introduction to electronics and application of the National Electrical Code (NEC) to jobsite electrical installations. This course meets the State of California requirement to obtain an electrician trainee license. This course was formerly known as ELECT 211.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • calculate voltage, current, resistance, and power in AC and DC generators and phase calculations.
  • apply electrical mathematics in inductance, resistance, and capacitance calculations.
  • apply electrical mathematics in calculating inductive and capacitive reactance in series, parallel, and series-parallel circuits.
  • apply the principles of magnetism and electromagnetism to circuits.
  • define functions, operations, and characteristics of different solid state components.
  • identify and apply National Electrical Codes to job-site electrical installations.

ELTRN 120 Electrician Trainee III

  • Units:4
  • Hours:63 hours LEC; 27 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:ELTRN 111 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This is the third course of the Commercial/Residential Electrician Trainee Program. Topics include conductors, cables, conduits, lighting systems, panelboard, switchboard, and overcurrent devices for residential and commercial installations. This course also covers reading blueprint drawings, making sketches, drawing architectural views, and identifying common blueprint scales and electrical symbols. This course as formerly known as ELECT 220.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • list different types of conductors and insulators with basic application for each type.
  • identify different wiring methods for conductors, cables, and conduits.
  • calculate wire size based on the National Electrical Code (NEC) ampacity tables for given installations.
  • identify conductor and cable fault types and causes.
  • apply NEC requirements for selecting conduits.
  • demonstrate procedures for fabricating conduit bends with hand benders and power benders.
  • list the functions, operations, and characteristics of various lighting systems.
  • list the functions, operations, and characteristics of overcurrent devices.
  • list the functions, operations, and characteristics of panelboards and switchboards.
  • recognize symbols for electrical blueprints.
  • analyze functions of blueprints, specifications, schedules, addenda, and revisions in construction.

ELTRN 121 Electrician Trainee IV

  • Units:4
  • Hours:63 hours LEC; 27 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:ELTRN 111 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This is the fourth course required for the Commercial/Residential Electrician Trainee Program. Topics include electrical grounding systems and lightning protection systems. It also includes jobsite personnel development and jobsite management. This course was formerly known as ELECT 221.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • explain terminology covering electrical grounding systems.
  • identify different components of the grounded system.
  • identify the different components of the grounding electrode system.
  • calculate ground resistance using the fall-of-potential method of testing.
  • identify the different components of a lightning protection system.
  • list job site chain of command and scope of work performed by crafts.
  • describe effective communication methods for job sites.
  • prepare basic documentation for job sites.

ELTRN 130 Electrician Trainee V

  • Units:4
  • Hours:63 hours LEC; 27 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:ELTRN 111 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This is the fifth course required for the Commercial/Residential Electrician Trainee Program. Topics include fundamentals of motors, motor controllers, process controllers, generators, and transformers. Topics also include testing of cables, generators, and motors. This course meets the State of California requirement to obtain an electrician trainee license. This course was formerly known as ELECT 230.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • describe the function, operation, and characteristics of various types of motors.
  • describe the physical parts of most common motors.
  • utilize the information on nameplates for the proper installation and operation of motors.
  • demonstrate proper termination of single- and three-phase squirrel cage motors.
  • describe the function, operation, and characteristics of motor controllers, circuits, and devices.
  • describe the function, operation, and characteristics of motor switches and relays.
  • demonstrate proper wiring of various motor control circuits.
  • identify the function, operation, and characteristics of basic process control systems.
  • describe the function, operation, and characteristics of Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC) generators.
  • describe the function, operation, and characteristics of transformers.
  • select a proper transformer depending on voltage, current, and power requirements.
  • describe steps for various testing processes of cables, generators, and motors.

ELTRN 131 Electrician Trainee VI

  • Units:4
  • Hours:63 hours LEC; 27 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:ELTRN 111 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This is the sixth course required for the Commercial/Residential Electrician Trainee Program. Topics include fire alarm systems, burglar alarm systems, and information transport systems (ITS). This course also covers basic electrical requirements for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. It meets the State of California requirement to obtain an electrician trainee license. This course was formerly known as ELECT 231.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • describe the function, operation, and characteristics of a fire alarm system and the individual components of the system.
  • identify code requirements for fire alarm systems.
  • select fire alarm cable and wiring method for various different jobsite conditions.
  • demonstrate proper wiring of a basic fire alarm system.
  • describe the function, operation, and characteristics of a burglar alarm system and individual components of the system.
  • demonstrate proper wiring of a basic burglar alarm system.
  • identify code requirements for burglar alarm systems.
  • describe the function, operation, and characteristics of different information transport systems (ITS-voice, data, and video applications).
  • demonstrate proper termination of various ITS connectors per industry standards.
  • demonstrate proper installation techniques and termination procedure of fiber optic used in data communications.
  • identify basic components of a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration system.

ELTRN 180 Electrical Workers State Certification Preparation

  • Units:4.5
  • Hours:81 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:ELTRN 111 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This is a preparatory course for the Electricians' State Licensing Certification for California. It reviews basic electrical formulas and provides an in-depth review of the National Electrical Code (NEC) and safety. This course was formerly known as ELECT 280.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • analyze the NEC for the State of California as it pertains to licensure.
  • apply code requirements to installations and testing procedures.
  • identify and describe code terminology.
  • identify and correct code infractions.

ELTRN 295 Independent Study for the Electrician Trainee Program

  • Units:1 - 3
  • Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

Independent Study is an opportunity for the student to extend classroom experience in this subject, while working independently of a formal classroom situation. Independent study is an extension of work offered in a specific class in the college catalog allowing students to gain college credit while learning in-the-field.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • demonstrate competency with tools, equipment, technologies, and skills specific to an electrical project or projects.
  • demonstrate the ability to produce work independently.

ELTRN 298 Work Experience for Electrician Trainee

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Hours:27 - 216 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Enrollment Limitation:Enrolled in the American River College Electrician Trainee Program.
  • General Education:AA/AS Area III(b)
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course provides students the opportunity to work in the American River College Electrician Trainee Program to develop specific skills to meet the goals and objectives of the Division of Industrial Relations General Electrician Trainee Program. Students complete work experience hours at an approved training sites. During the semester, the student is required to complete 27 hours of related work experience for 0.5 unit. An additional 27 hours of related work experience is required for each additional 0.5 units. Students may take up to 16 units total across all Work Experience course offerings. This course may be repeated when there are new or expanded learning objectives. Only one Work Experience course may be taken per semester.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • demonstrate competencies for effective and competitive workforce performance in the General Electrician Trainee Program.
  • demonstrate mastery of specific job skills as written in learning objectives determined by the General Electrician Trainee Program.