Electrical & Automation Technology

Overview

Electrical and Automation Technology prepares students for exciting and well-paying career paths in the field of industrial control and automation. All manufacturing processes rely on electricity, electronics, communications, hydraulics and pneumatics. The program provides sound theory reinforced by laboratory applications which reflect the expectations and responsibilities of graduates in the workplace.

Students receive a solid foundation in DC/AC theory, electrical machines and transformers, basic wiring techniques, motor controls, industrial electronics, digital electronics, data communications, hydraulics and pneumatics. Graduates are eligible to sit for the State of Maine Journeyman Electrician Exam. After having passed it, as well as having met the on-the-job experience requirements of the State Electrician Examining Board, they will receive Journeyman Electrician licenses. Graduates secure employment in many different settings such as industrial electrician, maintenance technician, engineering assistant, construction electrician or field representative.

EMCC has an articulation agreement with the Electrical Engineering Technology program at the University of Maine. This allows Electrical and Automation Technology graduates to easily transfer into UMaine’s 4-year engineering program.

Learning Objectives

Graduates with the Associate in Applied Science Degree in the Electrical and Automation Technology Program will function at an entry-level position in the field of industrial control and automation with the following skills:

• Be capable of installing, troubleshooting, and maintaining electrical power and control systems.
• Be able to interpret a wide range of electrical drawings: construction blueprints, electronic schematics, ladder diagrams, connection diagrams, one line diagrams, loop sheets, P&IDs, and others.
• Be capable of installing, troubleshooting, and maintaining fluid power systems.
• Be capable of programming, installing, and maintaining programmable control systems.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of the National Electrical Code and how it affects electrical installations.
• Demonstrate hand-on working knowledge of the following areas: AC/DC circuits, transformers, power distribution, motors, generators, motor controls, electronic components and circuits.
• Be proficient with electrical test instrumentation: multimeter, oscilloscope, megger, phase sequence meter, motor rotation tester, and others.
• Be competent with many PC applications: AutoCAD, Easy Power, Automation Studio, MultiSim, Microsoft Office, RSLogix, Cimlicity, and others.
• Be well versed in the practice of electrical and industrial workplace safety procedures.
• Problem solve as an individual as well as part of a team.
• Effectively communicate in speech and the written word.

Prerequisites

Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, and Physics or Chemistry with Lab required.

Curriculum