Level 1 Low Voltage Technician

Course Description

EEV0162 – Level 1 Low Voltage Technician is the first course in the Low Voltage Technician Career Technical Certificate (CTC) sequence under the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS), taxonomy Engineering Technologies > Electronics Vocational. This course prepares students for entry-level careers as low-voltage technicians in the fire alarm, security, audio/visual, and electronics technology integration industries. Students acquire foundational knowledge of proper construction methods and the proper use and maintenance of hand and power tools and test equipment used in low-voltage system installations. The course combines classroom instruction with hands-on laboratory practice to develop skills directly applicable to the workplace.

This course is the first of five consecutive 150-hour courses comprising the full 750-hour Low Voltage Technician CTC program offered at Florida colleges including Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

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

• Explain the fundamental principles of DC and AC electrical theory, including Ohm's Law, voltage, current, and resistance in series and parallel circuits.
• Identify, safely use, and maintain hand tools, power tools, and test equipment (multimeters, continuity testers, cable testers) common to low-voltage installations.
• Demonstrate proper workplace safety practices, including personal protective equipment (PPE) use, lockout/tagout procedures, and OSHA-compliant work habits on a job site.
• Identify and correctly apply National Electrical Code (NEC) articles and Florida state codes pertaining to low-voltage wiring and installations.
• Select, terminate, and route low-voltage cables and conductors (copper, coaxial, twisted-pair) using industry-standard methods and tools.
• Read and interpret basic blueprints, wiring diagrams, and construction documents related to low-voltage system layouts.
• Describe the components and operation of residential and commercial security alarm systems, including sensors, control panels, and keypads.
• Describe the components and operation of basic fire alarm systems, including smoke detectors, heat detectors, notification appliances, and control panels.

Optional Outcomes

Depending on institutional emphasis and scheduling, students may also:

• Identify components of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) and video surveillance systems and describe their installation requirements.
• Describe the basic architecture of structured cabling and network infrastructure, including patch panels, racks, and cabinets.
• Identify components of access control systems and explain their role in building security.
• Explain the fundamentals of Power over Ethernet (PoE) and its application in low-voltage devices.
• Describe principles of home and building automation systems, including lighting control and smart devices.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Electrical Theory Fundamentals – Ohm's Law; voltage, current, resistance; series, parallel, and series-parallel DC circuits; introduction to AC circuits; inductance, capacitance, and transformers.
• Hand Tools, Power Tools, and Test Equipment – Identification, safe use, and maintenance of tools and instruments including multimeters, wire strippers, crimpers, and cable testers.
• Workplace and Electrical Safety – OSHA 10 General Industry safety principles; PPE requirements; lockout/tagout; electrical hazard recognition; job-site safety practices.
• National Electrical Code (NEC) and Florida Codes – Applicable NEC articles for low-voltage wiring; Florida-specific state and local code requirements; proper documentation and inspection processes.
• Cables, Conductors, and Terminations – Types of low-voltage cable (coaxial, twisted-pair, shielded); cable selection, pulling, routing, and termination techniques; physical separation rules from high-voltage wiring.
• Blueprint and Diagram Reading – Interpreting construction drawings, one-line diagrams, wiring schematics, and equipment layout plans for low-voltage systems.
• Security Alarm Systems – System components (sensors, control panels, keypads, sirens); circuit types; installation and testing methods; Florida licensing requirements (BASA).
• Fire Alarm Systems – Fundamentals – System components (smoke/heat detectors, notification appliances, FACP); NFPA 72 overview; circuit types; installation and testing basics; Florida Fire Alarm System Agent (FASA) requirements.

Optional Topics

• CCTV and Video Surveillance Systems – Camera types, DVR/NVR systems, cabling requirements, and basic configuration.
• Structured Cabling and Network Infrastructure – Rack and cabinet construction; patch panel installation; cable management; introduction to network topologies.
• Access Control Systems – Card readers, electric locks, door controllers; integration with security and fire alarm systems.
• Power over Ethernet (PoE) – PoE standards; compatible devices; installation and testing.
• Home and Building Automation Fundamentals – Introduction to residential and commercial automation systems; lighting control; smart device integration.
• Audio/Video Subsystems – Installation and calibration of audio and video distribution systems; speaker wiring; display connections.

Resources & Tools

• NCCER Electronic Systems Technician Core Curriculum – Primary instructional resource aligned to NCCER credentialing standards used at Palm Beach State College and other Florida institutions.
• National Electrical Code (NEC) – Current Edition – Reference for all wiring methods and code-compliance topics.
• NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code – Required reference for fire alarm system topics.
• Multimeters, Cable Testers, and Tone Generators – Hands-on lab instruments used throughout the course.
• Hand and Power Tools – Wire strippers, crimpers, fish tape, drill/driver sets, and conduit benders used in lab exercises.
• Low-Voltage Lab Trainer Boards – Simulated alarm, CCTV, and wiring panels for hands-on practice.
• Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) – Bureau of Fire Prevention – Reference for FASA licensing requirements.
• Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) – Reference for BASA licensing requirements.

Career Pathways

Graduates of this course (and the full Low Voltage Technician CTC sequence) are prepared to pursue entry-level employment and industry credentials in the Electronics Technology Integration field. The market for Electrical and Electronic Equipment Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers is projected to grow in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

• Assistant Low Voltage Technician
• Security Systems Installer
• Fire Alarm Systems Installer / Agent
• CCTV / Video Surveillance Technician
• Structured Cabling Technician
• Access Control Technician
• Residential and Commercial Audio/Video Technician
• Network Cabling Technician

With experience, graduates may advance to roles such as Lead Low Voltage Technician, Systems Integrator, Project Supervisor, or Systems Programmer, or specialize in areas such as fiber optics, access control, or building automation.

Special Information

Certification Preparation

This course and the full Low Voltage Technician CTC sequence are aligned to the following industry certifications and Florida state licenses:

• Florida Fire Alarm System Agent (FASA) – State license issued by the Florida Department of Financial Services, Bureau of Fire Prevention. Program completers at FSCJ and other Florida colleges are eligible to sit for this credential upon program completion.
• Florida Burglar Alarm System Agent (BASA) – State license issued by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Program completers are eligible to apply upon successful completion of the program.
• NCCER Electronic Systems Technician – Core and Level 1 Credentials – Nationally recognized industry credentials awarded through the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), aligned to the curriculum used at Palm Beach State College and other participating Florida institutions.
• OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Card – Workplace safety certification commonly integrated into the curriculum at Florida vocational institutions offering this program.

Florida Licensing Context

Low-voltage work in Florida is regulated at both the state and county level. Students are advised to consult the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) regarding specific licensing requirements for burglar alarm and fire alarm work, respectively. County-level low-voltage contractor licensing may also apply depending on the locality of employment.