Level 5 Low Voltage Technician

Course Description

EEV0166 — Level 5 Low Voltage Technician is a 150-contact-hour vocational course within the Engineering Technologies > Electronics Vocational taxonomy of the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS). This course prepares students for entry-level careers as low-voltage technicians in the fire alarm, security, audio/visual, and data communications industries. Students acquire hands-on knowledge of proper installation methods, use and maintenance of hand and power tools, and test equipment applicable to low-voltage systems. The course is designed to educate and prepare graduates with the transferable skills required for entry-level employment in the Electronics Technology Integration industry, including the installation and configuration of power devices, Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) devices, and phone/networking systems.

This course is typically offered as a standalone occupational completion point (OCP) within a larger Low Voltage Technician Career Certificate sequence and is aligned with industry standards established by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) and the National Electrical Code (NEC).

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

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

• Install, terminate, and test low-voltage wiring systems in residential, commercial, and institutional settings in compliance with the National Electrical Code (NEC) Articles 725 and 760.
• Identify and apply NEC Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 circuit classifications for signaling, remote-control, and power-limited circuits.
• Install and configure fire alarm systems, including detectors, control panels, initiating devices, and notification appliances per NFPA 72 requirements.
• Install and configure burglar/intrusion alarm systems, including sensors, keypads, control panels, and communication modules.
• Install and configure CCTV / video surveillance systems, including cameras, digital video recorders (DVRs), and network video recorders (NVRs).
• Demonstrate proper use, maintenance, and storage of hand tools, power tools, and test equipment used in low-voltage installations.
• Apply workplace safety practices, including OSHA standards relevant to construction and low-voltage wiring environments.
• Read and interpret blueprints, wiring diagrams, and system schematics for low-voltage system installations.
• Perform troubleshooting and basic repair of installed low-voltage systems using appropriate diagnostic tools and techniques.
• Identify proper cable types and installation methods for plenum, riser, and general-purpose environments per NEC requirements.

Optional Outcomes

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

• Install and test access control systems, including card readers, electric strikes, and door hardware.
• Install and configure audio/visual (A/V) sub-systems, including racks, cabinets, amplifiers, and distribution equipment.
• Build and configure network infrastructure and wireless networks for low-voltage system integration.
• Demonstrate knowledge of nurse call, intercom, and paging systems in commercial/institutional environments.
• Explain building automation system (BAS) fundamentals, including controlled subsystems such as lighting, HVAC, and energy management.
• Describe Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology and its application in low-voltage device power delivery.
• Demonstrate familiarity with fiber optic cabling fundamentals, including installation practices and termination methods.

Major Topics

Required Topics

The following content areas are common across Florida college Low Voltage Technician programs aligned to this course level:

• Electrical Safety and OSHA Standards — Personal protective equipment (PPE), lockout/tagout, ladder safety, and electrical hazard awareness.
• Tools, Equipment, and Materials — Proper identification, use, and maintenance of hand tools, power tools, fish tapes, cable testers, and multi-meters.
• Low-Voltage Wiring Fundamentals — DC and AC circuit theory review; wire gauges, conductors, connectors, and termination techniques relevant to low-voltage systems.
• National Electrical Code (NEC) — Articles 725 and 760 — Class 1, 2, and 3 circuit classifications; power-limited and non-power-limited circuit requirements; cable types (FPLP, FPLFR, CL2, CL3); firestopping and abandoned cable rules.
• Fire Alarm Systems — NFPA 72 standards; system types (conventional, addressable, wireless); initiating devices (smoke detectors, heat detectors, pull stations); notification appliances; control panels; battery backup; inspection and testing procedures.
• Burglar / Intrusion Alarm Systems — System components (PIR sensors, door/window contacts, glass-break detectors, keypads, control panels); zones; communication paths; UL listing requirements.
• CCTV and Video Surveillance Systems — Analog and IP camera types; DVR and NVR configuration; cabling (coax and Cat5e/6); camera placement and field of view; power supply requirements.
• Blueprint and Schematic Reading — Symbols, legends, floor plan interpretation, riser diagrams, and as-built documentation for low-voltage systems.
• Troubleshooting and Diagnostics — Systematic fault-finding methods; use of multi-meters, cable testers, and tone generators; common installation defects and corrective actions.
• Code Compliance and Permits — Florida Building Code requirements for low-voltage systems; Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) interactions; inspection readiness.

Optional Topics

The following topics may be included based on program depth and available lab resources:

• Access Control Systems — Card access readers, biometric devices, electric strikes and maglocks, door hardware, and controller programming fundamentals.
• Audio/Visual Systems — Rack and cabinet design and construction; amplifier and speaker system installation; video distribution; cable management best practices.
• Structured Cabling and Networking — Cat5e/6 termination (TIA-568 standards); patch panels; switches; wireless access points; network infrastructure for IP-based low-voltage devices.
• Fiber Optic Cabling — Single-mode vs. multimode fiber; splicing and termination overview; optical loss testing basics.
• Power over Ethernet (PoE) — IEEE 802.3af/at standards; PoE switches and injectors; application to IP cameras, access control readers, and VoIP phones.
• Building Automation Systems (BAS) Overview — Controlled subsystems (HVAC, lighting, energy management); communication protocols (BACnet, Modbus); integration with fire and security systems.
• Nurse Call, Intercom, and Paging Systems — System architectures and components used in healthcare and institutional facilities.
• Residential and Commercial Home Automation — Smart home platforms; integration of security, lighting control, and A/V systems; customer demonstration and programming basics.

Resources & Tools

• National Electrical Code (NEC / NFPA 70) — Current edition; Articles 725, 760, 800; required reference for all low-voltage wiring installations.
• NFPA 72 — National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code — Standard for fire alarm system design, installation, testing, and maintenance.
• NCCER Electronic Systems Technician Curriculum — Core and Level 1–4 modules; used at PBSC and other Florida colleges aligned to this program.
• Mike Holt Enterprises Training Materials — Industry-standard textbooks and online modules used by Florida low-voltage apprenticeship programs.
• Hand and Power Tools Lab Kit — Includes wire strippers, crimpers, drill/driver, fish tape, cable stapler, and punch-down tool.
• Test Equipment — Multi-meter, cable continuity tester, tone and probe set, optical power meter (for fiber modules).
• Manufacturer Installation Guides — DSC, Honeywell/Resideo, Bosch, Axis Communications, and other industry-standard alarm and CCTV product documentation.
• Florida Statutes Chapter 489, Part IV — Governing licensure of alarm system contractors in Florida; relevant to FASA and BASA certification pathways.

Career Pathways

Graduates of this course and the associated Low Voltage Technician certificate program are prepared for entry-level employment in a rapidly growing sector of the construction and technology industries. Relevant positions include:

• Assistant / Entry-Level Low Voltage Technician — Installation and service of fire alarm, security, and A/V systems under supervision.
• Fire Alarm System Installer / Technician — Installation, inspection, and service of commercial and residential fire alarm systems.
• Security Systems Installer — Intrusion alarm, CCTV, and access control system installation and service.
• CCTV / Surveillance Systems Technician — Installation and configuration of analog and IP-based video surveillance systems.
• Structured Cabling Technician — Data cabling, termination, and testing for commercial facilities.
• Audio/Visual Systems Installer — Commercial and residential A/V system installation and integration.

With experience, technicians can advance into roles such as Lead Low Voltage Technician, Systems Integrator, Project Supervisor, or Systems Programmer, or pursue ownership of a licensed low-voltage contracting business.

The low-voltage sector is supported by strong labor market demand. The market for Electrical and Electronic Equipment Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers is projected to grow in Florida, driven by expansion in smart home technology, security infrastructure, and commercial data networks.

Special Information

Certification Preparation

This course supports preparation for the following industry-recognized credentials:

• Florida Fire Alarm System Agent (FASA) — State-issued credential administered through the Florida Department of Financial Services; required for individuals who sell, install, or service fire alarm systems in Florida. Graduates of aligned programs at FSCJ and similar institutions are eligible to sit for this exam upon program completion.
• Florida Burglar Alarm System Agent (BASA) — State-issued credential for individuals selling or installing burglar alarm systems; administered through the Florida Department of Financial Services.
• NCCER Electronic Systems Technician — Core and Levels 1–4 — Nationally portable industry credentials earned through aligned programs such as Palm Beach State College's Low Voltage Technician CCP.
• Florida Limited Energy (Low Voltage) Contractor License — State contractor license for those who advance to independently contract low-voltage work in Florida; administered by the Florida DBPR. This course provides foundational technical knowledge supporting the experience requirements for this license.

Program Notes

• EEV0166 is classified as a vocational (clock-hour) course under the Florida SCNS taxonomy Engineering Technologies > Electronics Vocational. Contact hours (150) reflect clock hours of instruction, not semester credit hours.
• This course is typically delivered as part of a multi-OCP Low Voltage Technician Career Certificate sequence. Students completing all OCPs in the sequence may be eligible for a Florida Career Certificate diploma.
• Programs are offered at multiple Florida colleges including FSCJ, Miami Dade College, and Palm Beach State College, and may be delivered in partnership with the Alarm Association of Florida and regional contractors.
• Students should be prepared for hands-on lab work and may be required to provide or purchase a personal tool kit. Some programs include a uniform shirt in program costs.