Power Engineering Technology (PSAV)

Course Description

ETP0173 — Power Engineering Technology (PSAV) is a Postsecondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) clock-hour course in Florida's industrial power and electrical maintenance career-preparatory programs. The "ETP" prefix denotes Engineering Technology Power; "0xxx" indicates clock-hour PSAV. The course covers entry-level industrial power and electrical systems: AC and DC power fundamentals; motor controls; industrial wiring practices; PLC introduction; safety; and basic troubleshooting — preparing students for entry-level industrial maintenance and power technician roles in Florida's manufacturing, utility, and facilities sectors.

This course is offered at Florida district technical colleges and career centers delivering FLDOE Power and Industrial Maintenance curriculum frameworks.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of ETP0173, students will be able to:

• Apply AC and DC power fundamentals: voltage, current, power, and energy in industrial settings; single-phase and three-phase power; balanced and unbalanced loads.
• Identify industrial electrical components: contactors; relays; motor starters; transformers (control, distribution); circuit breakers; fuses; surge protective devices; disconnects.
• Apply motor controls: AC induction motors (single-phase, three-phase); motor starters (across-the-line, reduced voltage, soft start, VFD introduction); ladder logic schematics; basic motor control circuits.
• Apply industrial wiring practices: NEC compliance for industrial settings; conduit and raceway selection; conductor sizing; grounding and bonding.
• Apply introductory programmable logic controllers (PLCs): PLC architecture; ladder logic basics; input/output modules; basic programming.
• Apply industrial electrical safety: NFPA 70E (electrical safety in the workplace); arc flash awareness; lockout/tagout (LOTO); PPE selection; energized work permits.
• Apply industrial troubleshooting: systematic approach; voltage and continuity testing; visual inspection; documentation.
• Read and interpret industrial electrical drawings: ladder diagrams; one-line diagrams; wiring diagrams; PLC schematics.

Optional Outcomes

• Apply variable frequency drive (VFD) introductory operation and troubleshooting.
• Apply renewable energy awareness for solar and wind installations (relevant given Florida's growing solar market).

Major Topics

Required Topics

• AC and DC Power: Single-phase and three-phase systems; line-to-line and line-to-neutral voltages; power factor; reactive power.
• Industrial Components: Contactors and relays; motor starters; control transformers; circuit breakers; fuses; surge protective devices; disconnect switches.
• Motor Controls: AC induction motor theory (single-phase, three-phase); across-the-line starters; reduced-voltage starters (autotransformer, wye-delta, primary resistor, soft start); variable frequency drives (VFD) introduction; ladder logic schematics; common motor control circuits (jogging, sequencing, reversing).
• Industrial Wiring: NEC Article 430 (motors); conduit and raceway types; conductor sizing for motor circuits; grounding and bonding (NEC Article 250).
• PLCs: PLC hardware (CPU, I/O modules, power supply); ladder logic programming basics; input devices (switches, sensors); output devices (motor starters, valves, indicators); basic programming software introduction.
• Electrical Safety: NFPA 70E shock and arc flash hazard; arc flash boundary; arc flash PPE categories; LOTO procedures; energized work permits; verification of zero energy.
• Troubleshooting: Systematic approach; symptom analysis; voltage and resistance testing; visual inspection; documentation; root cause identification.
• Electrical Drawings: Ladder diagrams; one-line diagrams; wiring diagrams; ladder vs. wiring diagram conventions; PLC schematics.

Resources & Tools

• Industry texts: Stephen Herman Industrial Motor Control; Frank Petruzella Programmable Logic Controllers
• Standards: NEC (NFPA 70); NFPA 70E (electrical safety); OSHA 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S
• Lab equipment: motor control trainers; PLC trainers (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, others); standard electrical test equipment
• SkillsUSA CTSO

Career Pathways

ETP0173 supports entry-level industrial maintenance and power technician careers:

• Industrial Electrician (SOC 47-2111) at Florida manufacturers and industrial employers.
• Maintenance Technician at manufacturing plants, utilities, and facilities.
• Motor Control Technician at industrial maintenance shops.
• PLC Technician with continued specialization.
• Solar Installation Technician with continued specialization (Florida's solar market).
• Continuation into Industrial Maintenance, Mechatronics, or Electrical Engineering Technology A.S. programs.

Special Information

NCCER Industrial Maintenance / Industrial Electrical Curriculum

ETP0173 content typically aligns with NCCER Industrial Maintenance and Industrial Electrical curricula. NCCER credentials are recognized by Florida industrial employers.

Industry Certifications

Coursework supports preparation for foundational credentials including OSHA 10-Hour General Industry, NCCER Industrial Maintenance Mechanic, and progression toward state-level Florida journeyman electrician licensure (which requires additional experience and DBPR examination).

Program Structure (PSAV / Clock-Hour)

ETP0173 clock-hour allocation typically ranges from 150 to 300 clock hours.