Electricity Standards and Skills

Skills:

1. Describe the basic layout of a set of prints, as well as the importance of the accompanying job specifications document.
2. Identify and define basic print terms, abbreviations, line types, symbols, and notes.
3. Interpret and accurately follow drawing dimensions.
4. Convert blueprint measurements to architect’s scale.
5. Define and interpret floor plans, elevations, sections, details, ceiling plans, and finish schedules.
6. Discuss and demonstrate the use of estimating methods in pricing jobs using drawings/prints.
7. Use a drawing to design, develop and complete material sheets, indicating quantities and types of materials required for installation.
8. Use a Uniform Permit to discuss how state and/or local code requirements apply to prints.
9. Compare the layout on the drawing to the code required minimum requirements and identify omissions.

Skills:

1. Explain the use of various trade related anchors, threaded, and non-threaded fasteners.
2. Explain and demonstrate the use and type of anchors.
3. Install an anchor in concrete and fasten a box to concrete or other masonry surface in compliance with current OSHA and silica standards.
4. Select and attach electrical equipment using proper fasteners and technique.
5. Use and maintain fastening, sawing, drilling, and boring tools.
6. Use and maintain portable power tools.
7. Demonstrate the use of the appropriate threaded, non-threaded fastener or anchor to fasten a box to a concrete or masonry surface.
8. Explain the current OSHA silica standard.

Skills:

1. Explain basic concepts of AC/DC electrical theory.
2. Compare and distinguish between conductors and insulators.
3. Calculate the electrical power of an electrical system.
4. Explain the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance.
5. Define the units of measurement that are used to measure the properties of electricity.
6. Calculate and apply an unknown value by using Ohms law formula.
7. Define voltage and identify the ways in which it is produced.
8. Compare and distinguish between single-phase and three-phase systems.
9. Measure voltage, current, resistance, and continuity of an electrical circuit and determine the relationships between them.
10. Build a series, parallel, and series-parallel circuit.
11. Demonstrate uses of Volt/Ohm and Ampere meters on given devices.
12. Identify and describe ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) and arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCI) and their appropriate use.
13. Identify circuit loads and installation requirements, including branch circuit needs.
14. Compute branch circuit loads and define branch circuit requirements.
15. Perform measurement of current.
16. Perform measurement of voltage.
17. Perform measurement of resistance.
18. Describe and demonstrate the operation of a circuit tracer.
19. Determine the continuity of a circuit.

Skills:

1. Explain the purpose and history of the National Electrical Code (NEC) and the Massachusetts Electrical Code (MEC) amendments.
2. Describe the layout of the Massachusetts Electrical Code (MEC).
3. Demonstrate how to navigate the MEC book, locate appropriate MEC articles for a specific wiring method and project.
4. Explain how to identify changes to the MEC.
5. Describe the differences between MEC and NEC.
6. Identify and summarize MGL’s and CMR’s as they apply to the electrical trade.
7. Locate appropriate Massachusetts Electric Code Amendments (527 CMR 12).
8. State appropriate Electrical Board of Examiners regulations (527 CMR and 237 CMR).
9. Describe the MEC Licensing requirements.
10. Describe the continuing education renewal requirements.
11. Determine conductor requirements.
12. Determine raceway requirements.
13. Determine electrical box requirements.
14. Describe the purpose of ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) and arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCI) and indicate where they must be installed.
15. Identify the circuit loads, number of circuits required, and installation requirements.
16. Compute branch circuit loads and define branch circuit requirements.

Skills:

1. Locate MEC requirements for raceways, conductors, and boxes.
2. Perform various methods of bending, cutting, reaming, and threading raceways.
3. Select various types and sizes of raceways, fittings, and supports.
4. Describe the purpose of conduit bodies.
5. Demonstrate installation of raceways and fittings on various surfaces.
6. Install electrical boxes.
7. Describe the different types of nonmetallic and metallic boxes.
8. Explain how boxes are selected and installed.
9. Install boxes on various surfaces.

Skills:

1. Describe and use the various sizes and gauges of wire in accordance with American Wire Gauge (AWG) standards.
2. Perform conductor terminations and splices, including the use of lugs, connectors, and various splicing techniques.
3. Demonstrate the proper use of hand and power crimping tools and insulation.
4. Identify and use insulation types according to conditions and applications.
5. List voltage ratings of conductors.
6. Read and identify markings on conductors.
7. Select electrical conductors for specific applications.
8. Demonstrate how to size conductors for a load.
9. Demonstrate and explain the purpose of adjusting and correcting for selection of conductors.
10. Describe the different conductors.
11. Describe the color coding of insulation.
12. Demonstrate the use of equipment and procedure for pulling wire through raceways.
13. Calculate wire size and demonstrate pulling wire through a raceway.
14. Perform conductor terminations.
15. Prepare conductor ends for terminations and splices.
16. Select and install lugs and connectors onto conductors.
17. Describe and apply splicing techniques.
18. Splice conductors using solderless connectors.
19. Describe and apply crimping techniques.
20. Insulate a splice joint.
21. Install cables.
22. Identify and apply different cable markings.
23. Secure and support cables.
24. Terminate cables using proper fittings.
25. Prepare cables for installation.

Skills:

1. Describe the grounding and electric service requirements for dwellings.
2. Calculate and size service-entrance equipment.
3. Install main disconnect switches, panel boards, and overcurrent protection devices.
4. Calculate service size, select proper wire size, and develop a material list for installation of service.

Skills:

1. Explain how a circuit breaker operates and its specific application.
2. Size and install overcurrent protection.
3. Define the terms associated with fuses and circuit breakers.
4. Describe the operation of a circuit breaker and fuse.
5. Select the most suitable overcurrent device for the application.
6. Describe the operation of single-element and time-delay fuses.
7. Describe the safety risks associated with improper overcurrent replacement.

Skills:

1. Identify and define different types of transformers.
2. Compute appropriate transformer sizes for various applications.
3. Describe the purpose and methods of grounding transformers.
4. Calculate and install overcurrent protection for transformers.
5. Identify power transformer connections and install overcurrent protection.
6. Calculate the loads for a single-family dwelling.
7. Size and install a main overcurrent protection device.

Skills:

1. Describe operating principles for motors, motor controls, control circuits, contractors, overload relays, and other devices.
2. Explain and demonstrate how the direction of a three-phase motor is reversed.
3. Describe the methods for determining various motor connections.
4. Draw basic wiring schematics with controls and interpret motor control diagrams and schematics.
5. Demonstrate the operating principles of motor controls and control circuits.
6. Size and select thermal overload relays and other protective devices for motor controls.
7. Describe the operating principles of contactors and relays.
8. Describe manual, automatic, and semi-automatic control circuits.
9. Identify and state the functions of limit switches and relays.
10. Size and install adjustable speed drives.
11. Install wiring per a given diagram.
12. Install motors and motor controls.
13. Develop and install a basic programmable logic control circuit.
14. Draw a schematic diagram for a stop/start motor control circuit and a ladder diagram for a given application.

Skills:

1. Size and install grounding and bonding system.
2. Demonstrate the function of the main bonding jumper in the grounding system and size it for various applications.
3. Explain the terms ground, grounded conductor, bonding conductor, equipment grounding conductor, supplemental ground, supplementary ground, and installation requirements.
4. Distinguish between a short circuit and a ground fault.
5. Distinguish between system grounding and equipment grounding.
6. Explain and demonstrate the function of the grounding electrode system and determine which grounding electrodes shall be used.
7. Size the equipment grounding conductor for raceways and equipment.
8. Explain and demonstrate the function of the main bonding jumper in the grounding system and size the main bonding jumper for various applications.
9. Demonstrate effectively grounded and its importance in clearing ground faults and short circuits.

Skills:

1. Identify and apply basic occupancy sensors, photoelectric sensors, and dimmers used to control lighting circuits and describe how each device operates.
2. Identify different kinds of lamps and define the advantages and disadvantages of each type.
3. Identify and install various types of luminaires.
4. Classify luminaires by layout, location, fixture type, and type of service.
5. Demonstrate and state the functions and rating of single-pole, double pole, three-way, four-way, and dimmer switches.
6. Describe the installation procedures and layout of lighting outlets.
7. Select appropriate wiring devices for various lighting installations.
8. Install various lighting and luminaire controls.

Skills:

1. Identify the components of fire alarm systems, security alarm systems, camera systems and network cabling.
2. Evaluate and install network cabling for low-voltage systems.
3. Terminate low voltage cables and devices.
4. Install Class 1, 2, and 3 low voltage systems.
5. Define the various codes and regulations related to alarm systems.
6. Prepare, install, and terminate low voltage cable and devices.

1. Identify and compare alternative and renewable energy technologies used to produce electricity.
2. Examine the significance of the MA Comprehensive Energy Plan (CEP) to the electrical power production industry.
3. Identify the components associated with standby systems, energy storage systems, and photovoltaic systems.
4. Size and install inverters.
5. Size, select, and install photovoltaic panels.
6. Select and install support systems.
7. Size, select, and install storage system (as per MEC).
8. Size, select, and install standby system (as per MEC).