Electrical Systems Technology
This curriculum is designed to provide training for persons interested in installing and maintaining electrical systems found in residential, commercial, and industrial facilities. The Electrical Systems Technology (EST) curriculum is separated into three categories: Solar, Design, and Manufacturing Automation Troubleshooting/Maintenance. The solar degree prepares graduates for a career in installation, electrical code (NEC), maintenance, and solar equipment design on a residential, commercial or larger industry level. The design degree prepares graduates for a career in installing, designing, estimating, or testing residential, commercial, and industrial fields. The electrical manufacturing maintenance degree prepares graduates for a career in industries that require machine electrical repair skills on industrial and manufacturing machinery.
Coursework, most of which is hands-on, includes AC/DC theory, basic wiring practices, programmable logic controllers, industrial motor controls, applications of the National Electric Code, and other subjects, as local needs require.
The program offers various certificates that focus on courses to specialize in solar, residential, industrial, and manufacturing maintenance. Students also may complete certificate programs in HVAC controls and HVAC facilities maintenance, which are integrated within the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration program.
For specific information about potential positions and wages in electrical systems technology, visit the Central Piedmont Career Coach website.
Electrical Systems Technology (A35130)
Degree Awarded
The Associate in Applied Science Degree – Electrical Systems Technology is awarded by the college upon completion of this program.
Admissions
- Completion of the high school diploma or equivalent is required.
- Many courses have prerequisites or co-requisites; check the Course Descriptions section for details.
Contact Information
The Electrical Systems Technology program is in the Skilled Trades Division. For more information, call the program office at 704.330.4458 or the Skilled Trades Division at 704.330.4424.
Electrical Systems Technlology (A35130)
| General Education Requirements | ||
| ENG 111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3.0 |
| COM 231 | Public Speaking | 3.0 |
| or COM 110 | Introduction to Communication | |
| Select one of the following: | 3.0 | |
| Mathematical Measurement and Literacy | ||
| Quantitative Literacy | ||
| Precalculus Algebra | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3.0 | |
| Art Appreciation | ||
| Art History Survey I | ||
| Art History Survey II | ||
| Theatre Appreciation | ||
| Cultural Studies | ||
| Myth in Human Culture | ||
| Music Appreciation | ||
| Introduction to Jazz | ||
| Philosophical Issues | ||
| Introduction to Ethics | ||
| World Religions | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3.0 | |
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| World Civilizations I | ||
| World Civilizations II | ||
| American History I | ||
| American History II | ||
| American Government | ||
| General Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| ACA 122 | Transfer & Career Success | 1.0 |
| ARC 225 | Architectural Building Information Modeling I | 2.0 |
| ELC 112 | DC/AC Electricity | 5.0 |
| ELC 113 | Residential Wiring | 4.0 |
| ELC 114 | Commercial Wiring | 4.0 |
| ELC 117 | Motors and Controls | 4.0 |
| ELC 118 | National Electrical Code | 2.0 |
| ELC 119 | NEC Calculations | 2.0 |
| ELC 121 | Electrical Estimating | 2.0 |
| ELC 125 | Diagrams and Schematics | 2.0 |
| ELC 128 | Introduction to Programmable Logic Controller | 3.0 |
| WOL 110 | Basic Construction Skills | 3.0 |
| Technical Electives | ||
| Select 15 credits from the following: | 15.0 | |
| Solar (Photovoltaic) Specialty | ||
| Renewable Energy Technologies | ||
| Photovoltaic System Technology | ||
| Electrical System Design | ||
| Modeling Renewable Energy | ||
| Electrical Maintenance Specialty | ||
| Industrial Wiring | ||
| Advanced Motors and Controls | ||
| Electrical Maintenance | ||
| Programmable Logic Controllers Applications | ||
| Electrical Design Specialty | ||
| Print Reading-Construction | ||
| Applications Project | ||
| Electrical System Design | ||
| Other Technical Electives | ||
| Architectural CAD | ||
| Circuit Analysis I | ||
| Instrumentation | ||
| Spanish for the Workplace | ||
| Work-Based Learning I | ||
| Work-Based Learning II | ||
| Basic Welding Processes | ||
| Total Credits | 64 | |
Electrical Systems Technology Certificates (C35130)
The certificates listed below can be earned in the Electrical Systems Technology (A35130) program:
- Electrical Systems Technology Certificate Specialization in Basic Electrical Construction (C35130-56)
- Electrical Systems Technology Certificate Specialization in Level I - Residential Electrical (C35130-32)
- Electrical Systems Technology Certificate Specialization in Level II - Commercial Electrical (C35130-33)
- Electrical Systems Technology Certificate Specialization in Solar Photovoltaic - Level I (C35130-36)
- Electrical Systems Technology Certificate Specialization in Level III - Electrical Maintenance I (C35130-40)
- Electrical Systems Technology Certificate Specialization in Level IV - Electrical Maintenance II (C35130-41)
- Electrical Systems Technology Certificate Specialization in Installation and Maintenance (C35130-C7)
- Electrical Systems Technology Certificate Specialization in Fast Track Electrical Construction (C35130-55)
Admissions
- Completion of a high school diploma or equivalent is encouraged as the foundation of a career in this area.
- Many courses have prerequisites or co-requisites; check the Course Descriptions section for details.
Contact Information
The Electrical Systems Technology program is in the Skilled Trades Division. For more information, call the program office at 704.330.4458 or the Construction Technologies Division at 704.330.4408.
Electrical Systems Technology Certificate Specialization in Basic Electrical Construction (C35130-56)
| WOL 110 | Basic Construction Skills | 3.0 |
| BPR 130 | Print Reading-Construction | 3.0 |
| ELC 113 | Residential Wiring | 4.0 |
| ELC 118 | National Electrical Code | 2.0 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Electrical Systems Technology Certificate Specialization in Level I - Residential Electrical (C35130-32)
| Major Requirements | ||
| WOL 110 | Basic Construction Skills | 3.0 |
| ELC 112 | DC/AC Electricity | 5.0 |
| ELC 113 | Residential Wiring | 4.0 |
| ELC 118 | National Electrical Code | 2.0 |
| BPR 130 | Print Reading-Construction | 3.0 |
| Total Credits | 17 | |
Electrical Systems Technology Certificate Specialization in Level II - Commercial Electrical (C35130-33)
| Major Requirements | ||
| ELC 114 | Commercial Wiring | 4.0 |
| ELC 117 | Motors and Controls | 4.0 |
| ELC 119 | NEC Calculations | 2.0 |
| ELC 125 | Diagrams and Schematics | 2.0 |
| ELC 128 | Introduction to Programmable Logic Controller | 3.0 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Electrical Systems Technology Certificate Specialization in Solar Photovoltaic - Level I (C35130-36)
| Major Requirements | ||
| ELC 112 | DC/AC Electricity | 5.0 |
| ELC 113 | Residential Wiring | 4.0 |
| ALT 120 | Renewable Energy Technologies | 3.0 |
| ELC 118 | National Electrical Code | 2.0 |
| ELC 220 | Photovoltaic System Technology | 3.0 |
| Total Credits | 17 | |
Electrical Systems Technology Certificate Specialization in Level III - Electrical Maintenance I (C35130-40)
| Major Requirements | ||
| ELC 115 | Industrial Wiring | 4.0 |
| ELC 130 | Advanced Motors and Controls | 3.0 |
| ELC 215 | Electrical Maintenance | 3.0 |
| ELC 121 | Electrical Estimating | 2.0 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Electrical Systems Technology Certificate Specialization in Level IV - Electrical Maintenance II (C35130-41)
| Major Requirements | ||
| ELC 228 | Programmable Logic Controllers Applications | 4.0 |
| ELC 234 | Electrical System Design | 3.0 |
| ARC 225 | Architectural Building Information Modeling I | 2.0 |
| WLD 112 | Basic Welding Processes | 2.0 |
| WBL 111 | Work-Based Learning I | 1.0 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Electrical Systems Technology Certificate Specialization in Installation and Maintenance (C35130-C7)
| Major Requirements | ||
| ELC 113 | Residential Wiring | 4.0 |
| ELC 114 | Commercial Wiring | 4.0 |
| ELC 215 | Electrical Maintenance | 3.0 |
| BPR 130 | Print Reading-Construction | 3.0 |
| Total Credits | 14 | |
Electrical Systems Technology Certificate Specialization in Fast Track Electrical Construction (C35130-55)
| ELC 112 | DC/AC Electricity | 5.0 |
| ELC 113 | Residential Wiring | 4.0 |
| ELC 114 | Commercial Wiring | 4.0 |
| ELC 118 | National Electrical Code | 2.0 |
| ELC 119 | NEC Calculations | 2.0 |
| WBL 121M | Work-Based Learning II | 1.0 |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Electrical Systems Technology Suggested Course Sequences
The following is the suggested plan for when to take each course to complete the Associate in Applied Science degree, based on the program requirements of the 2026-2027 catalog. This is only a recommendation — you may take courses in another order upon consultation with your advisor. This plan is based on you starting with college-level math and English courses, starting your program in the fall, and attending full-time. You can also follow this sequence if you attend part-time. Speak with an advisor about the plan and any questions. This program might also offer diplomas or certificates; visit the catalog or contact the program for details
Electrical Systems Technology (A35130)
| Term I | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| MAT 110 | Mathematical Measurement and Literacy | 3.0 |
| ACA 122 | Transfer & Career Success | 1.0 |
| ELC 112 | DC/AC Electricity | 5.0 |
| ELC 113 | Residential Wiring | 4.0 |
| WOL 110 | Basic Construction Skills | 3.0 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Term II | ||
| ENG 111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3.0 |
| ELC 114 | Commercial Wiring | 4.0 |
| ELC 117 | Motors and Controls | 4.0 |
| ELC 125 | Diagrams and Schematics | 2.0 |
| ELC 128 | Introduction to Programmable Logic Controller | 3.0 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Term III | ||
| ARC 225 | Architectural Building Information Modeling I | 2.0 |
| COM 110 or COM 231 | Introduction to Communication or Public Speaking | 3.0 |
| Humanities/Fine Arts | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 8 | |
| Term IV | ||
| ELC 118 | National Electrical Code | 2.0 |
| ELC 119 | NEC Calculations | 2.0 |
| Technical Elective* | 3.0 | |
| Technical Elective* | 3.0 | |
| Technical Elective* | 3.0 | |
| You may have completed a program certificate(s). Confirm eligibility with your academic advisor. | ||
| Credits | 13 | |
| Term V | ||
| ELC 121 | Electrical Estimating | 2.0 |
| Technical Elective* | 3.0 | |
| Technical Elective* | 3.0 | |
| Behavioral/Social Science | 3.0 | |
| You may have completed a program certificate(s). Confirm eligibility with your academic advisor. | ||
| Credits | 11 | |
| Total Credits | 64 | |
* Students must complete at least 15 credits of technical electives to satisfy program requirements.