Electrical Construction Technology

Specific Competencies and Skills Tested in this Assessment:

Introduction to the Electrical Construction Technology Career 

• Identify various electrical construction technology positions and responsibilities 
• Identify career-related professional organizations and their purpose 

 

OSHA Regulations and Electrical Safety Practices 

• Identify proper use of personal protective equipment (PPEs) according to NFPA 70E standards
• Explain the purpose of OSHA 
• Identify procedures for fire, ladder, and environmental safety according to OSHA standards 
• Identify procedures for lock-out/tag-out
• Explain basic first aid procedures

 

Meters, Measurements, Testing 

• Identify characteristics, uses and connections of meters and measuring devices
• Identify meter safety procedures 
• Interpret meter readings

 

Identification and Selection of Tools, Materials, and Components

• Identify and correctly use hand and power tools
• Identify and select proper conductor cable type
• Identify and select proper conduit, boxes, and fittings 
• Identify the function and purpose of various specialty equipment, including Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI), Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI)
• Identify commonly used listed and labeled equipment (UL or CSA)

Blueprints, Specifications, and Estimations

• Identify and interpret electrical symbols and specifications in blueprints and plan symbols
• Identify and interpret wiring and schematic diagrams
• Demonstrate planning and layout of a circuit

 

 

AC/DC Theory 

• Identify characteristics of AC circuits
• Explain amperage, power, voltage, and resistance
• Identify materials as insulators, conductors, and semi-conductors 
• Identify characteristics and components of DC circuits 

 

Circuit Theorems and Conversions

• Identify and apply various circuit theorems, including Ohm’s Law, Watt’s Law, and electron theory
• Identify and apply various mathematical conversions, including scientific, engineering, and notations/conversions (milliamps to amps; kilowatts to horsepower)

 

Wiring, Circuits, and Installation

• Explain the NEC and how it is organized
• Select appropriate wiring for specific installations (residential and commercial)
• Install various switching arrangements
• Install cabling, raceways, conduit, boxes, wiring, devices, and trims 
• Test and troubleshoot completed installation

 

Green and Renewable Technology

• Discuss wind turbine, solar energy, and other renewable sources of energy
• Describe energy management devices (e.g., LED lighting, CFLs, occupancy sensors)

 

Transformers 

• Identify and calculate voltage/current for primary and secondary windings
• Determine KVA capacity of a single-phase and three-phase transformer
• Differentiate between Delta and Wye connections

 

 

Motors

• Describe operating characteristics of basic single-phase and three-phase induction motors
• Identify and connect motor connections per nameplate (three-phase and single-phase)
• Identify and interpret motor nameplate information (e.g., voltage and phases)

 

Motor Controls

• Explain basic operation of circuitry
• Test, troubleshoot, and reverse three-phase motor rotation
• Identify commonly used symbols in motor controls

 

Written Assessment: 

Administration Time: 3 hours   

Number of Questions: 174

 

Areas Covered: 

Introduction to the Electrical Construction Technology Career: 4%

OSHA Regulations and Electrical Safety Practices: 13%

Meters, Measurements, Testing: 7%

Identification and Selection of Tools, Materials, and Components: 14%

Blueprints, Specifications, and Estimations: 9%

AC/DC Theory: 8%

Circuit Theorems and Conversions: 9%

Wiring, Circuits, and Installation: 12%

Green and Renewable Technology: 4%

Transformers: 6%

Motors: 7%

Motor Controls: 7%

 

Sample Questions: 

An apprentice electrician should

1. be supervised while on the job site
2. be pre-qualified to operate hand tools
3. hold a journeyman license
4. pass local standards electrical test

 

A ladder may be used in front of a door only if

1. no one is at home
2. no glass is present
3. the door is locked or blocked
4. it is the last fixture to hang

 

Measure electromotive force with a/an

1. cosine 
2. full 
3. half 
4. sinusoidal 

 

The symbol normally used for a single receptacle is a 

1. circle with two parallel lines drawn through it
2. circle with one line drawn through it
3. square box with an X drawn inside
4. square box with the letter R next to it

 

The AC voltage waveform is called a _____ wave.

1. cosine
2. full
3. half
4. sine

 

Performance Assessment:

Administration Time: 3 hours and 20 minutes 

Number of Jobs: 3 

 

Areas Covered: 

34% Bend Conduit 

Participant will safely install boxes onto the wall, and use proper bending and cutting techniques to install conduit.

 

42% Switching and GFCI Receptacle in a Residential Setting 

Participant will properly mount boxes, install wiring and devices, and complete the job in a neat operational manner following safety standards.

 

24% Install Two Smoke Alarms in a Commercial Setting 

Participant will install interconnected components to operate properly following safety standards.

Sample Job:    

Install Two Smoke Alarms in a  Commercial Setting 

Maximum Time: 1 hour 

Participant Activity: The participant will install two smoke alarms in a commercial setting referring to the drawings provided, using MC 14-2 and 14-3 AWG, install two interconnected smoke alarms, use a separate circuit, and home run first smoke alarm; interconnect between the two smoke alarms.