Connecticut Technical Education and Career System’s Electrical course breakdown by grade. Each student is required to complete four years of a Career Technical Education program.

Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits
Exploratory and Introduction to Electrical Residential Wiring Residential and Basic Commercial Wiring Residential, Commercial and Industrial Wiring

Students deciding to enter the Electrical field will be introduced to the basics of safety and sanitation, as well as use and care of hand tools, power tools and stationary equipment. The students install basic low-voltage electrical systems and will be introduced to basic residential wiring.

The Grade 10 electrical course sequence provides a program through which students learn the theoretical information regarding various conductors and properties, types of insulation, termination principles, Ohm’s Law calculations, run of types of wire and cable and selection of boxes and fittings. Students will demonstrate the ability to use the National Electrical Code (NEC) and other applicable building codes and standards, as well as apply code-related requirements using entry-level skills. The students will calculate residential loads, feeder and branch circuit loads and conduit using the NEC. The students will demonstrate skills required to complete residential wiring installations, including assembling and climbing scaffolding and all types of ladders. Students will demonstrate entry-level skills in meter usage and install a turn of fittings and devices, lighting fixtures, recessed fixtures, ground fault circuit interrupters, electrical metallic tubing and overhead and underground services. Students continue to receive instruction in safety requirements and demonstrate sound safety practices throughout the duration of the course sequence. Students will advance in their participation in inside and outside production work as it relates to the current curriculum and their skill level.

In Grade 11, students will demonstrate theoretical competency in various types of low-voltage systems. They will be able to use the utility company and National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements for the installation of residential services, lighting requirements, appliance circuits, heating systems and Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment. Students will demonstrate ability to use the National Electrical Code, as well as other applicable codes, and apply them in production projects. Outside residential electrical production jobs for customers will be part of the students’ training, along with curriculum-related electrical maintenance work in the school building. Basic commercial wiring will be introduced during junior year using various types of raceways and wiring methods. Students will advance in their participation of inside and outside production work as it relates to the current curriculum and their skill level. Students continue to receive instruction in safety requirements and demonstrate sound safety practices. Students reaching an acceptable level of proficiency may be eligible for Work-based Learning (WBL).

In Grade 12, students will continue with residential wiring at an advanced level, commercial wiring at an entry level and be introduced to industrial wiring. Students will demonstrate knowledge in basic types of motors, magnetic starters, control stations, capacitors, transformers and calculations of wire resistance and capacitance. Students will demonstrate their ability to use the National Electrical Code (NEC) and apply it using apprentice entry-level skills. They will demonstrate competency in the installation of motor control systems, which consist of magnetic three-pole starters with forward, reverse and control circuit wiring using various types of control switches and devices. They will be introduced to Category 5 and fiber optic wiring, transformer installations and wiring for special occupancies. Students complete a senior project showing evidence of their ability to operate an electrical contracting business. Students continue to receive instruction in safety requirements and demonstrate sound safety practices. Students will continue to advance in their participation in inside and outside electrical projects for customers as it relates to the current curriculum and their skill level. Students will demonstrate the ability to complete a job application, to interview and to perform entry-level job readiness and trade skills. Students reaching an acceptable level of proficiency may be eligible for Work-based Learning (WBL). Each student will take the Senior Summative Assessment, which is a computerized interactive test.

Students successfully completing this course of study will be able to pursue a two- or a four-year degree in electrical engineering or other related fields. Students can obtain immediate employment in the electrical field, which include: residential, commercial or industrial wiring apprenticeship, low voltage cable TV, telephone, voice video and data wiring, computer Local Area Network (LAN) systems, fiber optics, surveillance/security systems, electrical sales representative, control room operator, electrical lineman, transportation signal installer, lighting specialty companies and wholesale supply representative.