Electrical Distribution Systems

The Electrical Distribution Systems program at State Technical College of Missouri prepares individuals to climb wood pole structures, build and maintain electrical distribution systems, use safe work practices, administer first aid, and perform pole top rescue. Students also receive a strong foundation in math, communication, and critical thinking skills and are required to participate in an approved internship. This field has a high demand for experienced individuals resulting in relatively high pay.

The program is taught on a full-time basis and provides extensive hands-on training in small classes taught by faculty who have worked in this field.  Courses in climbing skills, equipment operation, construction and maintenance of overhead lines, customer service, and general studies will develop the competencies required of the electrical line worker.

Students develop advanced skills required of electrical line workers through course work in transformers and transformer theory, conductors, metering, working with energized lines both overhead and underground, fusing, substations, and voltage regulation equipment.  Students who graduate from this program have attained a basic understanding of distribution systems, which prepares students for employment in the field with an advanced apprenticeship rating.

Students who are admitted to the Electrical Distribution Systems program should be aware that some industry equipment safety requirements specify a weight limit of 350 pounds or less including required clothing, gear, and tools.  The inability to meet this safety requirement will prevent participation in and completion of pole climbing, equipment operation, utility construction, and internship courses that are required to complete the Electrical Distribution Systems Associate of Applied Science degree.  It may also prevent employment in positions that require the use of equipment with these safety specifications.

All students are prepared to earn Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10-hour training, CPR, First Aid, and Flagger certifications. Safety and electrical code requirements are stressed in all classes.

Enrollment in the Electrical Distribution Systems program is limited and students are selected for this program on a competitive basis. Contact the Office of Admissions for the specific application requirements and deadline.

Due to industry employment requirements, to enroll and remain enrolled in the Electrical Distribution Systems program, students are required to receive and maintain at all times a current, valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). The CDL training and licensing require students to: 1) maintain a driving record that is eligible for a Missouri Class A CDL, 2) obtain a complete, current, and valid Medical Examination Report and Certificate for Commercial Driver Fitness Determination, and 3) successfully pass drug screen(s).

A grade of “C” (70%) must be maintained in all courses, including the internship, as part of the graduation requirement; due to state licensing requirements, students must earn a grade of “B” or better in the CDL classes. OSHA 10-hour, CPR, First Aid, and Flagger certifications are also included as graduation requirements.  The attendance policy for Electrical Distribution Systems students is stricter than the college-wide policy. Students should be aware that in addition, they may also be subject to drug testing as a safety precaution.

The Electrical Distribution Systems program contributes to the green economy by recycling scrap material and using recycled products such as wood chips from the Three Rivers Electric Cooperative’s right-of-way tree trimming program in the outdoor pole climbing lab.

The Electrical Distribution Systems program is accredited by the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE).

To view program outcome data, visit https://statetechmo.edu/electrical-distribution-systems-program-facts/.

Program Mission

The mission of the Electrical Distribution Systems program is to provide the students the knowledge and technical skills required to succeed in the electrical distribution industry.

Program Goals
The goals of the program are to provide the opportunity for students to develop:

• Effective communication skills both verbally and written.
• Mathematical skills necessary to calculate electrical loads, weights, and measures.
• Industry-wide safe work practices per American Public Power Association guidelines.
• Skills to gain entry-level employment in the electrical transmission and distribution field.
• Analytical problem solving and critical thinking skills necessary for employment in the electrical transmission and distribution field.

Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS)

Classification of Instructional Programs - 46.0303

Core Curriculum

			Credit Hours
EDS	101	Customer Service for Utility Professionals	3
EDS	111	Power Grid Design and Safety I	2
EDS	121	Power Grid Design and Safety II	2
EDS	150	Equipment Operation I	3
EDS	155	Equipment Operation II	3
EDS	160	Climbing Skills	3
EDS	170	Construction & Maintenance of Overhead Lines	6
EDS	234	Electrical Utility Internship	6
EDS	238	Transformer Theory and Installation	4
EDS	239	Rubber Gloving and Substations	4
EDS	241	Conductor Installation, Service, and Metering	4
EDS	259	Construction of Underground Electrical Systems	3
SUB-TOTAL			43

General Education Requirements

Refer to the General Education Requirements and General Education Courses in the College Catalog.

			Credit Hours
General Education Requirements			19
May Not Include:
ASC	104	Human Anatomy and Physiology with Lab I	4
ASC	106	Human Anatomy and Physiology with Lab II	4
MAT	119	Elementary Statistics	3
NST	101	Network Fundamentals	3
SUB-TOTAL			19

Program Requirements

			Credit Hours
HEO	151	Basic Commercial Driver License	1
HEO	152	Basic Commercial Driver License Lab	1
ELE	130	Circuitry Fundamentals with Lab	4
EMS	120	Trigonometry for Industrial Electricity	3
		or
MAT	121	Trigonometry	3
SUB-TOTAL			9

Graduation Requirements

			Credit Hours
COM	125	Job Search Strategies	1
It is a graduation requirement of the Electrical Distribution Systems (EDS) program for students to : 1) earn a grade of "C" or better in all courses; due to state licensing requirements, students must earn a grade of "B" or better in the CDL classes; and 2) earn OSHA 10-hour, CPR, First Aid, and Flagger certifications.
SUB-TOTAL			1

PROGRAM TOTAL

72

Courses

EDS 101: Customer Service for Utility Professionals

This course provides insights into the concepts and skills related to customer service for utility professionals. The course begins with an overview of the customer service environment and market trends and then focuses on specific skills needed to provide ethical customer service such as verbal and non-verbal communications, listening, and problem solving. Utility industry case studies involving service breakdowns will be used to challenge students to apply the concepts and skills learned to implement service recovery strategies.

Credit Hours: 3

EDS 111: Power Grid Design and Safety I

This course provides students with an overview of the types of electrical distribution systems and the hazards associated with them. It is a comprehensive course that includes real world applications, operations, power conversion, control, measurement, and quality issues. Students will be able to implement proper climbing techniques, safety rules, and safe work practices from the American Public Power Association Safety Manual. Students will learn Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules and regulations associated with this industry, reporting requirements, and the penalties that pertain to these regulations. Transmission and distribution structures and the power grid will also be introduced.

Credit Hours: 2

EDS 121: Power Grid Design and Safety II

This course continues with an overview of the types of electrical distribution systems and the hazards associated with them. It is a comprehensive course that includes real world applications, operations, power conversion, control, measurement, and quality issues. Student will be able to implement proper climbing techniques, safety rules, and safe work practices from the American Public Power Association Safety Manual. Students will learn Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules and regulations associated with this industry, reporting requirements, and the penalties that pertain to these regulations. Transmission and distribution structures and the power grid will also be covered.

Requisites:
Prerequisite EDS 101 minimum grade C
Prerequisite EDS 111 minimum grade C
Prerequisite EDS 150 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite EDS 160 minimum grade C

Credit Hours: 2

EDS 150: Equipment Operation I

The student will learn the various operations of different digger/derrick and bucket/basket aerial platform trucks used in the construction of electrical distribution systems. This class also covers units on mobile hydraulic systems, vehicle maintenance and inspection, safety rules, rigging and lifting capacities, vehicle grounding practices, and the hands-on operation of digger/derrick and bucket/basket aerial platform trucks.

Credit Hours: 3

EDS 155: Equipment Operation II

This course teaches the various operations of directional boring machines and hydrovac trucks used in the construction of utility systems. The student will be familiarized with the basic operation of excavators and related excavation equipment. This course also covers units on hand, power, pneumatic, and hydraulic tools; equipment maintenance and inspection; safety rules; and the hands-on operation of directional boring machines and hydrovac trucks.

Credit Hours: 3

EDS 160: Climbing Skills

The student will gain the knowledge of the proper care of climbing tools, and master the climbing of wood structures. Upon completion of this course the student will also be able to determine the proper aspects of pole inspection, and be able to recognize the hazards of climbing. Successful completion of timed pole top rescue in two different methods. An introduction to aerial pole framing is included in this discipline.

Requisite:
Prerequisite EDS 150 minimum grade C

Credit Hours: 3

EDS 170: Construction & Maintenance of Overhead Lines

This course will give the student a working knowledge of the Rural Utilities Service line construction specifications set forth by the Department of Agriculture. This will include the aspects of 12,500; 14,400; and 34,500 volt construction. Students will be able to recognize the different types of materials used for the different types of construction by sight and definition. Students will be required to demonstrate working specification knowledge both in aerial and ground situations as well as installation, repair and removal of poles, conductors, guy assemblies, cross arms, and insulators. They will also be introduced to the different sizes and types of overhead and underground conductors. Basic line staking principles and National Electric Safety Code clearances will be included.

Requisite:
Prerequisite EDS 160 minimum grade C

Credit Hours: 6

EDS 234: Electrical Utility Internship

This will provide the student with a day-to-day knowledge of a working utility. The student will be required to complete at least two written assignments and fill out the required forms from the instructor. The instructor will check with the student on the jobsite to be sure that the requirements for the internship are being met. This course will be completed between the first and second years of the Electrical Distribution Systems program.

Requisites:
Prerequisite EDS 121 minimum grade C
Prerequisite EDS 170 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite HEO 152 minimum grade B

Credit Hours: 6

EDS 238: Transformer Theory and Installation

The student will gain a thorough knowledge of transformer theory and installation. Single-phase and three-phase configurations with different types of connections will be included. Other units covered will include over voltage and over current protection, equipment grounding, cutout protection, proper cover-up techniques, lightning arrestor application and installation, Rural Utility Service specifications, and pole framing. Basic troubleshooting practices and current and potential transformers will also be included.

Requisites:
Prerequisite EDS 121 minimum grade C
Prerequisite EDS 170 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite EDS 234 minimum grade C

Credit Hours: 4

EDS 239: Rubber Gloving and Substations

This course teaches the different types and methods of system coordination, substations, capacitors, voltage regulators and auto-boosters. A working knowledge of oil reclosures, sectionalizers, and the application of fuses will be learned. Practical experience will be gained in the grounding, inspection, maintenance and operation of basic substations. Single- and three-phase pole mount reclosures, gang operated air break and load break switches, and substation fuses and reclosures are introduced. Students will be taught the basic methods of working on energized lines with rubber gloves and rubber sleeves from an insulated aerial platform in a safe and efficient manner. Students will also be taught how to care for soft- and hard-shell rubber goods and their applications. Instruction will be provided on personal protective equipment, hot-line tools, and live-line maintenance. The safe operation of aerial platforms and grounding practices will be reviewed.

Requisites:
Prerequisite EDS 121 minimum grade C
Prerequisite EDS 170 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite EDS 234 minimum grade C

Credit Hours: 4

EDS 241: Conductor Installation, Service, and Metering

The student will gain extensive knowledge of single- and three-phase watt-hour meters, meter locations, and the different types of copper and aluminum conductors. The student will also gain practical experience in the sizing, installation, stringing, sagging, dead-ending and splicing of service conductors. The student will also be exposed to the construction of meter loops and poles, instrument metering, temporary meter locations, compression sleeves, connectors and tools including strap hoists, chain hoists, sag charts and tables, pulling grips and mechanical jumpers. Also included are disciplines on meter tampering, power theft, proper grounding techniques and safe work practices.

Requisites:
Prerequisite EDS 238 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite EDS 239 minimum grade C

Credit Hours: 4

EDS 259: Construction of Underground Electrical Systems

The student will gain working knowledge of Underground Rural Distribution (URD) systems. The student will receive practical experience in primary and secondary cables, installation of 200 and 600 amp elbows, splices, lightening arresters, and overhead terminations. The installation of single- and three-phase padmount transformers will also be covered. Safe work practice requirements for shoring and sloping trenches will be discussed. Troubleshooting of primary and secondary cable fault locating and safe work practices and procedures may be covered.

Requisites:
Prerequisite EDS 155 minimum grade C
Prerequisite EDS 238 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite EDS 239 minimum grade C

Credit Hours: 3

ELE 130: Circuitry Fundamentals with Lab

This course introduces and develops the concepts necessary for understanding the use of electrical components and circuitry. The first half of the semester is devoted to DC, the second to AC.

Credit Hours: 4

EMS 120: Trigonometry for Industrial Electricity

Topics covered include solution of right and oblique triangle trigonometry; sinusoidal curves; alternating current and phase angles; complex numbers and phasors; and applications to series, parallel and series-parallel AC circuits.

Requisites:
Prerequisite Satisfactory placement score
or
Prerequisite MAT 051 minimum grade C
or
Prerequisite SPM 050 with a passing grade

Credit Hours: 3

HEO 151: Basic Commercial Driver License

This lecture course is a professional course that teaches the fundamentals of safe driving practices and identifying the hazards of a Class "A" Commercial Motor Vehicle. Students are prepared to take the written and pre-trip inspection portions of the Missouri Department Motor Vehicle Commerical Driver's License (CDL) exam. This course is intended for non-HEO majors.

Requisite:
Prerequisite Instructor's permission based on verification of: 1) driving record that is eligible for a Missouri Class A CDL, 2) complete, current, and valid Medical Examination Report and Certificate for Commercial Driver Fitness Determination, and 3) successful drug screen(s).

Credit Hours: 1

HEO 152: Basic Commercial Driver License Lab

The Commercial Driver's License (CDL) lab teaches Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) pre-trip inspection requirements, basic maneuver skills, safe on-road skills that are performed on public streets and highways. This course is intended for non-HEO majors.

Requisite:
Corequisite HEO 151 NOTE: Each student will be required to have a Class A CDL permit for the driving portion of this class and maintain eligibility to take the Missouri Class A CDL examination.

Credit Hours: 1