Our Electrical Training Program Now Includes Solar Power Training!

Q: How long does it take to become an Electrical Technician?

A good Electrical Technician program is about 6.5 months long and gives you a head start towards becoming an Electrician. Our school offers a variety of schedules. We have both night and evening classes offering a robust opportunity for hands-on learning with online components. To become a Master Electrician, you'll need to have completed 12,000 hours of additional training under the supervision of a master electrician. This includes the 8,000 hours completed during the apprenticeship plus working as a Journeyman Electrician for at least two years.

Become an Advanced Electrical & Renewable Energy Technician

The Austin Career Institute's Advanced Electrical Technician training now includes comprehensive instruction of solar photovoltaics, simply known as solar power training. Beginning with an introduction to solar photovoltaics, the course continues logically through the site assessment for a prospective solar power installation to system design and installation.

Technicians also get trained to inspect, maintain and troubleshoot in the solar power training for residential and commercial installations.

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Become a Solar Panel Installer!

Find out if you are eligible for Financial Aid

Get Certified at Our Advanced Electrical Technician Trade School

The need for electricians is great, and the demand for qualified electricians is not likely to abate. If you're interested in a career that pays well and offers opportunity for advancement, you should look into our Advanced Electrical Technician trade school.

Introduction to Solar Photovoltaics

The first step in our solar power training is to lead the student to be able to demonstrate an understanding of the solar power market and list the advantages ad disadvantages of photovoltaic systems. At this point the student is also required to understand the ever-changing current state and federal incentives offered to buyers and how to keep up with this aspect of the process, including net metering. By the end of this module the student is able to demonstrate and understand the various solar power systems available and list the components that make up the various stand-alone and grid-tie systems.

Site Assessment

The student will learn how and demonstrate the steps necessary to take in creating and evaluating a potential solar power site. This includes determining if a roof of a residential or commercial structure is capable of holding a solar panel array effectively and safely. Additional assessments such as collecting the current electrical loads at the property and what the potential savings could be with solar power.

System Design

With good comprehension of what photovoltaic systems are, how they work and where they work, the solar power training student moves on to learning and understanding how to design residential and commercial solar power systems. Because ACI Advanced Electrical Technicians are required to demonstrate complete knowledge of AC, DC, watts and volts as well as electrical safety knowledge, the design of systems comes easier than it does for students who only take a solar power class. Understanding how solar fits into the all encompassing skillset of an advanced electrical technician creates a more proficient and confident graduate.

System Installation and Inspection

With a fuller understanding of photovoltaics; how and where they work and what it takes to build a solar panel power system, the student is ready to dive into the installation of systems and the inspection of systems. Upon completion of this module, students will be able to list several safety rules to follow, demonstrate and understand common methods of installing PV systems, compare various types of residential and commercial mounting systems and how to attach them and understanding the load types that must be considered when doing so.

Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Finally, the solar panel power class concludes with a module specifically for the maintenance of photovoltaic systems and troubleshooting them on site. Like any technology, maintenance of the system is critical after installation. As solar power becomes more and more dominant in the years ahead there will be great opportunity for advance Electrical Technicians to either install, maintain or troubleshoot photovoltaic systems in residential and commercial settings. Upon completion of this solar power training module technicians are expected to be able to explain how a new system is commissioned and the several items that are checked as part of the final system inspection. You will also be able to list several potential problems and their solutions while demonstrating an understanding of troubleshooting procedures. To learn more about the entire Advanced Electrical Technician training provided by ACI that includes this important addition, click here.

Launch your Career with our Advanced Electrician Program

After completing the Austin Career Institute Advanced Electrical Technician Certificate Program you will be able to:

Describe the Photovoltaic systems and their components

Determine customer needs, assess site-specific safety hazards, conduct a site survey, and identify a suitable location for the PV array and other system components

Describe the PV system design considerations, including array configurations, component selection, and wire sizing

Use the information from the site assessment and system design documents to safely install a photovoltaic array and other system components

Define the PV system performance monitoring and troubleshooting procedures, including record keeping requirements

Describe the safety equipment used when installing or maintaining electrical systems

Define the units of measurement that are used to measure the properties of electricity

Demonstrate the use of equipment used to troubleshoot, install or maintain electric systems

Define capacitive reactance and state how it is affected by frequency

Describe the component parts and operating characteristics of a three-phase motor

Explain the relationship between voltage and current in RL circuits, RC circuits, LC circuits, and RLC circuits

Explain basic transformer action

Classify lighting fixtures by type and application

Properly select, install, and support pull and junction boxes and their associated fittings

Use NEC tables

Describe the wiring methods permitted for branch circuits and feeders in specific hazardous locations

Select branch circuit conductors and overcurrent protection devices for electric heat, air conditioning equipment, motors, and welders

Select contactors and relays for use in specific electrical systems

Calculate loads for various residential and commercial applications

Define the different categories for voice-data-video (VDV) cabling systems

Use industry paperwork and recordkeeping methods

Define customer service and identify work habits that contribute to success on the job

Advanced Electrical Technician Program Course Description

The program is comprised of six courses. All courses are independent of each other and can be taken without prerequisite.

ELT101 - Solar Photovoltaic Systems Installer

ERT102 - Introduction to Wiring

ERT103 - Advanced Wiring

ERT104 - Motors, Electronics, and Transformers

ERT105 - Residential and Commercial Systems

ERT106 - Special/Advanced Electrical Systems

Frequently Asked Questions

How to become an Electrical Technician?

The first step on the road to becoming a Master Electrician is to attend a nationally accredited trade school that offers an electrician program. A high School Diploma or GED will be required to become an Electrical Technician. The credits you receive in a program usually count towards your apprenticeship.

How long does it take to become an Electrical Technician?

A good Electrical Technician program is about 7.5 months long and gives you a head start towards becoming an Electrician. Our school offers a variety of schedules. We have both night and evening classes offering a robust opportunity for hands-on learning with online components. To become a Master Electrician, you'll need to have completed 12,000 hours of additional training under the supervision of a master electrician. This includes the 8,000 hours completed during the apprenticeship plus working as a Journeyman Electrician for at least two years.

Am I qualified for financial aid?

Financial Aid is available for those that qualify, with various options to fit everyone. This trade school is approved for Veteran Benefits and for Federal Aid, Pell Grant, Federal Student loans, outside scholarships and state based funding as well. To qualify you have to apply and we will walk you through the process.

What is an Electrical Technician?

Our program will allow you to train in the Commercial and Residential Electrical Technician field. You would be able to identify electrical wires by color, and perform tests to diagnose problems.

What does an Electrical Technician do?

Install and maintain electrical wiring, transformers, circuit breakers, follow the National Electrical Codes. You would work with residential or commercial customers helping them solve electrical challenges. You will run wire, connect fixtures to the wiring, perform testings to diagnose problems and repair them.

How much does an electrical technician make?

The Median Annual wage for May 2021 was $60,040. We follow the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics,
Please view this link to see the current salary range for an Electrical Technician.