Electrical Technology
16 courses · Rio Hondo College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
ETEC 101 Electrician Fundamentals
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This introductory course covers the practices, applications, terms, and components for students already working as or seeking employment as an electrician, and who want to meet occupational goals, continue their education, or increase their skill levels. The course covers general electrician training, laboratory and job site safety, the proper use of testing instruments, hand tools, power tools, knots, electrical drawing reading, trade practices, and an introduction to the National Electrical Code (NEC). Extensive, hands-on lab exercises are provided to reinforce these concepts.
ETEC 102 Applied Mathematics for Electricians
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This introductory course in mathematics for electricians is for students already working as or seeking employment as an electrician, and who want to meet occupational goals, continue their education, or increase their skill levels. The course is designed to help students become more effective, efficient users of the fundamental skills utilized in technical trades. Topics include units of measure and measurement tools; converting fractions, decimals, and percentages; graphs and charts; perimeter, area, and volume; and personal finance. Emphasis is placed on the practical application of these topics, and hands-on classroom activities reinforce these concepts.
ETEC 103 Fundamentals of DC Electricity
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This introductory course in the fundamentals of direct current (DC) electricity is for students already working as or seeking employment as an electrician, and who want to meet occupational goals, continue their education, or increase their skill levels. The course covers DC electrical theory, including electrical safety, the basic principles of atomic structure, electrical quantities, static electricity, magnetism, induction, resistors, series circuits, parallel circuits, combination circuits, and DC motors and generators, formulas used in electrical theory, information regarding proper use and selection of hand tools, materials, and wiring as practiced in the electrical maintenance and construction industries. Resistive circuits are analyzed using Ohm's Law, the power equation and Kirchhoff’s Voltage and Current Laws. Hands-on lab exercises reinforce these concepts.
ETEC 104 OSHA Workplace Safety
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is designed for students working as or seeking employment as an electrician by providing the required number of contact hours for certification in both the California and Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety regulations, standard first aid, and CPR for the general industry and construction workplace. Upon completion of this course and passing the certification exam, students will receive a 30-hour OSHA training certificate of completion. The course fulfills the requirements for the American Red Cross certification in standard first aid, cardiopulmonary resucitation (CPR), and automatic defibrillation (AED).
ETEC 105 Introduction to the National Electric Code
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This introductory course in the National Electrical Code (NEC) is for students already working as or seeking employment as an electrician, and who want to meet occupational goals, continue their education, or increase their skill levels. The course covers the NEC requirements for commercial, office, and light industrial wiring. Topics include the electrical layout and design of commercial buildings, feeder circuit calculations, branch circuit calculations, and circuit over current protection.
ETEC 106 Electrical Drawings
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This introductory course in electrical drawings is for students who are already working as or seeking employment as an electrician, and who want to meet occupational goals, continue their education, or increase their skill levels. This course is designed to help students comprehend and correctly interpret electrical drawings used in electrical and related construction trades.
ETEC 107 Fundamentals of AC Electricity
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Prerequisite
- ETEC 102, ETEC 103
- Transfers to
- CSU
This introductory course in the fundamentals of alternating current (AC) electricity is for students already working as or seeking employment as an electrician and who want to meet occupational goals, continue their education, or increase their skill levels. Emphasis is placed on the theory of the operation, physical properties, and characteristics of AC electrical/electronic circuits and devices. Students analyze circuits and solve problems using basic network analysis methods, and learn about the arrangement of circuit diagrams, proper identification of circuit/device symbols, and use of wiring schematics. Laboratory work provides experience with the design and test of basic electrical circuits, use of meters, schematic diagrams, oscilloscopes, and common laboratory equipment; hands-on lab exercises reinforce these concepts. The course requires previous coursework in direct current (DC) electricity and math, including right angle trigonometry.
ETEC 108 Conductors, Grounding Systems, & Testing
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This introductory course covers conductors, grounding systems, and testing, and is designed for students who are already working as or seeking employment as an electrician, and who want to meet occupational goals, continue their education, or increase their skill levels. Topics include the proper use of hand tools, wiring methods, conductor identification, splicing, termination, trade practices, and an introduction to the National Electrical Code (NEC). Students study and interpret the NEC, paying particular attention to NEC requirements for grounding, grounding system components, principles of operation, design and fault current calculations, as well as local ordinances and regulations related to wiring installations and principal circuit requirements.
ETEC 109 Fundamentals of Transformers
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Prerequisite
- ETEC 105, ETEC 107
- Transfers to
- CSU
This introductory course in the fundamentals of transformers is for students who are already working as or seeking employment as an electrician, and who want to meet occupational goals, continue their education, or increase their skill levels. The course covers the complete electrical design of a commercial/industrial facility inclusive of general electrical, transformer, and electrical load calculations. All design work is completed to the applicable National Electrical Code (NEC). Students study and interpret the NEC, paying particular attention to NEC requirements for grounding, as well as local ordinances and regulations that cover wiring installations and principal circuit and grounding requirements. Extensive, hands-on lab exercises reinforce these concepts.
ETEC 110 Conduit, Raceways, Panelboards, Switchboards, & Overcurrent Devices
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This introductory course covers conduit, raceways, panelboards, switchboards, and overcurrent devices, and is designed for students already working as or seeking employment as an electrician, and who want to meet occupational goals, continue their education, or increase their skill levels. Topics include how to properly calculate, layout and bend electrical metallic tubing (EMT) and rigid metal conduit (RMC); hand bending and the use of mechanical and machine benders per industry standards; and the function, operation, and characteristics of overcurrent protection. All design work is completed to the applicable National Electrical Code (NEC). Students study and interpret the NEC, as well as local ordinances and regulations that cover wiring installations and principal circuit requirements.
ETEC 111 Motors, Motor Controllers and Process Controllers, Generators and Power Supplies
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Prerequisite
- ETEC 102, ETEC 103, ETEC 107
- Transfers to
- CSU
This introductory course in the fundamentals of motors, motor and process controllers, generators, and power is for students already working as or seeking employment as an electrician, and who want to meet occupational goals, continue their university education, or increase their skill levels. The course covers the operational theory and practices associated with motors and generators and power supplies. Students study and interpret the NEC, paying particular attention to NEC requirements for grounding, grounding system components, principles of operation, design and fault current calculations, as well as local ordinances and regulations related to wiring installations and principal circuit requirements covering wiring installations and principal circuit requirements. In addition, extensive hands-on lab exercises are provided to reinforce these concepts.
ETEC 112 Specialty & Lighting Systems
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of intermediate algebra concepts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This introductory course to specialty and lighting systems power is for students already working as or seeking employment as an electrician, and who want to meet occupational goals, continue their university education, or increase their skill levels. The course covers National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements for grounding and bonding, and the complete electrical design of a commercial/industrial facility, including general electrical drawings; fire and security alarms; voice, data, television, signaling, and fiber optic systems; lighting protection and systems; and heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration. Students verify specialty system design work according to applicable National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements. In addition, extensive demonstrations are provided to reinforce these concepts.
ETEC 113 Electrical Cost Estimating
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of intermediate algebra concepts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This introductory course in electrical cost estimating is for students already working as or seeking employment as an electrician, and who want to meet occupational goals, continue their university education, or increase their skill levels. The course provides an overview of electrical cost estimating, including billing of materials and listing procedures, and is most specifically intended for students preparing to enter electrical estimating occupations or electrical contracting work.
ETEC 114 Personal Development & Jobsite Management
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of intermediate algebra concepts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This introductory course in personal development and jobsite management is for students already working as or seeking employment as an electrician, and who want to meet occupational goals, continue their university education, or increase their skill levels. Topics include personal development, working with others, effective communication, personal finance, personal employment benefits, personal growth, and workplace development, and as a result students acquire an understanding of attitudes and behaviors beneficial to success in vocational settings as well as everyday life.
ETEC 115 Electronics & Digital Logic Circuits
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Prerequisite
- ETEC 102, ETEC 103, ETEC 107
- Transfers to
- CSU
This introductory course in electronics and digital logic circuits is for students who are working as or seeking employment as an electrician, and who want to meet occupational goals, continue their education, or increase their skill levels. Topics include solid state devices and digital electronic principles used in the field of electronics, with emphases on the theory of operation, methods of fabrication, physical properties, and characteristics of semiconductor devices and circuits. Students analyze circuits and solve problems utilizing basic network analysis methods; laboratory work provides experience with the design and test of basic solid state device circuits and digital logic circuits, including signal tracing and troubleshooting, use of meters, schematic diagrams, oscilloscopes, and common laboratory equipment.
ETEC 120 Electrical Circuits, Wiring, and Conduits
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 18 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Advisory
- ETEC 102
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is intended for students working or seeking employment as electricians and who want to meet occupational goals, continue their college education, or increase their skill levels. Topics include a study and practice in properly and safely calculating, planning, installing, and testing specified electrical components, wiring plans, and conduits. Methods taught include common practice as specified by industry standards and National Electrical Code (NEC) standards.