Harper College

Electrical Maintenance Certificate

Stay current. Earn a career-ready certificate.

Program Facts Liberal Arts icon


  • Credit hours: 8
  • Stackable to degree: Yes
  • Potential job outcomes: Electrical technician, electrician, facilities maintenance technician

Take the next step toward a career in electrical maintenance with this 8-credit-hour certificate program. Focusing on equipment operation, application, installation and servicing, this program gives you a basic overview of all aspects of the electrical maintenance field. By completing this program, you’ll be ready to seek entry-level employment in an electrical installation and service position, or qualify for a job in other related facilities or industrial electronics maintenance areas.

Classes include introductory electronics, electrical wiring and industrial control systems. All courses are taught by skilled instructors who are experts in the electrical maintenance field.

Credit earned for this program can be applied to Harper’s AAS in Electronics Engineering Technology program.

Certificate program requirements

This 8 credit-hour certificate program is designed to prepare students for careers in the field of electrical installation and service, and other related facilities or industrial electronics maintenance areas. The curriculum is tailored to provide entry-level career training in the least amount of time. Emphasis is placed on equipment operation, application, installation and servicing. Courses specific to instruction include: basic electricity and electronics, residential or commercial electrical wiring and codes, and basic automation systems. Topics within these courses involve: practical electrical concepts and measurements, electrical wiring, and an introduction to programmable logic controllers.

Students completing this program may find employment as electrical technicians, electrician apprentices, electricians, and facilities or plant maintenance technicians.

Students may also continue their education by pursuing an Associate in Applied Science degree. Students considering this option are encouraged to meet with the Program Coordinator and an academic advisor prior to beginning the program, and also when planning their schedule each semester.

Required:

Number Course Title Credits
ELT 110 4

Description:  Introduces fundamentals of electricity and magnetism. Covers basic electrical laws and principles. Presents electrical quantities, units, symbols and notation. Examines foundational electronic materials and components. Presents elementary DC (direct current) and AC (alternating current) network analysis, key semiconductor devices, and simple analog and digital circuits. Also covers electrical safety considerations, laboratory instrumentation and test and measurement techniques.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

ELT 140 2

Description:  Examines the procedures and mechanisms by which programmable logic controller functions are used. Programming in ladder logic and controller code focuses on the direct application of a variety of input and output devices. Hardware, programming, peripherals and accessories are emphasized.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

ELT 142 or

Description:  Introduces students to wiring topics as they relate to the residential electrical service. A safety review followed by terminology, principles, and test and measurement equipment use associated with residential alternating current (AC) power are examined. Emphasis is placed on the practical application, operation, installation and maintenance of low voltage control systems and single-phase AC power equipment and systems. Select portions of the National Electric Code are studied.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

ELT 143 2

Description:  Introduces students to advanced wiring topics as they relate to the commercial electrical service. A safety review followed by terminology, principles, and test and measurement equipment use associated with commercial alternating current (AC) power are examined. Emphasis is placed on the practical application, operation, installation and maintenance of low voltage control systems and single and three-phase AC power equipment and systems. Select portions of the National Electric Code are studied.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

Related programs

Students interested in electronics engineering technology may also be interested in:

Next steps

For more information about studying electronics engineering technology at Harper College, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.

Please note: This program is not financial aid eligible.

Last Updated: 11/20/24