Electrical Fundamentals & Safe Work Practices
Electricity powers every industrial operation, yet even experienced personnel often lack a solid foundation in how electrical systems work. This course bridges that gap by combining essential electrical theory with real world equipment knowledge, hands-on learning, and critical safety practices. Participants gain the confidence and competence needed to work safely and effectively around electrical systems of all types.
Description
Purpose:
This course introduces participants to the essentials of electricity, electrical components, distribution systems, test equipment, and safe work practices. It provides both the theoretical understanding and the practical skills needed to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot electrical systems found throughout industrial environments.
Important Takeaways:
Learners gain a working knowledge of schematics, overcurrent protection, motor fundamentals, conductors and insulators, and the use of electrical test instruments. Safety is emphasized throughout, including hazard recognition, protective devices, and guidelines for minimizing electrical risks. Participants also learn foundational troubleshooting techniques and common maintenance activities.
Who Benefits:
Ideal for maintenance technicians, operators, manufacturing personnel, field service staff, supervisors, and anyone who interacts with or supports electrical equipment. It is also beneficial for new employees, cross‑training team members, and leaders looking to strengthen electrical knowledge and safety culture.
Deliverables
- Interactive 3-day hands-on course
- Pre and post knowledge evaluations
- Ongoing access to important technical course content
- Certificate of Completion with contact hours
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Explain basic electrical principles including voltage, current, resistance, and circuit behavior.
- Identify and correctly use common electrical test equipment.
- Interpret elementary electrical distribution layouts and component functions.
- Read and understand basic electrical schematics.
- Distinguish between conductors, insulators, and their applications.
- Describe electric motor fundamentals and common motor control elements.
- Recognize types of overcurrent protection and their purpose.
- Apply basic troubleshooting and maintenance practices safely and effectively.
Activities
- Instructor-led presentations
- Hands-on test equipment practice
- Building and testing common control circuits
- Schematic reading exercises
- Group electrical troubleshooting activities
- Electrical hazard identification scenarios
- Knowledge checks and mini-assessments
Course Outline
Module 1: Electrical Fundamentals
- How electricity works
- Voltage, current, and resistance
- Ohm’s Law basics
- Series, parallel, and combination circuits
Module 2: Conductors & Insulators
- Material properties of conductors and insulators
- Wire size and insulation
- Temperature and rating considerations
- Wiring and cabling basics
Module 3: Electrical Test Equipment
- Multimeters, clamp-on ammeters, and voltage detectors
- Understanding safety categories
- Continuity, resistance, and voltage testing
- Best practices for safe measurements
Module 4: Electrical Distribution
- Single phase vs. three phase power
- Transformers and commons system voltages
- Reading single-line diagrams
- Facility examples and diagrams
Module 5: Electrical Schematics
- Common electrical symbols
- Wiring diagrams vs. schematics
- Reading Ladder diagrams
- IEC vs. NEMA
Module 6: Electrical Safety
- Shock, arc flash, arc blast
- PPE overview
- Safe approach distances
- Common industrial hazards
Module 7: Overcurrent Protection
- Fuses and circuit breakers
- Overload protection
- Short-circuit protection
- Coordination basics
Module 8: Electric Motors
- Motor types
- Motor nameplate interpretation
- Starters and overloads
- Typical failure modes
Module 9: Basic Electrical Troubleshooting
- Systematic troubleshooting steps
- Using test equipment for diagnostics
- Common fault scenarios
- Documentation and communication
Module 10: Electrical Maintenance Activities
- Preventive maintenance tasks
- Visual inspections
- Cleaning and lubrication basics
- Common maintenance errors to avoid
Who Should Attend
- Maintenance technicians
- Operators and production staff
- Field service personnel
- Supervisors and frontline leaders
- Safety professionals
- New hires entering electrically-influenced roles
- Anyone needing a foundational understanding of electrical systems