Overview
careers
Journeyworker
Relay Technician
Substation Technician
Utility Technician
The goal of the Mitchell Technical College Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology program* is to provide students with an extensive hands-on experience that integrates the knowledge, skills and competencies that the electrical power utility industry needs to ensure that customers have access to power. Graduates will learn to install, inspect, test, repair and maintain electrical equipment in substations and other smart grid equipment on the power grid.
Substation technicians are individuals who work with electrical engineers to design, construct and maintain a substation, the facility which collects power at the generation site, connects to a transmission grid and downloads energy to a distribution network where the power is delivered to the consumer. Graduates will find employment working outdoors at a substation or performing maintenance on the grid system housed inside a utilities service facility.
Applicants to the program must be graduates of Mitchell Tech’s Electrical Construction and Maintenance, Wind Turbine Technology, or Power Line Construction and Maintenance program or have a comparable diploma from an accredited postsecondary institute. All Electrical Utilities and Substation Technology students will be required to complete the A.A.S. degree general education requirements.
*Prerequisite program completion is required prior to enrollment.
Curriculum
Award: AAS Degree
First Semester
Presents basic AC and DC motor controls concepts and gives students an understanding of typical devices such as pushbuttons, selector switches, sensors, starters, contactors, overloads and relays.
2 creditsThis lab will supplement the topics covered in EUST 120.
4 creditsOverview of substations and the different types. Students will learn what makes up the components of a substation such as the transformers and how they are cooled, different types of circuit breakers, methods of voltage control along with the function of smart grid metering and relaying.
3 creditsDesigned to prepare students with the ability to read and understand electrical diagrams, recognize equipment and verify the integrity of existing schematics. Participants will be introduced to electrical symbols, one-line and three-line electrical schematics and their content, including basic layout and legends. The course includes practical exercises in schematic reading, diagram verification and the steps required for creating and maintaining accurate one-line diagrams.
2 creditsAn introduction to the concepts of inductance, inductive reactance, capacitance, capacitive reactance, and reactive circuits; time constants; alternating current terms and principles; transformers; calculation of AC circuit values; identification of principles of motors and generators.
2 creditsA health and safety curriculum for secondary electrical trades. The manual used is designed to engage students in recognizing, evaluating and controlling hazards associated with electrical work in a substation environment.
1 creditInstruction in commercial transportation. Opportunities are provided for obtaining a Class A commercial drivers license. Arrangements are made for taking the test(s) required by the state. A Class A CDL is a requirement for graduation from several programs. A valid South Dakota driver’s license is required in order to complete the CDL training course. For students enrolling in a two-year program, this course must be completed by the end of their first year. This class is offered for credit as a Pass/No Pass course. Please note: Students are required to show proof of a valid Class A CDL by the end of the 10th day of the semester in which the student is enrolled in order to drop this class.
1 creditSecond Semester
This lab will supplement the topics covered in EUST 121.
4 creditsA continuation of EUST 120. Students will perform hands-on testing of the components that make up a substation such as transformers, circuit breakers, regulators, capacitor banks along with replacement of smart meters and other smart grid equipment.
3 creditsSmart grid is a type of electrical grid which attempts to predict and intelligently respond to the behavior and actions of all electric power users connected to it—suppliers, consumers and those that do both—in order to efficiently deliver reliable, economic and sustainable electricity services.
2 creditsIdentification of transmission mediums (UTP, STP, COAX, FIBER, etc.). ANSI/EIA/TIA standards; the proper terminate, splicing and testing of Category 5 and fiber optic cable are studied.
2 creditsA continuation of EUST 150.
1 creditGeneral Education Requirements
Overview of computer applications with emphasis on e-mail, word processing, spreadsheets, database, presentation tools and Internet-based technology. This course will cover the Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft Teams and cloud-based technologies such as GoogleDrive and OneDrive.
3 creditsRequirements
Drug/Alcohol Screening and Immunization Requirements
Students are expected to conform to Rules for Programs with Required Drug and Alcohol Testing while enrolled in this program. See the MTC Catalog and Student Handbook for details.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants to the program must be a graduate of Electrical Construction & Maintenance, Wind Turbine Technology or Power Line Construction & Maintenance or must have a complete transcript from another institution.
Outcomes
- Consult manuals, schematics, wiring diagrams, and engineering personnel in order to troubleshoot and solve equipment problems and to determine optimum equipment functioning
- Prepare and maintain records detailing tests, repairs, and maintenance
- Troubleshoot and repair air brake and disconnect switches
- Test insulators and bushings of equipment by inducing voltage across insulation, testing current and calculating insulation loss
- Install transformers with proper connections
- Install electrical meters with proper connections
- Communicate effectively through both oral and written means
- Demonstrate a professional attitude and work ethic
- Apply reasoning and critical thinking to solve problems and seek information
Annual Program Review
Check out the 2023-24 Annual Program Review for information on how faculty ensure the quality and effectiveness of the program.
Cost
Other Required Costs
CDL | $1,000 |
Books / Tools (estimated) | $1,314 |
Scholarships
$750
1 AVAIL.
SD Municipal Electric Association Energy Production & Transmission Scholarship
SD Municipal Electric Association
- About
- Eligibility
- Criteria
$1000
1 AVAIL.
East River Electric Power Co-op Scholarship
East River Power Cooperative
- About
- Eligibility
- Criteria
$500
2 AVAIL.
Central Electric Cooperative Scholarship
Central Electric Cooperative
- About
- Eligibility
- Criteria
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Heating & Cooling
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
$1000
1 AVAIL.
South Dakota Assoc. of Cooperatives Scholarship
- About
- Eligibility
- Criteria
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Business Management
Diesel Power – Ag Power Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology
$1000
4 AVAIL.
Osterhaus Endowed Scholarships
- About
- Eligibility
- Criteria
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Architectural Design and Building Construction
Automation Controls/SCADA
Business Management
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Diesel Power – Ag Power Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Heating & Cooling Technology
Human Services Technician
Information Systems Technology
Machining and Manufacturing
Medical Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Office Professional
Medical Office Professional
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Power Sports & Marine Technology
Precision Ag Technology
Radiation Therapy
Radiologic Technology
Small Business Management
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Utilities Technology
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology
$1000
1 AVAIL.
Mitchell Tech Retiree Endowed Scholarship
- About
- Eligibility
- Criteria
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Architectural Design and Building Construction
Automation Controls/SCADA
Business Management
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Diesel Power – Ag Power Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Geospatial Technologies
Heating & Cooling Technology
Human Services Technician
Information Systems Technology
Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN)
Machining and Manufacturing
Medical Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Office Professional
Medical Office Professional
Natural Gas Technology
Office Technology Specialist
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Power Sports & Marine Technology
Precision Ag Technology
Radiation Therapy
Radiologic Technology
Small Business Management
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Utilities Technology
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology