Diploma in Powerline Technician (Co-op Option) Algonquin College - Ottawa Campus, Canada

The two-year Powerline Technician Ontario College Diploma program prepares you with the skills you need to succeed as a powerline technician in Ontario. Begin by learning electrical fundamentals and move on to design, planning, construction and maintenance of overhead and underground power systems.

You will learn:

• how to use AutoCAD to design overhead and underground electrical power systems
• about electrical machinery and metering
• about street lighting and communications systems
• to identify, control and eliminate potential health and safety hazards
• about hoisting, rigging and guying
• how to solve design problems associated with power transmission and distribution lines
• about protection relays and fault protection used in power distribution and transmission

Starting in the second term, you begin spending one day per week at the Hydro Ottawa partner site located on Bank Street in Ottawa. There you practise climbing, rigging and other hands-on skills you can apply throughout your career.

Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Communicate information effectively and accurately by analyzing, translating, and producing electrical drawings and other related documents and graphics.
2. Analyze and solve routine technical problems related to electrical technology and power distribution by applying the principles of mathematics and science.
3. Calibrate, use and maintain instrumentation and test equipment.
4. Identify problems with overhead and underground powerline equipment and systems by following established procedures and using a variety of troubleshooting techniques.
5. Design and draw powerlines and underground distribution systems by following established procedures.
6. Practise appropriate safety procedures for self and others and utilize personal protection equipment, including rigging and construction practices.
7. Prepare and maintain records and documentation systems and participate in the planning of work and projects.
8. Perform tasks related to powerline applications in accordance with relevant law, policies, procedures, standards, regulations, and ethical principles.
9. Select and apply electrical cabling requirements and verify system grounding for a variety of powerline applications.
10. Install, maintain and remove power poles, transformers, structures and other utility equipment.
11. Install and troubleshoot static and rotating electrical machines and associated control systems under the supervision of a qualified person.
12. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.