PLUG INTO A BRIGHT FUTURE AS AN ELECTRICIAN!
Are you seeking electrical training to understand residential, commercial, and industrial wiring? Also, interested in becoming an Electrical Apprentice? Tired of reading about it and want to do it? If so, our electrical training program will be YOUR ticket to a high demand technical career as an Electrician.
Many find that careers as an electrician are lucrative, interesting, and stable. Equally important, electricians have a varied career path that comes with multiple choices. While training to become an electrician, it’s important to be aware of all your options for a future career. Don't wait! Plan a visit to American Trade School and to learn about the variety of different career paths that will be available upon completion of training.
Our electrical program prepares graduates with the theory and working knowledge in electrical installation, maintenance, and repair. Overall, American Trade School prepares graduates for an entry level position in the field.
ELECTRICAL PROGRAM OVERVIEW
As a leading electrician school in St. Louis, we focus on teaching the fundamentals of residential, commercial, industrial wiring, and motor applications. Students learn how to read blueprints, install and maintain electrical systems, troubleshoot problems, and follow safety codes—all essential skills for a successful career as an electrician.
Our comprehensive program prepares students to become skilled, job-ready electricians through a combination of classroom instruction and real-world lab experience.
At American Trade School, our students are mechanical thinkers who enjoy learning new concepts and immediately applying them in the shop. Whether you’re starting fresh or changing careers, our Electrical program prepares you to enter the workforce with confidence and real-world skills.
ELECTRICAL PROGRAM CURRICULUM
Our Electrical program offers a hybrid learning format, combining classroom and online instruction. The 8-month program consists of two courses: Fundamentals and Advanced - each is 16 weeks in length.
RESIDENTIAL ELECTRICITY PROGRAM (8 MONTHS)
ELEC101 - Basic Electricity
FUNDAMENTALS COURSE: 16 Weeks
OSHA 10 is administered during this course.
AC Electricity:
Students are introduced to workplace safety, electrical theory, and the structure of the National Electrical Code (NEC). They apply Ohm’s law to calculate voltage, current, resistance, and power, then test their knowledge with multimeters on various types of circuits. In the lab, students get hands-on experience wiring boards, installing single-pole, three-way, and four-way switches, setting up GFCI and split-wired receptacles, and sizing conductors for branch circuits. They also work with 120/240-volt service concepts and single-phase transformers.
DC Electricity & Low Voltage Systems:
Students cover DC principles as applied in today’s workplace, with a strong emphasis on DC circuits and electrical safety. They learn residential data and communication wiring, including home security systems, Power over Ethernet, coaxial cable, video surveillance, fire alarm systems, and battery applications. In the lab, students gain hands-on experience installing and testing low-voltage systems.
ELEC102 - Residential Electricity
ADVANCED Course: 16 Weeks
Prerequisite: ELEC101
Residential Wiring: NEC and Applications:
Students build on their foundational skills and step into the real world of home wiring. They learn to wire a complete single-family home—from calculating service needs to the final inspection. Coursework covers key areas of the NEC, including load calculations, grounding and bonding, AFCI/GFCI protection, and surge suppression. In the lab, students transform a professional plan set into a live installation. They mount service equipment, size conductors and raceways, and rough-in branch circuits for lighting, receptacles, and fixed appliances. Learners also practice EMT bending, complete finish-out tasks, and verify voltage drop and load balance before energizing.
Residential Circuits and Electrical Installations:
Students gain experience with renovation techniques, a vital part of residential electrical work. They learn to design, install, and troubleshoot residential electrical systems while developing skills in blueprint reading, NEC-compliant wiring, conductor derating, and integrating modern devices such as smart dimmers and retrofitted AFCI breakers. Hands-on labs include renovation projects with budgets, bids, and change orders, as well as a mock electrical inspection. By the end, students are prepared to confidently design, install, and troubleshoot real-world residential circuits.
Electrical Advanced Elective Courses:
ELEC103 - Commercial Wiring Methods
ADVANCED ELECTIVE COURSE: 8 Weeks
Prerequisite: ELEC101 & ELEC102
This course introduces three‑phase circuits and the key practices used in commercial wiring. In the lab, students will work with commercial plan sets, size feeders and branch circuits, select conductors, bend EMT, assemble panelboards, install raceways and cable trays. They’ll also learn to apply demand factors and selective coordination when specifying fuses and breakers. Completing this course prepares students to help with light commercial projects and communicate clearly with engineers, inspectors, and general contractors.
ELEC104 - Commercial Motor Applications
ADVANCED ELECTIVE COURSE: 8 Weeks
Prerequisite: ELEC101 & ELEC102
This course focuses on selecting, installing, and maintaining single-phase and three-phase motors and their control circuits. Students calculate full-load current, size conductors, and choose appropriate overload and short-circuit protection devices. In the lab, they’ll wire standard and reversing motor starters and troubleshoot motor faults. Learners also interpret motor nameplate data, follow lockout/tagout procedures before servicing equipment, and review NEC requirements. Completing this course prepares students to support motor-driven equipment in commercial and light‑industrial settings.
The advanced elective courses are optional and can be taken immediately after completing the 8-month program or at a future date.