The Residential Wiring program provides students the opportunity to gain the knowledge and technical skills necessary to enter the electrical trade. A certificate is obtained by the student after successful completion of two terms and is accepted by the State of New Mexico Construction Industries Division as one year of experience toward the two-year experience requirement for the State of New Mexico Residential Wireman’s Certificate of Competence.
Residential Wiring emphasizes the applications of the National Electrical Code (NEC), NM State Electrical Code, (NMSEC) and local electrical codes. Students learn electrical theory, material identification and use, Occupational Safety Hazard Administration (OSHA) compliance, residential wiring and services, conduit bending, installation, blueprint reading and electrical troubleshooting. Theory and lab courses are designed to be taken together to give students an in-depth understanding of the concepts of the residential electrical trade. First term students obtain knowledge and hands on training for personal and tool safety, meter reading, electrical circuitry, electrical formulas, electrical calculations, material identification, AC/DC motor operation and troubleshooting. Second term students are taught residential blueprint reading, applications of the NEC, NMSEC and local electrical codes, installation of branch circuits and feeders, residential services, single pole, three-way and four-way switch circuits, door chime installation, dryer and range circuits, swamp cooler circuitry and hand bending of electrical metallic tubing.
Students must have normal color differentiation as electricians work with identified colored wires requiring accurate connections. The moving and installation of electrical materials and equipment necessitate that the electrical worker be able to lift at least 50 pounds. Electrical workers may work in various internal and external environments and should be free of chronic respiratory diseases and allergies. Most employers require a valid driver’s license and clean driving record. Please contact Program Director for a list of required tools.
Fees: Program fees are published in the Schedule of Classes. These fees cover the cost of tools required for lab activities.
Some courses are not eligible for Financial Aid. Please check the list here when considering a course.
Educational Opportunities
For the graduation policy refer to the Graduating From CNM section, cnm.edu or the Students tab in my CNM.
Career Opportunities
The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions predicts a continued increase in the demand for electrical workers for years to come. One hundred percent of CNM Electrical Trades graduates obtained employment in the electrical trade in 2007- 2008. The Department of Workforce Solutions reports that the starting wages for electrical workers range from $14.51 to $24.68 per hour or $30,180 to $51,318 annually. Coursework from Electrical Trades/Residential Wiring may be applied toward the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Construction Technology.
