Power Engineering Techniques - 4th Class

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Courses - September 2025

Level 1

Course details

Conestoga 101
CON0101

Description: This self-directed course focuses on introducing new students to the supports, services, and opportunities available at Conestoga College. By the end of this course, students will understand the academic expectations of the Conestoga learning environment, as well as the supports available to ensure their academic success. Students will also be able to identify on-campus services that support their health and wellness, and explore ways to get actively involved in the Conestoga community through co-curricular learning opportunities.

Hours: 1
Credits: 0
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Sketching and Communication
DRWG1990

Description: Students will learn the different types, and proper use of plant communication systems. Students will plan, write and edit routine work-related messages practicing writing fundamentals and sentence, paragraph and memo composition. Students will describe how to set up plant and equipment sketches as well as line tracing diagrams. Mechanical drawing fundamentals with various views and use of drawing instruments to make basic engineering sketches of plant equipment will be practiced.

Hours: 14
Credits: 1
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Electricity
ELEC1445

Description: In this course students will learn the concepts of basic electricity and simple calculations using voltage, current, resistance and power. Ohm’s law, basic principles of magnetism, the use of electrical metering devices, the operating principles of the various types of AC and DC motors and generators, and the operating principles, construction and maintenance of transformers will also be covered. Safe operation of all electrical equipment is also covered.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Environmental Controls and Water Treatment
ENVR1040

Description: This course will describe the environmental impacts and control methods for solid, liquid, gaseous & noise pollutants in a power plant. Students will explain the impact of liquid waste, gases & vapours on the environment and will describe the impacts operating facilities have on the environment and how to deal with these impacts. Water and Feedwater treatment will also be discussed.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Employment and Job Search Skills
ETR1115

Description:

The student will examine the skills that employers need in today’s workplace: teamwork, problem solving, decision making, ability to organize and goal setting. In addition, the student will learn strategies for accessing the job market as well as resume creation, interview and negotiation skills.

Hours: 18
Credits: 1
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Applied Math and Elementary Mechanics
MATH1480

Description: This Course will cover basic mathematical operations involving fractions, decimals and percentages using SI and Imperial units. Student will be able to describe ratios and proportion, transpose equations to find values for different variables in a formula, describe and calculate various types of measurement and volumes and perform simple calculations involving SI and imperial units. The course also covers terms used in the study of mechanics and the mathematical relations pertaining to mechanics.

Hours: 28
Credits: 2
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Elementary Chemistry and Thermodynamics
MECH1305

Description: In this course, students will learn basic chemistry principles, basic types of matter and their properties, and the principles of thermodynamics. Other thermodynamics topics will include: the laws of thermodynamics, modes of heat transfer, temperature and thermal expansion, specific, sensible and latent heat, thermodynamics of steam, steam tables, interpolation. Students will also perform heat calculations in metric and imperial measurement systems.

Hours: 28
Credits: 2
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

High Pressure Boiler Design, Combustion, Operation Feedwater
MECH1325

Description:

This course covers the development of firetube, watertube, and electric boiler designs. Students will gain an understanding of boiler terminology, safety devices, construction, and the various components and heat exchangers within large-scale boiler systems. Combustion methods for gaseous, liquid, and solid fuels will be discussed along with draft strategies including natural, forced, induced, and balanced. Specialized boilers will be explored, including fluidized-bed, once-through, and various packaged configurations. Students will apply the knowledge they gain in the classroom operating a high-pressure steam firetube boiler in the Power Engineering lab practicing start-up, shutdown, and troubleshooting activities. Relevant boiler and pressure vessel codes, regulations, and acts will be incorporated into the learning. Students will also gain experience with control screens by utilizing simulation software focused on Power Engineering technologies and equipment.

Hours: 84
Credits: 6
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Piping
MECH1570

Description: In this course students will discuss the basic types of piping, piping connections, supports, drainage devices, and insulation. Students will learn to sketch and describe standard valve designs, piping arrangements, and steam system pressure-reducing valves. Students will apply skills of typical valve maintenance requirements and the operation of specialized boiler valves.

Hours: 28
Credits: 2
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Safety in the Workplace
OHS1320

Description: This course focuses on developing awareness and skills for the student to safely manage and conduct him or herself within a variety of employment settings. Through the units of the course, participants will have the opportunity to enhance their understanding and knowledge of general Health and Safety guidelines, including WHMIS, Fire Safety and Workplace Violence. The unit on Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act will instruct the student on the requirements for Accessible Customer Service and Integrated Accessibility Standard Regulations. General information on Safe Driving, Privacy of Information and Hand Washing will be addressed as well. The course also provides participants with critical information regarding their insurance coverage (WSIB or other) while employed. As well as guidelines to follow in the event of an injury. Participants will receive a printable Record of Completion upon successful conclusion of this course, in order to demonstrate awareness of safe working practices to their employers.

Hours: 14
Credits: 1
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Power Plant/Heating Plant Safety
OHS1470

Description: In this course, students will learn general plant safety, common safety programs implemented in Power, Heating, Pressure, and Industrial plants, and the role of safety committees. Students will address the importance of the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) for classification and labeling of controlled products and the use of Material Safety Data Sheets. Plant safety will be explored and include topics such as the costs and effects of workplace injuries and personal protective equipment. Students will learn to isolate mechanical and electrical equipment, enter confined spaces, and classify fires and their appropriate extinguishing methods. Students will also practice first aid, CPR and artificial respiration.

Hours: 28
Credits: 2
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Level 2

Course details

Field Placement (Power Engineering Techniques - 4th Class)
FPLT1175

Description:

This three month field placement provides an opportunity for students to apply their knowledge and skills in a work situation. The student will apply the skills taught in the in-class component of the program and will demonstrate effective work habits.

Hours: 480
Credits: 16
Pre-Requisites: OHS1320 OR OHS8320
CoRequisites:

Level 3

Course details

Controls and Instrumentation
CNTR1016

Description: This course covers plant instrumentation terms and definitions and methods for process measurement. Electrical and electronic control loop components, instrumentation, gauges and control systems and programming, the construction and operation of commonly used devices for measuring pressure, level, temperature, flow and composition, the functions of transmitters, recorders, controllers and control valves are all explored. Types of computers, principles, software, languages, applications and components are reviewed. The design, operation and testing of low water fuel cutoffs, mercury switches and thermocouples are also covered. The operation of equipment used to automatically start-up and shut down boilers and the proper testing and maintenance procedures will be examined.

Hours: 28
Credits: 2
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Heating Boiler and Heating Systems Controls
MECH1345

Description:

This course will allow the student to identify the types of watertube, tubular & firetube boilers used in heating systems, explain the uses of cast iron boilers, and identify the various oil burners & gas burners used on heating boilers. The operating principles of pressure gauges, safety valves, and boiler fittings on low pressure steam boilers will be examined. Students will explain the operating principles of basic boiler fittings on hot water boilers and identify the operational procedures that relate to automatically-fired, low-pressure hot water and steam heating boilers. The principles of steam heating systems, equipment and components and the various designs, accessories, operation and troubleshooting of hot water heating systems will be covered. The principles of warm air heating sources, the components and maintenance requirements of typical warm air heating & ventilation systems, and the various ventilation systems in buildings and infrared and electric heating systems will be studied. Feedwater control methods, devices used on low-pressure steam boilers, the various operating controls on low-pressure heating boilers, and the design and operation of various combustion controls on heating boilers and the components in a pneumatic control system, electric and electronic control circuit will also be covered.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Auxiliary Building Systems
MECH1350

Description: This course covers various building systems including lighting systems and principles including types of units including incandescent and fluorescent. Building water supply systems operation and maintenance, including hot water heaters, controls and protection and trouble-shooting are studied. Sanitary drainage systems and maintenance are examined, as well as options for snow melt systems.

Hours: 14
Credits: 1
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
MECH1360

Description: This course will cover vapour compression systems including safety, application of CSA B.52 code, thermodynamics of refrigeration and properties of refrigerants, compression refrigeration systems and compressor components. Heat exchangers for refrigeration systems, metering devices and capacity controls, cycle controls, and system accessories are studied. Compression refrigeration operation, maintenance and troubleshooting are applied. Absorption refrigeration systems, components, auxiliaries, operation and maintenance are reviewed. Air conditioning is explored through the psychometric properties of air, applications of the psychometric chart for comfort, fans for distribution, ducting, coil types and operation as well as humidification and dehumidification. Air conditioning systems are addressed including unitary and central systems, combined systems components, auxiliaries, operation and maintenance, heat recovery systems, controls, as well as heat gains and losses in buildings, system components and auxiliaries.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Types of Plants
MECH1380

Description: This course will explain the basic design of hot oil systems, components, auxiliaries, operation and maintenance, including the safety requirements of the direct-fired heater. The basic equipment and processes used in refining of natural gas and the production of pulp mill processes, equipment, operation and safety will be studied as well as steam-related processes in food processing plants, sawmills and oil refineries.

Hours: 14
Credits: 1
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Prime Movers and Engines, Pumps and Compressors, Lubrication
MECH1580

Description: This course will introduce students to the conversion of heat into mechanical energy including the construction and operation of the simple steam engine, steam turbines, internal combustion engines, prime mover terminology and the application of cooling towers and condensers. Students will learn the theory behind various types of pumps and compressors, as well as their construction, operation and maintenance. Principles of lubrication, classes, viscosities, applications and other maintenance procedures are addressed as well as bearing lubrication, maintenance and failure.

Hours: 70
Credits: 5
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Boiler Maintenance
MECH1590

Description: This course will cover power plant maintenance from the perspective of the safe use of common hand and power tools, safe and proper setup of equipment for climbing, hoisting & rigging such as scaffolds, ladders, ropes, cables and fasteners. The general servicing and maintenance required for all boiler types including refractory, tubes, stays, safety valves and preparation of a boiler for inspection, cleaning, testing, layup, and welder qualifications are covered.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Materials Welding
WELD1905

Description: This course is intended to provide students with a basic understanding of the mechanical properties and selection of ferrous and non-ferrous materials, plus the effects and purposes of various alloys. Heat treating, case hardenings are described. The methods, equipment and safe applications for oxy- acetylene and electric arc welding and brazing will be covered. Students will also define welding terms and apply methods of weld inspection and describe welder qualifications.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Program outcomes

Disassemble and assemble components to required specifications by applying workshop skills and knowledge of basic shop practices.
Select and use a variety of troubleshooting techniques and test equipment to assess and control fuels and combustion, electronic circuits, boiler control systems, feed water treatment, pumps, piping, power systems, and subsystems.
Apply knowledge of electrical calculations, applied mechanics, thermodynamics, and applied science to the code calculation, testing and analysis of power systems and subsystems.
Communicate information, using electronic resources as necessary, to effectively and accurately document, manage and control projects to a critical path in a power operating environment to appropriate standards.
Apply safe working practices to maintain and operate plants effectively, including fire protection systems, responsibly and with accountability to appropriate standards and in compliance with Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) regulations.
Manage quality-control procedures.
Develop and use strategies and plans to manage professional growth, job performance, and work relationships.
Complete all assigned work in compliance with occupational, health, safety, and environmental law; established policies and procedures; codes and regulations and industrial legislation; and in accordance with ethical principles.
Troubleshoot various power operating system problems by using problem-solving and critical thinking skills and strategies and by applying fundamental knowledge of power operation, components, and their interrelationships.