Pipeline Electrical & Instrumentation
The two-level Pipeline Electrical & Instrumentation curriculum prepares learners for a career in the pipeline industry as a Pipeline Electrical & Instrumentation Technician. In addition the Level 1 training modules, the Level 2 curriculum includes Covered Task online trainings for operator qualifications in more than a dozen different Covered Tasks.
The Pipeline Electrical & Instrumentation curriculum complies with the U.S. Department of Labor’s standards for Pipeline Electrical & Instrumentation Technician apprenticeship programs.
Craft Snapshot
Curriculum Details
Module ID 64102-02: Describes the types and uses of personal protective equipment and covers hazard communications. Covers lockout/tagout and MSDS requirements; safety rules, regulations, and tools; and worksite hazards.
Module ID 64103-02: Presents instrumentation formulas and equations. Explains how to calculate load and ampacity, and perform pipeline-specific E&I calculations. Also provides a description of conductors.
Module ID 64104-02: Introduces the electrical concepts used in Ohm’s law as applied to DC series circuits. Discusses atomic theory, electromotive force, resistance, and electric power equations. Also introduces series, parallel, and series-parallel circuits. Covers resistive circuits, Kirchhoff’s voltage and current laws, and circuit analysis.
Module ID 64105-02: Identifies hand tools used in the pipeline E&I trade. Also explains trade-specific power tools, test equipment, and communication equipment.
Module ID 64107-02: Identifies drawing classifications and written specifications. Describes the uses of electrical drawings and piping and instrumentation drawings. Also covers special drawings and documentation as well as pipeline maps and alignment sheets.
Module ID 64108-02: Provides a map for using the NEC®. Introduces the layout and the types of information found within the code book. Presents an easy-to-follow procedure for finding information in the NEC®.
Module ID 64109-02: Introduces hardware and systems used to mount and support boxes, receptacles, and other electrical components. Covers types of anchors and supports, their applications, and their safe installation.
Module ID 64201-02: Explains Class I, II, III, and IV pipeline areas. Describes intrinsically safe devices and systems and their ratings. Also covers allowable conduits and fittings, and explosion-proof enclosures. Explains safe work practices in classified areas, including barriers, PPE, monitoring requirements, and gas detectors.
Module ID 64202-02: Explains general, personal, and test equipment for E&I safety. Covers measuring current, voltage, and resistance and the types of meters used. Includes specialty instruments such as calibrators, simulators, and gauges. Includes sections on oscilloscope operation, waveform characteristics, and measurement techniques.
Module ID 64203-02: Explains grounding basics, system types, NEC® requirements, equipment grounding, and how to bond service equipment. Includes discussion of effective grounding paths, conductors, separately derived systems, grounding at more than one building, and systems over 1,000 volts. Describes how to test grounding and measure earth resistance, three-point testing, and tank grounding.
Module ID 64204-02: Explains process characteristics and control systems. Describes control loop components and control loops and modes. Discusses types of control applications, including temperature, pressure, flow, and level control.
Module ID 64205-02: Explains pipeline supervisory control systems, PLCs, HMIs, and RTUs. Describes data highways and protocols, including data transfer methods, and SCADA-related communications, including transfer media, wireless radios, and Ethernet, and transmission and interface methods.
Module ID 64301-02: Describes power systems and explains transformer construction, taps, installation requirements, and connections. Describes power distribution, instruments, control, and isolation transformer types. Also covers transformer maintenance and testing.
Module ID 64302-02: Explains power factor and medium versus low-voltage cable and MCCs. Describes types of switchgear and cables, feeders, bussing, and bracing. Includes testing and maintenance on switchgear and MCCs and associated components.
Module ID 64303-02: Explains pipeline system standby generators, batteries, chargers, inverters, converters, and rotary and static UPSs. Also addresses the maintenance and testing of each.
Module ID 64304-02: Explains power quality and types of defects, power systems, protection, and conditioning equipment. Discusses types of electrical noise and related problems, and possible solutions. Describes static electricity and its effect, system verification testing, and equipment maintenance.
Module ID 64305-02: Describes various electric motors and drives and their components. Discusses their maintenance and testing. Explains engine types, cooling and lubrication systems, turbine operation, fuel sources, and controls.
Module ID 64306-02: Includes information on pipeline facility buildings and related systems, including fire, security, vapor recovery, injection, water treatment, cathodic protection, and blending systems.
Module ID 64307-02: Explains pipeline operations systems, including control, communications, SCADA, and PLCs. Explains redundant systems and control system troubleshooting.
Abnormal Operating Conditions – Control Center
Abnormal Operating Conditions – Field and Gas
Inspect, Test and Calibrate Pressure Switches
Inspect, Test and Calibrate Pressure Transmitters
Verify or Set Protection Parameters for Programmable Controllers and/or Other Instrumentation Control Loops
Test Overfill Protective Devices
Inspect, Test, and Maintain Flow Computer for Hazardous Liquid Leak Detection
Inspection, Testing, & Perform Corrective & Preventative Maintenance and Tank Gauging for Hazardous Liquid Leak Detection
Prove Flow Meters for Hazardous Liquid Leak Detection
Maintain Flow Meters for Hazardous Liquid Leak Detection
Inspect, Test and Maintain Gravitometers/ Densitometers for Hazardous Liquid Leak Detection
Inspect, Test and Maintain Temperature Transmitters for Hazardous Liquid Leak Detection
Maintain Fixed Gas Detection Equipment
Contributing Subject Matter Experts
Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) are a vital part of NCCER’s Curriculum development process. SMEs are construction and maintenance professionals who have journey-level experience and have experience teaching their trades to others.
Arthur Birx, Protech EIS Corp
Benjamin Johnson, Praxair Services, Inc.
Bill Emery, Praxair Services, Inc.
Blaine Shellhammer, EMS USA, Inc.
Cameron Strother, Southland Safety
Carl Allebach, Sunoco Logistics, L.P.
Charles Whiten, L.E. Bell Construction Company Incorporated
Dan Lake, Central NDT, Inc.
Dan Rohret, Kinder Morgan Inc.
Dan Ruane, Midwestern Contractors
Dave Hoffman
David Reeder, EMS USA, Inc
DeWayne Schapansky, ONEOK Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership (formerly ONEOK, Inc.)
Donavon Wright, Corrpro
Donnie Pittsinger, Flint Energy Services, Inc.
Erin Worthington, Marathon Pipe Line LLC
Gary Affolter, Construction Craft Academy
Gordon Carson, CP Masters, Inc.
James Carroll
Kimberly-Joy Harris, Enbridge Pipelines, Inc.
Les Harrison
Leslie Carroll, THORCO
Lisa Hartnup, Praxair Services, Inc.
Lynn Simpson, Enterprise Products
Mark Seitz, AECOM
Michael Nordstrom, Corrpro
Michael Williams
Paula Gates-Rippe, ONEOK Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership (formerly ONEOK, Inc.)
Paul Fontenot II, Safety Advantage, LLC
Randall Rogers, Sunoco Logistics, L.P.
Rick Wilenzick, Jomax Construction Co., Inc.
RJ Rogers, Sunoco Logistics, L.P.
Sid Harrell
Steve Barker, L.E. Bell Construction Company Incorporated
Steve Montoy, Enterprise Products
Timothy Mills, Kinder Morgan Inc.
Tom Magness, Enhance Co., Inc.
Tom Pickthall, Enhance Co., Inc.
Travis Ashby, ONEOK Partners Intermediate Limited Partnership (formerly ONEOK, Inc.)
Trobi Hall, Sunoco Pipeline L.P.
Wallace McCracken, Mears Group, Inc.
Will Wright, Plains All American Pipeline
William (Billy) Rado, Corrpro
Instructor Resources
Instructor Toolbox
NCCER’s Instructor Toolbox provides easy access to important instructional resources for your training program. You’ll find downloadable course planning tools, examples of classroom activities and projects, and instructor tips and best practices to help you enhance your program.