March / April, 2004

Agricultural Grounding and Wiring Short Course

By: Jim Schrandt
Visiting Specialist - Outreach; Michigan Agricultural Electric Council

The Department of Agricultural Engineering at Michigan State University, in cooperation with the Michigan Agricultural Electric Council, has developed an eleven hour course for journey and master electricians. The Agricultural Grounding and Wiring Short Course concentrates on the requirements for electrical grounding for services, feeders, subpanels, and supply to agricultural outbuildings. Also included are special requirements for agricultural building wiring and equipotential planes.

The course was conducted in Cass City on March 18 and 19. Plans for 2004 are to present the course in East Lansing on April 1 and 2 and in Cadillac on April 15 and 16. A registration form is available at http://www.egr.msu.edu/age/maec

A key feature of the course is the hands-on learning opportunities. Each participant must complete all hands-on exercises correctly. One of the unique hands-on experiences is the conversion of an electrical panes from being a source for a three-wire feeder to a source for a four-wire feeder.

A certificate of course completion is awarded by Michigan State University to each participant that satisfactorily completes the course requirements. In addition to correctly completing all hands-on exercises, the participant must score a minimum of 75% on a one hour written examination. Upon successful completion the participant is granted 1.1 continuing education units (CEUs) by Michigan State University. Their name along with their employer will be listed on the Michigan Agricultural Electric Council web site at http://www.egr.msu.edu/age/maec.

The goal is to provide training for electricians across the state that have agricultural wiring expertise and experience.

Agricultural Engineering
Michigan State University
A.W. Farrall Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1323
(517) 355-4720

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April 2, 2004