By Jeff Hooper, Director of Education, IEC Oregon
IEC Oregon Scored a win in the IEC SPARK 2022 draw, winning the coveted Volt Wagon/Mobile Training Lab designed and built by the 2022 Emerging Leaders Group. This win not only highlights IEC’s commitment to excellence, but also underscores its dedication to promoting education and training within the electrical industry.
At the heart of the winning raffle is the Volt Cart – an invaluable resource that is revolutionizing education and training within the electrical community. Equipped with the latest technology and hands-on learning resources, the lab provides unparalleled opportunities for skill development and professional growth.
One of the greatest benefits of the Volt is its ability to bridge geographic and logistical barriers to education. By providing training directly to IEC members across Oregon, the lab ensures that no one is left behind, regardless of location or circumstance. This democratization of learning empowers individuals and communities alike, opening doors to new opportunities and pathways to success. For example, every summer, the IEC of Oregon is invited to Sutherlin, Oregon, for its training program. cast down The event. Approximately 5,000 people attend this fundraising event for vocational school scholarships. People of all ages and from all walks of life enjoy experiencing the Volt and learning about the industry.
Middle and high school students can also learn from the Volt Wagon while visiting IEC of Oregon. Each year, hundreds of students participate in National Training Week events. We always make sure to have the Volt Wagon ready for demonstration.
What’s in a Volt?
It starts with weather headThe utility company connects the power lines to the electrical wires. From the power line, electricity flows through the service conductors to the meter. The meter tracks energy consumption so the utility company can charge the customer accordingly.
Next, the meter is connected to Main chapterThe purpose of the main power disconnect is to protect all equipment from short circuit faults. If there is a sudden surge in power from the utility company, it will blow the fuses in the disconnect, cutting off all power from the disconnect going forward.
The last piece of equipment is Power boardThis is where the electricity is divided into multiple smaller circuits called sub-circuits. These sub-circuits are distributed to power outlets, lighting, heating, and anything else that needs electricity.
This power display panel also features three different wiring installation methods:
Non-metallic sheathed cable (NM cable), which is a flexible cable.
Metal cable (MC cable), flexible cable.
Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT), a type of racing track.
The power board shows the components and concepts that people typically associate with the world of electricity. Switches, boxes, pipes, and wires are components that people see, and this board gives them the opportunity to go “behind the wall” to see how lights work.
In addition, it illustrates the different types of conduit and junction boxes that electricians use in the field. The first conduit and junction boxes are EMT conduits. They are the most commonly used conduit in the commercial field. Buildings are usually operated In ceilings or wall-mounted surfaces. Their purpose is to protect and guide conductors throughout the building. You can use screw-on or compression fittings depending on the application. In dry areas, we use screw-on fittings, which are attached to the pipes with a single screw. In wet areas, we use compression fittings, which are installed in pieces and then secured to the pipes by screwing the pieces together.
There are more Volt Wagon displays to educate potential electricians:
Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) It is the brain of the system. It is basically a computer permanently installed in a building that identifies an input signal from an initiating device such as a smoke detector, water flow sensor or pull station, initiates an audio/visual notification within the building and transmits the signal to the fire department via a telephone line or radio frequency for emergency responders. The FACP is specifically programmed for the number and types of devices installed within each building. On the LED display, it identifies exactly which devices triggered the signal when the system is in an alarm state. For example, if there is a fire on the 16th floor in an elevator lobby, the display will show exactly that, “Smoke Detector – 16th Floor Elevator Lobby.”
Strobe It is a notification device that provides a bright intermittent flash to alert building occupants that the building is in an alarm condition. This bright flash of light is designed so that it can be seen even when the room is filled with smoke. These devices can be placed on the ceiling or wall at very specific heights and coverage areas depending on the brightness output of the bright light, called the candle setting. In buildings, a fire alarm system may also have horns or speakers to provide audible notifications to alert building occupants that the system is in an alarm condition.
Photoelectric smoke detector The device can sense the presence of smoke in an area by providing a continuous, focused beam of light onto a mirror from an LED light source directed directly into a sensing chamber, away from the sensor. If smoke enters the chamber, the light reflected off the light sensor is interrupted, causing the light to scatter in multiple directions and triggering an alarm. Photoelectric smoke detectors can detect smoke before a fire occurs. As an intelligent part of a fire alarm system, these devices have an address code assigned to each one to identify its location and function to the FACP. 
Towing station Devices are a way for residents to alert others in the event of a fire or emergency. They are often located in exits, such as outside doors or stairwells, so they can be activated when someone flees to safety. Like a smoke detector, each pull station has its own address to identify its location so emergency responders know to head directly to that area when an alarm is felt.
Water flow switch It is located in the riser of the fire sprinkler system. There is a paddle located inside the pipes that is pushed to operate the switch when water flow occurs, such as when the sprinkler head goes off. Connected to this water flow switch is a control unit that tells the FACP that it has been activated so that the system can go into an alarm state.
Electric door magnet The device is designed to release a door to maintain a fire containment area. Buildings are designed to create safe exit routes so that occupants have enough time to exit the building in the event of a fire. These containment areas, such as hallways or stairways, have strict building safety requirements. Doors leading to and from these areas must be closed to maintain the safety of the containment route. Through a programmable relay, energy is released from the door magnets, causing the doors to close. These relays are instructed and programmed in the FACP to close upon alarm.
Basically, the Volt cart contains demonstrations from the electrical and low voltage fields of industry. In addition to its role in education and training, Volt Wagon serves as a hub for collaboration and innovation in the electrical industry. By bringing together industry professionals, educators and stakeholders, it facilitates the exchange of ideas, best practices and cutting-edge technologies, driving continuous improvement and progress.
IEC Oregon was able to leverage the Volt Wagon to make an impact on those considering their career options and increase interest in the electrical field. We are grateful to have won the raffle!
Are you ready to build your own Volt Cart?
IEC can help you. Members can obtain instructions, drawings and specifications from IEC National. Email communications@ieci.org To ask.
