PWEN 003 - Fifth Class Power Engineering Theory
Course Description
Overview
A recognized certification can open the door to a stable, well-paying career. SAIT's Fifth Class Power Engineering theory course is your first step toward certification, providing the foundational knowledge required before gaining the hands-on operating experience that ABSA (Alberta Boilers Safety Association) requires for the Fifth Class certification exam. Upon certification, you'll be qualified to work with heating systems in schools, hotels, office buildings, and more.
The course covers boiler designs, fittings, and controls, as well as operation, maintenance, fuels, and combustion systems. You'll also learn about piping, valves, thermal fluid heating, and HVAC systems, plus building plumbing, lighting, refrigeration, and air conditioning controls.
Delivered through instructor-supported online learning, the course is designed to fit into your schedule — whether you're working full-time, juggling responsibilities, or making a career change. You'll study your textbook, work through online chapter assessments to reinforce your learning, and consult your instructor as needed to ensure you understand the material. The course culminates in a final proctored online exam that you'll take at a physical testing centre of your choice.
By the end of this course, you'll understand how power systems work and be prepared to apply this knowledge in real-world operating environments.
This course is ideal if you:
- are interested in a power engineering career, focusing on smaller-scale heating and power systems
- are preparing to take our hands-on fifth class lab course next
- are working in a related field and want a recognized credential to advance your career
- need a flexible, part-time course that fits into your busy schedule.
To be successful in this course, we recommend you have a minimum 50% in Grade 10 Math, English, and Science (Physics). If you haven't completed these courses, consider taking Academic Upgrading courses first.
Upon successful completion of this course, you'll be able to:
- describe the details of boiler designs
- describe various boiler fittings and controls
- describe basic boiler operation and maintenance
- describe various fuels and combustion systems
- describe basic piping and valves used in boiler systems
- discuss thermal fluid heating systems describe various heating and comfort systems
- describe building plumbing and auxiliaries
- describe building lighting systems
- describe refrigeration systems used in buildings
- describe refrigeration and air conditioning control systems.
- describe the principles of various types of pumps and air compressors
- describe distributed power generation systems
- describe boiler codes and regulations
- apply basic mathematics to technical problems
- perform basic calculations related to applied science
- discuss building safety requirements
- describe basic electrical systems
- explain basic welding requirements
- describe boiler water treatment processes
- discuss typical industrial communication methods.
To request a course outline, contact ConEdAdvising@sait.ca.
To qualify to write the Fifth Class Power Engineering exam with ABSA, you must also show proof of six months’ operational experience or completion of SAIT’s PWEN 007 lab course.
Note: SAIT's passing grade is 50%; ABSA Certificate of Competency exams require 65%.
Costs
Textbook and reading list
Included in the purchase of this course, you'll receive:
- Access to online course content in Brightspace (D2L), including a digital copy of the Power Engineering Fifth Class Textbook, Ed. 3.5.
Required materials:
- Academic Supplement, Ed. 2.0 – available from the SAIT Bookstore website
Optional materials:
- Hard copy of Power Engineering Fifth Class Textbook, Ed. 3.5 – available from the SAIT Bookstore website
Technology
To be successful in this course, you’ll need:
- Access to your own computer or laptop with standard hardware/software requirements
- Internet access.
Recommendations
It is recommended that students have a minimum of Grade 10 Math, Science and English.Applies Towards the Following Certificates
- Fifth Class Power Engineering Certificate of Achievement : Required courses
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Oki, Ãba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.
SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut'ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh'kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.