Diploma in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (Power Option)

A diploma in electrical and electronics Engineering is a course that equips the learner with skills to design, install, test, and maintain electrical installations and industrial machines. It also enables the trainee to acquire hands-on skills in electronic instrumentation system design and networking.

The power option deals with electrical installation, power generation, and industrial machine control. This is different from the Diploma in Electrical and Electronic (Telecommunication option) that majors in telecommunication systems. For KNEC diploma module 1 the two courses study the same units.

In Kenya, it is offered at both universities and TVET institutions. Universities have the autonomy to decide on what to include in the course. However, TVET uses a common syllabus produced by KICD and examined by KNEC. In this article, we concentrate on a Diploma in electrical and electronics Engineering (Power Option) for the KNEC syllabus.

The objective of the electrical and electronics course

By the end of this Diploma in electrical engineering (power option), the trainee is expected to be able to do the following.

1. The graduate of the course should be able to maintain electrical and electronic equipment and devices. 
2. Design, install, test, and maintain electrical installations.
3. Interpret technical information for electrical installation and industrial machines.
4. Apply ICT in electronics and instrumentation systems design and networking.
5. Observe environmental, health, and safety in electrical installation work as per the OSHA requirements.

The entry requirement for a Diploma in electrical and electronics engineering

Being a Diploma course those who wish to join the course in any TVET institution will require a minimum KCSE grade of C-. There is no cluster subject required. However, since it is an engineering course, it will require good mathematics, analytical, and physics knowledge. 

Those who have done a Craft certificate in electrical and electronics engineering and passed can proceed to a diploma level. Depending on your performance at the craft level you can request KNEC to exempt you from some units. When exempted you will be admitted to module 2 of the diploma instead of module 1.

Units covered in the Diploma in Electrical and Electronics Engineering course

For the diploma KNEC program, the course is divided into 3 modules/levels which are supposed to take 3 years. The student does the unit in each module and does the KNEC exam for those specific units before proceeding to the next level.

If you fail 3 units among all your units per module, KNEC considers it as FAIL and you have to repeat all units in that module. When you fail 1 or 2 units you are allowed to proceed to the next level but you must repeat the failed unit and pass before you are Certified by KNEC.

For the Diploma in Electrical and Electronics engineering course, the following are the units that you are required to cover to be certified.

For common courses that are not core units, the KNEC exam is combined as one paper.

Module 1 units (Electrical Installations Systems)

1. Communication Skills.
2. Life Skills.
3. Information Communication Technology (ICT).
4. Entrepreneurship.
5. Engineering Mathematics 1.
6. Physical Science.
7. Mechanical Science.
8. Materials, Processes, and Workshop Practice.
9. Engineering Drawing.
10. Electrical Installation Technology.
11. Solar Installation Systems.
12. Analogue Electronics 1.
13. Electrical Measurements and Fault Diagnosis.

After module 1 students are expected to go for an industrial attachment which is a requirement of the course. Students can be attached to any industry or area that deals with electrical, electronics, telecommunication, or machine instrumentation fields. This can include power generation sites, building sites for electrical installations, and telecommunication sites, among other areas.

Module 2 units (Electrical Power Generation and transmission)

1. Control Systems.
2. Analogue Electronics II
3. Engineering Mathematics II
4. Digital Electronics
5. Engineering Drawing and Design.
6. Industrial Programmable Logic Controllers.
7. Business Plan.
8. Electrical Circuit Analysis I.
9. Building Services and Protection.
10. Electrical Power Generation and Transmission.

Module 3 units (Industrial Machines and Controls)

1. Engineering Mathematics III.
2. Microcontroller Technology.
3. Industrial Organization and Management.
4. Microprocessor Systems.
5. Estimating, Tendering, and Engineering Services Contracts.
6. Trade Project.
7. Electromagnetic Fields Theory.
8. Machines and Utilisation.
9. Electrical Power Transmission and Distribution.
10. Power Electronics.

Career progression in electrical and electronics engineering

After you have done the course you will have enough knowledge of both theoretical and practical operations of electrical and electronic equipment and installation.

With a Diploma in electrical and electronics, you can progress to a bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronics engineering or other related fields. You can specialize in areas such as

1. Power Systems.
2. Control Systems.
3. Electronic Designs.
4. Electromagnetics.
5. Microcontroller and Microprocessors.

Many public and private universities in Kenya offer electrical and electronics engineering degrees. Please as you purpose to pursue the degree check if the university you choose is accredited to offer electrical and electronics engineering courses. If the university is not accredited for the course it will be hard to get engineering board approval to practice as an engineer.

To practice engineering in Kenya you will require to be certified by the Kenya Engineering Board. This is the body that is tasked with ensuring that all practicing engineers are registered. It ensures that they follow all guidelines when constructing or carrying out any engineering task.

Prospect employment areas/opportunities

With a Diploma in electrical and electronics Engineering, you can be employed as an electrical engineer technician. Electrical technician  work-related tasks will include:

1. Electrical installation and repair.
2. Interpretation of electrical drawings for implementation.
3. Supervising electrical works in the field.

For self-employment, you can start by doing simple installation and repair in your home area. You can open an electronic and electrical shop to sell the gadgets and equipment. To gain more field experience you can attach yourself to those established technicians and engineering companies.

Some of the areas in which you can be employed as an electrical technician include:

1. Power generation station i.e KenGen.
2. Power distribution companies like KPLC
3. Learning institutions as a technician for installation and repair of electrical equipment.
4. Construction companies for new building electrical installation.
5. Real estate agencies to maintain their houses among other opportunities.