LAPP supports Shelton State Community College program expansion

FEATURE ARTICLE

LAPP EXPANDS ITS INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS TRAINING CENTER AT U.S. COLLEGE

“Being able to practice real-world training while they’re still in school allows our students to hit the ground running when they do go to work,” adds Brett Butler, Electronics Technology Instructor. “There’s always a slight disconnect between school and field work but, thanks to the LAPP Center, we’ve been able to close that gap tremendously.” EXPANDING SHELTON STATE’S TECHNICAL OFFERING Using reference materials and state-of-the-art equipment provided by LAPP, the Lapp Center provides a platform for students to learn standards, terminology, and nomenclature used in the electrical cabling industry, as well as procedures for selecting the proper wire, cabling, and connectors for specific applications. In particular, LAPP has supplied detailed textbooks that cover aspects of cable construction and played a role in developing new instructional practices. “As an instructor, the Lapp Center has had a big impact,” says Doug Hall, Electronics Technology Instructor. “We use LAPP materials, textbooks, and reading materials that describe the various types and styles of conductors and wire. LAPP also donated electrical hand tools for the students to use. Being an electrician myself, they’re great tools.” Faculty members integrated current industry information provided by LAPP into the existing curricula currently required for students in the Industrial Electronics and Electrical Technology programs. Due to the center’s rising popularity, Shelton State even added a new course in 2017 called “Cable Installation and Termination Techniques.” Since 2014, over 138,100 feet of hook-up wire has been used for practical instruction and demonstration, and LAPP expects that number to increase 200 to 300 percent.

Six years ago, LAPP established the Lapp Center for Excellence in Cable Technology, a hands-on training center at Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The center teaches students the technical aspects of electrical cabling—including selection, installation, and code compliance in industrial environments. Over the years, the Lapp Center has grown. During a previous expansion, the center added two more classrooms–doubling its space. The center can now assist the growing number of students working towards careers in industrial wire and cabling, and numerous related industries. CONNECTING STUDENTS TO HANDS-ON TRAINING Shelton State offers technical programs in Industrial Electronics and Electrical Technology, both of which focus on the theories and operating principles of electrical machinery. To prepare for careers such as electricians and industrial electronics specialists, students learn the fundamentals of electronics, including circuitry, motor control, and robotics. They also learn how to install, service, and repair industrial equipment according to the National Electrical Code (NEC)–a standard for safe installation of electrical wiring and equipment in the U.S. While both technical programs require a theoretical understanding of electrical technology, most of the real learning comes from applied training. That’s where the Lapp Center comes in. “The goal of the center is to give students a real, hands-on experience with these technologies,” says John Gavilanes, Director of Engineering at LAPP. “Theory is one thing, but hands-on experience is critical. The students are learning how to make adjustments in the real world.”

www.lappusa.com www.lappcanada.com

LAPP 29 Hanover Road, Florham Park, NJ 07932 T. 800 774 3539

BRIGHT FUTURES IN ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY Because LAPP cables are used in high-end industrial machinery in many applications–including automotive, food and beverage, material handling, robotics, and energy–students enrolled in Shelton State’s electrical technology programs receive valuable experience to work in a wide variety of industries. Due to Tuscaloosa’s manufacturing history and culture, students are well prepared to enter the workforce after graduating these programs. “We’re setting them up for real-world applications outside the four walls of the wiring lab. Before we had the center, students were using simulators.” But LAPP has given his students the opportunity to practice what they will actually be doing when they graduate, according to Hall. PROMOTING CABLE EDUCATION AROUND THE WORLD LAPP makes it a priority to promote wire and cable design theory and application at colleges and universities around the world and has established cable training centers in six countries: India, Russia, Romania, Singapore, China, and the U.S. As cable technology continues to evolve, these centers adapt their programs to include new applications and industries, preparing students to succeed in internships and various technical occupations or continue their education in electronics or engineering. As a result of this initiative, future electrical technicians are better qualified to equip machines with high-quality connectivity solutions, helping manufacturing companies avoid costly production disruptions and downtime by optimizing their infrastructure. “Our students are much better prepared,” Hall says. “They won’t be as overwhelmed by what they see in the real world versus what they’ve seen in a college environment. This benefits not just the students—but employers too. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.” “The number of students in the programs is increasing,” Gavilanes adds. “They really enjoy it and at the end of the day, we’re seeing success.” To learnmore about the LappCenter for Excellence inCable Technology at Shelton State, visit: www.lappusa.com/Shelton/index.html.

“Shelton State’s electrical department has seen an eight percent growth in recent years despite the fact that overall college enrollment is lower,” says Grant Cockrell, Associate Dean of Technical Services. “A big part of that success is our partnership with LAPP, which has advanced our technical offering.” THE LAPP CENTER CURRICULUM Because “cabling” can be a broad term, one of the first things students learn is figuring out the right cable for an application. “For example, the cable is going to be different in a static application versus a CNC machine where it has to move back and forth,” says Gavilanes. In addition to application-specific training, the Lapp Center allows students to practice installing equipment according to NEC standards. “The NEC code is printed every three years,” Gavilanes explains. “It tells you what can go into buildings and where and how a cable can be used. You have to follow the rules.” As part of the hands-on training process, students also practice preparing and cutting electrical cabling. They also learn how to connect their cables to the right connectors using the proper tools. Practical tasks students practice include: • Terminating conductors in industrial motor control panels • Practicing single and multiple conductor uses and termination methods • Selecting cables to meet environmental requirements • Sizing cables to best match specific application and load requirements, per NEC standards • Selecting connectors to match cable types and environmental conditions • Learning how various regulatory codes affect cable design “As teachers, we’re able to convey this information more effectively, which in turn deepens students’ understanding,” says Hall. “The center has added another layer to our instructional capabilities while enriching the overall curriculum at the same time.”

www.lappusa.com www.lappcanada.com

LAPP 29 Hanover Road, Florham Park, NJ 07932 T. 800 774 3539

11-7-19