HVAC/R with PLC
Program Description
The HVAC/R with PLC Diploma Program offers Florida Technical College students the technical and practical knowledge and skills to perform heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning maintenance, installations, and repairs. Students will also learn basic skills related to the programmable logic controllers (PLCs). Graduates from this HVAC/R diploma training program will be able to fill positions at construction firms, as well as residential and commercial refrigeration and air conditioning companies.
Possible Employment Opportunities *
- HVAC Mechanic
- A/C Tech
- HVAC Service Technician
- Systems maintenance mechanic
Credential Earned
HVAC/R with PLC Diploma Program
Related Certifications
- EPA 608 Universal
- OSHA 10 Safety
“I finished 2 programs at FTC. HVAC and Electrical. Staff is helpful and gave me the training I needed to be successful. Nothing is easy in life and I did go through some tough patches along the way. But I did it! You can do anything if you work hard. Thanks for believing in me!”
Alexander Santiago
Electrical Diploma & HVAC/R with PLC Diploma │ Kissimmee campus
Source: Google Reviews
“…I moved back to Florida came to finish my career in the HVAC Field and I am glad that I did, thanks to Florida Technical College and Yesenia my Admissions Representative she helped me get back on track who believed in me and gave me the opportunity to come back, also I want to thank my professors and Mr. Garces the Director of the school to push me to my limits and encourage me to believe in myself. Now I am a Manager in a Hotel leading a team of 40 associates, I still have a long-term goal and it’s to open my own business in the HVAC Field.”
Alex Bonilla
HVAC/R with PLC Diploma │ Kissimmee campus
Source: Google Reviews
Duration of the Program
Core Courses
Safety and Craft Skills
In this HVAC/R course, Florida Technical College students will examine the basics of jobsite safety for construction trades. Moreover, they will explore safety standards and regulations covered in National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) certification assessments and performance tasks and enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Students will also analyze common equipment and tools used in the construction industry. Additionally, they will evaluate the importance of communication skills and employability skills. Likewise, students will practice construction math and drawings.
Applied Math for HVAC Technicians
In this HVAC/R course, students will analyze basic mathematical operations applied to the refrigeration and air conditioning field, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers, decimals, and fractions. In addition, they will calculate algebra, geometry, and trigonometry related to the functions of a Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC/R) technician. The Florida Technical College students will evaluate problems regarding Ohm’s law in electrical circuitry and load problems for heating and cooling for HVAC/R technicians.
Introduction to Electricity (DC-AC)
In this HVAC/R course, students will analyze the basic concepts of electricity with important laws, formulas, and units of measurement to understand how the electricity is used to run and control air-conditioning and refrigeration systems. They will evaluate types of automatic control devices for temperature, pressure, and volume to help develop and implement troubleshooting procedures for basic and complex circuits. They will apply examples of typical service calls for air conditioning and refrigeration in realistic settings. Furthermore, Florida Technical College students will practice acquired skills by completing practical lab exercises.
Introduction to Refrigeration and A/C
In this HVAC/R course, Florida Technical College students will explain the basics of refrigeration and air conditioning, as well as the refrigeration cycle and its components. They will identify the properties and principles of heat, temperature scales, gas laws, and pressure readings. Additionally, students will describe matter, types of energy, power, and units of measurement. Moreover, they will compare refrigerant types and the pressure-temperature relationship in different substances. Students will also practice acquired skills by completing practical lab exercises.
Refrigeration and A/C: Residential
In this HVAC/R course, students will analyze the operation, functionality, maintenance, and troubleshooting of equipment used for domestic refrigeration. They will examine the different types, physical characteristics, and typical locations of evaporators, condensers, compressors, and metering devices used on modern applications. Florida Technical College students will also explain the defrosting systems and condensation elimination processes for ice makers. They will differentiate between the diverse types of room air conditioners, such as window and through-the-wall units. In addition, students will evaluate the major components, functions, electrical requirements, and maintenance of cooling-only and cooling-heating single units. Furthermore, students will practice acquired skills by completing practical lab exercises.
Refrigeration and A/C: Commercial
In this HVAC/R course, Florida Technical College students will analyze advanced refrigeration systems in use in the commercial and industrial field, focusing the learning process in the chilled water air-conditioning systems and the different applications of the refrigeration cycle. They will examine the topics of high-pressure, low-pressure, and absorption chilled water systems. They will compare and contrast cooling towers and pumps, as well as operation and maintenance. In addition, they will evaluate the troubleshooting process for chilled water air-conditioning systems, commercial packaged rooftop units (RTU), variable refrigerant flow (VRF), and variable air volume (VAV). Furthermore, students will practice acquired skills by completing practical lab exercises.
Heat Pumps and Related Systems
In this HVAC/R course, Florida Technical College students will apply methods used by residential air-to-air heat pumps to make air conditioning in summer and heating in winter through the same refrigeration system. They will also compare the efficiency of different types of equipment and sources of heat. Furthermore, they will examine residential split heat pump problems in realistic settings.
Electrical Instrumentation: Lab
In this HVAC/R course, students will analyze different types of electric circuits and schematic diagrams of circuits in the electric field. In addition, they will evaluate the properties of electrical circuits such as alternating and direct current in the electric motors and control devices. Lastly, Florida Technical College students will perform contactors, relays, capacitors, transformers, breakers, fuses, safety switches, and modern electrical refrigeration equipment troubleshooting.
Course Prerequisite: CHVA1411
Mechanical Instrumentation: Lab
In this course, students will evaluate the tools, equipment, and techniques concerning the heating, ventilation air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) industry. Likewise, they will examine brazing and soldering techniques regarding the HVAC/R industry. They will describe different methods for refrigerant leak detection, system clean-up, and system evacuation. In addition, Florida Technical College students will analyze the different methods for charging HVAC/R equipment refrigerant.
Course Prerequisite: CHVA1511
Residential Equipment: Lab
In this HVAC/R course, students will analyze topics related to residential air-conditioning and refrigeration systems, including components, refrigeration and defrost cycles, safety procedures, and electric circuits. They will also examine gauges, leaks, evacuation processes, and charging as they relate to residential air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment. Moreover, Florida Technical College students will evaluate specific components and devices, such as evaporators, condensers, compressors, and expansion devices. Additionally, they will perform diagnosis, troubleshooting, and repair procedures of domestic appliances.
Course Prerequisite: CHVA1611
Commercial A/C Equipment: Lab
In this HVAC/R course, Florida Technical College students will analyze the installation and maintenance of commercial refrigeration and air conditioning systems. They will also examine electrical and mechanical troubleshooting procedures related to high, medium, and low temperature refrigeration systems. They will distinguish the components and functions of specialized refrigeration applications and rooftop air conditioning systems. Furthermore, students will practice acquired skills by completing practical lab exercises.
Course Prerequisite: CHVA1711
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Laws and Regulations
In this HVAC/R course, Florida Technical College students will evaluate the general knowledge applicable to the use and handling of regulated refrigerants. In addition, students will analyze the overview and introduction CORE section of the manual. Finally, students will apply their knowledge acquired to achieve Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Section 608 of Clean Air Act Certification Examination.
Digital Electronics
In this HVAC/R course, Florida Technical College students will examine concepts regarding analog and digital signal process, as well as logic gates and their uses today as part of digital circuit applications. They will analyze the basis of digital electronics, along with their applications and processes. They will also evaluate the characteristics and applications of sequential logic circuits and computer systems.
Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)
In this HVAC/R course, Florida Technical College students will analyze the theoretical aspects and programming of the programmable logic controller (PLC). They will evaluate concepts related to programmable logic controls in different systems. Additionally, they will implement the programming and operating processes of a PLC focusing on the software, programming language, and ladder diagrams.
Programmable Logic Controller Units: Lab
In this HVAC/R course, Florida Technical College students will create real application programs related to the Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC). In addition, they will design a PLC operation based on wiring diagrams and ladder logic diagrams. Lastly, students will perform the PLC troubleshoot to ensure proper operation.
Course Prerequisite: CPLC3015
Related Programs
- HVAC/R with PLC Diploma – English
- Electrical Diploma – English
- Electrical with PLC Diploma – English
- Welding Diploma – English
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Construction Management -English
- HVAC/R with PLC Diploma -Spanish
- HVAC/R Diploma – Spanish
- Electrical Diploma – Spanish
- Electrical with PLC – Spanish
- Welding Diploma – Spanish
Virtual Tour
- HVAC/R with PCL Kissimmee Campus
Campuses Available
Admission Requirements
High school diploma or a recognized equivalent.
Possible Employment Opportunities *
- HVAC Mechanic
- A/C Tech
- Installer Assistant
- HVAC Service Technician
- Systems maintenance mechanic
* These examples are intended to serve only as a general guide of possible employment opportunities. There are many factors that determine the job an individual may obtain and Florida Technical College cannot guarantee its graduates any particular job. Some positions may require a license or other certifications. We encourage you to research the requirements for the particular position you desire.
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Learn More About HVAC/R with PLC Today!
The best way to see if going back to school and training as a HVAC technician is right for you is to visit the FTC campus nearest you. You can tour our modern industry-standard facilities and meet with our instructors with experience in this field.