Introduction to Electrical
Category:
Instructional lecture
Class Length:
3.0 hours
Electricity powers nearly everything around us but understanding how it works can feel intimidating. This introductory class demystifies the basics of home electrical systems through a mix of clear explanation, live demonstrations, and guided hands-on practice. You’ll learn how power moves through a circuit, what “hot,” “neutral,” and “ground” actually mean, and how to safely replace like-for-like components such as outlets, switches, and light fixtures.
We’ll cover fundamental concepts like volts, amps, and watts, and explain how circuit breakers and grounding systems keep homes safe. Participants will practice stripping wires, making solid connections, and reassembling simple fixtures using provided mock-ups. While this class won’t certify you to do electrical work or offer code-specific advice, it will give you the foundational knowledge and confidence to better understand your own home — and to communicate effectively with professionals when needed.
Upcoming class dates:
More classes coming soon!
Class topics and tools:
- Understanding household circuits, grounding, and current flow
- The relationship between volts, amps, and watts
- Safe wire handling, stripping, and pigtailing
- Replacing light switches, outlets, and fixtures
- Using testers and identifying potential hazards
Open to:
Adults ages 18 years and above and youth
ages 16-17 registered by a parent/guardian
Skill level beginner, intermediate, or advanced:
Beginner
Prerequisites (if required):
None!
Safety notes:
- Plan to arrive a few minutes before class starts. For safety and instructional reasons, we are not able to allow participants to join the class more than 10 minutes after the class has begun.
- Safety glasses are provided for all participants, though you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer.
- Hearing protection is strongly encouraged for classes that involve the use of saws and other equipment. Hearing protection is provided for all participants, though you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer.
- For all classes that involve the use of tools and other equipment:
- Please do not wear dangling jewelry or baggy clothing.
- Closed-toed shoes are required. Sandals are not permitted.
- Long hair must be tied back.
Not yet available!
Cost:
$75
participation. Learn more about our scholarship options below.
Scholarships
All MAC classes are supported in part by our donors, which enables us to offer classes at a lower cost for all participants. We also recognize that our class fees may still be a barrier to participation and are committed to ensuring that cost is not a barrier to the hands-on learning opportunities that MAC provides.
In support of that aspiration, two need-based scholarship options are available in limited quantities to class participants: partial scholarships (50% discount) and full scholarships (90% discount, which covers all costs other than our administrative fees). If either of these scholarship options is essential to enable your participation, we encourage you to select the option that meets your needs.
To receive a partial scholarship, enter “MAC50” in the Promo Code field of the course registration checkout page. To receive a full scholarship, enter “MAC90” in the Promo Code field of the course registration checkout page.
More classes
Here's a sneak peek of a few of our upcoming classes.
