Any skilled tradesperson can be described as an electrician. They design, install, maintain, and repair electrical systems used in homes, businesses, or factories. To ensure that lights, industrial equipment and appliances work safely and reliably, electrician jobs can be found inside and outside buildings. There are two types of electricians: residential electricians who install wiring and fix electrical problems in their homes; and inside electricians who maintain control systems and motors in factories and businesses.
Electrician jobs Responsibilities
- You are responsible for bringing electricity from the source to places that can be used by individuals or businesses. The exact responsibilities of this job will vary depending on your area of expertise, but they could include:
- Plan the electrical system for new buildings. This includes the best location for electrical outlets, light fixtures and heating outlets.
- Interpreting circuit diagrams and architect blueprints.
- According to local codes, wiring, lighting, or control systems should be installed in new and existing buildings.
- By connecting wires to fixtures and components, you can create electrical circuits. Then, test the circuits.
- Installation of switches, circuit break panels, relays and other electrical control or distribution equipment
- To support electrical products, hangers and brackets should be installed
- Perform maintenance to maintain wiring, lighting, or control systems in good order
- Examining circuit breakers and transformers for faults
- Test devices can be used to determine if electrical products or systems are malfunctioning
- Fixtures, wiring, and equipment that are faulty, obsolete, or damaged.
- Other electrician jobs can be trained and directed to do specific tasks.
Work Environment
They may work in construction sites or on renovations, or outside working with power and telecommunications systems. They can work in tight spaces or large areas. They may be exposed to live wires and can pose a danger if they aren’t careful. Although electricians often work on their own projects, they might also be part of larger construction teams.
An electrician works remotely for a specified time. This is in contrast to many other employees who work at a regular job. Sometimes job sites are far away from the homes of electricians. To complete their work, electricians often travel over 100 miles from their homes.
Schedule of Electrician Jobs
Electrician jobs have year-round employment opportunities. They work a variety of hours depending on the job they are doing. Maintenance electricians typically have 40-hour work weeks. They work during the week and are not available on weekends, holidays or at night. Some electricians are available to work extra hours to solve urgent problems.
Independent electricians and junior electrician jobs working under them have different hours. They might have a full schedule one week, but a few hours the following. Electricians who work as independent contractors or consultants have the most flexible schedules.
What qualifications are required to become an electrician?
Education
An electrician is a job you can get with a high school diploma.
Instead of attending college to earn a degree, electricians learn on the job. Apprenticeships can last for up to five years. Apprentices must have a high school diploma, or an equivalent, and one year’s algebra experience. They must pass an aptitude and substance abuse screening exam.
Apprentice electricians must spend 144 hours per annum in technical training. They will learn about blueprints and safety, first aid, code requirements, mathematics, and theory. Apprentices also get 2,000 hours of on-the-job practice each year.
A technical school is a less common option for electricians. The courses include basic electrical information, safety practises and circuitry. Most technical school graduates are eligible for credit toward an apprenticeship program.
The majority of states in the United States require that electricians have a license. The National Electrical Contractors Association website provides information on each state’s licensing requirements.
Electricians are often given ongoing training throughout their career. They can stay up to date with changes in the electrical code, safety practices, and how they handle certain products.
Experience of Electrician Jobs
Electricians do not require a degree. Their experience is more important than their education. On-the-job training is an important part of all apprenticeship programs across the country. This is also why experienced electricians earn higher salaries than new hires.
Only 2% of the workforce are electricians with less experience than one year. The majority of electricians are between 10 and 19 year old, accounting for 31% of the workforce. Twenty-four per cent of electricians have at minimum 20 years experience. 22 percent have one to four years experience and 21 percent have five to nine years experience.
This demonstrates the importance of an electrician’s experiences to the job. Electricians who are passionate about their work should have many opportunities throughout their career.
Skills of Electrician Jobs
To excel in their jobs, electricians need to have a wide range of technical skills as well as personal attributes. These attributes may not be listed in a job description for electricians, but they are still very appealing to hiring managers.
- Understanding electrical standards – Electricians need to be familiar with the standards that are required for all repairs and installations.
- Understanding mathematical and scientific principles – While electricians do not need to be proficient in these areas, they can apply the fundamental principles of these disciplines to their jobs.
- Good comprehension skills are essential for electricians to understand and interpret blueprints and memos they receive at new job sites.
- Hand-eye coordination and keen eyesight are essential for working with components and systems of electrical equipment. This requires steady hands and good vision.
- Independent worker – Although electricians can work in a larger team, they are often a solo job that suits those who prefer to work on their own.
- Time management – It is essential that electricians manage their time effectively and keep projects on track.
- Safety concerns – Electricians work at high risk environments that can cause burns or shocks. It’s important to be safe.
- Critical thinking – After product testing and system testing, electricians use data to diagnose problems and find the best solution.
- Logical problem solving skills – Electricians must be able to think logically when electrical products or systems fail.
- Customers service skills – An electrician’s ability to communicate with both residential and commercial customers is key.
- Physical endurance – Electricians are often required to stand or kneel for long periods of time, which can be very taxing on the body.
- Physical strength – Electricians can often lift heavy components up to 50 pounds.
- Leadership skills- As an electrician progresses in their career, they will need to manage apprentices or junior electricians at work.