The world would be a different place without electricity. As a society, we rely on our electrical sources to cook meals, use the internet, watch television, and much more. When the power goes out, life can grind to a halt. Skilled electricians are essential to everyday life and will always be in demand.
An electrician is a skilled tradesperson. Electricians work on electrical equipment and components in homes, commercial and industrial settings. They work both on existing buildings and those under construction. They install, maintain, and repair power, lighting, and control systems.
An electrician may work indoors or outdoors. They might work independently or alongside other construction professionals. Electricians have three levels of training or qualifications: apprentice, journeyperson, and master electrician. We can break down the types of electricians into a few broad categories:
Responsibility #1: New Construction
Electricians who are employed in new construction usually work from blueprints. They mount outlets, switches, breakers, and fixtures. They install the conduits to hold wiring and run wiring and connect them.
Responsibility #2: Industrial Electrician Services
The duties of an industrial electrician will usually involve the maintenance and repair of existing systems. These systems will often be large, complex machines. An industrial electrician might work in a power plant, a mine, a processing plant or other factories.
Responsibility #3: Residential Electrician Services
The most common type of electrician, a residential electrician, mainly works on repairing home electrical systems. They might rewire homes with obsolete systems like aluminum or knob and tube. A residential electrician might install or repair household appliances, security systems, or air conditioning units.
Responsibility #4: Commercial Electrician Services
A commercial electrician specializes in installing and repairing electrical systems and lighting in stores, offices and businesses.
An electrician’s responsibilities can be diverse and varied. They depend on who their employer is and if they have a specialty. The following duties are typical to most electricians, regardless of where they work.
Responsibility #5: Install, Maintain and Repair Electrical Systems
Electrical installation, maintenance and repair is the process of installing and maintaining electrical systems and electrical equipment. An electrician may install wiring and replace or repair damaged equipment. They might inspect electrical systems and their components for safety.
The correct installation of an electrical system is essential to keep those working or living around the equipment or system safe and prevent electrical fires. Maintenance is critical as it keeps things running safely. Regular inspection, maintenance and repair will ensure potential hazards are identified and corrected before they become serious.
Responsibility #6: Diagnose and Troubleshoot Electrical Issues
At the first sign of a problem, an experienced electrician will do a thorough visual inspection. This could include checking the condition of wires, fuses and breakers, and the circuit breaker. They may use diagnostic tools to test amperage or voltage. They will gather information on what is malfunctioning and use that information to troubleshoot the issue. Electrical systems are complex. Troubleshooting is a systematic problem-solving approach. The goal is to identify the problem and determine the best course of action.
Responsibility #7: Read Technical Diagrams and Blueprints
Electricians must read blueprints and technical diagrams in every branch of electrical work. These drawings identify the location of outlets, fixtures, switches, and circuit boards and detail the layout of the wiring. An electrician must be familiar with the symbols, lines and abbreviations used on the drawings and understand how to interpret the information the graphic conveys.
Responsibility #8: Planning and Designing
An electrician may be involved in developing plans for new electrical projects. They may collaborate with electrical engineers and other construction trade professionals to design diagrams and blueprints for new installations.
Responsibility #9: Safely Use a Variety of Tools
An electrician will use tools specifically designed for electrical work, such as wire strippers, voltage sniffers, insulated screwdrivers, and hole saws. Having the right tools and being trained to use them properly is essential to complete jobs faster and with fewer mistakes. Safe tool use is vital for an electrician to ensure a safe, efficient work environment. Misusing tools is dangerous. It can cause accidents and contribute to downtime that can impact entire jobs.
Responsibility #10: Comply With Safety Standards and Regulations
Electricians have specific safety standards and regulations they must adhere to. Electricity is powerful and potentially dangerous. Mishandling electrical equipment can cause severe injury or death. These risks decrease significantly when those who perform electrical work are competent, qualified, and licensed.
Provincial safety regulations apply to every person who installs, maintains, alters, or operates electrical equipment. All licensed electricians must keep up to date with the most current rules. Electricians should receive on-the-job safety training and always use appropriate personal protective gear.
Electrical work can be dangerous if you are untrained. Because of this, Electricians must complete a lengthy apprenticeship and a certification program at a trade school or technical institute. After they complete their program, they must write an exam and have proof of their classroom and practical hours. This extensive training ensures that electricians know all safety standards and regulations and are prepared to safely perform their duties and responsibilities.