You might want to learn electrical work but don’t know the trade to choose.
Becoming an electrician requires a high school diploma qualification or its equivalent, and a four to five-year apprenticeship program to learn the job.
A successful apprentice receives an electrician license after the training program to become a qualified electrician. However, it is country-based.
You can contact your state electrical licensing board or visit the National Electrical Contractors Association’s website for details.
Work of electricians
Electricians do a lot of work, like installing light fixtures, outlets, wiring, troubleshooting, and repair of electrical faults. Others include:
- Installation of the electrical system in a new house
- Inspection of electrical devices, such as circuit breakers and transformers
- Troubleshooting electrical faults using testing tools
- Read blueprints and electrical drawings
- Maintaining and repairing electrical equipment using hand and power tools
- Direct and train apprentices on how to install and repair electrical wiring and equipment
- Follow state and local building regulations as recommended by the National Electrical Code.
Career paths for electricians.
There are so many job opportunities in the electrical field, they include:
Apprentice Electrician
An apprentice electrician works under the supervision of a licensed electrician for about 4 to 5 years. He also takes approved classes during the job training.
After the electrical training, the apprentice takes a journeyman’s license exam. If he excels, he becomes a journeyman electrician.
A journeyman electrician can read blueprints, wire a building, provide cost estimates, and also troubleshoot electrical faults.
Master electrician
A journeyman electrician works under a master electrician for at least two years to become a master electrician. Master electricians have licenses and are more experienced than journeymen.
They can work unsupervised, pull permits, and also guide other electricians. Master electricians train apprentices and also receive higher pay than journeymen.
Electrical contractor
An electrical contractor is a person or firm that specializes in construction works, such as the installation and maintenance of electrical systems.
The contractor may not be an electrician but must have a license and insurance to cover his business. In most cases, they hire electricians to work for them.
Lineman electricians
These electricians work directly on high voltages, such as transmission and distribution lines. They install, repair, and maintain electrical power lines. A lineman electrician, also called a groundsman, can run and repair both underground and overhead cables.
They mostly work in energy companies, telecommunication, and utility companies.
Residential electricians
A residential electrician is a licensed person who works in residential buildings. It requires apprenticeship training and some practical work experience.
The work of a residential electrician includes
- House wiring
- Blueprint reading
- Inspection of electrical components to make sure they are ok
- Troubleshooting and repairs of an electrical system
- Replacing bad and worn out materials
- Make sure all his wiring follows the national electrical code recommendation.
Industrial electrician
Industrial electricians work in factories, plants, and industrial establishments. They install, repair, and maintain electrical components in industries.
Other duties of an industrial electrician include:
- Installing and repairing transformers, meters, circuit breakers and others
- Installation and maintenance of electrical wiring, outlets, conduits, and other components
- Working on alternators, generators, electrical motors, industrial storage batteries, and others.
Network cabling specialist
These electricians work in telecommunication and network-providing companies. They install, maintain, and upgrade communication systems for voice, data, and video transmission.
Their work includes
- Performing system upgrades
- Installation of wall adapters and telecommunication outlets
- Installing CATV equipment
- Routing cables through data centres and buildings.
Security and fire-alarm installer
These electricians specialize in the installation of security and fire alarm systems. Their work includes:
- Installation of video cameras and sensors on doors and windows
- Installation and repair of doorbells and security systems
- Installing electrical systems and components
- Mounting and fastening control panels, and so forth
Another career path for electricians I will not forget is commercial electricians. That’s it. Take out your time, study the training programs and choose the one that suits you.