An electrician is a trained craftsperson who builds, installs, and maintains the electrical systems and equipment used in residences, commercial buildings, and industrial facilities.
Electricians constantly run lighting, equipment, and appliances safely and dependably, whether they are installed inside or outside of buildings.
There are many different kinds of specialized electricians, such as residential electricians who install wiring and deal with electrical issues in homes and inside electricians who maintain and repair control systems, motors, and electrical equipment in commercial structures and manufacturing facilities.
Responsibilities
As an electrician, it is your responsibility to transport electricity from its source to the sites where it can be used by homeowners and businesses. Depending on the area of specialization, any of the following duties may fall under the purview of this position:
- When planning the electrical systems for new buildings, the best places for ventilation systems, light fittings, heating outlets, and electrical outlets are taken into account.
- To inspect and grasp circuit diagrams, building designs, and other technical papers.
- Installing local code-compliant wiring, lighting, and control systems in both new and existing facilities.
- Construction of electrical circuits, completion inspections, and the affixing of electrical cables to fixtures and other parts
- Installing circuit breaker panels, relays, switches, and other electrical control and distribution equipment.
- Installation of hangers and brackets for electrical equipment support.
- Executing maintenance procedures to maintain the functionality of the control, lighting, and wiring systems.
- Checking for defects in transformers, circuit breakers, and other electrical components.
- Use testing tools to determine the underlying cause of malfunctioning electrical systems and components
- Electrical wiring and fixtures that are obsolete or broken should be repaired, replaced, and isolated problems should be safely removed and replaced.
- Directing other electricians to carry out particular tasks.
Environment at Work
Electrical contractors may operate on telecommunications and electrical systems outside, within newly built or renovated structures, or both. They may need to work in either big or tiny spaces.
These working areas, which frequently have live electrical wires, can be very deadly if the right safety precautions aren’t taken.
Most of the time, electricians operate on their own, yet occasionally they could be a part of a bigger construction group.
Electricians operate on a remote site for a specific amount of time, ranging from a single day to a few months, before moving on to the next task, unlike many employees who have a permanent location of employment.
Electricians’ residences may be far from their places of employment. Electricians frequently travel more than 100 miles from their homes to complete jobs.
Job Schedule
Electrical contractors can find work all year long. The type of employment they undertake determines how long they work.
An average 40-hour workweek is typically sufficient for maintenance electricians to complete regular tasks.
On weekdays, most people work throughout regular business hours and don’t commonly work on weekends, federal holidays, or late at night.
Some electricians put in extra hours and are available on call to handle urgent issues.
Independent electrical contractors, on the other hand, don’t follow the same strict schedule as the apprentice electricians who work for them. Perhaps they rotate between a busy and a slow week. The most flexible work schedule choices are available to electricians working as independent electrical contractors or consultants.
What Requirements Must One Meet to Become an Electrician?
Education
One of the best careers you may enter with just high school graduation or its equivalent is working as an electrician.
Electricians learn on the job rather than in a traditional classroom setting. This is often obtained through a four- or five-year apprenticeship program. A high school diploma or its equivalent, one year of algebra, and a minimum age of 18 are required for an apprentice. Students also need to pass an aptitude test and a drug test.
Beginning electricians are required to complete 144 hours of technical instruction annually as part of their apprenticeship. During this time, they are taught electrical theory, mathematics, safety practices, first aid, and the requirements of the electrical code. They also look at the plans. Additionally, each year, apprentices receive 2,000 hours of hands-on instruction in the workplace.
Technical schools are less likely to be attended by electricians. They cover circuits, safety precautions, and fundamental electrical knowledge throughout their training. Apprenticeship programs sometimes provide technical school graduates credit.
The majority of states in the US demand licenses from electricians. Information about the state-by-state licensing requirements can be found on the website of the National Electrical Contractors Association.
Most of the time, electricians continue their education while they are at work. This enables them to remain up to date with changes to the electrical code, new safety recommendations, and instructions for handling particular objects.
Experience
For electricians, experience is more vital than education because degrees are not required. As a result, a significant number of apprenticeship programs across the nation give priority to on-the-job training. It also clarifies why seasoned electricians are compensated substantially more than recently engaged workers.
As a result, only 2% of the workforce is made up of electricians with under a year of experience. Electricians with between 10 and 19 years of experience hold about 31% of the occupations. Electricians range in experience from one to four years, from five to nine years, to at least twenty years for one-fourth of them.
This exemplifies how important experience is to the job of an electrician. Throughout their careers, electricians who are passionate about their work should have several opportunities.
To succeed in their careers, electricians need a variety of technical abilities and psychological traits. Don’t undervalue your appeal to hiring managers even though the following abilities aren’t commonly stated in job descriptions for electricians:
- For all installations and repairs, electricians must be aware of and adhere to electrical standards.
- Understanding of fundamental mathematical and scientific concepts – Although electricians don’t require highly developed mathematical or scientific abilities, they still use the fundamental ideas from these fields in their job.
- Strong cognitive abilities – These are essential for electricians to be able to comprehend and interpret any instructions, plans, or other technical materials they may be given on the job.
- Strong eyesight and hand-eye coordination are essential while working with electrical systems, components, and goods because they require precision, stable hands, and good vision.
- Independent worker – While electricians may work in bigger construction teams, this is primarily a solitary profession that suits individuals who enjoy working by themselves.
- The ability to manage their time properly is a talent that electricians must develop.
- Safety knowledge is essential since electricians work in hazardous conditions where they incur the risk of electric shocks and burns.
- After doing system and product testing, electrical contractors use their critical thinking abilities to identify issues and choose the best solutions.
- Logic-based problem-solving abilities – When electrical systems and gadgets malfunction, electricians must use logic to come up with a solution.
- Customer service prowess – Electricians may work with both residential and business clients by being accessible.
- Physical stamina – Work for electricians frequently requires standing or kneeling for long periods of time, which can be taxing on the body.
- Electricians will be asked to supervise apprentices and less experienced electricians as their careers advance.
What is the salary of an electrician?
Everything is determined by where they are right now and how much experience they have. Electricians with little experience often make $21.25 per hour. At the start of their careers, electricians’ pay rises significantly.
An electrician with five to ten years of experience can anticipate about $49,000 annually. The current average annual wage is $54,000.
However, electricians in some of the richest regions of the country could earn significantly more. In Boston, Massachusetts, Chicago, Illinois, and Seattle, Washington, for example, the average annual pay for an electrician is $86,000; $89,000; and $89,000, respectively.
Final Remark
Because of the strong job growth and potential for a long, secure career, working as an electrician is particularly tempting to recent high school graduates. A job as an electrician may be ideal for you if you have a logical mind and a knack for math and science. As soon as you can, find a wonderful career as an electrician.