Although the rewards are several, they include responsibilities for the safety of the general public and the electrician. A person who wishes to be an electrician should be willing to comply with the codes along with the safety rules intended to protect the public. Similarly, one needs to have a wide knowledge of the responsibilities of an electrician and also his work context.
Job description
An electrician provides electrical equipment repair services to businesses and homes. He could be responsible for establishing and maintaining fuses, electrical outlets along with other sections involved with electricity flow. An electrician can focus on either construction or maintenance. He must be able to study blue prints and maintain data, video and voice wiring. Companies often hire electricians to attempt installation of electrical equipment. Usually, they use both power tools such as for example saws and drills and hand tools like wire strippers, pliers and screwdrivers.
Caution
Electricity can be life threatening if not channelled or handled properly. The most harmful hazard an electrician can encounter is electrical shock, which can at times cause death. Other job hazards include falls when climbing scaffolds and ladders or injuries from cuts when using sharp tools like knives or saws. Additional info must comply with safety rules associated with working with electricity. Likewise, he is responsible for providing public safety by following regulations or codes which have been put into place pertaining electrical appliances and electricity. It's important that electricians follow state, local codes in addition to national electrical codes.
Types of electricians
Electricians are of three major types namely factory, maintenance and construction. Normally, an electrician specializes in only one major area though some function in both the maintenance and construction field. Construction electricians create wiring systems to new constructions such as factories, businesses and homes. They also setup electrical outlets, breaker boxes and other electrical system components. On the other hand, maintenance electricians are in charge of repairing, replacing and inspecting wiring systems. The tasks involve troubleshooting for electrical faults, replacing faulty wires or other components such as for example light switches, electrical outlets and breaker boxes. Factory electricians troubleshoot, install and undertake maintenance tasks on motors, industrial robots, electrical generators and controls on machinery.
Educational requirements
To become an electrician, it is advisable to register in an apprenticeship program. This program combines on-the-job training with classroom instruction under the supervision of qualified electricians. To register in such a program, you should have a GED or senior high school diploma. Additionally, you must be no less than 18 years of age. Generally, these apprenticeship programs last for four years. They include 144 hours and 2000 hours of classroom instruction and on-the-job training every year respectively.
Professional requirements
Most municipalities and states need licensed electricians. To have a license, one must pass an examination that tests the national electrical code, local building and electrical codes and understanding of electrical theory. An electrician must have eye-hand coordination and good manual dexterity. He must possess a good sense of balance together with be physically fit. Since an electrician should be able to recognize wires by colour, great colour vision is essential. To succeed also in this career one needs to have certain personal qualities or soft skills. Strong troubleshooting skills will enable the electrician to determine the major reason behind electrical problems and how well to fix them. Critical thinking skills may also be useful as they assist the professional in evaluating the professionals and cons of probable solutions.
Salary
The salary selection of an electrician falls between $12 and $35 each hour. Alternatively, the average salary that he earns is approximately $21 per hour. Wages paid hourly are based on experience. The salary increases because the electrician earns more experience. Benefits may also be dependent upon the business that the professional works. Similarly, this will depend on whether the electrician is really a union member or not. Many unions represent electricians, though this depends on the type of field the professional works in. According to the wage potential, the increase in the number of jobs within the electrical field often depends on certain factors such as for example state of the economy and the populace growth.
Advancement Opportunities
A professional electrician has several opportunities for advancement. He can advance to a supervisor or a project manager in construction firm. A few electricians choose to venture into business and be contractors. Others also climb to the position of electrical inspectors for municipalities.
In sum, electricians are important inside our day-to-day life. They provide us with a range of electrical services, which improve our comfort and lives more.