Electricians are highly sought-after workers these days. Today, more and more people turn to technology to provide their home’s electricity, there is a growing demand for trained technicians to fix the growing number of electrical outages and problems that plague homes across the nation. These professionals are highly-skilled and are responsible for repairing the home’s electricity, so they must understand the systems and devices in use today. For electricians to be successful, they need to have the proper training, equipment, and mindset.
They can navigate various issues with electrical power. They can identify the problem, make necessary repairs, and install electrical equipment. There are many different types of electricians and degrees of specialty. Some opt to be a general electrician while others focus on a specific type of electrical work, as an industrial electrician.
Whether you are ready to start your career as an electrician or if you’re looking for tips on what to expect and what to look forward to, here are some things to consider before you get started.
Education and training
You need a high school diploma or the equivalent of training as an electrician. You need to understand academic concepts to do the job of an electrician. You can take certain subjects at school to prepare yourself for electrician training, such as physics, algebra, and mechanical drawing classes. You will learn about different scientific concepts and apply math to various scenarios.
Once you have your diploma, you can choose between a few training options. You don’t need to attend a trade school to become an electrician. However, it will provide you with a solid foundation to become a highly-skilled electrician. You could also train through a union with the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, which has offices in most major US cities. They will place you with a local employer and host any lab-based training in their office. You could go through a non-union route with the Independent Electrical Contractors or Associated Builders and Contractors.
Essential tools needed
You will need a collection of tools and components to get started. You will learn about these different items in your training period. For example, a resistor is an electrical component that stops the flow of current in a circuit. An inductor stores electrical energy as magnetic energy, and a transformer is an electrical device with two coils of wire linked by an iron core. You will need a Zener diode in your collection, allowing the current to flow in one direction. As you become more experienced, you can expand your collection of tools and equipment.
The types of electrician
You will be a journeyman electrician when you complete an apprenticeship and acquire your license. You can work independently – but you cannot train apprentices. After two years, you can apply to become a master electrician.
A residential electrician installs and repairs the electrical system in small apartment buildings and homes. In contrast, a commercial electrician focuses on commercial buildings that use different types of power to a residential structure. An industrial electrical manages electrical work in big facilities that operate machinery and heavy equipment. For example, an industrial electrician may work on power plants, manufacturing areas, and chemical plants. You could decide to run your own business and become an independent electrical contractor.
Become an electrician and start learning about the different specialties available.
