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What Are The Duties Of An Electrical Technician?

duties of an electrical technician
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Want to learn the electricial trade? First, you need to know what an electrical technician does everyday.

Before making a decision to start an electrical career, you should know what the duties of an electrical technician are. 

First, if your wondering what type of career this is, you can learn more with the article, what is an electrical technician?

Now, you may or may not know that most buildings are equipped with electrical power, lighting, and communication systems. This is where the professionals come in.

By law, this equipment can only be installed by trained and certified Electrical Technicians.

Once installed, it has to be maintained. Therefore, electrical technicians are always in high demand.

What is the Role of an Electrical Technician?

An electrical technician, installs all of the wiring, circuits, and outlets needed to power lights, appliances, and equipment within a building.

They are responsible for troubleshooting wiring systems to make sure they are working properly. Getting electrical training to learn how to repair or replace parts, circuit breakers, fixtures, wiring, and other components is needed.  

What are the Duties of an Electrical Technician?

Electrical techs work with building contractors and architects to plan and design electrical systems for new construction. They are responsible for maintaining already installed systems, troubleshooting problems with it, and making repairs.

The main responsibilities and duties of an electrical technician include:

  • Reading blueprints and technical diagrams to determine the placement of outlets and fixtures
  • Installing wiring, outlets, and controls
  • Maintenance of electrical systems
  • Inspecting transformers and circuit breakers to ensure they are up to code
  • Identifying electrical problems using specialized tools like voltmeters, cable testers, thermal scanners, and ammeters
  • Repairing and replacing wiring and equipment using hand and power tools such as screwdrivers, saws, drills, wire strippers, and conduit breakers
  • Directing and training fellow workers to install, maintain, and repair wiring and systems
  • Following state and local building regulations

What Skills Should Electrical Technicians Have?

Electrical technicians should have skills for staying safe and doing the job correctly. Working with electricity is a dangerous job and techs must take precautions to avoid getting hurt.

For this reason, there are skills that you must gain to be successful and take precautions toward injuries in this field.

Proper professional electrical tech training is important to learn about and steer clear from  injuries like electrical shocks, burns, and falls which can potentially be fatal.

electrical technician skills scitexas.edu

Because of the danger involved and the attention to detail needed to perform the work, techs should have the following skills:

  • Physical Stamina – Electrical technicians may be required to move around all day. Sometimes they work at great heights and sometimes in cramped spaces. They must have the physical fitness to meet the demands of the job.
  • Physical Strength – Electrical components can weigh up to 50 pounds or more. It’s important to be strong enough to lift and move this equipment.
  • Color Vision – Because electrical wiring is color coded, electrical technicians need to have excellent color vision.
  • Troubleshooting Skills – To find, diagnose, and repair problems, electrical technicians must be good at troubleshooting.
  • Critical-Thinking Skills – Performing tests and using the results to diagnose problems requires critical-thinking skills in order to determine the best course of action to take.
  • Customer Service Skills – Because electrical techs deal with individuals and businesses on a daily basis, they should be comfortable working with customers.

Electrical Technician Certifications

In order to get a job as in the electrical field, classes and on-the-job training are required for licensing. Candidates should study wiring, electrical applications, motors and controls, grounding and bonding, construction basics, maintenance, troubleshooting, and trade safety.

Entry-level employment as a Residential Wireman  requires 4,000 hours of supervised training and passing an exam. Wiremen install and maintain electricity in single- and multi-family residential buildings.

A Journeyman Electrician license requires 8,000 hours of supervised work plus an exam. Journeyman electricians work on homes, apartment buildings, businesses, and factories. It takes about five years of work to reach the journeyman level.

An electrical technician must have at least 2 years working at the journeyman level, plus, 12, 000 hours of working under the supervision of a Master Electrician to sit for the master’s exam.

Master electricians supervise other electricians, pull work permits, and work as foremen on jobs. Only master electricians are permitted to open their own electrical shops.  

What Can I Do as an Electrician Apprentice?

If you have training and certification as an electrical technician, you can work in a variety of sectors. Residential and non-residential building construction is probably the biggest area for employment.

Work is also available through utility system construction, local government, employment agencies, mining and manufacturing, and natural gas distribution. Performing arts centers and promoters and sports arenas also employ electricians.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the average pay for electrical technicians is very good. Top earners can expect as much as $96,000 per year or more. The average annual wage for an electrician in Texas is $52,230.

Work is usually full-time with nights and weekends highly possible. Self-employed electricians can set their own schedules.

The overall job outlook for electricians remains favorable especially with the emergence of alternative power sources like wind and solar.

Become an Electrical Technician in TX

After learning the typical duties of an electrical technician, is this career field right for you? If your considering a career as an electrical technician, there’s no better time than right now to get a fresh start.

Take on a new path and reach your goal of earning a good salary by becoming an electrical technician.

Southern Careers Institute offers a training program that will get you qualified for an entry-level position as a wiring installer. Upon graduation, you will be ready to install, maintain, and repair electrical equipment safely and competently so that you can begin acquiring the supervised work hours needed for Texas state licensing.

Call us today at 1.833.SCI.TEXAS. We’ll take you every step of the way. Our admissions staff can help you with enrollment and class scheduling and will help you navigate any financial aid opportunities you might qualify for.

Our teachers, who are both caring and well-qualified will make sure you get the best in education and support.

When it comes time to graduate, you will have access to student career services where you will get help with resume building, job readiness training, and interviewing techniques.

We host guest speakers to both inspire and educate you about careers and the job market. We also partner with local employers to match your skills to their specific needs.

Don’t put off your future any longer. We offer training programs online, hybrid and the electrical technician program can be taken at our San Antonio-North, Waco, and Brownsville campuses. Classes are filling up fast. 

 

Sources

  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm#tab-2
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm#tab-4
  • https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes472111.htm#ind

Blog Disclaimer: Information stated in this blog is for general information purposes only. SCITexas.edu does not assume or guarantee income earning potential or salary expectations based on the programs offered at Southern Careers Institute. Career and program information stated in this blog does not guarantee that programs and specifics are offered at Southern Careers Institute.

This article was published on: 04/13/20 1:53 PM

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