What Is the Most Common Type of Electrician?
Most Common Type of Electrician
Electricians install, maintain and repair wiring and power systems. They are also responsible for testing and troubleshooting equipment to determine if it’s functioning correctly. Most electricians are licensed through an apprenticeship program after completing a high school diploma and attending a vocational trade school. Many of these programs last four years and require 8,000 hours of on-the-job training.
Choosing a specific specialization within this career path can increase an individual’s earning potential and allow them to work with specialized tools, equipment and working environments. Some of the more common types of electricians include:
Service electricians are tasked with responding to calls for isolated repairs and upgrades. These professionals often work in homes, although they may also serve businesses and commercial facilities. They can be called on to perform electrical installations as part of a remodeling project or be asked to make repairs due to damage from a natural disaster or accident.
Industrial electricians are employed by manufacturing plants and other large companies. These individuals are often called on to install, repair and upgrade large machinery and other heavy equipment. This can be dangerous work, as it requires working with extremely high voltages and involves handling heavy duty gear. Industrial electrician must undergo extensive safety training before they are permitted to work in these areas.
Sign electricians are tasked with installing and maintaining lighting related to business signage. These workers can be found working on awnings, outline lights, signal lights and parking lot pole lighting. They can also be found repairing and updating electric signs that display company names, logos and slogans.
What Is the Most Common Type of Electrician?
Electronic panel builders assemble, test and repair building electrical control panels. They may work for the original equipment manufacturers of these units or they may be contracted by electrical contractors to service them. These professionals typically have a high level of technical knowledge and can be found at the top of their field.
Another specialized type of electrician is the instrumentation worker. These electricians are responsible for testing, commissioning, troubleshooting and repairing the equipment that controls an entire building’s environmental systems. They can be found working on large air conditioning, heating and refrigeration units, as well as other electrical devices that regulate temperature and humidity.
Other specialized electricians are the linemen and inside wiremen. These individuals are responsible for high and low voltage distribution systems in various sectors. The linemen are required to undergo extensive training before they are permitted to work on lines that are positioned hundreds of feet in the air, while inside wiremen specialize in the lower-voltage wiring utilized inside buildings.
Regardless of the type of electrician that you choose to become, all are required to be physically fit and comfortable working in an outdoor environment, on ladders or on scaffolding and to be able to squat or bend for extended periods of time to make connections. Some of the more specialized electricians are also required to attend ongoing continuing education courses. These classes allow the individual to stay current with evolving technologies and techniques that might improve their efficiency or safety on the job site.