What does an electrician do?
What services does an electrician offer?
Electricians are tradespeople who install and maintain a wide variety of electrical systems and appliances for homes, businesses and industrial buildings. They do either electrical construction, maintenance or sometimes both. Their day-to-day work changes all the time depending on the job they are doing.
Electricians must read blueprints, showing where the circuits, load centres, panel boards, outlets and other electrical features are in a home. They connect wires to the circuit breakers, outlets, transformers or other systems. They use blueprint diagrams to understand where each connection should be made.
What do electrical workers install?
Electricians install a range of electrical wiring and power systems including
- Cable trays
- Circuit breakers
- Switchboards
- Conduits
- Emergency lighting
- Lighting
- Electrical outlets or power points
- Motors and switchboards
- Automated electrical controls
- Voice and data cabling
Electrical equipment used by electricians
They will use a range of tools for a job such as,
- Pliers
- Screwdrivers
- Caulking guns
- Power Drills
- Gyp rock saws
- Conduit cutters
- Power tools
- Wire strippers
- Fish Tapes and poles
- Cable cutters
- Wood Augers
- Tape measures
- Labellers
- Voltmeter
- Hole saw sets
- Work lights
- Volt sticks
- Pouches
Required education and training for an Australian Electrician
In Australia, electricians are required to complete an electrical apprenticeship that lasts for typically four years. Trainees must complete around 2000 hours of on-site training and 144 hours of classroom instruction. Over the four years, they learn blueprint reading, electrical theory, electrical code requirements, mathematics, first aid and safety procedures.
Apprentice electricians begin doing basic tasks that require less skill under the supervision of a well-experienced electrician. These jobs could include,
- Assisting in analysing and repairing electrical components or wires
- Maintaining a work log to the company standard
- Learning to handle a variety of tools well
- Preparing safety measure reports
Electrical work environments
Electricians work on a range of construction sites, homes or industrial buildings. They work indoors and outdoors on electrical problems. Their work can be strenuous at times and requires a certain fitness level. They may be exposed to weather conditions when working outside. Electricians have to work night shifts or weekends sometimes due to an electrical emergency, but they often work a standard 40 hour week.