What Does an Electrician Do?

Electrician is a skilled tradesperson who installs and repairs electrical wiring, products, and equipment. Whether it’s fixing a burned-out fuse or installing electrical components on new construction projects, electricians need to stay current with local codes and safety practices in order to do their jobs well. They may also receive on-going training to keep their skills sharp.

Most electricians need no formal education to begin work, instead receiving their training on the job through an apprenticeship program that typically lasts four or five years. During this time, trainees spend 144 hours each year in technical classes learning about blueprints, basic electrical theory, and safety and first aid practices. They also participate in 2,000 hours of practical on-the-job experience each year. Some electricians choose to attend a vocational school in addition to their apprenticeship, but the majority of them learn their trade through on-the-job experience.

In addition to strong hands-on technical skills, electricians must have excellent logical problem-solving abilities. They must be able to analyze the results of product and system testing in order to diagnose issues and determine the best solutions. In addition, they must be able to read and comprehend the memos, blueprints, and other documents that they are presented with on new projects.

Finally, electricians need to be self-motivated as they rarely work in an office environment and must rely on themselves to travel to project sites that are often far from their homes. Additionally, some electricians are required to work on-call for troubleshooting purposes, which can require them to put in extra hours outside of their normal 40-hour work week.