What Do Transportation Electrical Technicians Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Transportation Electrical Technicians install, adjust, or maintain mobile electronics communication equipment, including sound, sonar, security, navigation, and surveillance systems on trains, watercraft, or other mobile equipment. They also inspect and test electrical systems and equipment to locate and diagnose malfunctions, using visual inspections, testing devices, and computer software.

Other tasks include:

• Reassemble and test equipment after repairs.
• Confer with customers to determine the nature of malfunctions.
• Adjust, repair, or replace defective wiring and relays in ignition, lighting, air-conditioning, and safety control systems, using electrician’s tools.
• Install electrical equipment such as air-conditioning, heating, or ignition systems and components such as generator brushes and commutators, using hand tools.
• Splice wires with knives or cutting pliers, and solder connections to fixtures, outlets, and equipment.
• Locate and remove or repair circuit defects such as blown fuses or malfunctioning transistors.

We asked Transportation Electrical Technicians how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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67% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 52% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Transportation Electrical Technicians reassemble and test equipment after repairs. They maintain equipment service records.

A typical day for an Electrical and Electronics Installer and Repairer of Transportation Equipmen will also include:

• Inspect and test electrical systems and equipment to locate and diagnose malfunctions, using visual inspections, testing devices, and computer software.
• Repair or rebuild equipment such as starters, generators, distributors, or door controls, using electrician’s tools.
• Measure, cut, and install frameworks and conduit to support and connect wiring, control panels, and junction boxes, using hand tools.
• Install new fuses, electrical cables, or power sources as required.
• Estimate costs of repairs based on parts and labor requirements.

We asked some Transportation Electrical Technicians a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	66% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	73% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	63% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	2% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	0% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	34% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Transportation Electrical Technicians also adjust, repair, or replace defective wiring and relays in ignition, lighting, air-conditioning, and safety control systems, using electrician’s tools. They may also locate and remove or repair circuit defects such as blown fuses or malfunctioning transistors.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Transportation Electrical Technicians Refer to schematics and manufacturers’ specifications that show connections and provide instructions on how to locate problems. They might also Splice wires with knives or cutting pliers, and solder connections to fixtures, outlets, and equipment.

In addition, they Repair or rebuild equipment such as starters, generators, distributors, or door controls, using electrician’s tools.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Measure, cut, and install frameworks and conduit to support and connect wiring, control panels, and junction boxes, using hand tools.

To some Transportation Electrical Technicians, it is also their responsibility to Install fixtures, outlets, terminal boards, switches, and wall boxes, using hand tools.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as an Electrical and Electronics Installer and Repairer of Transportation Equipmen, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/installation-maintenance-and-repair/electrical-and-electronics-installers-and-repairers.htm

http://www.eta-i.org/

http://www.iscet.org/