What Do Electrical Drafters Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Electrical Drafters develop specifications and instructions for installation of voltage transformers, overhead or underground cables, and related electrical equipment used to conduct electrical energy from transmission lines or high-voltage distribution lines to consumers. They also use computer-aided drafting equipment or conventional drafting stations, technical handbooks, tables, calculators, and traditional drafting tools, such as boards, pencils, protractors, and T-squares.

Other tasks include:

• Draft working drawings, wiring diagrams, wiring connection specifications, or cross-sections of underground cables, as required for instructions to installation crew.
• Assemble documentation packages and produce drawing sets to be checked by an engineer or an architect.
• Review completed construction drawings and cost estimates for accuracy and conformity to standards and regulations.
• Confer with engineering staff and other personnel to resolve problems.
• Measure factors that affect installation and arrangement of equipment, such as distances to be spanned by wire and cable.
• Design electrical systems, such as lighting systems.

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

---

67% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 47% 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, Electrical Drafters determine the order of work and the method of presentation, such as orthographic or isometric drawing. They use computer-aided drafting equipment or conventional drafting stations, technical handbooks, tables, calculators, and traditional drafting tools, such as boards, pencils, protractors, and T-squares.

A typical day for an Electrical Drafter will also include:

• Draft working drawings, wiring diagrams, wiring connection specifications, or cross-sections of underground cables, as required for instructions to installation crew.
• Assemble documentation packages and produce drawing sets to be checked by an engineer or an architect.
• Review completed construction drawings and cost estimates for accuracy and conformity to standards and regulations.
• Confer with engineering staff and other personnel to resolve problems.
• Reproduce working drawings on copy machines or trace drawings in ink.

We asked some Electrical Drafters 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?	41% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	60% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	83% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	31% 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?	26% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Electrical Drafters also measure factors that affect installation and arrangement of equipment, such as distances to be spanned by wire and cable. They may also explain drawings to production or construction teams and provide adjustments, as necessary.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Electrical Drafters Design electrical systems, such as lighting systems. They might also Determine the order of work and the method of presentation, such as orthographic or isometric drawing.

In addition, they Write technical reports and draw charts that display statistics and data.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Draw master sketches to scale showing relation of proposed installations to existing facilities and exact specifications and dimensions.

To some Electrical Drafters, it is also their responsibility to Reproduce working drawings on copy machines or trace drawings in ink.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as an Electrical Drafter, 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 working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/architecture-and-engineering/drafters.htm

http://www.adda.org/