What Do Electricians Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems. They also plan layout and installation of electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures, based on job specifications and local codes.

Other tasks include:

• Connect wires to circuit breakers, transformers, or other components.
• Test electrical systems or continuity of circuits in electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures, using testing devices, such as ohmmeters, voltmeters, or oscilloscopes, to ensure compatibility and safety of system.
• Use a variety of tools or equipment, such as power construction equipment, measuring devices, power tools, and testing equipment, such as oscilloscopes, ammeters, or test lamps.
• Inspect electrical systems, equipment, or components to identify hazards, defects, or the need for adjustment or repair, and to ensure compliance with codes.
• Prepare sketches or follow blueprints to determine the location of wiring or equipment and to ensure conformance to building and safety codes.
• Diagnose malfunctioning systems, apparatus, or components, using test equipment and hand tools to locate the cause of a breakdown and correct the problem.

We asked Electricians 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 58% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

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Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Electricians repair or replace wiring, equipment, or fixtures, using hand tools or power tools. They use a variety of tools or equipment, such as power construction equipment, measuring devices, power tools, and testing equipment, such as oscilloscopes, ammeters, or test lamps.

A typical day for an Electrician will also include:

• Place conduit, pipes, or tubing, inside designated partitions, walls, or other concealed areas, and pull insulated wires or cables through the conduit to complete circuits between boxes.
• Assemble, install, test, or maintain electrical or electronic wiring, equipment, appliances, apparatus, or fixtures, using hand tools or power tools.
• Connect wires to circuit breakers, transformers, or other components.
• Plan layout and installation of electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures, based on job specifications and local codes.
• Test electrical systems or continuity of circuits in electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures, using testing devices, such as ohmmeters, voltmeters, or oscilloscopes, to ensure compatibility and safety of system.

We asked some Electricians 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?	67% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	49% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	90% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	27% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	2% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	51% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Electricians also install ground leads and connect power cables to equipment, such as motors. They may also construct or fabricate parts, using hand tools, according to specifications.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Electricians Perform physically demanding tasks, such as digging trenches to lay conduit or moving or lifting heavy objects. They might also Diagnose malfunctioning systems, apparatus, or components, using test equipment and hand tools to locate the cause of a breakdown and correct the problem.

In addition, they Connect wires to circuit breakers, transformers, or other components.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Perform business management duties, such as maintaining records or files, preparing reports, or ordering supplies or equipment.

To some Electricians, it is also their responsibility to Fasten small metal or plastic boxes to walls to house electrical switches or outlets.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as an Electrician, 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/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm

http://www.ieci.org/

http://www.ibew.org/

http://www.necanet.org/