Electricians provide essential services to homeowners, businesses, governments, and many more.
Though it might seem like electrical companies all do the same things, the field is actually very broad and becoming an electrician is harder than most people think.
Read these interesting facts about electrical contractors to get a better understanding of the work they do and what is involved in becoming one!
- Training Time - To be fully trained and licensed, it takes most electricians just as much time as it does a medical doctor to complete medical school. For specialty training, it can take even longer!
- Electrical Specialties - There are many, many specialty fields for electrical contractors, each one with its own educational and skill requirements. Whether training to become a residential, industrial, or commercial electrician or becoming a certified linesman or high-voltage electrician working for an electrical company, each of these and many other fields involves specialized training, passing specific tests, and obtaining individual licensing for these specialties.
- Safety Training - A part of the training that every electrician receives focuses on safety practices, regulations, and requirements.
- Good Eyes - Electrical work involves working with wiring of multiple colors, each of which means something different. To become licensed, every electrical contractor must pass a color blindness test to ensure the safety of every involved person.
- Broad Skillset - Electrical work requires electricians to have a broad skill set as it involves problem-solving, critical thinking, troubleshooting capabilities, and the ability to perform many different tasks. Some of those include installations, de-installations, repairs, upgrading wiring, and much more. They must be trained in the use of many different tools some specialized, be able to read blueprints and technical diagrams, and be able to work in a variety of conditions and locations, from inside small crawl spaces and attics to outside in different weather conditions.
- Personal Protective Equipment - Whether working as a linesman or doing wiring in a home, all electrical contractors are required to use certain types of PPE to protect themselves. Generally speaking, that usually means protective footwear, gloves, eye protection, and clothing that can reduce the chance of shock or related injuries. Electrical companies that provide specialty services frequently require their electricians to wear additional PPE based on the job and its location.
Being an electrician is a challenging occupation that requires a huge investment in time and training that many people may not realize.
When calling a licensed electrician for any reason, home and business owners can rest assured that they are dealing with a well-trained professional who will provide them with excellent, safe, and professional services!