Electricians are expected to complete a technical course in electrical engineering or be apprentices of a firm for more than three years. Electricians are expected to install power systems for farms, homes, and businesses. Their duties involve the installation of electrical wiring and equipment that control the flow of electric currents. In large factories, electricians are required to install electrical machines and perform maintenance when needed. There are two areas of focus for electricians to pursue, i.e., construction and maintenance, but electricians do both in many instances. If an electrician specialises in construction, they are expected to be installing new wiring systems in factories, businesses, or new homes. In contrast, those specialising in maintenance upgrade and fix existing electrical issues and repair electrical systems and equipment. Every electrician is required to follow national electrical codes and standards while performing their duties.
An electrician typically starts their work by reading the blueprints of the property, the technical drawings that show load centers, outlets, inlets, electrical circuits, and other electrical equipment. They then determine where all the wires should go through and install circuit breakers, transformers and other electrical systems and components. While installing wiring on a project, an electrician must have handy tools such as screwdrivers, conduit benders, knives, pliers, hacksaws, wire strippers, and more. After the wiring system is in place, other devices come into play, which includes: ohmmeters, voltmeters, ammeters, harmonic testers, and equipment used for testing connectivity and compatibility. Maintenance electricians replace or repair electronic equipment and components when they break. They perform repairs soon and as quickly as possible to minimise the loss of power outage to the consumers. Items to be replaced include: circuit breakers, switches, fuses, electrical components, or wires. They are tasked to periodically check the equipment to ensure all parts are working correctly and fix vulnerabilities before they break.
Maintenance works vary greatly depending on where the electrical engineer works. Those who focus on residential estates do a more comprehensive range of electrical requirements for homeowners. For example, they may rewire or replace an old fuse, add circuit breakers and additional appliances, install a new lighting system, or do other electrical equipment repairs as may be required. If need be, electricians are expected to perform new construction and installation.
Electricians in factories perform more complex operations to motors, operators, generators, machines, and industrial robots. They serve to advise the management of whether specific equipment should operate or may cause hazards. While working on industrial installations, electricians might be forced to liaise with engineers and other electrical professions to perform relevant mechanical and engineering operations in a factory or plant.
The work environment for an electrician
Most of the time, emergency electricians in Canberra are expected to carry out their duties indoors and outdoors. The work sometimes may be too strenuous and may require someone who is physically fit. It may involve lifting heavy equipment, kneeling, climbing heights, stooping, and standing for a long time. Electricians work under extreme risks, which include: shocks, electrocution, falls, cuts, etc. Therefore, they must follow strict safety procedures to prevent injuries or even deaths. Electricians experience work-related injuries and harsh weather elements when working outdoors. Sometimes electricians are forced to travel long distances to the job sites, and it is even worse when those places are inaccessible by road. The average working schedule for a modest electrician is 40 hours per week. However, some may prefer to work overtime for additional earnings.