Every time a light turns on or off, or the power in a home goes out, or there is an electrical short in a fuse box, at some point an electrician was involved. An electrician is responsible for every matter of wiring in a structure, whether it is a streetlight or an industrial warehouse. Electricians need to be aware of the laws and procedures governing both the implementation and use of all of the materials related to power in a building, as well as outside of it.
Electricians are typically divided into two types, and these are service and construction. Servicemen are called on to repair existing connections or shorts in a complex. Construction electricians are responsible for properly installing wiring and electrical components in a new building.
Electricians use many different tools. Common examples of items employed include pliers, which are used for bending and shaping wire. Wire strippers are used to remove section of plastic safety coating from around the conductive material so that a worker may create a connection. A multimeter also comes in handy when a worker needs to test voltage, resistance and other measurements for diagnostic or installation and calibration purposes.
In order to become a tradesman, an interested person would have to apply and be accepted into an apprenticeship program. The program will typically last at least three years and as long as seven years. In the program, the apprentice works under a Journeyman, a skilled laborer trained to do everything except electrical design. Though all states have different laws and tests regarding certification and licensing, most adhere to standards adopted by national organizations.
Part of being an electrician is knowing and understanding laws relevant to his or her trade and locality. One must adhere to fire codes, as well as in some states, tornado and hurricane special codes. It is important that the wiring is completed properly and able to be used by a person with no knowledge of how electrical systems work, as there lies a great potential for fire if there is a misuse of electricity.
Electricians are usually governed by trade organizations, which also include representation of other skilled labor trades, such as insulation and plumbing. All of the trades typically are working side by side on a job, but standard rules specify that the only one who is skilled in a trade may perform that type of work. This means that if a water pipe is sitting in the way of the work an electrical technician needs access to, he or she may not touch that pipe and must wait for the plumber to help
Working with electricity can be very dangerous, as the human body is a natural conductor of heat and energy. Wired improperly, a building can not only be a fire hazard, but also dangerous to anyone using facilities.
Abilities gained as a skilled tradesman have numerous benefits. It will be a distant future that holds no work for an electrician. With proper training, there is no reason any one could not be a professional. There is a lot of hard work involved, but the effort is well worth the outcome.