There are many aspects to consider when hiring an electrician. Mainly, the electrician must be licensed in your state. He must also have basic carpentry skills as well as electrical experience. Therefore, before hiring an electrician, it is essential to conduct a thorough background check. Here are several areas that you should research before hiring an electrician:
Commercial Electricians vs. Residential Electricians Commercial Electricians operate machinery in commercial buildings such as offices and warehouses. An electrician is also responsible for wiring and fitting new electrical systems to these commercial buildings. As you would expect, commercial electricians must have excellent strength and stamina. The ability to see multiple colors at once is required to identify various wires quickly. Because electricians are frequently exposed to dangerous and electrically stimulating situations, good electrical maintenance skills and a friendly attitude will benefit the business owner.
Commercial Maintenance Electricians are often called upon to make repairs or perform other types of maintenance to electrical systems found in large commercial buildings. These maintenance electricians usually have specific trade-specific knowledge. This means that they may have particular tools and equipment that are required by particular trades. Electricians who work for companies with office space and numerous offices will require detailed knowledge of the office and its location.
Maintenance Electricians are typically hired to do a wide variety of jobs. A good maintenance electrician will be able to take care of a wide range of problems. For example, some electricians are called upon to repair broken machines, screens, and safety measures that protect the public from injury. Other electricians may be called upon to repair damaged electrical systems and fix other problems in a building. The electrician’s primary focus is to ensure that all parts of a building operate smoothly and safely.
Electricians who work in industrial businesses can be found on job sites to fix machines. For example, they often improve heavy industrial machinery such as cranes, conveyor belts, and forklifts. Electricians with this type of electrical equipment repair or maintain all types of electrical equipment. The majority of maintenance electricians begin their careers servicing large industrial businesses.
Many Electricians are also employed in residential areas where there may be a need for wiring, light, and heat. Electricians who service residential areas are called upon to provide security to homeowners and maintain lighting and appliances. The majority of maintenance jobs are small projects that take less than an hour to complete. For example, repairs of home wiring often include replacing damaged wiring and correcting other wiring issues. Some electricians may even be asked to inspect and evaluate homeowners’ home security systems.
Electrician career training is available through vocational schools and community colleges. Some electrician training programs allow students to select several electives, including electrical engineering, maintenance, and networking. Some electrician schools even offer certification programs to obtain certificates for specific skill sets, such as maintenance or wiring electricians.
To obtain commercial electrician certification, electricians must work under the supervision of licensed professional engineers. Under the National Electrical Contractors Association (NICE) Commercial Electrician Qualification (CFE) Program, electricians must successfully pass a four-part exam before becoming certified. Completion of a training or apprenticeship job training program will help electricians obtain their CFE. When choosing a job as an apprentice, many electrician employers require workers to undergo at least one year of CFE training before taking the exam.
As with all trades, there are two levels of apprenticeship available. There are two general types of apprenticeship programs – the journeyman level and the permanent level. Journeyman electricians work under a licensed electrician assigned to a company to complete a specific number of hours. All journeyman electricians can perform essential maintenance and electrical repairs; however, not all electrical workers can perform maintenance jobs.
A high school diploma or GED is required to participate in a journeyman electrician apprenticeship program. Applicants can also join in a CFE completed through a trade school or by completing a course on the Internet. Many electrical contractors hire individuals with at least a high school diploma and a GED. Most people who completed a trade school or online CFE program have been assigned general contracting duties within the commercial kitchen and bathroom industry.
To become a full-fledged electrician, a four-year accredited technical training program must be completed. Applicants must also complete a state exam to become certified. Applicants with an associate’s degree will be able to take a state exam for the position of an apprenticeship electrician, after which they will be eligible to take the final exam to become licensed electricians in their own right. Prospective electricians will need to pass the certification exam to retain the certificate.