Top Electrician Schools

For a great many people, working in an office at a monotonous 9-to-5 is not an ideal lifestyle choice. Many people prefer to work hands-on with many opportunities to travel and handle interesting new challenges on a day-to-day basis. If continual change and the need to think of creative solutions on the go is an interesting prospect, a career as an electrician may be an ideal fit. Electricians make up a growing portion of the job market and allow those working in the electrical service industry to develop their skills. Electricians maintain both businesses and homes and keep such residences up to standards and national codes. Great flexibility is offered through work as an electrician and may even allow individuals working in the field to be self-employed or start their own companies. Start your electrician training today!

 

 

After certification, even entry-level electricians can expect a very good annual income. The US Department of Labor statistics projects a 20% job growth between 2012 and 2022 for electrical service jobs. Electrical service is also a highly respected career, which will always be in demand. Every home or company requires functional and convenient electrical service that is both safe and effective. With the emergence of new power sources, electricians will increasingly need to link new power sources to homes and businesses. This entails a growth in the availability of work.

 

Electricians these days have more opportunities to start their own businesses after gaining career experience through networking with the community or other affiliates. There is a fairly even distribution of necessity for qualified electricians across the country. Unlike many other industries, electricians can look forward to not having to worry about annual layoffs. Their skills will always be in demand.

 

Duties of an Electrician

 

Electricians primarily read technical diagrams and blueprints so that they may properly maintain and install wiring, lighting systems and controls. An inspecting electrical serviceman will analyze components such as circuit breakers and transformers. Identifying critical electrical problems through a variety of devices for electrical testing is one of the most important aspects of the job. Entry-level electricians will have a variety of duties. These duties are often carried out under the supervision of licensed electricians during training programs for new arrivals and potential hires such as educational programs, internships at apprenticeships.

 

Additional primary objectives include:

• Repairing or replacing wiring, fixtures and equipment
• Using power tools and hand tools
• Following local and state building regulations sponsored by the National Electrical Code
• Training and directing workers to maintain, install and repair electrical equipment and wiring

 

Because almost all buildings rely on electrical power and lighting, communications and control systems are installed during the construction of a building. To maintain systems thereafter, it is vitally important that electricians keep buildings up to code and offer preventative maintenance before problems arise. Electrical wiring, appliances and equipment all work together to make people's lives and job settings run more comfortably and smoothly.

 

The installation of electrical systems within newly erected buildings is usually less complicated than maintaining existing equipment in older buildings. For this reason, more extensive electrician training may be required to do jobs that are beyond entry-level qualifications. Maintenance work that is usually considered more difficult may entail replacement of control systems, light fixtures, motors, control system parts and other electrical equipment.

 

Electricians must learn how to read technical diagrams and blueprints for electrical systems that show the location of outlets, circuits and up other equipment. Through the use of power tools and hand tools such as drills, screwdrivers, wire strippers and conduit benders, electricians worked to repair problems on large and small scales. Troubleshooting may entail the use of voltmeters, cable testers, thermal scanners and ammeters to ensure the proper function of an electrical system.

 

While many electricians work on their own, sometimes they will collaborate with other specialists including building engineers, architects and fellow electricians. The need to consult with a construction specialist in the event of installation of heating and cooling systems or elevators will require electricians to work as part of a larger crew. Electricians may also direct helpers or apprentices during phases of repair or construction.

 

Electricians usually divide into two groups of electrical service work: inside electricians and residential electricians. Insiide electricians are often responsible for the repair of equipment, control systems and large motors in factories and businesses. They will put their skills of electrical systems to use and help facilities run efficiently under safety guidelines. A lot of their work will involve preventative maintenance to ensure there will be no equipment failures. Inside electricians may also perform scheduled maintenance.

 

In contrast, residential electricians are responsible for the installation and troubleshooting of wiring and electrical problems in people’s homes. Residential electricians working in newly constructed or remodeled homes will typically provide access to power sources and install outlets as needed. Repair or replacement of faulty equipment such as a circuit breaker with repeated tripping problems after being reset falls under the jurisdiction of a residential electrician.

 

Electrician Certification Requirements

 

The minimum required academic credential for pursuit of electrician certification is high school diploma. With that prerequisite, courses are offered at technical schools including safety practices, basic electrical information and circuitry training. Graduating from such courses usually assists by providing credit towards apprenticeships. After initial training, electrical service assistants are often required to continue taking educational courses related to electrical codes, safety protocol and specific products.

 

A great many electricians will learn the trade within a four to five year apprenticeship program. Throughout this training program, apprentices are expected to complete at least 144 hours of technical training as well as 2000 hours of paid work. Classroom training often includes blueprint reading courses, first aid and safety practices, code requirements, mathematics, algebra and electrical theory.

 

Once an apprenticeship program is complete, electricians are certified to perform duties without supervision and are subject to local or regional licensing requirements. The basic qualifications needed to enter an apprenticeship program includes one year of algebra training, a qualifying score on an electrician aptitude test, the passage of substance abuse screening tests, a minimum age of 18 and a high school diploma. Most states will require electricians to past these requirements to obtain a license. Test questions will address National Electrical Code, local electrical codes and state electrical codes.

 

Salary and Career Outlook

 

Electricians have the ability to work in homes, factories, businesses and indoor as well as outdoor jobs at construction sites. Due to the variance in work environments, no two projects will be the same. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of the year 2012, electricians held 583,500 jobs in the United States. Roughly 61% of electricians were employed as electrical contractors and wiring installation contractors. 9% of electricians were self-employed. Employment opportunities are projected to grow between 2012 and 2022 by 20%.

 

Projected annual income is reliant on the level of certification and the amount of experience an electrician possesses. The median annual wage for certified electricians as of May 2012 was $49,840. This median wage represents the wage given to roughly half the workers within the occupation. The lowest 10% of electricians earned roughly $30,420 annually while the top 10% were shown to earn roughly $82,930. While opening pay is roughly 30% to 50% of what a fully trained electrician will earn, even the opening annual income is substantial with much opportunity for advancement.