What Does an Electrical Technician Do?

electrical technician testing
electrical technician testing

What Does an Electrical Technician Do?

Do you want a hands-on career that’s interesting and rewarding? Check out the profession of an Electrical Technician. It might be just what you’ve been looking for.

Electrical Technician Duties and Responsibilities

As you probably guessed, as an Electrical Technician, you’d work with electricity. But those electrical skills could take you to several different companies, across a range of industries You might work in a factory or for a cable or internet companies. You might wind up on a construction site, helping out on commercial and residential building projects. Your job duties would also vary depending on what type of business you work for. But here are some some common responsibilities:

Wire and Install Junction Boxes, Outlet Boxes and Lighting

Once you understand what needs to happen on your project, you get to work! As an electrical technician, part of your job will be to lay the wires and connect them to circuit breakers and other components like outlet boxes and lighting fixtures. If you work for a cable and internet provider, you could lay wire and fiber optics for those services.

Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Equipment

In some jobs, you may get called to a customer’s site when something doesn’t work. In others, it may be your responsibility to maintain complex electrical equipment and machinery. These are two scenarios where you’ll need to know how to troubleshoot electrical problems. You’ll need to know what to look for as a cause of the problem and how to solve the issue once you zero in on it.

Read Electrical Blueprints

Unlike standard construction blueprints that most people can quickly get a basic understanding of, electrical blueprints require technical know-how. They show the intended wiring and connections for a building to be compliant with local laws and electrical codes. An electrical blueprint lays out how much power and wiring will go to a particular area, as well as where outlets, lighting fixtures, and other critical components will go. You’ll need to have a strong understanding of the symbols on an electrical blueprint and what they mean to do your job well and avoid costly or dangerous mistakes.

Follow Electrical Codes and Regulations

All states follow the National Electrical Code (NEC), which sets the minimum standards for safe electrical design, installation, and inspection. But states and local municipalities may have their own standards that go beyond the NEC. You’ll need to stay up to date on the latest changes to any codes, regulations, and bylaws that will affect your projects to ensure that the electrical work in buildings and equipment you work on is safe and effective.

Where Do Electrical Technicians Work?

Electrical technicians are hired in a range of industries and organizations of all sizes. Employers include:

  • Residential Contractor
  • Commercial Builder
  • Factory
  • Communications or Tech Company
  • Security Company
  • Home Entertainment Installer
  • Civil Traffic Department
  • Healthcare Facility

 

If you want to learn more about how you can become an Electrical Technician, fill out the form to contact YTI Career Institute today. You could complete your Electrical Technician training in York, PA in as little as nine months.