Electricians AtWork

Electricians, among all the other professions, provide very important services for homeowners and businesses. They have various duties and responsibilities depending on whether they’re a general, independent electrician or specialize in a particular field, such as maintenance. 

The following are some of the working situations a professional Electrician Brisbane does, including their day-to-day tasks, primary responsibilities and professional environments.

Duties 

The electrician’s work varies based on their specialization. The maintenance electricians typically enjoy regular work hours in commercial settings, while independent electricians have varying schedules that depend on project demands and client needs.

The electrician’s key responsibilities include installing, maintaining and repairing electrical systems and equipment, which requires knowledge gained through an apprenticeship or on-the-job training.

In their work, electricians use a diverse set of tools, ranging from basic hand tools to electrical testing tools, as well as various safety gear to prevent injuries like electric shock and burns.

Everyday life

The daily life of an electrician can vary depending on whether they decide to pursue a specialization in maintenance or pursue a career as an independent electrician. 

Their professional environments and job duties can vary in each grouping. Here’s an overview of some types.

Maintenance electricians

In maintenance, the electricians often work in industrial or commercial settings with a standard daily shift and a 40-hour workweek. Weekend, holiday and late-night work are rare for an industrial or commercial electrician. 

Companies assign tasks on a daily or weekly basis to their maintenance electricians who may visit a wide variety of customer sites in a single day. Manufacturing or industrial facilities that employ electricians often assign them daily duties throughout the building or company campus.

Industrial electricians may also maintain and repair a specific part of their company’s overall electrical system.

Independent electricians

There are several types of electricians who operate independently. For example, an individual in this industry may decide to become either a residential or a construction electrician. 

Independent electrical professionals may not have regular work hours because their work schedule often depends on the number of customers they have and the scale of their current projects.

Unlike maintenance electricians, independent electricians are often on call, which requires them to be available to help clients on weekends, holidays and in the middle of the night. 

If not contributing to a long-term project, independent electricians can spend a lot of time traveling from customer to customer.

Electrician’s tasks 

Electricians maintain electrical power, lighting, communications and control systems in everything from residential homes to factories. 

Although some electricians begin their careers by pursuing a certificate or degree in electrical technology, many also learn the trade by completing an apprenticeship under the supervision of an experienced electrician.

Junior electricians

Electrical apprentices, or junior electricians, initially may spend much of their time observing professional electricians at work and acting as assistants by holding and carrying tools and tidying work sites. 

As their experience and knowledge base grow, apprentices may perform a wide variety of tasks under the direct supervision of a licensed electrician and are often ready to become certified electricians after five years. 

Common duties

Some of the most common duties performed by certified electricians include installing, maintaining, or repairing circuit breaker panels, fuse boxes, relays, switches and other electrical distribution and control equipment.

They also do wiring, placing, maintaining and repairing high-voltage equipment such as power lines and transformers, installing brackets and hangers used to support heavy electrical equipment.

They do diagnoses on common electrical problems such as failed fuses, overloaded circuits, poor connections and faulty wiring, replace or repairfaulty wiring, fixtures or electrical equipment.

More duties

Electricians also design wiring plans based on construction floor plans. They assemble, install, test, and repairelectrical appliances. They also do the planning of the installation and layout of electrical fixtures and appliances based on local building codes and job specifications.

They are the ones who install electrical control systems in new or existing buildings according to municipal electrical codes, inspect electrical systems and equipmentan training less-experienced electricians and apprentices.

Specialized electricians

Some electricians can also be very specialized depending on their role and employer. Here are some types of specialized electricians and their duties. 

Sign electricians install, maintain and repair signal lights, building-mounted signs, parking lot lights and other electrical signs. Oil rig electricians maintain electrical equipment and wiring on oil rigs or offshore oil platforms. 

The automobile electricians inspect, repair and replace electrical systems in automobiles. Meantime, marine electricians maintain electrical systems and wiring on sea-faring vessels such as ships, yachts and boats.

Those who build electro-technical panels, install and repair electrical control panels for HVAC, lighting, and refrigeration systems, and may also oversee the electrical infrastructure of large buildings.

Instrumentation electricians work with electrical instruments in large-scale air conditioning, refrigeration and heating units.

Highway electrical systems electricians install, repair and upgrade electrical equipment on highways, including signage, street lights and traffic management systems. The solar panel electricians install, maintain and repair solar panels, grids and wiring.

Work environment

Electricians work in a wide variety of settings, including residential homes, power plants, private businesses, manufacturing facilities and construction sites. 

The work of an electrician can be physically demanding because those who may work for electrical or telecommunications companies may have to work outside on power lines. 

Electricians often work without heating or air conditioning, potentially exposing them to extreme heat or cold on the job. They may complete projects for clients in dark basements or old attics. 

Construction sites

Completing tasks on a construction site may expose them to dirt, debris, chemicals and hazardous fumes.Electrical projects may require individuals to remain in confined spaces, enclosed vehicles or awkward positions for long hours. 

Work environments such as factories and construction sites can be loud and distracting, so focus and attention to detail are important to maintain personal safety and provide quality work. It’s important for electricians who work outside to be aware of and prepare for hazardous weather.

 Electricians may rely on their physical strength and stamina to move heavy electrical components and equipment. It’s important for electricians to feel comfortable working at heights for various projects, including tasks on roofs, scaffolding, ladders and electrical poles.