In today’s society, electronic mediums reign supreme. Projections state that by the end of this year, 86.7 million Americans will own at least one computer. A.C. Nielsen Corporation claims that 99% of the United States population owns at least one television. For this reason, most American households cannot live without electricity. Very few cultures in the United States do not rely on electricity. Where there is electricity, there is also a high demand for someone with expertise in that field. Therefore, one of the fastest growing jobs in today’s world is that of an electrician.
Just as in any career, there are a few different specialties for the field of electrician. Beyond the level of apprentice, journeyman or master electrician, there are electricians who specialize in machinery called maintenance electricians. In addition, there is high demand for electricians specializing in aircraft who go by the title of Aircraft Electricians.
Wiring comes in many different sizes. Depending on the wire’s purpose, the size matters. Smaller cables handle lower amounts of electrical current, while thicker cabling is for higher voltage capacities. An electrician is highly skilled in knowing which wire matches the intended usage. Some wiring runs through plastic tubing (conduit piping) that protects the wiring from water damage and other natural elements. Because conduit pipes can be problematic to work with at times, electricians often find themselves lifting heavy weights and maneuvering their bodies into awkward positions. For that reason, electrical work may be difficult for those with severe back problems. Otherwise, this is an excellent field with plenty of room for career growth.
An electrician carries both standard household tools and specialty equipment. A typical toolbox consists of four different styles of screwdrivers, side-cutter pliers with a crimping tool, a mini crimping tool, a fuse puller, diagonal cutting pliers, needle-nose pliers, wire strippers, a knife, a voltage meter, and a tape measure. Using these tools, an electrician has special knowledge in setting up the wiring to fuse panels or boxes following a blueprint. All electrical work must meet state codes.
The ultimate goal is to set up the electrical to a home or business that will stand the test of time. A business or homeowner will not want the wiring fraying or coming loose decades later. Owners of older homes may find themselves hiring an electrician to repair or replace their older, fraying wiring. Damage to wiring can cause tragic fires, and an electrician can help stop any danger before it occurs. Once the wiring is in place, the electrician must test his or her work using voltage meters. If there is any problem with the wiring, it must be detected and repaired immediately before power is turned on permanently.
Another important job an electrician holds is maintaining manufacturing or airline machinery. If company or airline’s machinery breaks down, the net income lost during the downtime can be crippling to any business. Maintenance electricians are responsible for the upkeep and repairs of machinery within a company. These workers must be efficiently solving critical problems with production machinery. As finances are usually a major concern, an electrician must be able to come up with a cost-effective means of solution. The Maintenance Electrician must also come up with a solution that will last.
An Airline Electrician is responsible for the upkeep of all airplane wiring. Airline Electricians wire a plane from top to bottom. This crucial job is extremely important. An Airline Electrician is the person who ensures that an airplane is grounded for mechanical failure or takes off on time with properly working equipment.
