Commercial electricians are professionals who provide all the essential services required by industries & businesses for proper functioning. They are also responsible for maintaining safety of both employees and machinery at work place. Commercial electricians installed, maintain, repair, and correct electrical systems in commercial establishments. They use tools to carry out different electrician jobs such as installing transformers, conducting wiring, inspecting appliances, wiring doors etc. Electricians can be general contractors, electrical engineers, specialty electricians, construction managers, or owner operators.
Commercial electrical works are performed during day time and large-scale electrical works can only be performed at night or on holidays. All commercial electricians must possess broad knowledge in industrial electricity, voltage conductors, overload protection, and safety measures, electrical safety, industrial facilities, and industrial motors. In addition to basic electrical knowledge, commercial electricians must possess many other highly specialized skills such as troubleshooting techniques, special electrical jobs, and work practices for large-scale electrical works. In case of large-scale electrical works, electrical engineers are generally hired to ensure the safety and efficiency of the project.
The training program for electricians is usually for two years at a skilled vocational school, and some schools offer a third year residential electrician career training program also. The curriculum includes practical study in the field, theory courses like electrical engineering, high-voltage technology, and working principles. In United States, there are many accredited electrician training programs available. Many states also have their own schools and colleges that offer these programs.
The number of electrician apprenticeships available for electricians has significantly diminished over the years because of lack of training and inadequate job description. Still, there are a few electrician apprenticeship programs still running in the United States. The commercial electrician apprentice programs are run by some of the best electrical companies in the country. Commercial electrician apprenticeship programs help students improve their skills, get experience, and enhance their chances of finding better jobs in the future.
A commercial electrician apprenticeship program differs from residential electricians must obtain a high school diploma or GED. This is so because a GED provides a basic understanding of how electricity works. In addition to this, an individual who is not a high school educated will be required to take a course to qualify for the job. Many of these programs can be found online.
There are two types of electricians that work for different types of businesses. One is a primary electrician. A primary electrician works on installation, repair, and maintenance of commercial and industrial electrical systems. A secondary electrician, on the other hand, works in the process of creating new electrical systems.
The maintenance Electricians is the one who maintains and repairs electrical systems. They perform inspections, tests, and make sure everything is up to code. This is a more specific type of electrician than a primary electrician or a secondary electrician. These individuals are usually called in when large-scale electrical work needs to be performed. Examples of the maintenance electricians would be plumbers and electricians.
It is important to note that being an apprentice to a commercial electrician is much different than being an apprentice to a residential electrician. In the electrician’s job description he is defined as someone who performs the task of creating or repairing electrical systems. As such, there is no reason to train for commercial electrical training if you are not going to use it. The job description of a commercial electrician may require individuals to attend classes to receive certification but this would be after completing the necessary work experience.
The journeyman is the third level of the electrical trade apprenticeship. To qualify for a journeyman certification the individual must have at least four years of experience in this field. This four-year apprenticeship program allows electricians to have more experiences and allows them to learn on the job skills. If you choose to go through a journeyman program then you will most likely spend more time learning the skills rather than learning one specific skill.
The fourth level of commercial electricians is the master electrician. The requirements to become a master electrician are more intense because it requires him or her to posses specific knowledge in a specific industrial setting. A master electrician must demonstrate that he or she has extensive knowledge in the installation, operation, and maintenance of electrical systems in industrial, commercial, or residential buildings. Commercial electricians must also be accredited by the International Association of Electrical Technologists or IIT.
The journeyman classification and level of electrician generally coincide with pliers. A journeyman electrician might not possess the skill set required to install or repair heavy-duty equipment, but they most definitely have the skills to perform a variety of tasks using basic hand tools. Electricians working in the journeyman classification possess basic power tools such as adjustable pliers, adjustable screwdrivers, and closed-face wrenches; power tools such as drill drivers; and electrical components like wire strippers, crimpers, and power wrenches. Some electricians working in the journeyman classification may also use hand-cable tools such as electricians pencils and marking instruments.