Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems.

  • Plan layout and installation of electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures, based on job specifications and local codes.
  • Connect wires to circuit breakers, transformers, or other components.
  • Test electrical systems or continuity of circuits in electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures, using testing devices, such as ohmmeters, voltmeters, or oscilloscopes, to ensure compatibility and safety of system.
  • Use a variety of tools or equipment, such as power construction equipment, measuring devices, power tools, and testing equipment, such as oscilloscopes, ammeters, or test lamps.
  • Inspect electrical systems, equipment, or components to identify hazards, defects, or the need for adjustment or repair, and to ensure compliance with codes.
  • Prepare sketches or follow blueprints to determine the location of wiring or equipment and to ensure conformance to building and safety codes.
  • Diagnose malfunctioning systems, apparatus, or components, using test equipment and hand tools to locate the cause of a breakdown and correct the problem.
  • Work from ladders, scaffolds, or roofs to install, maintain, or repair electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures.
  • Advise management on whether continued operation of equipment could be hazardous.
  • Maintain current electrician's license or identification card to meet governmental regulations.
  • Place conduit, pipes, or tubing, inside designated partitions, walls, or other concealed areas, and pull insulated wires or cables through the conduit to complete circuits between boxes.
  • Direct or train workers to install, maintain, or repair electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures.
  • Repair or replace wiring, equipment, or fixtures, using hand tools or power tools.
  • Install ground leads and connect power cables to equipment, such as motors.
  • Assemble, install, test, or maintain electrical or electronic wiring, equipment, appliances, apparatus, or fixtures, using hand tools or power tools.
  • Perform business management duties, such as maintaining records or files, preparing reports, or ordering supplies or equipment.
  • Fasten small metal or plastic boxes to walls to house electrical switches or outlets.
  • Construct or fabricate parts, using hand tools, according to specifications.
  • Perform physically demanding tasks, such as digging trenches to lay conduit or moving or lifting heavy objects.
  • Provide assistance during emergencies by operating floodlights or generators, placing flares, or driving needed vehicles.
  • Provide preliminary sketches or cost estimates for materials or services.
Work Context

Work Context information for this career will be available soon.

Work Activities
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Fabricate parts or components.
  • Test electrical equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
  • Install electrical components, equipment, or systems.
  • Repair electrical equipment.
  • Test electrical equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
  • Install electrical components, equipment, or systems.
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Knowledge

Building and Construction
  • Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Mechanical
  • Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Mathematics
  • Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
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Skills

Troubleshooting
  • Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Repairing
  • Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Judgment and Decision Making
  • Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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Abilities

Problem Sensitivity
  • The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Near Vision
  • The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Deductive Reasoning
  • The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Inductive Reasoning
  • The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Electronic mail software
  • Microsoft Outlook Hot Technology
Operating system software
  • Microsoft Windows Hot Technology
Computer aided design CAD software
  • One Mile Up Panel Planner Hot Technology
  • SmartDraw Hot Technology
  • Autodesk AutoCAD Hot Technology
  • Computer aided design CAD software Hot Technology
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