Electrician - Career Advice - Houses and Buildings

Houses & Buildings

Menu
Electrician [Special Class)
Electrical Motor Winding Tradesperson

Electricians install, maintain, repair, test and commission electrical and electronic equipment and systems for industrial, commercial and domestic purposes. Future Growth Very Strong

Electricians may also work on electrical transmission and distribution equipment.

They use wires and cables to connect electrical equipment, such as heaters or lighting, to electrical power sources. They also test electrical connections to ensure they are not faulty and install surge protectors. As electrical work is required all over the States & Territories, electricians can work anywhere from the metro area, to small rural towns.

ANZSCO ID & description: 34111: Installs, tests, connects, commissions, maintains and modifies electrical equipment, wiring and control systems. Registration or licensing is required.

Alternative names: Electrical Fitter

Specialisations: Armature Winder, Electrical Contractor, Electrician (Special Class), Heavy Coil Winder, Lift Mechanic, Railway Signal Electrician, Street Light Repairer

Knowledge, skills and attributes

Electricians need:

to enjoy mathematical and technical work
good vision [including normal colour vision] and hand-eye coordination
accuracy, with a keen eye for detail
logical thinking and diagnostic ability
aptitude for mechanics and electronics
able to do precise and detailed work
good physical fitness
to be safety conscious
good communication skills
to be able to work independently and in a team.

How to become an electrician
(Source: Career FAQs)

Duties and Tasks

Electricians work in a very wide range areas, from installing power in homes and offices, to major engineering projects. They also work with renewable technology, such as wind turbines, 'smart' heating systems and photovoltaic systems that produce solar power.

As an electrician, you would install, inspect and test equipment, make sure that electrotechnical systems work, and find and fix faults. Electrotechnical careers are divided into different areas:

installing electrical systems, lighting, fire protection, security and data-network systems in all types of buildings
maintaining systems to make sure that they are working efficiently and safely
building and installing control panels that operate the electrical systems inside buildings
repairing and maintaining electrical motors and other machinery like transformers
installing and maintaining street lighting and traffic management systems.

Electricians may perform the following tasks:

read electrical, architectural and mechanical diagrams, drawings or specifications to determine job requirements
plan the layout of wiring systems
test for, locate and repair electrical malfunctions
install electrical and electronic control systems and insulated cables
install electrical equipment such as storage heaters, water heaters, electrical signs, switchboards and motors
assemble and fabricate electrical and electronic components and appliances
connect electrical equipment to power supplies
connect switches, outlets and other fittings
connect circuit breakers
maintain automated production processes.

Did You Know?

In 1747, Benjamin Franklin in America and William Watson in England independently realised that all material had some type of "electric" nature
Thomas Edison used his DC (direct current) generator to provide electricity to light his laboratory and later to illuminate the first New York street to be lit by electric lamps, in September 1882.
The unit of electrical charge is named after the French physicist Charles A. de Coulomb
Electricity is a necessity for modern civilisation. The understanding of electricity has led to the invention of motors, generators, telephones, radio and television, X-ray devices, computers, and nuclear energy systems.
An electrician has to have normal colour vision ie. not have red/green colour blindness, as electrical wiring is colour coded.

Working Conditions

Electricians may work in workshops or on location at construction sites, private dwellings, industrial plants, power stations, offices and anywhere requiring electrical maintenance. They may work in cramped conditions or at heights, and sometimes their work can be dangerous. They usually work normal business hours but may be required to be on call day or night to conduct emergency repairs.

They may have a considerable amount of contact with the public, work in confined spaces and have to stand for long periods. They may also be required to work at heights on masts, towers and roofs.

Electricians could work in all kinds of buildings, including homes, offices, shops and sports stadiums. Electricians may also supervise other people in a team.

Electricians must be aware of safety regulations and must wear and use supplied protective equipment to minimise risks.

Tools and technologies

Electricians use tools such as screwdrivers, pliers, drills and wire strippers. They also use ohmmeters or voltmeters for testing electrical equipment. Since the work can sometimes be dangerous, they may be required to wear and use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as bright and reflective safety clothing, hard hats, earmuffs, gloves, goggles and enclosed steel-capped boots.

Education and training/entrance requirements

To become an electrician you usually have to complete an apprenticeship or traineeship in Electrotechnology Electrician, Electrotechnology - Systems Electrician or Engineering - Electrical/Electronic Trade. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require junior secondary school certificate or equivalent and some may prefer senior secondary school certificate or equivalent. The electrical mechanics apprenticeship usually takes 48 months to complete and is available as a school-based apprenticeship.

To work as an electrician in Australia, you must obtain an Electrician’s License.

After completing your apprenticeship or traineeship, you can apply for an electrical licence in order to carry out unsupervised work.

Employment Opportunities

Employment of electricians is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations.

As homes and businesses require more wiring, electricians will be needed to install the necessary components. Overall growth of the construction industry and the need to maintain older industrial equipment will require more electricians.

Alternative power generation, such as solar and wind, is an emerging field that should require more electricians for installation. Increasingly, electricians will be needed to link these alternative power sources to homes and power grids over the coming decade. Employment growth stemming from these sources, however, will largely be dependent on government policy.

A must listen....

ABC's Jobspeaker - 22 September 2021
Tall heights and pesky cockatoos: being a street light repairer is not for the faint-hearted

MP3 Audio

Street Light Repairer

Managing Canberra's street lighting can be a challenge, especially when the light bulbs are located up a pole 12 metres high.

One electrician may be able to fix between five to 10 lights a day but it's an ongoing battle against destructive cockatoos.

Joseph Giland, street light repairer and electrician with Omexom, spoke to Adam Shirley [ABC's Presenter ] for this week's JobSpeaker segment [ 22 September 2021]

Another different Electrician Job - a Railway Signal Electrician

ARTC is on the lookout for qualified Rail Signal Electricians
https://youtu.be/zP2p5VIz7ho

Houses & Buildings

Electricians (Special Class) service and repair intricate and complex electrical and electronic circuitry. Future Growth Very Strong

ANZSCO ID: 341112

Knowledge, skills and attributes

The attributes of an electrician (special class) are endless, but if you were going to create an inventory of traits that no electrician can be without — attributes that would please most employees — it would have to include the following:

Good communication and people skills
You need to be able to cater for a diverse range of customers including builders, home owners/occupiers, to draft persons or architects just to name a few

Ability to work in a team or independently
Depending on the size of the project will determine whether you are working by yourself or within a team. For example large commercial builds in major cities you would be a part of a large team from tradesmen to foremen’s, to engineers and project managers.

Problem Solving
You will be challenged with many different tasks which could mean you solve something as basic as which size cable to run to more complex tasks such as wiring and programming electrical apparatus for automation installations.

Basic Maths Skills
Maths is part of an electrician’s life, just like a builder that has to measure his materials, an electrician has to measure things like currents, volts and calculate the amount of cable required to the spacing requirements for lights in a ceiling.

Good English skills
Having good English and writing skills is paramount in helping you be a successful electrician, You must have the ability to read and interpret wiring rules, standards, switchboards and drawings to invoicing, quoting and supplying documentation for taxation purposes, if you’re running a business for example.

Understanding of regulatory requirement
Electrician is a licenced trade that is bound by regulations that must be adhered to. You must have sound understanding of these regulations and be self-driven to stay alert and aware of the regulations and the change

At work
(Source: Blue Collar Skills)

Duties and Tasks

examines blueprints, wiring diagrams and specifications to determine sequence and methods of operation
measures and lays out insulation reference points
selects, cuts and connects wire and cable to terminals and connectors
uses electrical and electronic test instruments to trace and diagnose faults
repairs and replaces faulty wiring and defective parts
positions and installs electrical switchboards
connects electrical systems to power supply
tests continuity of circuit.

Working conditions

Requires driving
Working outdoors

Education and training/entrance requirements

You usually need a certificate III in electrotechnology (electrician) to work as an Electrician (Special Class). This course is often completed as part of an apprenticeship. Registration or licensing is required.

Employment Opportunities

Most Electricians (Special Class) work in:

Construction
Manufacturing
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services

Houses & Buildings

An electrical motor winding tradesperson applies electrical knowledge to make, fit or repair electrical machines or appliances. Working as an Electrical Machine Repair Tradesperson you would overhaul and repair motors, transformers and control gear including rewinding. Future Growth Very Strong

Alternative names: Electrical Machine Repair Tradesperson, Electric Motor and Switch Assemblers and Repairer

Knowledge, skills and attributes

Safety focused
Qualified Electrical Fitter/ Mechanic and must possess a current Electrical Workers’ Licence
Instrumentation and control system qualifications
Exposure to process control and PLC systems
Knowledge of both AC and DC motor control systems
Proven problem solving skills
Good communication skills, both written and verbal
Ability to work effectively in a team

EMWT
(Source: Westin Drives)

Duties and Tasks

Rewire electrical systems and repair or replace electrical accessories

Inspect electrical connections, wiring, relays, charging resistance boxes, and storage batteries, following wiring diagrams.

Balance Armature's, Rotor's, Weld or braze, solder electrical connections.

Weld, braze, or solder electrical connections

Retrieved data on and rebuilt windings of both form-wound and random-wound AC and DC stators as well as form coil armatures.

Inspect cores for defects and aligned laminations, using hammer and drift Wind new coils in armatures, starters and motors.

Perform rotor and armature run outs and measurement of bearing and seal fits to one ten thousandth of an inch.

Balance rotors and armatures on both AC and DC types.

Balance blowers, rotors, and armatures.

Rewinds coils on core while core is in slots, or makes replacement coils, using coil-winding machine.

Rewires electrical systems and repairs or replaces electrical accessories.

Installs, secures, and aligns parts, using hand tools, welding equipment, and electrical metres.

Replaces defective parts, such as coil leads, carbon brushes, and connecting wires, using soldering equipment.

Tests for overheating, using speed gauges and thermometers.

Reassembles repaired electric motors to specified requirements and ratings, using hand tools and electrical meters.

Records repairs required, parts used, and labour time.

Refaces, reams, and polishes commutators and machine parts to specified tolerances, using machine tools.

Cuts and forms insulation and inserts insulation into armature, rotor, or stator slots

Inspects parts for wear or damage, or reads work order or schematic drawings to determine required repairs.

Assembles electrical parts, such as alternators, generators, starting devices, and switches, following schematic drawings, using hand, machine, and power tools.

Tests charges and replaces batteries.

Adjusts working parts, such as fan belt tension, voltage output, contacts and springs, using hand tools, and verifies corrections, using gauges.

Cuts and removes parts, such as defective coils and insulation.

Measures velocity, horsepower, r.p.m., amperage, circuitry, and voltage of unit or parts, using electrical meters and mechanical testing devices.

Disassembles defective unit, using hand tools.

Lifts units or parts, such as motors or generators, using crane or chain hoist.

Scrapes and cleans units or parts, using cleaning solvent, and lubricates moving parts.File burrs from core slots, using hand file, portable power file, and scraper.

Repairs and rebuilds defective mechanical parts in electric motors, generators, and related equipment, using hand tools and power tools.

EMRRM
(Source: AEMT)

Working conditions

These specialists work specifically at installing and repairing machinery and appliances in a range of worksites, from factories to commercial properties and domestic residences.

Tools and technologies

How to rewind an electric motor
https://youtu.be/Z5LHrD6OFS4

Education and training/entrance requirements

A motor rewinding apprenticeship usually takes up to four years to complete from TAFE. The first 18 months you will attend 12, one week blocks at TAFE. The following 18 months the training is at your place of employment, with skills, knowledge, assignments and assessments to complete. An assessor will visit you at times to assess your progression. The on the job component is assessed over the four years with the work performance section of the competencies with profiling.

This course teaches you the fundamentals of electricity as well as the legal requirements and knowledge relating to safe working practices in the motor rewinding industry. You will also learn about tools and regulations essential to the trade, and how to safely carry out your responsibilities to be able to maintain and repair electric motors and equipment.

Energy crisis hits home | Sammy J (S5 Ep19) 23 June 2022
https://youtu.be/jI478igoCaU

Related Jobs or Working with these Jobs
(Jobs not linked are currently being worked on)

Air Conditioning Refrigeration Mechanic	Automotive Electrician	Broadcasting TV Radio Technician	Electrical Linesperson
Electronics Engineering Technologist	Lift Mechanic	Solar Panel Installer	Security Consultant
Telecommunications Engineer	WHS Officer