Electricity is an incredibly powerful energy source, but it can also be very dangerous. That’s why electrician students learn to treat it with respect. Professionals in the field know that when you’re working with such a powerful energy source every day, there’s simply no room for cutting corners or being sloppy—especially when it comes to your safety and the safety of those around you. While electricity certainly can be dangerous, good electricians never put themselves or others at unnecessary risk.

If you’re considering a career as an electrician, patience and hard work will be essential characteristics that can help you stay safe on the job. Read on for some tips on how to stay safe during your training and throughout your career.

Work on De-Energized Circuits Once You Become an Electrician

It’s important for electricians to avoid working on live circuits. The reason is obvious: if you’re working with an energized circuit, you risk being injured. Cutting the power to the circuit will create a much safer work environment and is usually the first thing electricians do on a job. Even when the circuit has been de-energized, it’s crucial to always wear the proper protective equipment, such as safety glasses, insulated gloves and flame-resistant clothing, for example.

Wear Proper Safety Equipment When Working with Electricity

Every electrician understands the importance of wearing the right safety equipment on the job. In addition to insulated gloves, safety glasses and flame-resistant clothing, you should also be wearing industrial safety footwear and a non-conducting hard hat. Not only do you need to use safety equipment during your electrician training and afterwards, but you should also be inspecting and replacing that equipment regularly. Wearing safety equipment that is worn down or broken is about as useful as not wearing any safety equipment at all.

Wear insulated gloves and other protective gear during your electrician training and on the job

Avoid Wet or Damp Workspaces During Your Training and Your Career

Moisture and dampness are no friends to electricians on the job. A workspace that is wet or damp can be very dangerous, since the risk of electric shock is much higher in these types of environments. Good electricians keep their work areas as dry as possible. However, if you are required to work in a space that’s typically damp, such as a washroom, for example, install a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)—a device that helps to avoid electrical shock hazards.

Don’t try to remove liquid from equipment that’s energized when you become an electrician

One crucial tip to keep in mind once you become an electrician, is to never try and remove water or any other liquid from equipment while its energized! You must shut off the power first and unplug the equipment before trying to clean or dry it. Likewise, it’s also important not to touch or attempt to repair any electrical equipment if you have wet hands. Doing so will increase the conductivity of the circuit and likely result in a shock.

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The benefits of running your own business are obvious, but a much broader skillset is needed to make this courageous move. These entrepreneurs require excellent foresight to spot potential opportunities and pitfalls, and must also contend with the complex web of red tape facing them. However, lots of electricians overcome these challenges to develop excellent careers as their own bosses.

As a self-employed professional, you can dictate the direction of the business, fulfilling the needs of a country that’s crying out for skilled electricians. Job website Indeed lists it among the most in-demand trades in Canada at the moment, recording a 17% increase in vacancies between 2016 and 2017. You can help to fill this skills shortage by developing a successful business with your own employees or going it alone as an independent contractor. Here are some helpful tips on what to consider beforehand.

Develop a Clear, Viable Business Plan

Becoming a business owner isn’t a decision to be taken lightly. It’s a long-term call and it could be a few years before you see a worthwhile return on your investment. First, you need to make sure that there’s a market for your own venture by developing a comprehensive business plan.

Closely assess the viability of your idea in a business plan

Estimate the amount of money needed to get the business off the ground, set realistic income targets and devise a marketing plan to attract new clients. Going it alone during an electrician career in construction also means pinpointing a unique selling point (USP), whether it’s a particular skillset, geographical location or service fee offer.

Ensure your Business Complies with Official Requirements

Once you’ve gained certification and experience as an apprentice or fully-fledged construction electrician, you’ll feel confident that you have the technical skillset to complete projects under your own name.

Setting up your own business also means complying with official regulations, so make sure to secure the necessary permits or licences from provincial or national authorities. Register your business for taxes too, so that you won’t face an unwanted and hefty bill shortly after your establishment.

Secure Financing to Cover Start-up Costs

A comprehensive business plan is essential in convincing banks to provide you with a loan for your start-up costs. Even if you can’t secure financing this way, check out online lending opportunities. Be wary, however, of the potentially high interest rates attached.

The government has also developed useful revenue streams for budding entrepreneurs, such as the Canada Small Business Financing Program. Successful applications can help to secure loans for land, buildings or new equipment.

You’ll Need Professional Equipment to Become a Maintenance Electrician

A career in the trades involves lots of different tools, and business owners must make sure they are procured and maintained adequately. This can be an expensive undertaking, and suitable storage facilities are also needed to keep them safe.

Budget for the purchase and upkeep of necessary electrical tools

You’ll be spending a lot of time driving on the road between jobs after you become a maintenance electrician, so you may need to invest in a van or other suitable vehicle, too. However, your company vehicles can also double as portable billboards if you get your business name and contact details on the side to build awareness about your service, making them a wise investment.

Be Prepared for Regular Office Duties as a Business Owner

A lot of the added responsibility taken on by business owners is about balancing the books, so make sure that your accounts are given regular attention. This may mean outsourcing the task to a dedicated accounting firm, which can free up additional time for conventional electrician duties. You will probably also need to spend some time behind the office desk to make sure that invoices, contracts, and other paperwork is up to date.

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The extremes of Canadian weather mean that we are always very keen to make the most of the warm summer months. It’s a time to spend outdoors, whether we’re enjoying food, relaxing in a deckchair or spending some time in the swimming pool.

Even when the sun goes down, the fun doesn’t have to stop if you have suitable lighting installed. Electricians are highly sought after by clients who want to install a professional, long-lasting outdoor project.

These tasks require a bit of additional knowhow to prevent damage from the elements, such as wind, rain or pests. With the right planning and equipment, however, electricians can create a beautiful environment in which to enjoy the summer and fall. Here’s a helpful guide on what to consider.

Homeowners Want Lighting Installed for Lots of Different Outdoor Projects

Outdoor lighting projects are sometimes installed for practical reasons, while other projects focus on creating a more entertaining exterior space. Drive through any North American neighbourhood at nighttime and it’s likely you’ll come across many homes with lighting installed on both sides of the driveway or pedestrian pathway. These projects improve visibility for the home occupants, while also creating an attractive appearance at the front of the house.

Outdoor lighting should be as unobtrusive as possible

Lighting projects become a bit more elaborate at the back of the home, where clients want to enjoy themselves until the late hours. Tradespeople with electrician certification need to be able to install lighting for outdoor kitchens or barbecue pits, decking, or swimming pools. However, they must plan these projects with care to prevent fitting obtrusive lighting that annoys the neighbours. Electricians can interact closely with construction staff to ensure that a suitable lighting layout is developed for large projects.

Electrician College Graduates use a Variety of Lighting Types

Outdoor lighting is usually quite extensive, with lots of different bulbs needed to illuminate the entire area. For that reason, you don’t want to be installing lights that require regular replacement. That’s why LED options have become very popular for homeowners taking on renovation projects.

The retail price of LEDs is higher than a normal bulb, but they last for a lot longer. The light also fades, rather than blowing out entirely, meaning that occupants can spot a necessary replacement just in time.

Solar technology is also continuing to evolve, and solar lights are a great option for the outdoors. There is no need to lay long reels of electrical cable and they are very easy to install and replace. However, the light output is likely to be less reliable than those connected to a central power source.

Smart lights have also become a popular fixture outdoors, and it’s very likely that students will come across them after electrician college. Despite their high cost, homeowners love the practicality of being able to remotely switch the lights on and off, and even adjusting the brightness or colour.

What to Consider During a Simple Outdoor Lighting Installation

Outdoor projects are usually a lot simpler than they look, as long as there is easy access to a power supply. Waterproof and rugged socket outlets on exterior walls are an excellent means of connecting the lighting powerpack to electricity. Ideally, the lighting should be installed in place with appropriate trenches dug in the ground for cabling before the connection is made.

Outdoor sockets may have to be installed to provide a power supply

Once the individual lights and cabling are secured by an electrician, the trenches can be filled in and the power supply switched on. It’s a good idea to check the fittings at night to assess whether the lighting is facing in the most suitable direction. The occupants of the house can then enjoy long evenings in the wonderful summer heat.

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When it comes to trades, it’s a common truth that the work you do will only be as good as the tools you have on hand. And when it comes to the equipment that maintenance electricians use, the list of what you’ll need to do a job properly can be long.

Whether you choose to work in manufacturing or electrical contracting companies, there are some specialized tools you’ll need for your role, and others that you’re bound to use quite often. From electrical tape to wire strippers, these are the essentials for any electrical repair job, and should be a part of every good professional’s toolkit.

Read on to learn more about the different kinds of tools and equipment that maintenance electricians commonly use during their careers.

It’s All About Having the Right Hand Tools at Your Disposal

When it comes to performing the simplest repairs and installations of electrical equipment, maintenance electricians will usually be relying on hand tools. These tools need to be safe to use for electrical work, and you will also want to make sure that they’re comfortable enough to use so that you aren’t straining your wrists and hands.

Professional maintenance electricians will need a wire stripper, as well as a solid wire cutter in the event that you have to sever part or all of any wires that have become split or broken. Of course, graduates of electrician college can always look for wire strippers that double as a wire cutter, which could save money and space in your toolbox.

In addition, maintenance electricians will always carry a pair of pliers and a screwdriver, which are essential to every job they do. You should check to make sure that both of these tools are insulated so that they are guarded from electric shock while performing repairs and installations. Pliers may often be used for the purposes of cutting and bending electrical wire, so they should be of the needle nose or side-cutting variety. Screwdrivers will need to be able to fit to a variety of different screw heads, so it’s best to use ones with changeable bits.

Pliers are a staple for any maintenance electrician job

Powertools Can Prepare You for Any Maintenance Job

Powertools are particularly important when maintenance electricians have to install wiring or other electrical devices and systems. Depending on the job, an electrician may need to use a power drill to pass a wire through a wall, through the floor, or into another room. It may also be needed to help attach electrical devices to a variety of different surfaces. Maintenance electricians should be mindful of what kind of drill and drill bit they need when dealing with different surfaces like cement or brick to make sure they are using the right one for the job.

Professionals with electrician certification may also need to use power saws for some jobs that require cutting through a client’s drywall or floorboards to install cables. There are a variety of different power saws available for maintenance electricians today, including spiral, reciprocating, and cut-off saws, to name just a few. Some can be cordless, and others may come fitted with powerful motors. Choosing between them may depend on which best meets your requirements, as well as your personal preferences.

Graduates of Electrician College Should Ensure They Have Electrical Testing Equipment

Electrical testing equipment is crucial to properly diagnosing electrical problems. A digital electrical testing device like a multimeter allows maintenance electricians to test things like current and voltage to help locate the cause of power fluctuations in an electrical circuit. Maintenance electricians can also use battery testers to check for faulty batteries, and to check if others still carry a charge.

Multimeters are considered one of the most important tools for electricians

Voltage detectors are important for maintenance electricians to carry for safety reasons as it lets them know whether power is still being run to the circuit. A good voltage tester can protect the maintenance electrician by indicating whether a wire or a circuit is live, usually by lighting up or by making a loud noise when slipped into an outlet.

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Modern households rely on the plug socket much more than in recent decades. Consider the phones, the large televisions, kitchen equipment, broadband routers, and many other things that are constantly plugged in throughout the average home. All of these devices require a vast amount of electricity to function, thus putting a tremendous strain on the wiring infrastructure of a house.

New homes are usually constructed to run on close to 200 amps, which is sufficient to deal with current electricity demand. Older houses could run on as little as 60 amps, which is well below the requirements of a modern household. House rewiring is a means of upgrading this infrastructure, and it’s a common feature of an electrician’s working life. Read on to take a closer look at what it involves.

The Signs that House Rewiring is Needed

Homeowners may spot particular problems with the electrical system, and need professionals with an electrician diploma to diagnose whether rewiring is the correct course of action to take. House lights are one of the easiest ways to spot a problem. Regular flickering or dimming of the bulbs means that the electricity system is under strain. Burning smells and excessive warmth on light switches are also worrying signs which need to be remedied.

Breaker panels are hubs which distribute power around the home, and they also hold tell-tale signs. A circuit overload occurs when too many heavy consumption devices are using electricity on the same circuit, causing breakers to trip. Rewiring allows the breaker panel to deal with electricity demand more effectively.

Tripping breakers are a sign that electrical circuits are overloaded

Aluminum wiring is also a source of concern for many electricians. This was commonly used in houses in the 60s and 70s, but is now seen as a safety hazard. Modernizing the wiring is a good opportunity to remove the potential for such danger in a household.

Electrician Training Teaches Students How to Rewire Correctly

Once it has been determined that a partial or full rewiring job is required, check whether building permits are needed for particularly big projects. When you have the go-ahead to start, turn off the electrical power in the house and make sure to wear high quality protective eyewear.

Rewiring should take place before any plastering, because channels may need to be routed in the walls to create new sockets or light switches. Once a malfunctioning wire has been located between the breaker panel and the desired location, carve a route to thread new wiring between the two locations. Leave behind 7-8 inches of additional wiring to complete the connection in the breaker panel at a later stage. The old wires can then be cut from the breaker box.

This process is then repeated numerous times depending on the scale of the job, before the circuit is finished, and connections are made to the breaker panel. A brand new breaker panel is also often recommended to increase the household’s amp capability.

The Importance of Carrying Out a Thorough Rewiring Job

Rewiring individual rooms, such as a kitchen, usually takes around two days. Small full-home projects take around four days to fully complete, while larger houses take even longer. Patience is vital when you become a maintenance electrician, because rewiring is a comprehensive task with long-term benefits.

Keep in mind that electricity demand in a house could potentially increase further, so future proofing is important. Consider whether the homeowner is likely to install more energy sapping equipment, and cater for that demand too. This will prevent the need for recurring rewiring jobs, and ensure client satisfaction as a result.

Cater for possible increases in future electricity use

Electrician training provides the skills to help modernize homes.

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Nothing says summertime like a great deck, but the amount of design and construction work that goes into the project can be taxing. There is the budget to consider, and what kind of square footage it allows for, as well as lighting, patio furniture, and other accoutrements. Clients will also need to determine a feasible location on their property that makes building the deck possible.

Constructing a deck requires a lot of expertise, and knowing how to go about making sure they’re stable and that the right materials are being used can ensure they’re built to last. Here are three important factors students in home renovation technician programs should consider whenever they start on a deck project.

Be Mindful of Your Building Foundation

Before digging and construction begins, you should consider the kind of foundation that you’re working with. For instance, your clients may want to build their deck on soils rich in clay. Clay soil tends to be weaker and may only be capable of supporting a weight of 680kg per square foot, and does not drain water very well.

Clay rich soil may also swell on rainier days, or shrink in dryer weather conditions, which can put the stability of a deck at risk by causing it to lift or drop. When erecting piers, you may also need to consider building in areas where there are less large rocks and stones, as removing or drilling through them could be more expensive.

When building on clay soil, be sure to pour your concrete mixture directly into the post holes you dig as soon as possible, as it will minimize the space between the piers and the soil and improve grip. As decks built on clay soil can also sink a little more each year, try to use a wider surface area than concrete footing so that weight can be evenly distributed.

Considering Wood and Composite Materials for the Decking Surface

Deciding between building a deck surface and railing with composite or wood material can be tough. Wood materials tend to be cheaper to install, but they need to be treated regularly so that they don’t crack. Mahogany and Western Red Cedar are good choices, because they can stand up to weather conditions and resist rot and termites. However, trade school graduates should inform their clients that maintenance of a wooden deck can be costly.

On the other hand, composite materials, like those with polyethylene plastic, do not require staining, painting, and sealing, but they could take longer and cost more to install than wood. Composite materials may also come with a warranty in case they split or splinter, which is great for clients. Ultimately, it’s up to the client to decide which materials to use, but your advice is always helpful.

Students in Construction School Learn About Building Codes

The blueprints for decking projects might need to follow certain building codes, all of which vary depending on the city or province. For example, the height of the rails on one-level decks can depend on the height of the deck’s surface above ground. The National Building Code of Canada requires decks with a height ranging from 24” to 5’, 10” to have 36” railings – anything higher needs 42” rails. You should also make sure that the distance between the bottom of the rail and the balusters that support them is no more than 4”.

Knowing these codes is paramount when you become a home renovation technician, and you’re likely to learn many of them in programs offered at North American Trade Schools. With the right training, you’ll know if a project meets the legal building requirements of each province.

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What does it take to be a great electrician? Being good with spatial work and mechanics can certainly help, and having an ability to work well in groups is valuable as well. There are other skills though, which you might not immediately associate with electrical work, that nonetheless deliver tremendous value in the right hands.

Curious about which surprising skills might prove useful to you in a future career as a construction electrician? Here are a few that can make a real difference.

Being Good at Basic Math is a Big Asset When You Become a Construction Electrician

You won’t be doing calculus as an electrician, but being good at basic math can give you a big leg up in your work. Measuring, addition and subtraction, working with basic formulas, and a number of other kinds of math may be required in the course of electrical work. There’s no rule against using calculators, of course, but having a good understanding of the math being done – or even being able to do some of it in your head for a quick estimate – could help you work more quickly.

Having a head for numbers can be an asset for electricians

Not normally a big fan of math? Unlike much of the math work you might have done growing up in school, the math you do when you become a construction electricianalmost always translates into something you can see – a length of wire, a particular angle in a layout, etc. This sort of practical problem solving can be far more satisfying than math as most people know it, and might even be a bit of fun once you’ve learned the ropes.

Skills in Reading and Interpretation Are Important Assets for Electricians

There are a number of technical documents, measurement tools, blueprints, and other things you will need to able to read and understand in electrical work. It takes a little practice to be able to interpret these correctly, but having a natural knack for reading can be a big help.

As with math, the kind of reading you’re doing here won’t be like what you did growing up. No dull novels or academic essays, just concise and instructional material that will inform your electrical work. You can learn everything you need to know about working from these sources of information at electrical school, so there’s no need to worry about being unfamiliar with them heading in to your career.

Developing the Ability to Seek Out Learning Can be a Great Asset in Electrician School and Beyond

Learning might seem like an unconscious phenomenon, but it can also be a skill. To be able to learn on an ongoing basis means being open to new ideas and willing to experiment with new tools and concepts, and not just assume you know what you need to know because of prior experience and education.

This is important to electrical work because the industry has changed before and will change again, and adaptable professionals will be better able to roll with the challenges and opportunities posed by these changes.

Develop a skill for lifelong learning for a great chance at career success

Partly, you can develop this skill by just keeping the same open attitude toward learning that you’ll have during school. You might also check in with your instructors to see if they have their own advice about how to go on learning throughout your career, since they’ll have many years of professional experience to draw advice from. However you approach it, finding a way to develop a skill for continual learning can be a secret weapon for success in electrician careers.

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To the average person, electricity is electricity. It all keeps the lights on, gets motors running, and performs thousands of other tasks at home, at work, and out in the world. Professionals with electrician training, though, know that there’s a bit more to the story, with significant differences existing between the electrical setups in different environments.

Want to get better acquainted with different electrical setups before you start your electrician training? Here’s a look at some of the differences between industrial and residential electricity.

Become a Maintenance Electrician and You’ll See How Powerful Industrial Electricity is

The main, and perhaps most obvious, difference between industrial and residential electricity is that industrial setups are usually far more powerful than the ones connected to a home. They use what is known as “three-phase electric power,” which allows a far greater amount of power – up to 600 volts – to be transmitted.

Single-phase electricity like you would get at home hits a maximum of 120 volts. The extra capacity allows for more to be done in an industrial setting, since big machines need a lot more power than your everyday stove or TV.

It also means amateur handymen should never work with industrial electrical setups. Instead, they should leave that kind of work to individuals who have received proper training at electrician school, both in how to work with the specific capabilities of industrial electricity and in the correct safety protocol for industrial work.

Electrician School Graduates Work With Specialized Equipment in Industrial Settings

Different kinds of components are required to enable and accommodate the difference in industrial electricity’s capabilities. One prime example is the industrial circuit breaker. It operates according to the same basic premise as a residential circuit breaker, set to trip and break off the flow of electricity when an overload is detected by the system.

The main difference is, of course, in the level of risk present when something goes wrong. With industrial and commercial electrical setups carrying a current that is many times more powerful than those designed for homes, it’s absolutely vital that the breakers be able to both handle much stronger loads and be able to work flawlessly in shutting down currents that are threatening to overload the system.

Specialized circuit breakers and other components are used in industrial electrical setups

To become a maintenance technician who is able to work in the industrial sector means becoming familiar with these and other specialty components. A good electrical training program will provide expert guidance and hands-on experience working in this area, ensuring graduates leave fluent in the skills and knowledge required in all sorts of electrical work.

Complexities in Industrial Electrical Costs Mean There’s Great Desire for Better Efficiency

Inefficient energy use means more cost for the same result, which is of course something that no client wants. Combine that with complexities present in the industrial energy pricing model, in which it is not just total energy usage that affects a bill, but also sometimes the maximum amount of power the client might draw at any one time, and the need to keep energy costs lower gains renewed importance.

Today, there are also other factors, like carbon taxation and other energy reduction measures, which might also place pressure on organizations to cut down on energy usage. By comparison, homeowners and renters tend to enjoy a relatively simple, consumption-based bill, and shouldn’t directly experience quite as much pressure to cut down.

What could this mean? For one thing, it’s likely that clients will see the value in acquiring the services of well-trained electrical technicians who can service their machinery, keep it running in tip-top shape, and keep energy costs as low as possible. Complete training that includes an education in industrial electricity, and you could be poised to take advantage of these opportunities.

Training in repairing industrial electrical equipment could help you meet demand for greater efficiency

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If you are considering pursuing maintenance electrician training, you already have the most important trait of a successful professional: the desire to learn and work in the industry! That being said, there are a number of other characteristics that individuals who work in this business tend to share, as they are good indicators of a capacity for success in important aspects of the trade.

What are these traits, and do they describe you? Read on to learn more about a few of them, how they help electricians excel in their training and careers.

1. Professionalism Goes a Long Way After Electrician Training

Although much of your work as an electrician will be hands-on and technical, overall professionalism is still an essential trait of successful electricians and students in maintenance electrician training. Depending on whether you are a student, an employee, or self-employed, professionalism may come in different forms.

For example, in electrician school, being punctual to class and turning in high quality work is a sign of professionalism, while a maintenance electrician may exhibit professionalism with well-organized invoices and paperwork. Professionalism demonstrates to your instructors, colleagues, and clients that you are reliable and serious about your work.

2. Safety-Conscious Individuals Thrive Through Maintenance Electrician Training

Maintenance electricians deal with potentially hazardous materials and equipment on a daily basis, both in their training and throughout their careers. This means that an awareness of and adherence to safety standards is incredibly important, as your own wellbeing and that of those around you is at stake. Safety is important not only in an electrician’s working behaviour, but also in the quality of the work they produce – mistakes and low-quality electrical work can pose electrocution and fire risks to clients.

A high level of respect for safety regulations is essential for success as a maintenance electrician

3. Clear Communication Skills Will Help Both You and Your Clients

Communications is incredibly important for both electricians and students in maintenance electrician training. Poor or unclear communication can result in misunderstandings between you and your clients or instructors, which in turn can lead to inaccurate work and mistakes.

Being an effective communicator will also enable you to explain important concerns and instructions regarding your electrical work to clients. Developing both your written and verbal skills during your electrician training will help you work more efficiently and effectively.

4. Being Eager to Learn is Vital for Students in Maintenance Electrician Training

Finally, one of the most important and visible traits that an aspiring maintenance electrician can have is an eagerness to acquire the knowledge and skills that come from training at a well-regarded trade school like NATS.

Pursuing formal training ensures that you have developed your skills to a high standard that has been assessed by professionals. Further, this training will give you access to instructors who have years of practical experience in the industry, and are therefore in a good position to give you technical and career advice. Armed with these resources, you can develop and improve on all of the most essential traits for success in your maintenance electrician career.

A high-quality education will connect you with instructors with valuable experience and insights

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Heading out on any new career path, it’s normal to have a level of curiosity about where that path will lead. You might wonder about what your responsibilities will be like, or what kinds of environments you can expect to work in, or have other important questions as you look forward to your coming future.

If you find yourself in this situation while considering a construction and maintenance electrician pre-apprenticeship program, take a look at this quick guide to a day in the life of an electrical technician. It should give you some decent answers to many of the common questions regarding this career path, and get you excited for your future.

Pros With Pre-Apprentice Maintenance Electrician Training Use Diagnostic Tools to Find Problems

As much as modern electronic technology offers many benefits, it also has this habit of breaking down in a way where the problem isn’t obvious. This means electrical technicians often spend a part of their day using diagnostic tools to try and locate where the problem lies in a faulty machine or electrical setup, so that it can later be fixed.

A couple of examples of the tools commonly used in this work include voltage testers, which verify whether voltage is present in wires, outlets, switches, or other electrical components, and circuit breaker finders, which identify which breaker controls an outlet. Several variants on these tools also exist, with each having slightly different capabilities and applications. You will get to learn about many of these different instruments, and how to correctly use them, when you begin your pre-apprentice maintenance electrician training.

Using diagnostic equipment to identify problems is an important part of working as an electrical technician

Electrical Technicians May do Repair or Maintenance Work on Electrical Systems

Once a problem has been identified within an electrical system, electrical technicians are frequently the ones called upon to fix it. The scope of this work can be quite wide, with many interesting challenges for qualified professionals to tackle. After your pre-apprenticeship program, your electrician career in construction could involve everything from fixing or replacing light fixtures, to redoing faulty wiring, maintaining or repairing motors in equipment, and many other interesting tasks.

Needless to say, there’s a lot of skill that goes into performing these tasks well, not the least of which is knowing how to complete the work safely. Attending a pre-apprenticeship program like the one at North American Trade Schools will give you the opportunity to learn repair and maintenance techniques hands-on. This can help ensure that by the time you enter the workforce, you know exactly how to keep yourself and others safe when working with electrical equipment and components. It’s a foundational skill that offers benefits to last a lifetime.

Learning how to do electrical repair work safely is crucial to success in the field

You May Have to Perform Inspections as a Maintenance Electrician

One of the most important parts of many electrical technicians’ days is performing inspections of electrical equipment and systems to ensure they are working as they are meant to. Any deficiencies that are noticed in the process of these inspections are typically noted down, and likely lead to diagnostic and repair work later on.

Inspections of this nature are critical. They might mean the difference between catching a problem early on and being confronted with an unexpected breakdown and scrambling to get it fixed. In Ontario, electrical inspections are mandatory for renovations, new construction, and in many industrial and business settings, meaning there is no shortage of this type of work out there.

Does working as an electrical technician sound appealing to you?

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