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What does the day-to-day look like as an electrician?
I am a student at Job Corps and am going to be studying facility maintenance, hopefully will then move on to become a journeyman.
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Bill’s Answer
Hi Pamela!
My father was an electrician so I have some knowledge on this field. I also consulted him when answering this question. Please see below.
Electricians usually start their days around 7am at the “gang box”, which is a colloquial term in construction for the tool box with all of the materials needed for the project. When the electrician is called in to install the wiring for a building, the structure is usually halfway complete.
To start the day, the electrician must review the blueprints of the project to see where the circuit boards and outlets will go. Electricians are required to know national and regional building codes, and must use this knowledge when assessing the blueprints of the building. When doing this, they ensure that the blueprints stay within these codes before proceeding.
After reviewing the blueprints, electricians will go over marching orders and delegate tasks to each person working. They will also review safety requirements for the project to ensure successful completion of the day’s job.
When all the information has been assessed from the blueprints and the plan for the day is assigned, the electrician goes to work installing wires into the building’s foundation using tools such as hacksaws, wire strippers, and drills. Depending on the project, the amount of time it takes to install wires varies. Sometimes it takes several days, and other times the project can be completed in just a few hours.
Afternoons
Midway through the day, electricians will take a lunch break, and regroup after to continue the day’s project.
After the installation, the electrician tests the wires and sockets involved in the project to make sure all is running smoothly.
He/she should then have a supervisor review the project before packing up and ending the day to ensure that the work will meet client expectations. At the end of the day, the group meets back at the gang box, returns all materials, and reviews the stock list for the next day to make sure the group has all of the necessary materials for the job.
After reviewing the items needed for the next day and week ahead, electricians will order anything missing that they will need for certain projects.
An average day typically ends around 3:30 pm.
There is also a lot of problem solving that goes into these projects, which an electrician can expect on any given day. For example, if a blueprint does not meet national or regional requirements, electricians must adapt to make sure they install wiring that meets the codes. Also, if circuits do not work, electricians must identify and correct the problem right away to ensure that the work will meet the client’s needs. Most days are very structured, but there are also opportunities for an electrician to be able to meet new challenges each day!
My father was an electrician so I have some knowledge on this field. I also consulted him when answering this question. Please see below.
Electricians usually start their days around 7am at the “gang box”, which is a colloquial term in construction for the tool box with all of the materials needed for the project. When the electrician is called in to install the wiring for a building, the structure is usually halfway complete.
To start the day, the electrician must review the blueprints of the project to see where the circuit boards and outlets will go. Electricians are required to know national and regional building codes, and must use this knowledge when assessing the blueprints of the building. When doing this, they ensure that the blueprints stay within these codes before proceeding.
After reviewing the blueprints, electricians will go over marching orders and delegate tasks to each person working. They will also review safety requirements for the project to ensure successful completion of the day’s job.
When all the information has been assessed from the blueprints and the plan for the day is assigned, the electrician goes to work installing wires into the building’s foundation using tools such as hacksaws, wire strippers, and drills. Depending on the project, the amount of time it takes to install wires varies. Sometimes it takes several days, and other times the project can be completed in just a few hours.
Afternoons
Midway through the day, electricians will take a lunch break, and regroup after to continue the day’s project.
After the installation, the electrician tests the wires and sockets involved in the project to make sure all is running smoothly.
He/she should then have a supervisor review the project before packing up and ending the day to ensure that the work will meet client expectations. At the end of the day, the group meets back at the gang box, returns all materials, and reviews the stock list for the next day to make sure the group has all of the necessary materials for the job.
After reviewing the items needed for the next day and week ahead, electricians will order anything missing that they will need for certain projects.
An average day typically ends around 3:30 pm.
There is also a lot of problem solving that goes into these projects, which an electrician can expect on any given day. For example, if a blueprint does not meet national or regional requirements, electricians must adapt to make sure they install wiring that meets the codes. Also, if circuits do not work, electricians must identify and correct the problem right away to ensure that the work will meet the client’s needs. Most days are very structured, but there are also opportunities for an electrician to be able to meet new challenges each day!
Wow, you really went above and beyond! Thank you, I greatly appreciate your detailed reply. It does sound like a lot of work, but I'm sure it just takes some adjusting. If you could give thanks to your father as well for the help! Hope you have a great day! :)
Pamela
Updated
Stephen’s Answer
It depends on the type of electrician you chose to be.
There’s construction electrician which has deadlines but a lot of leeway for completing the job in a timely manner depending on the employer and job deadlines. They build things exclusively only fixing or modifying what’s already been built in a new structure.
Service electrician goes out to fox stuff as It breaks and for addons to existing structures. They will drive a truck stocked with material but will be usually running around town to pick up material and get things done.
Maintenance electrician is like A service electrician but in a fixed location usually. Sometimes called out in off hours. (Service is like this too.) maintenance has some down times but will also be tasked with new projects or addons to an existinf facility.
There’s construction electrician which has deadlines but a lot of leeway for completing the job in a timely manner depending on the employer and job deadlines. They build things exclusively only fixing or modifying what’s already been built in a new structure.
Service electrician goes out to fox stuff as It breaks and for addons to existing structures. They will drive a truck stocked with material but will be usually running around town to pick up material and get things done.
Maintenance electrician is like A service electrician but in a fixed location usually. Sometimes called out in off hours. (Service is like this too.) maintenance has some down times but will also be tasked with new projects or addons to an existinf facility.
Thank you for your reply, it's really fascinating that there are so many different kinds of electricians. :)
Pamela
This applies to all manner of trades but electricians and plumbers seem to carry the most weight because the lack of or presence of electricity and water affects modern day to day activities. Another important role included in the Electrician field is lineman, who gets paid a little better than an electrician but is limited to the amount of freelance work they can do because of government regulations
Stephen Van Dusen