Around the world, some people consider electricians as not at par with some of the professional tradesmen. Looking closer, however, you would notice that electricians are actually running the world and are the front liners in today’s technological age of computers and everything goes digital.
Among all the craftsmen in today’s age, electricians have the knowledge of the rules and regulations to work in different industries. With this, they are capable of working side by side with power players.
With their presence, electrician Brisbane ensures that all the industries and businesses that need energy will work and continue to function. All of the world’s power sources (wind, sun, water, and nuclear energy) have all been converted to electricity to make it viable for use by man. Without electricity, which only electricians have the power to handle, everything stops.
Skills
The importance of electricians is measured by the support in the growth of all of the industries (construction, production of steel and other necessities, and the manufacturing and electrical power industries as well).
These professionals have acquired their expertise and skills through training and education. With their experience, they can interpret drawings and blueprints, and understand the electrical code specifications in their respective local areas.
As a whole, they are the ones with the skills to install, replace, and repair wirings, conduits, lighting, and other fixtures and components running on electricity.
Duties
In industrial sites, the electrician is entrusted with the installation of electrical power and its system at the complex. They are responsible for telecommunications, fire, and security systems complete with the appropriate electronic controls.
The main function of the job is to install the wiring, the servicing the electrical equipment after installing the equipment. There are additional work, additions changing something in the job already done, and the maintenance of equipment or repair work.
For electricians that work in the construction and maintenance industries, the major role is to maintain and replace older equipment. The new solar and wind power alternatives will also require the same installation services done by electricians.
Education and training
In becoming an industrial electrician, one must first be able to finish high school. The next phase to hurdle is the completion of a four-year apprenticeship program.
The requirement for such is at least 144 hours of technical training plus 2000 hours of paid on-the-job training. During such times, the candidate electrician will learn industrial electrical theory, blueprint reading, electrical code requirements, and safety and first-aid practices. The class training would also include such skills as soldering, communications, fire alarm systems, and elevators.
This will qualify the cadet-electrician to do both construction and maintenance work. (In Australia, every state has its own requirements to practice.)
Earning a license
After getting his license, the electrician is entitled to carry out all kinds of electrical installation work with no supervision. He would need to be registered, however, as an electrical contractor.
This is if he wants to carry out electrical installation work by contract or offers to contract such.
Like most countries in the world (with some minor differences in details) Australia requires strict regulations when doing electrical work involving fixed wiring. This type of work is almost always performed by a licensed electrician or electrical contractor.
More licensing
Moreover, an electrician must also be licensed as a telecommunications cable provider. This is supervised and controlled by the Australian communications and media industry. In practice, licensing in Australia is also regulated by each individual state.
There are several types of work handled by the local electrician. This includes work that involves electricity that includes air conditioning, safety switches, lighting fixtures and installations, smoke alarm installations, inspections, certification, and testing of electrical appliances.
REC status
As an electrician classified as A Class, he can perform unsupervised work. He cannot work, however, for profit or gain without further qualifications as a Registered Electrical Contractor (REC).
He can work however if he is under the employment of someone who holds a REC status (with some exemptions). He needs to submit a certificate of electrical safety to the relevant body after any electrical work had been finished.
Safety equipment
For electricians, there is also mandatory strict regulatory guidance and the regular testing of all the safety equipment (including the gloves and mats) they wear at work. This is to make sure that they are well protected as a worker. The test is the high-risk nature of the electrician. This is done regularly but is different from state to state.
The industry best practice is the Queensland Electrical Safety Act of 2002 which requires testing every six months.
Maintenance
The part of the installation of electrical systems can take some time for the electricians, and it is only a one-time task. However, systems break down, and wear and tear increases with the passing of time.
Regularly scheduled electrical maintenance work is essential and it is a very important part of an electrical project. Aside from escalating into long-term issues, maintenance is a necessity where large electrical bills and reconstruction work expenses escalate.
Maintenance
For homes, a licensed electrician is the only one that carries out electrical maintenance. They are entrusted to make a residential electrical system safe and efficient.
Wiring repairs, switchboard maintenance, lighting tests, smoke detector tests, and PowerPoint testing, are some of the common services they do.
Electricians are also duty-bound to fully inspect a residence and provide advice to the inhabitants on electrical repairs. There might also be other services like replacements or upgrades that may be required.
All of these measures are to prevent malfunctions don’t happen again and make the residence safe.
Concerns
The possibility of electrical faults can turn into devastating mishaps and can be fatal. These electrical emergencies can be properly avoided with adequate and regular electrical maintenance.
Electricians will need to have a thorough inspection of faulty outlets, appliances, lighting fixtures, heaters, outdated wiring, and extension cords. They are the best qualified to check and pinpoint the critical areas where hazards can happen, like fire, and other mishaps.
It is the electricians who are always on the lookout for household appliances, outlets, and extension devices that can malfunction. Exposed wires may come in contact with these and cause electrocution. They make sure that there are no cracks or faults with the electrics.
Electricians are also mandated to do critical checks on points in the wiring that can cause electrical surges. The use of high voltages on appliances and lighting can cause irreversible damage.
These can be solved by installing surge arrestors to protect not just the appliances by also the whole electrical network.