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In new building construction, the work of an electrician is to ensure that all the electrical wires and cables are properly installed. It is mandatory under the law that only qualified electricians should handle the wiring of electrically equipped buildings, whether residential, commercial or industrial. When installing electrical systems, electricians are required to work with blueprints that specify the locations of load centers, panel boards, circuits, outlets and other electrical equipment. Electricians have to work in conformity with the National Electrical Code and the state and local building codes.

Nature Of Work

While installing wiring systems, electricians place conduits in the walls, partitions and concealed areas, as per instructions in the blue prints. They fasten small metal or plastic boxes to walls for housing electrical switches and outlets and pull insulated wires and cables through the conduits to complete the electrical circuits between these boxes. They join the wires and cables in the boxes using special connecters. In course of their work, the electricians have to use tools like screwdrivers, wire strippers, hacksaws, conduit benders, knives and power tools like drills and saws.

The work of electricians who specialize in maintenance consists primarily of repair and the maintenance of electrical equipment and upgrading existing electrical systems. The actual work would vary, depending on where the electrician is employed. For example, in a home they may be required to rewire, remove an old circuit box or replace the existing one to accommodate additional equipment and install new fans. Maintenance electricians working in factories may need to repair transformers, generators, motors, machine tools and electronic controllers.

Working Conditions

Electricians have to work indoors and outdoors. Their work may take them to factories, homes, offices and construction sites. At times, the work may be physically demanding, such as bending conduits, stooping, standing and kneeling for long hours. They are exposed to weather conditions that at times could be quite inhospitable. In their course of work, electricians are exposed to the risk of injury from electrical shock, cuts and falls. To avoid these, they have to adhere to strict safety procedures.

Weekly Working Hours

Electricians work forty hours a week, but many do work overtime. Those attached to maintenance and repairs in factories are required to travel to the worksites at any time of the day or night, in case of an emergency.

Training And Qualifications

Most electricians are trained via apprentice programs that offer a combination of on-the-job-training and classroom instruction. The apprentice programs are sponsored by the local chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors and the Independent Electrical Contractor's Association or the joint training committees, comprising of local unions of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and local chapters of the National Electrical Contractors Association.

Applicants to the apprentice programs must be at least eighteen years of age and possess a G.E.D. or a high school diploma.

Earnings

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2004 electricians recorded median hourly earnings of $20.33. The lowest and highest figures for the hourly earnings for electricians were $12.18 and $33.63, respectively.

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Electrician Courses Can Lead to an Exciting Career

By:James Copper

If you love things that are complicated and you like to work with your hands, then you just might enjoy a job as an electrician.

Electrician courses are offered through a number of vocational schools to individuals who wish to break into the industry. Why would someone wish to break into this industry? Well, it's because there is a lot of earning potential and an electrician can work for a number of different companies.

For instance, the electrician may work for a construction company. They will install the wiring as a part of the construction process. There are also companies such as railroads that need to have electricians on staff to take care of the many electrical issues that may come about. A person may even work as an electrician at a factor or at a plant. These are structures that have a lot of electricity running through them and problems can come about. It can sometimes pay to have an electrician on the staff instead of having to call someone in from an outside source.

And then there is a job with the power company. This can be an exciting career because you never know what is going to happen next. It is true that you can be having dinner with your family and be called out to take care of a fallen power line, but the earning potential is incredible. If you're called out, you are paid more money.

Then again, you may decide that you wish to break out on your own. You can start your own electrician business where individuals can call you to fix their electrical problems and they pay you when they are done. Construction companies may call you if they don't have their own electrician and the same goes for businesses that don't have an electrician on staff.

Being that electricity is not going anywhere soon, it really pays to take electrician courses. As long as there is electricity, electricians are going to be in high demand. It doesn't matter if you're an independent electrician, one working for a business, or working for another entity, you're going to be able to make quite a bit of cash and it is a very rewarding career.

As for where you can take these courses, there are vocational programs available for individuals to take. Look for vocational schools close to your area and look into their electrician program. You'll find that these programs are usually quite affordable. They last for a certain amount of time, so you may have to pay a fee or, if you opt to take longer courses, you may find that you can get some sort of financial aid while in your training. It really depends on if you want a certificate or if you want an actual diploma. There is a considerable difference. Having a diploma means that you have received more training than the guy with the certificate. Certificate training means that a lot of the basics were covered, which is still great. What degree of training you receive is totally up to you.