What is electrical work?
Probably the most common thing
people think of when they hear the term “electrical work” is the installation
of wiring and electrical appliances or machinery in residential or
commercial/industrial buildings. Basically, it’s the work done by licensed electricians.
It may also include connecting the electrically-wired building/facility to the
power grid, with circuit breakers and energy-usage meters used for monitoring
and billing.
The word “work” doesn’t always refer to “Joules” or “Kilowatt-hours” of energy. Sometimes, it simply refers to the effort done by humans (in this case, by electricians) to “get the job done” and to earn a living. It’s typically measured in “man-hours” (or “labor hours” in modern language) and billed on that basis.
Electric field work is the work
performed by an electric field on a charged particle in its vicinity. A charged
particle located within the influence of an electric field experiences an
interaction that is formally equivalent to other work by force fields in
physics. The electric field performs work on the particle.
What makes a good Electrician?
During a career change decision
process, it is important to consider your personality traits and existing skill
base. Before opting for a career in the electrical trade, you should consider
whats makes a good electrician and evaluate whether this fits with you.
Of course, technical skill is the
most essential aspect of the job, but this can be acquired through the right
training. To help you figure out whether electrical work is the right career
path for you, we’ve outlined some of the other key traits that make a
successful electrician.
Hard skills for the electrical trade
As we’ve noted, technical skill
is a vital part of working as an electrician, but there are also a number of
other hard skills that will equip you to excel at the job. Here, we’ll focus on
just two hard skills that are required to succeed in the electrical trade:
mathematics and problem-solving skills.
Mathematics, physics, and algebra
Whether it’s taking measurements
or calculating power and voltages, mathematics is key to nearly everything an
electrician does. Whilst many jobs require a basic understanding of maths,
physics, and algebra, electricians need a greater understanding of these
subjects. For example, it’s important to master Ohm’s Law, which every
electrician needs to work out current, voltage, and resistance.
Problem-solving skills
Arguably one of the most
important skills an electrician must possess is problem-solving. A typical
working day for an electrician often consists of diagnosing and repairing
electrical issues from anywhere between blown fuses to re-wiring a whole house.
Furthermore, whilst on call, you will be solely responsible for responding to
issues and, more often than not, will involve thinking outside-the-box.
Soft skills needed by Electricians
For the most part, the work
carried out by electricians takes place in social environments. Particularly if
you work as a domestic electrician, you’ll need to be good at working with
others, managing your time, communicating effectively, and maintaining great
client relationships through an honest and patient approach.
Working with others
Whilst working on the job,
electricians will need to work with a whole range of people such as homeowners,
project managers and estimators. Whether it’s keeping customers up to date with
project developments or working alongside other contractors, effective people
skills are essential in their role. Making customers feel comfortable and
reassured, especially during a time of crisis, is a great ability to have.
Time management
Whilst nearly every job requires
you to have some understanding of time management, this becomes even more
relevant for an electrician – especially when working as a larger part of a
team. Often, employers will need accurate estimates for things such as labour
and cost, therefore an electricians ability to predict both of these whilst
sticking to a strict schedule is a must-have skill.
Communication skills
Communication skills are very important
as a certified electrician. Whether you’re an experienced electrician, leading
a team of younger members or just starting off in your career – communication
is key. On the job, you will be expected to understand the importance of
providing excellent customer service, manage interactions with businesses and
organisations, and relay any unexpected roadblocks upon fixing them.
Simply put, honesty means
communicating the challenges being faced and then working to resolve those
challenges. There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to electrical
issues. Each client is different and has different needs. As an electrician, it
is vital to always remain honest about what’s going on and keep the client up
to date.
Patience is a key element of
success in the workplace. In some situations, the reality of the electrical
issues you’re called out to fix could be worse than the description you were
given. Equally, you may meet people who are difficult to work with or for.
Remaining calm and professional will help you think through problems logically
and ease any worry from clients.
6 Things to look for when searching for a commercial Electrician
There are other qualities anyone who is looking to hire an electrician should be looking for. These traits can often be the difference between having a project that runs smoothly or having to manage an absolute disaster.
Here are some of the top
qualities business owners and managers should be looking for when hiring a
commercial electrician:
1. Reliability
This is one of the most important
traits those who run businesses should be looking for when hiring an electrician.
You want someone who shows up on time and performs the tasks assigned to them
as scheduled. Reviews from past clients are one of the ways to figure out how
reliable an electrician is.
2. Effective communication skills
A commercial electrician needs to
work with people from all walks of life from project managers to inspectors. A
good electrician knows how to effectively communicate with the person hiring
them and their staff. Good communication includes updating the client about any
progress made or obstacles that arise.
Electricians are typically called to commercial facilities when something has gone wrong. A good electrician should be able to communicate clearly even when tension and stress levels are high.
3. Problem-solving skills
One of the most important skills
an electrician should have is being able to solve complex and simple problems
alike. Some projects require an electrician to work alone, so you want someone
who will be able to come up with effective solutions if obstacles come up as
they work on the project.
4. Professionalism
Most business owners and managers
work on a tight schedule and they want things ready on time. Hiring a
professional that has good time management skills increases the odds of
deadlines being met. That typically leads to savings for the client since a
project going past the due date often leads to higher labor costs. A project
not being completed on time can also extend the time the business owner is
unable to serve their clients.
5. Attention to detail
Electricians need to pay close
attention when working on projects to ensure the work done meets local building
codes and regulations. Paying attention to detail also helps to keep everyone
at the job site safe.
6. Business acumen
Many tradespeople like electricians
develop business skills as they interact with clients from all walks of life. A
good electrician should have some understanding of business practices such as
strategic planning and inventory tracking.
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