How To Become An Electrician? (5 Easy To Follow Steps)

Contents

#1 Study the Role of an Electrician

Learning How To Become An Electrician is the first step on your road toward becoming an electrician. Obviously, this is going to change based on the tasks your company gives you. Construction, both at homes and businesses, is one such example. Codes and duties will vary amongst the various systems. Find a way to include things that make you happy into your job. Given that you could spend the rest of your life in this line of work, it’s important to make sure it’s something you’re enthusiastic about.

Most of these questions need to be answered with a positive YES from you.

Do I take pleasure in manual labor?
Do I love outdoor labor?
Is it possible that I could handle working in tight quarters?
Can I get by with a ladder or aerial lift for much of the day?
In your opinion, am I afraid of heights?
Do I think it would be fun to acquire a new skill?
Does working with other people appeal to me?

However, the typical duties include:

Complying with all applicable local, state, and federal electrical rules, standards, and regulations throughout installation, repairs, and maintenance.
To use a wide range of testing instruments for detecting and diagnosing faults of various kinds such as finding circuit breakers.
Familiarity with the standard instruments, materials, and supplies used in the electrical industry.
Competence in all applicable electrical utility codes, standards, and laws.
The ability to operate safely and effectively for long periods of time while standing on a ladder.
High levels of hand-eye coordination especially when working with fiddly appliances like USB wall outlets, light switch timers, and GFCI receptacle outlets.

Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Having the ability to pass a criminal record check, a drug test, and a physical aptitude exam.
You need a driver’s license to drive here.

#2 Get the Right Education

Participating in a training program is the greatest approach to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge. I’m close with the local Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) reps. You need to become involved with an apprenticeship immediately. In my experience, it is challenging to teach an apprentice the technical aspects of the trade while out in the field. Things go wrong, as when your boss makes you work overtime or when the deadline for the project is moved forward.

These are only some of the issues that arise when a master electrician tries to instruct a newcomer. Easy-to-learn skills include changing a light bulb or wiring a new outlet. It may be quite challenging to instruct students in the “Why” behind mathematical calculations. I am a master electrician, but even I don’t know everything.

Without the pressure of a deadline or the anxiety of making mistakes, an electrician in a classroom environment may learn anything from how to measure wire to how to name your lines (with a decent label maker).

This industry is constantly growing as a result of several building initiatives. Also, as time passes, electrical systems in homes, businesses, and factories all become less efficient and need to be updated or altered. Check out my recommended reading for an electrical reference guide to get you started on your path.

~~~VERY IMPORTANT INFO ~~~

In the real world, there isn’t enough time for a master electrician to train an apprentice in all the necessary technical abilities.

Keep in mind that your manager cares about your professional development since it reflects well on him and helps his company earn a higher salary. Don’t be reluctant to ask questions if you have them. Do it while you’re eating lunch or before you head to the office. Engage your inquisitive side and probe for the reasoning behind his actions. The website www.IECI.org has further information on the IEC.

Private Electrical Contractors

In the United States, the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training recognizes the IEC as an approved electrician apprenticeship program. They adhere to established, standardized patterns that have been recognized on a national level. There is an apprenticeship that lasts four years. Some of the most important details and fantastic advantages are detailed here.

The courses are taught by a professional electrician.
They work during the day and go to school at night.
During their internship, students work under the watchful eye of a Journeyman electrician.
There will be consistent raises in pay over the duration of the program.
Graduates can apply for one of a limited number of accessible scholarship opportunities to finance their further study.
High school grads can earn up to 37 transferable college credits.

Qualifications:

The minimum age requirement is 18.
Required education level is equivalent to a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
You really need transportation to and from your job or school.
Valid driver’s license and Social Security card
Achieved a negative result on a drug test and background check
If hired, the candidate is responsible for providing his own equipment (to check out electrician tools list)

Cost and Tuition:

$25 application fee
$50 registration fee upon acceptance
1st year – 1,000 hours of on the job training $0.37 per hour for each hour worked
1st year – Next 1,000 hours $0.41 cents per hour for each hour worked
2nd year – $0.49 cents per hour for each hour worked
3rd year – $0.56 cents per hour for each hour worked
4th year – $0.64 cents per hour for each hour worked

#3 Get To It

Just diving in with both feet is the surest way to learn the ropes. Get to work right now! Learning on the job is essential in this field. You’ll be called an assistant once you start working for an electrical contractor. A journeyman electrician will have an assistant to aid him with the routine tasks given to him by the project manager or Master Electrician. In your first year, you may anticipate performing routine tasks.

The majority of assistants work on the crews that do electrical work, such as running wire, installing light fixtures, and setting up surge protectors for washing machines. You’ll be sorting through a large quantity of cables to locate the specific wires you need (this is significantly easier when you use one of the best tone generator and probe kits available).

On top of that, a shovel will replace your dominant hand. In order to prepare for the installation of new underground conduits, the job description for new employees includes digging and cleaning out ditches. You’ll also be responsible for delivering supplies. It may not seem like it, but this is actually rather necessary work. Wear a pair of electrician’s pants that are both durable and comfy; you don’t want to spend the day in discomfort.

A great electrician tool belt, good electrician vest or a decent electrician tool backpack may be a HUGE help when you need to lug about a lot of gear. You may also use a special cart designed for electricians if you’d prefer not lug around all of your gear by hand.

Discover the many tools and supplies an electrician employs on a regular basis. When you’ve shown yourself and gained the respect of your superiors, a Journeyman may entrust you with more complex jobs like as helping to build a panel, installing a generator, or setting up a constant flow of electricity. In a lot of those cases, you’ll want to grab an excellent electricians multimeter. The more sophisticated training for an electrician’s career begins now. Being able to claim you helped build a house or other structure is a great accomplishment.

#4 Outline The Certification And Licensing Standards In Your Own State

Different jurisdictions have varying necessities for licensing and certification. In the state of Texas, for instance, you can’t begin working as an apprentice until you’ve applied for and received the necessary apprenticeship license. If you’re unsure whether or not a license is necessary, contact the appropriate municipal government.

Be cautious to record all of your job experience when applying for professional licenses. For most advanced licenses, you must have have put in some time in the field, at least in some cities and states. Common practice equates 1 year of labor to 1,000 hours of experience.

To apply for a Journeyman license in the state of Texas, you need to have logged at least four thousand hours in the field. This is why it’s crucial that you preserve copies of all your pay stubs and other relevant work documents. In order to sit for the state master’s test in Texas, you must first possess a Journeyman license for at least two years and provide documentation of at least two thousand hours of work.

#5 Study the Electrical Code.

NFPA 70: National Electrical Code 2017

The National Electrical Code is used as a standard by most agencies with authority and electrical inspectors (NEC). One is located at: NEC 2017 (NFPA 70) (Please note that if you make a purchase after clicking one of our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.) You’ll need to learn if the NEC, state code, county code, or city code is in effect. Learn the regional codes that will be used. Discover which code year has been selected by the regional government as well.

Note: Please be aware that it is not necessary for you to fully grasp the code.

Because of its length and the fact that it was authored by attorneys and other authorities, this tome might be difficult to decipher. Understanding how to use the Index is the single most useful skill you can pick up. Every rule and exception will be included in the Index so you can easily find them.

In addition, it points you in the direction of the relevant code. Knowing how to do this well is crucial because the majority of the advanced license test may be done with reference materials. An applicant can consult his or her own personal codebook. The Codebook is a massive volume, and without the Index, it would take a very long time to look up a single code. Another common feature of exams is a time restriction for the candidate to complete the examination. Because of this, knowing your way through the codebook’s index is one of the most useful skills you can have.

Conclusion

The typical duties of an electrician include: Complyying with all applicable local, state, and federal electrical rules, standards, and regulations throughout installation, repairs, and maintenance. High levels of hand-eye coordination especially when working with fiddly appliances like USB wall outlets, light switch timers, and GFCI receptacle outlets. Having the ability to pass a criminal record check, a drug test, and a physical aptitude exam. Without the pressure of a deadline or the anxiety of making mistakes, an electrician in a classroom environment may learn anything from how to measure wire to how to name your lines. Easy-to-learn skills include changing a light bulb or wiring a new outlet.

Students can apply for a Journeyman electrician internship and earn up to 37 transferable college credits. The minimum age requirement is 18, the minimum education level is equivalent to a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED). The majority of assistants work on crews that do electrical work, such as running wire, installing light fixtures, and setting up surge protectors for washing machines.

Content Summary:

How To Become An Electrician is the first step on your road toward becoming an electrician.
Obviously, this is going to change based on the tasks your company gives you.
Construction, both at homes and businesses, is one such example.
Codes and duties will vary amongst the various systems.
Find a way to include things that make you happy into your job.
Given that you could spend the rest of your life in this line of work, it’s important to make sure it’s something you’re enthusiastic about.
Most of these questions need to be answered with a positive YES from you.
However, the typical duties include: Complying with all applicable local, state, and federal electrical rules, standards, and regulations throughout installation, repairs, and maintenance.
To use a wide range of testing instruments for detecting and diagnosing faults of various kinds such as finding circuit breakers.
Familiarity with the standard instruments, materials, and supplies used in the electrical industry.
Competence in all applicable electrical utility codes, standards, and laws.
The ability to operate safely and effectively for long periods of time while standing on a ladder.
High levels of hand-eye coordination especially when working with fiddly appliances like USB wall outlets, light switch timers, and GFCI receptacle outlets.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Having the ability to pass a criminal record check, a drug test, and a physical aptitude exam.
You need a driver’s license to drive here.
Participating in a training program is the greatest approach to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge.
Easy-to-learn skills include changing a light bulb or wiring a new outlet.
It may be quite challenging to instruct students in the “Why” behind mathematical calculations.
Without the pressure of a deadline or the anxiety of making mistakes, an electrician in a classroom environment may learn anything from how to measure wire to how to name your lines (with a decent label maker).
This industry is constantly growing as a result of several building initiatives.
Also, as time passes, electrical systems in homes, businesses, and factories all become less efficient and need to be updated or altered.
Check out my recommended reading for an electrical reference guide to get you started on your path.
In the real world, there isn’t enough time for a master electrician to train an apprentice in all the necessary technical abilities.
Keep in mind that your manager cares about your professional development since it reflects well on him and helps his company earn a higher salary.
Don’t be reluctant to ask questions if you have them.
Do it while you’re eating lunch or before you head to the office.
Engage your inquisitive side and probe for the reasoning behind his actions.
The website www.IECI.org has further information on the IEC.
Private Electrical Contractors In the United States, the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training recognizes the IEC as an approved electrician apprenticeship program.
They adhere to established, standardized patterns that have been recognized on a national level.
There is an apprenticeship that lasts four years.
Some of the most important details and fantastic advantages are detailed here.
The courses are taught by a professional electrician.
They work during the day and go to school at night.
During their internship, students work under the watchful eye of a Journeyman electrician.
There will be consistent raises in pay over the duration of the program.
Graduates can apply for one of a limited number of accessible scholarship opportunities to finance their further study.
High school grads can earn up to 37 transferable college credits.
Qualifications: The minimum age requirement is 18.
Required education level is equivalent to a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
You really need transportation to and from your job or school.
Valid driver’s license and Social Security card Achieved a negative result on a drug test and background check If hired, the candidate is responsible for providing his own equipment (to check out electrician tools list)
Cost and Tuition: $25 application fee $50 registration fee upon acceptance 1st year – 1,000 hours of on the job training $0.37 per hour for each hour worked 1st year – Next 1,000 hours $0.41 cents per hour for each hour worked 2nd year – $0.49 cents per hour for each hour worked 3rd year – $0.56 cents per hour for each hour worked 4th year – $0.64 cents per hour for each hour worked
Learning on the job is essential in this field.
You’ll be called an assistant once you start working for an electrical contractor.
A journeyman electrician will have an assistant to aid him with the routine tasks given to him by the project manager or Master Electrician.
In your first year, you may anticipate performing routine tasks.
The majority of assistants work on the crews that do electrical work, such as running wire, installing light fixtures, and setting up surge protectors for washing machines.
You’ll be sorting through a large quantity of cables to locate the specific wires you need (this is significantly easier when you use one of the best tone generator and probe kits available).
On top of that, a shovel will replace your dominant hand.