Electrician 196141 224080688 2008-07-07T05:52:54Z 125.63.3.14 /* Terminology */ {{for|theatrical electricians|Electrician (theater)}} [[Image:Tvaelectrician.jpg|[[Tennessee Valley Authority|TVA]] electricians, Tennessee, 1942.|200px|right|thumb]] An '''electrician''' is a [[tradesman]] specializing in electrical wiring of buildings and related equipment. Electricians may be employed in the installation of new electrical components or the maintenance and repair of existing electrical infrastructure.<ref>{{citebook|title=Electrician|author=Roger Jones|publisher= Trotman Publishing|year=2004|id=ISBN 0856609978}}</ref> ==Terminology== In the United States electricians are sometimes referred to as Inside Wireman as opposed to Outside [[lineman (occupation)|Linemen]] who work on electric utility company [[electricity distribution|distribution]] systems at higher voltages. "Electrician" is also used as the name of a role in [[stagecraft]], where electricians are tasked primarily with hanging, focusing, and operating [[stage lighting]]. In this context, the [[Master Electrician]] is the show's chief electrician. Although [[Electrician (theater)|theater electricians]] routinely perform electrical work on stage lighting instruments and equipment, they are not part of the electrical trade and have a different set of skills and qualifications from the electricians that work on building wiring. In the [[United Kingdom]], and Australia "spark" or "sparkie" is slang term for an electrician. == Training and regulation of trade == [[Image:Electrician Working.jpg|thumb|200px|An electrician hooking up a generator to a home's electrical panel.]] In most countries, the job of an electrician is a regulated trade for safety reasons due to the many [[electric shock|hazards]] of working with electricity, requiring testing, registration, or licensing. Licensing of electricians is controlled through government and/or professional societies. ===United States=== In the United States licensing requirements for construction work are controlled by local building officials. Typically, certain types of electrical work are only [[License|permitted]] to be performed by a Journeyman or Master electrician. The requirements for becoming a journeyman or master electrician, and the types of work they are permitted to do, vary between states; however, there are often interstate reciprocity agreements. Not all states offer a statewide journeyman or master electrician license. Before electricians are allowed to work without supervision, they are usually required to serve an [[apprenticeship]] lasting from 3 to 5 years under the general supervision of a [[Master tradesman|Master]] Electrician and usually the direct supervision of a [[Journeyman]] Electrician. Schooling in electrical theory and electrical building codes is usually required to complete the apprenticeship program. A Journeyman electrician is a well rounded [[artisan|craftsman]] trained in all phases of electrical construction installation in various building styles and maintenance of equipment after installation. A Journeyman is usually permitted to perform all types of electrical work except design of electrical systems<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =West Virginia Journeyman Electrician | work = | publisher =American Contractors Exam Services | date = | url =http://www.examprep.org/infodialog/15.html | format = | doi = | accessdate =2007-06-30 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Requirements to apply for an Electrician Certificate | work = | publisher = | date = | url =http://www.lni.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/Electrical/LicenseExamEd/LicenseCert/Electrician/default.asp | format = | doi = | accessdate =2007-06-30 }}</ref>. A Master Electrician must first be a Journeyman and usually has a minimum of two years more experience and has to pass further testing. A Master Electrician is further trained in layout, estimation, and design of electrical installations. Certification usually requires experience and a passing score on a written test. The written test usually includes questions about the [[National Fire Protection Association|NFPA's]] [[National Electrical Code]], and load calculations. ==Trade Organizations== Many unions represent electricians such as the [[International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers]]; the International Union of Electronic, Electrical, Salaried, Machine, and Furniture Workers; [[International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers]]; [[United Auto Workers]]; and the [[United Steelworkers]].<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Electricians | work =Electricians | publisher =US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics | date =2006-08-04 | url =http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos206.htm | format = | doi = | accessdate =2007-06-30 }}</ref><br>Many merit-shop training and apprenticeship programs also exist, including those offered by such as trade associations as [http://www.abc.org Associated Builders and Contractors] and [http://www.ieci.org Independent Electrical Contractors.] These organizations provide comprehensive training, in accordance with with U.S. Department of Labor regulations, for this challenging but fulfilling career.<br>http://www.bls.gov/k12/build06.htm ==See also== *[[Best boy]] *[[Building code]] *[[Circuit breaker]] *[[Distribution board|Circuit breaker panel]] *[[Domestic AC power plugs and sockets]] *[[Electrician (theater)]] *[[Electricity]] *[[Electric light]] *[[Electric switch]] *[[Electrical wiring]] *[[Fire safety]] *[[Industrial & multiphase power plugs & sockets]] *[[International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers]] *[[Moritz Volz]] - A German [[Football (soccer)|footballer]] nicknamed "The Electrician" *[[Lineman (occupation)]] *[[National Electrical Code (US)]] *[[Power cable]] *[[Power cord]] *[[Residual-current device]] *[[Three-way circuit]] *[[Wire]] ===Tools of the trade=== *[[Electrical tape]] *[[Fish tape]] *[[Friction tape]] *[[Lineman's pliers]] *[[Multimeter]] *[[Needle-nose pliers]] *[[Rotosplit]] *[[Solenoid voltmeter]] *[[Wire stripper]] *[[Wireless Light Switch]] ===References=== <references/> ===External links=== * [http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos206.htm Electricians] - from the BLS [http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm Occupational Outlook Handbook] [[Category:Electric power]] [[Category:Construction trades workers ]] [[Category:Electrical wiring]] [[da:Elektriker]] [[de:Elektroinstallateur]] [[fr:Électricien]] [[he:אלקטרונאי]] [[nl:Elektricien]] [[no:Elektriker]] [[pl:Elektryk]] [[ru:Электрик]] [[simple:Electrician]] [[sv:Elektriker]]