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
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| title =West Virginia Journeyman Electrician
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| publisher =American Contractors Exam Services
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| accessdate =2007-06-30 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web
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| title =Requirements to apply for an Electrician Certificate
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| url =http://www.lni.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/Electrical/LicenseExamEd/LicenseCert/Electrician/default.asp
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| 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
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| title =Electricians
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| publisher =US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics
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| url =http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos206.htm
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| 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]]
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[[ru:Электрик]]
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