Electrician

An electrician is a tradesman specializing in electrical wiring of buildings and related equipment. Electricians may be employed in the construction of new buildings or maintenance of existing electrical infrastructure.

Terminology

In the USA electricians are sometimes referred to as Inside Wireman as opposed to Outside Linemen who work on electric utility company 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 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 English slang an electrician is sometimes referred to as a "sparky" or "Sparks".

Training and regulation of trade

In most countries, the job of an electrician is a regulated trade for safety reasons, requiring testing, registration, or licensing. They are usually required to serve an apprenticeship lasting from 3 to 5 years under the general supervision of a 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 craftsman trained in all phases of electrical construction installation in various building styles and maintenance of equipment after installation. 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.

Licensing

In some jurisdictions a licensed electrician is required for permanent installation of any current carrying conductors, including low voltage alarm and data signal wiring, whereas in other places an electrician is only necessary for dealing with permanent connection at mains voltages, and yet others permit unlicensed homeowners to do all of their own electrical work (not "in the trade"), although it may still be subject to inspection for compliance with the relevant code or regulations, such as the US National Electrical Code or the UK IEE Wiring Regulations.

See also

• Building code
• Circuit breaker
• Circuit breaker panel
• Domestic AC power plugs and sockets
• Electricity
• Electric light
• Electric switch
• Electrical wiring
• Fire safety
• Industrial & multiphase power plugs & sockets
• Lineman (occupation)
• National Electrical Code (US)
• Power cable
• Power cord
• Residual-current device
• Three-way circuit
• Wire

Tools of the trade

• Multimeter
• Wire stripper