Are You Interested in Joining the Maintenance Electricians Workforce?

Maintenance electricians are important professionals for homes, schools and businesses because they repair or replace electric and electronic equipment when they fail. Not only have they mastered the art of installing electrical systems and managing wires, but they also know how to repair them to reduce any inconvenience caused by the irregular flow of electricity and to protect the buildings or machinery from catching fire.

If you are interested in joining this line of work, then the following details will help you achieve that goal.

Main Duties

Maintenance electricians are usually hired by factory owners, hospitals and other large businesses to keep their machinery in working order. These professionals are in charge of diagnosing problems and then decided whether to repair or replace defective parts. However, in most industries, the main purpose of hiring these experts is preventative maintenance.

Because it is better to be safe than sorry, this type of electricians usually schedule equipment inspections to check for defects before costly breakdowns occur. As a maintenance electrician, you may be in charge of maintaining the machines used in producing goods, ensuring that lighting and air conditioning systems work properly, and guaranteeing that all electrical equipment are receiving a constant and reliable flow of electricity.

In addition, some of your duties include testing equipment, replacing circuit breakers and switches, repairing wiring, planning regular maintenance with the help of blueprints, and reporting to the management when a major problem occurs.

Job Requirements

To work in this job in the U.K., you should go through at least one of the following courses:

17th Edition: This course is designed for practising electricians who need to comply with the IEE 17th Edition Wiring Regulations. All domestic and industrial electrical installations and wiring should be made according to these regulations, which is why maintenance electricians should be aware of them.

2391-10 Inspection and Testing: This is an important qualification that is required for electrical installers who want to join the sector of commercial electrical installations. You can easily earn this after completing four days of training and going through an exam and assessment.

City & Guilds 2360 Parts 1 & 2 in Electrical Installations: This is an important qualification for professionals in the electrical contracting industry. You will learn necessary skills for installing wiring systems and electrical equipment. If you want to add more to your knowledge, you can also go through Course C. Course C will provide you with the skills you require to plan and supervise work.

Some companies may also require a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) that is related to their industry or sector. You can always get these from a local further education college near you.

What to Expect

Before you decide to take the next step and become a maintenance electrician, you need to keep a few things in mind:

• You will be working indoors, but you may be required to work in both clean and dirty environments.
• You should be used to working from ladders, catwalks, or in tight spaces.
• You need to be alert and precise because your work can turn dangerous.
• Your salary will depend on your qualifications, experience and company’s requirements.

Now that you have discovered the world of maintenance electricians, do you think it’s time for you to join?