Different Types of Electricians
This article puts the spotlight on the different types of electricians and tries to:
- Elucidate to the reader what the different types of electricians are and explore deeply into different types of electricians
- Answer some of the frequently asked questions about electricians
Categorizing the different types of electricians can vary based on point of focus and criteria, such as electricians’ field of work, specialization, licensing, and work experiences.
Types of Electricins Based on …
Types of Electricians Based on Infrastructures:
- Commercial Electricians
- Residential Electricians
- Industrial Electricians
Types of Electricians Based on Electrician Certification (Electrician Licenses)
- Master Electrician
- Journeyman Electrician (licensed electrician)
- Apprentice Electrician
Types of Electricians Based on Electricians’ Work Locations
- Inside Electricians (wireman electricians / wirewoman electricians)
- Outside Electricians (lineman electricians / linewoman electricians)
Types of Electricians Based on Electrician Work Specialization and Expertise
Solar electricians, marine electricians, service electricians, airplane electricians, industrial electricians, linemen electricians, installation electricians, residential electricians, automotive electricians, commercial electricians, maintenance electrician, construction electricians, telecommunication electricians, wind turbine electricians, security electricians, fire alarm electricians, etc.
Outside Electricians and Inside Electricians
industrial sites, are called wireman electricians/wirewoman electricians while outside electricians are called lineman electricians/ linewoman electricians, who mostly work on power distributions and transmissions to ensure that electricity is safely and efficiently transmitted and distributed to consumers.
The line electricians work with much higher voltages compared to the wire electricians.
When planning to hire an electrician, it is considered to know their specialization to hire the right electrician as the work done by electricians is too sensitive and requires critical, detailed, high quality work with the latest safety standards for all electrician work categories. This is only possible by qualified and certified electricians.
At Can Electric, we provide commercial and residential electrical services. Contact us today for a FREE electrical quote.
Master Electricians
Master electrician is the highest level of electrician certification achievable; it will enable an electrician to become an electrical contractor, eligible to pull permits, supervise, lead, plan projects, assign tasks, and manage teams of journeymen electricians and apprentice electricians.
Master electricians’ certifications are issued by provinces or territories after completing required experience and education, along with passing the master electrician exam.
Journeymen Electricians
The next level, lying between apprenticeship electrician and master electrician, is journeyman electrician. Journeymen electricians are also called licensed electricians.
To get certified, it is required to get experience for four to five years of apprenticeship, get onsite and in-class trainings, pass a final electrician exam. This will enable you, as an electrician, to work without supervision and have others as apprentices to work under your supervision.
Apprentice Electricians
Apprentice electricians are individuals who participate in four-to-five year on job-training and/or in-class training programs that enable electricians to begin working immediately as electrician assistants under the supervision of journeymen electricians or master electricians. This will allow these electricians to receive the hands-on experience and become certified electricians.
It’s usually required to go through a four-stage program (1st year, 2nd year, 3rd year, and 4th year) to become a licensed electrician. An electrician apprentice program will prepare you with the in-demand theoretical knowledge and experience to kick off your career as an electrician. The practical training will make up around 80% of the entire program, leaving the rest, 20%, for the theoretical part.
Apprentice Electricians Wages
The wage for apprentice electricians varies depending on their experience level and based on different jurisdictions, and here’s a breakdown:
- Fist year apprentice electricians are paid 60% of journeymen electricians’ wages.
- Second year apprentice electricians are paid 70% of journeymen electricians’ wages.
- Third year apprentice electricians are paid 80% of journeymen electricians’ wages.
- Fourth year apprentice electricians are paid 90% of journeymen electricians’ wages.
Even though there are tons of different kinds of electricians out there, finding and hiring the right and qualified electrician, who will fulfill your needs and save you money and time.
Contact us today to get a free consultation and to see if our team of qualified electricians is the perfect fit for your project.
Specialized Electricians
Electricians, seeking to take their careers to the next level, might look for even more advanced electrical trainings and certifications, such as automation electrician (PLCs and PACs), control system electrician, power generation electrician, power transmission electrician, power distribution electrician, sustainable and renewable energies electrician (geothermal, biomass, hydrogen fuel, hydroelectric power, solar, and wind), power tool electrician, equipment electrician, robot electrician, communicational and signalling electrician, fire alarm electrician, inspection electrician, etc.
Industrial Electricians
Industrial electricians work on large projects and electrical services in different industries like oil and gas, power plants, refineries, chemical plants, manufacturing facilities, and other industrial plants. Industrial electricians do more complicated and advanced tasks, compared to commercial and residential electricians.
Also, industrial electricians use software products and machinery as tools to facilitate the work process. They work on high voltage, complicated control systems, huge machinery, computer systems, etc. Industrial electricians regularly need to train and update their technical skills and safety knowledge.
Service Electricians
Service electricians provide residential electrical services, commercial electrical services, and industrial electrical services regularly. In addition, they provide 24/7 electrical services in case of electrical emergency.
They will also carry on-demand or periodical electrical inspections to identify and repair any system faults and problems that could affect the performance and/or the status of the electrical systems. These electricians do this to ensure that the electrical systems run smoothly and efficiently, especially on commercial and industrial plants, where down times are very costly.
Inspection Electricians
Inspection electricians inspect and test electrical systems and provide detailed written reports according to electrical codes and regulations. Then they will recommend what electrical upgrades and repairs are needed to bring the electrical systems up to today’s code and standards.
Furthermore, they will make recommendations for what needs to be done to make the systems safer and to minimize electrical hazards, which will all lead to overall enhanced operational reliability. Check our Edmonton Electrical inspection section for more information and a free quote on your electrical code compliance inspection and for our special offers on [Edmonton Electrical Home Inspection] by presenting EEHI-2024.
Installation Electricians
An installation electrician is an electrician who installs complete electrical systems for new buildings and renovations. This role includes power system electricians, wiring electricians, lighting electricians, fire alarm electricians, machinery electricians, equipment electricians, heating electricians, A/C electricians, data electricians, and voice & security electricians. They work on commercial, industrial, and residential wirings and installations for both electrical renovation and new construction projects.
At Can Electric, no job is too small nor too big for our Edmonton electricians. We serve you with certified electricians and apprentices, who thrive and work to be your trusted commercial and residential electricians. Contact us today for FREE Electric Estimate on your residential electrical wiring and electrical renovation.
Construction Electricians
Construction electricians install new wirings for new residential, commercial, and industrial facilities and buildings. These electricians will need to cooperate with other trades and have knowledge of buildings codes and safety procedures to deliver a high-quality work.
Automotive Electricians
Automotive electricians specialize in wiring and maintaining vehicles’ electrical and signaling systems. These electricians use computers to diagnose, repair, and maintain cars’ electrical systems. They need to have knowledge about vehicle diagnostics and the ability to use computerized tools.
They mostly work on vehicles signaling, ignition, lighting, fuel injection, A/C, anti-lock brake, anti-theft, and transmission systems.
Marine Electricians
Marine electricians specialize in electrical systems and electrical wirings, used for aquatic vessels, such as cruise, ships, boats, and yachts. They also have comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of the marine equipment.
Telecommunication Electricians
These electricians install, diagnose, and maintain Internet, telephone cables, and fiber optic lines between towers, poles, and buildings, both overhead and underground.
They will mostly work on low voltage and communication systems with voltage lower than 50 volts. Their work includes installing and repairing networking (LAN & WAN) and entertainment systems. Telecommunication electricians, in addition, install wiring for data, such as CAT-5, CAT-6, coaxial cable, fiber optic, etc.
Fire Alarm Electricians
These electricians are specialized in wiring, installing, commissioning, and repairing various alarm systems, including fire alarm systems in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.
Fire alarm electricians also program fire alarm panels and do regular testing and inspections on them to ensure that these systems are running flawlessly.
Airplanes Electricians
Airplane or aviation electricians work on different types of aircraft. Their first responsibility is to ensure the aircraft is functioning safely. Their job demands extreme accuracy. They conduct regular electrical inspections, testing, repairs, and maintenance on airplanes’ electronic, radar, navigation, and communication aspects.
Solar Electricians
These electricians install, wire, maintain and repair solar systems as source of electricity for residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. The process is to capture, transfer, and convert soar energy to usable electric energy by using solar panels, inverters, batteries, etc.
Wind Turbine Electricians
Wind turbine electricians assemble, install, wire, and maintain wind turbines’ towers to capture and convert wind energy to electricity. These electricians usually work on farm and remote areas and can work safely on heights of up to 200 feet above the ground.
Click here to learn more about Edmonton electrical services or call us today for a FREE electrical quote. You can also contact us if you are looking for reputable and qualified electricians, having prior experience and proven track of excellent work, to handle your electrical work.
Frequently Asked Questions about Electricians
How much does it cost to hire an electrician?
It all depends on your electrical project or the single service you ask for. For example, if you are building a new home, the electrician will charge you based on the square footage of the house, which can be between 5 and 10 dollars per square feet. In addition, 100-amp electrical service upgrade costs between $2,500 and $3,500. Moreover, 200-amp electrical service upgrade costs between $3,500 and $4,500.
What are the questions to ask when hiring an electrician? (Questions to ask while hiring best electrician for your electrical project?)
- Can you pull permit?
- How is your schedule?
- Do you have WCB coverage?
- Will be any extra charges and surprises?
- Have you done similar projects as mine?
- Are You Bonded, Licensed, and Insured?
- How well do you work with other trades?
- Do I need permit and inspection for this project?
- What types of warranty or guaranties do you offer?
- What Kind of Training and Experience Do You Have?
- What electrical projects did you complete in the past year?
- When will you start the job and when will you complete it?
- Can you provide (3) references? (Or check their online reviews and BBB)
- Would it be any evening and weekend work? will be an extra charge for it?
- What safety procedures do you follow to keep yourself and your crew safe?
Is an electrician subcontractor or a contactor?
If you have a general contractor, and your electrician is working with general contractors, he/she will be a sub-contractor. However, if you are hiring an electrician to do your electrical project if they have the right certifications and qualifications, he/she will be an electrical contractor.
Do I need a permit and inspections for my electrical projects?
Yes, for most electrical projects, you will need a permit and electrical inspections. Every electrical jurisdiction will have their own requirements, and we recommend you contact your jurisdiction’s electrical authorities who will let you know if you need a permit or not.
What should I ask electricians about timelines and schedule?
- Daily schedules: What time daily will you start and stop working?
- Timeline: how long it will take? when will you start and complete?
- Delays: would be any delays? if yes how will you composite that time?
- Weekends and evenings: would you work in the weekends and evenings? And if yes will be any extra charges for that?
What types of warranties or guaranties should I ask electrical contractors?
Usually, it is good to ask for extra warranties. In most cases, electricians will offer one-year-warranty on their provided service and used materials.
How well do you work with other trades?
Qualified electricians will organize their crew to coordinate and cooperate with other trades in order to help everyone do their job and create a cooperative work environment.
How do you troubleshoot an electrical issue?
Before electricians maintain and fix any electrical issues, they have to find out what is wrong and should perform any necessary electrical diagnostics before making any recommendations for a proper electrical solution.
What is your experience of leading teams?
As lead electricians, we will do our best to create a harmonized, cooperative, and smooth and hardworking team of electricians and apprentices. Our prior electrician leadership experiences have quipped our teams with the right skills and work etiquettes to become collaborative and enthusiastic of sharing their experiences and knowledge with others.
How do you fix your mistakes at work? How do you handle your mistakes at work? How do you compensate for any damages made?
As an electrician we do our best to provide the best possible electrical service for you, and if we make a mistake, which is sometimes inevitable, we will fix it for FREE. We will also take the right measures to minimize the possibility of it happening once again in the future. Excellent workmanship and accuracy are our core values. Our target is to exceed the performance expectations from our customers.
Instead of hiring an electrician can I do electrical work on my own?
We do not recommend that any non-certified person with lack of hands on-experience do any kind of electrical work because it can be dangers and unsafe for you and the people around you.
Why would I need an electrical inspection?
An electrical inspection will enable you to know your current commercial and residential electrical systems and wirings. It can also help you plan, decide, and budget for any electrical expansions or upgrades that could possibly prevent unwanted situations.
Who would need an electrical inspection?
An electrical inspection is needed for any residential and commercial systems as well as industrial premises. This is to ensure that the electrical systems and wirings are safe and up to code. It is also recommended for any electrical upgrades that might be needed to make the systems safer.
How often should an electrical inspection be done?
It depends on the type and complexity of the systems. For residential electrical systems, it is recommended to be done every 3 to 8 years, and for commercial buildings, every 0.5 to 3 years while for industrial buildings, as often as possible.
What is an electrical inspection?
An electrical inspection is a complete inspection of electrical systems for electrical code and electrical regulations compliances.
When do you need a home electrical inspection?
Home electrical inspections are needed when you buy or sell your house, when your electrical system is old, when there are signs of safety issues with your electrical systems, or whenever you want to make your electrical wirings safer and upgrade the electrical system to today’s electrical code.
What is electrical inspection price?
It depends of the size and complexity of the project. For example, Edmonton Electrical Inspection for home can be between $250 and $400.
Our service electricians in Edmonton are in standby to serve you, your families, and your businesses when you need us with all your commercial and residential electrical services and installations.
