Four Categories of Electricians

Allen Spearman
3 min readApr 10, 2023

Electrical workers require great communication and problem-solving abilities regardless of their specialty. Additionally, they must be able to work precisely with steady hands and excellent vision.

Electricians can obtain a master electrician or a journeyman electrician license, depending on the state. Before they can get their license, they must pass an exam.

An electrician who constructs, maintains, and fixes overhead or underground electrical power lines is known as a lineworker. This is a specialist profession that calls for a strong physical condition and a thorough knowledge of electricity and electrical machinery.

Working on maintenance and installation projects are both part of a lineman’s usual day. Existing electricity lines must be maintained, which includes replacing worn-out cables and fixing outdated equipment.

Linemen utilize digger derricks or bucket trucks to dig holes and place poles for new lines during the installation phase. These substantial vehicles are capable of carrying transmission line workers up to 200 feet in the air securely.

In as few as 12 weeks, several community colleges and trade schools offer electrical power line technician training programs. These courses could cover topics including electronics, telecommunications, electrical safety, and practical fieldwork.

A wireworker is a person who creates objects out of wire, like wine bottles or corks. They are in charge of wiring both residential and commercial structures.

Additionally, an electrician builds, maintains, and fixes electrical systems. Their labor is often done within a house or building, but if there is no roof, they may also operate outside.

Wireworkers and electricians learn through practice during their apprenticeships. Aspiring interior wireworkers and residential wireworkers practice connecting and repairing electrical items in homes and businesses by shadowing journeymen.

Wireworkers prepare components for mounting on printed circuit boards or other electronic assemblies by cutting, stripping, bending, and crimping wires and leads using automated machinery or handtools. In order to imprint part numbers or color codes, they can also insert wires into automatic numbering or color-coding equipment. Teamwork and effective communication are essential for this profession.

A residential electrician is an expert who installs and fixes wiring in individual residences. Installing new wiring systems, upgrading outlets or lighting, and other tasks fall under this category.

The most frequent type of electrician to call when a home has electrical issues is a residential electrician, who normally takes on smaller-scale jobs. Additionally, if water gets into the electrical system, he or she can safely install ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), which can help safeguard you and your family from electrical shock.

A career as a home electrician can be ideal for you if you like interacting with people and working with their possessions. On the other side, commercial electricians are more likely to work in huge structures with complicated electrical systems and higher voltage.

Commercial electricians perform their job in non-residential locations like offices, businesses, and restaurants. They are responsible for troubleshooting and fixing the electrical systems and wiring in these places.

In commercial spaces, they might also put in lighting, security, and other technology. When doing their jobs, they are also accountable for adhering to construction codes and safety regulations.

Through apprenticeship programs or technical colleges, electricians in both residential and business settings complete their education. They get knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC), as well as the right way to install cables, breakers, and other electrical devices.

They might also go through a lot of training in industrial settings where they have to maintain, troubleshoot, and fix intricate electrical systems. As a result, they are more knowledgeable and proficient than other electricians. They must be capable of swift decision-making under pressure and possess a strong work ethic. Any business owner or manager should think about having these talents. They are also well-known for their proficiency in protecting the security of their customers and coworkers.

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Allen Spearman

Allen Spearman is a company entrepreneur from Philadelphia with a long background in several contracting positions around the city and state.