Duties

Electricians install, alter, repair and maintain electrical systems designed to provide heat, light, power, control, signal or fire alarms for all types of buildings, structures and premises.

In general, electricians:

• Read and interpret electrical, mechanical and architectural drawings and electrical code specifications to determine wiring layouts
• Cut, thread, bend, assemble and install conduits and other types of electrical conductor enclosures and fittings
• Pull wire through conduits and holes in walls and floors
• Position, maintain and install distribution and control equipment such as switches, relays, circuit breaker panels and fuse enclosures
• Install, replace, maintain and repair electrical systems and related electrical equipment
• Install data cabling
• Splice, join and connect wire to form circuits
• Test circuits to ensure integrity and safety
• Install and maintain fibre optic systems
• Some electricians specialize in specific types of installations:
• Residential (housing developments)
• Commercial (office buildings)
• Institutional (hospitals)
• Industrial (plants, factories)

Working Conditions

Electricians may be involved in construction or maintenance, or do a variety of electrical work. Electricians usually work a 40-hour, five-day week plus overtime when required. Especially in construction, there may be no guarantee of permanent work.

Working conditions can change dramatically from one job to another, varying from indoors in clean conditions to outdoors on scaffolding, to indoors in cramped conditions. 

There is some risk of injury from accidental electric shock.