Electricians work with blueprints when they install electrical
systems in factories, office buildings, homes, and other structures.
Blueprints indicate the locations of circuits, outlets, load centers,
panel boards, and other equipment. Electricians must follow the
National Electric Code and comply with State and local building codes
when they install these systems. In factories and offices, they first
place conduit (pipe or tubing) inside designated partitions, walls, or
other concealed areas. They also fasten to the wall small metal or
plastic boxes that will house electrical switches and outlets. They
then pull insulated wires or cables through the conduit to complete
circuits between these boxes. In lighter construction, such as
residential, plastic-covered wire usually is used instead of conduit.
Regardless of the type of wire used, electricians connect it to
circuit breakers, transformers, or other components. They join the
wires in boxes with various specially designed connectors. After they
finish the wiring, they use testing equipment, such as ohmmeters,
voltmeters, and oscilloscopes, to check the circuits for proper
connections, ensuring electrical compatibility and safety of components.
In addition to wiring a building’s electrical system,
electricians may install coaxial or fiber optic cable for computers and
other telecommunications equipment. A growing number of electricians
install telephone systems, computer wiring and equipment, street lights,
intercom systems, and fire alarm and security systems. They also may
connect motors to electrical power and install electronic controls for
industrial equipment.
Maintenance work varies greatly, depending on where the
electrician is employed. Electricians who specialize in residential
work may rewire a home and replace an old fuse box with a new circuit
breaker to accommodate additional appliances. Those who work in large
factories may repair motors, transformers, generators, and electronic
controllers on machine tools and industrial robots. Those in office
buildings and small plants may repair all types of electrical equipment.
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Tags: Electricians
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