Thank an Electrician Today

If you turned on your computer, switched on a light, or just got a cold drink out of the refrigerator, chances are there's a construction electrician out there that you owe thanks. Construction Nashville Electricians are in charge of installing the conduits and wiring that bring electricity into buildings, offices, and residential structures. Construction electricians are also responsible for installing signal communication systems, alarms, and other electrical equipment needed to make a structure livable.

What's the Job Like?

Although construction Electrician in Nashville usually work inside on construction sites, where they are responsible for installing the electrical hardware of a building or worksite, they may occasionally need to work outside in the elements. Construction electricians usually begin work shortly after the structure is framed, as their job requires threading metal electrical conduit (a type of pipe that protects the building wiring) through the walls and floors of the building. As the conduit goes in, they also link electrical plugs, switches and other electrical management hardware to it, threading wires through the conduit, and connecting it to these power points. Construction electricians use screwdrivers, pliers, and other hand tools, as well as electrical test meters to check voltages and pipe benders and hacksaws to cut and bend the conduits they install.

Construction electricians are more than just pipe fitters and wire cutters. They must also know how to read the blueprints that describe the locations of where electrical wiring runs in a building. They need to be familiar with all local and state building codes and the specifications for all types of residential and commercial electrical hardware. They also need to know the best ways to prevent short circuits or other electrical dangers that may come up in the wiring of a structure.

Since construction electricians sometimes work outside, they may be exposed to wind, rain and other inclement weather. Working conditions require standing many hours on ladders, work platforms, or in cramped workspaces. Construction electricians must also be careful to avoid dangerous shocks and injuries from the high voltage equipment they must install. In the case of factory or commercial construction, they may have to deal with extremely powerful transformers, switch systems, and circuit breakers handling hundreds of watts of electricity.

Qualifications

While many construction electricians learn their trade as apprentices to senior electricians, others learn the ropes through formal training programs available through community colleges and vocational schools. These programs typically require a high school diploma or GED equivalent. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the National Electrical Contractors Association both offer four-year programs, as well as assigning apprenticeships between locations and providing work programs that bring experienced electricians and apprentices together.

Under these formal programs, apprentices are expected to master 144 class hours per year, as well as four years of on-the-job training under a senior electrician. Classes include training in wiring layout, electronics, blueprint reading, mathematics and electrical theory and applications.