Electrical Installations

Electrical wiring is done by electricians who install, repair and maintain wiring, switches, conduits, circuit breakers, lighting and other apparatus in buildings and other structures. They need electronics knowledge and trouble-shooting skills to provide maintenance services for electronically controlled systems. Proficiency in all types of electronic applications is important as electricity is used for a variety of purposes, including climate control, security and communications.

An electrician reads and interprets blueprints, plans and sketches, following the variety of methods and practices used in the construction field to complete basic wiring circuits in accordance with the Canadian Electrical Code. Electricians need to understand electronics in order to install and maintain the increasing amount of electronic equipment involved in modern construction projects. Keeping up with trends and new technology and continuing to upgrade technical skills is an important part of the job.

Main dutiesWelders perform some or all of the following duties:

• Read and interpret drawings, blueprints, schematics and electrical code specifications to determine layout of industrial electrical equipment installations
• Install, examine, replace or repair electrical wiring, receptacles, switch boxes, conduits, feeders, fibre-optic and coaxial cable assemblies, lighting fixtures and other electrical components
• Test electrical and electronic equipment and components for continuity, current, voltage and resistance
• Maintain, repair, install and test switchgear, transformers, switchboard meters, regulators and reactors
• Maintain, repair, test and install electrical motors, generators, alternators, industrial storage batteries and hydraulic and pneumatic electrical control systems
• Troubleshoot, maintain and repair industrial, electrical and electronic control systems and other related devices
• Conduct preventive maintenance programs and keep maintenance records
• May install, maintain and calibrate industrial instrumentation and related devices.

Who do they work for?

• Residential industry
• Commercial industry
• Manufacturing
• Construction firms
• Self-employed

Sample titles

• Refrigeration Mechanic
• Electrical Engineer
• Industrial Electrician
• Marine electrician
• Mill electrician
• Plant electrician

Essential Skills

• Document use
• Numeracy
• Thinking: Problem Solving

How to join the field

• Completion of secondary school is usually required.
• Completion of a four- or five-year industrial electrician apprenticeship program or A combination of over five years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in industrial electrical equipment is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
• Trade certification for industrial electricians is compulsory in Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Manitoba and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, British Columbia and the Yukon.
• Additional construction electrician certification may be required for industrial electricians when the employers are not owners of the industrial electrical equipment.• Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified industrial electricians upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
• Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified industrial electricians upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.

For more information, contact: