What You Need to Know About the Different Types of Electricians
It is important to have an idea about the different types of electricians to avail the right electrician services for what you need. As a home owner, you’ve probably had an experience in the past that required you to hire an electrician to install new lighting or troubleshoot electrical works. A good electrician knows how to work his way around wires and has fair knowledge on the most common household problems. You can easily hire one to do the basic inspection and assessment on your home.
However, when it comes to more specific expertise, you’re better off looking for a licensed electrician who specializes in a certain field.
In Singapore, electricians are considered skilled craftsmen and experts in technical tasks such as installation, repair, and maintenance of various electrical devices and systems. To attest to their skills, they are also bearers of official licenses. They are obliged to undergo massive training and relevant work experience before they can officially be called an electrician.
While general practitioners master the basics of electrician services like the back of their hand, there are different types of electricians with varying degrees of specialization and expertise. This means they have a certain area of expertise, and they’re most likely the ones you need to turn to when fixing advanced electrical problems. Here are the various types of electricians:
1. Residential electricians
Homeowners turn to residential electricians to fix certain technical issues in their household. A residential electrician knows how to maintain, install, or upgrade any electrical equipment in one’s apartment or house. In some cases, they are also responsible for the installation of outdoor landscape lighting.
Before you can officially become a residential electrician, you need rigorous training in the forms of formal classroom instruction and apprenticeship. The apprenticeship typically spans to around 4 years of supervised work under an established electrician. Any aspiring candidates must also pass the final tests at the end of an apprenticeship program.
2. Journeymen electricians
A journeyman electrician generally works on mechanical connections, power supplies, lighting installation, communications and security systems in residential and commercial buildings. Oftentimes, they are also assigned to work on overhead lines. Several of these electricians may opt to work in construction sites, though others prefer working for manufacturing plants or utility companies.
Typically, there’s a journeyman electrical exam to pass if one aspires to become one. Upon successful passing, the examinee gains an official certification to attest his/her competency as a journeyman electrician. They may also begin working unsupervised on various electrical systems. As a certificate holder, they can also help in training the junior apprentices.
It is widely believed that the name ‘journeyman’ suggests there’s a lot of travel involved in the job. Meaning, journeyman electricians often work from one place to another on a regular basis.
3. Master electricians
Master electricians from Singapore http://www.powermax.com.sg/ are highly skilled experts and they mostly hold a supervisory role in commercial companies. Some master electricians also own a personal contracting business to which they directly supervise. To become a master electrician in Singapore, you will need to provide proof that you have sufficient work experience or a bachelor’s degree in electrical/electronic engineering.
Strong managerial skills are important in a master electrician. Their expertise must span beyond basic repair, installation, and maintenance of electrical systems. They must know how to work with people, as their role often involves supervising a staff of laborers, trainees, junior apprentices, and journeymen electricians on various jobs.
4. Commercial electricians
Typically, commercial electricians are found working on construction sites. Their expertise at commercial buildings and mechanical electrical systems makes them sought-after by different businesses and commercial companies. Some commercial electricians also do installation work, which may involve advanced security systems, water heaters, and electronic key systems.
Being a commercial electrician also means you are tasked to complete system upgrades and troubleshoot systems. Doing the latter allows you to isolate specific problems which are brought by faulty wiring. To acquire an official license, you are to work under a master electrician first to gain relevant work experience.
There is a high standard in selecting potential commercial electricians because commercial electric work can greatly affect the safety of the public and the users of the building.
How do you hire the right electrician?
Hiring the right electrician for the right job doesn’t just happen after a single click on a web search engine. While the results might lead you to several options to choose from, you still need to consider: (a) the kind of work you’re seeking help for and (b) the budget you can allot to get the job done.
Personal recommendations also matter when hiring an electrician. If you know anyone who has had their wires fixed or recently installed a new electrical system, ask them where they availed their services from. If they had a pleasant experience with a certain electrician/electrical company, it’s best to check them out and browse through the services they offer.
Consider their relevant work experiences and ask them for a quick run-through, as well. Your best shot lies on an electrician who has done a similar task at the issue you’re hoping to fix, or at least closely related to it.
A general electrician can only help as much. Advanced electrical problems might be beyond his/her skill and capacity, and so seeking the assistance of an expert technician is highly encouraged. These electricians are well-trained in the respective fields they work for – may it be a journeyman electrician, commercial and residential electrician, or a master electrician.