Solving Community Problems as a Commercial Electrician

When you start a new business, your business loses power, or has trouble with its power system, you will have to call a commercial electrician to help solve your problem. This problem could be anything from a boiler, wiring, transformer, or something simple as a thermostat. A professional will know how to build your new system or solve your problem.

As a commercial electrician, you will be expected to be able to repair, install, and maintain any equipment and wiring in the business. The business may also require the installation of streetlights for better visibility, control systems that connect with the transformers and circuit breakers, and intercom systems for better communication among employees.

Your duties often will include installing, reading and listening actively to the client, troubleshooting, and selecting equipment that would work for the customer. Your knowledge should include how to build and construct the perfect heating or cooling system for the business, mathematics to solve problems, and knowledge of public safety so that you are following all codes. You will also be required to climb ladders, power poles, and scaffolding to reach the high wires, transformers, and breakers.

To become a commercial electrician you will have to give a large increment of your time because it will take four years of supervised training before you will be able to take the licensing examination. You will then have to work with someone else for several years before you will be able to go out on your own.

You will also have to take classes and get formal training through apprenticeship programs. These are usually offered through your local community college or through the local electricians union. They usually offer classroom instruction then connect you with a company that offers apprenticeship programs so that you can learn while on the job. Anyone who strives to be an apprentice must either graduate from high school or have a GED. You must have good mental dexterity so that you are able to see small wires in small spaces and be able to discern between the wire colors

After you have completed your 8,000 hours as an apprentice, you must pass your examination to get your journeyman license. These requirements vary by state so before you take the test check with the Department of Labor office in your state to make sure that you have fulfilled all of them. These test the candidate's knowledge of electrical theory and building codes.

If you have the patience and time you can fulfill your dream of becoming a commercial electrician and help solve the electrical needs in your community.