Industrial Electricians

Nature of work

Industrial electricians install, maintain, test, troubleshoot and repair industrial electrical equipment and associated electrical and electronic controls. They work for electrical contractors and maintenance departments of factories, plants, mines, shipyards and other industrial businesses.

Job duties

Industrial electricians:

• 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.

Sample job titles

• industrial electrician
• maintenance electrician - industrial
• marine electrician
• mine electrician
• plant electrician
• plant maintenance electrician
• rig electrician
• ship's electrician

Skills

• Manual dexterity
• Planning, organizational, and communication skills
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Mathematical ability
• Mechanical ability
• Good vision and hearing
• Good eyesight and the ability to distinguish colours
• Physical strength and stamina
• Communication skills including reading skills
• Ability to do precision work
• Computer skills

Job requirements

• High school or equivalent (usually).
• Training through a 7,200-hour apprenticeship program with three apprenticeship levels: to become an apprentice you first need to have a job - enter an apprenticeship agreement either directly through an employer or after graduating from a college-level pre-apprenticeship program; learn on the job, mentored by a certified journeyperson who signs off on skills in a logbook.
• Trade Qualifier option, 10,800 hours, and other criteria.
• Certification for industrial electricians is voluntary in Nova Scotia.
• Write and score a minimum of 70% on the Red Seal exam for industrial electricians.
• Red Seal Endorsement (RSE) allows for interprovincial mobility.
• Additional construction electrician certification may be required for industrial electricians when the employers are not owners of the industrial electrical equipment.

Other considerations

• Industrial electricians work either indoors or outdoors in extreme climate conditions. Work may be at heights or in confined spaces.
• Risks include electrical shocks, arc flashes, falls, and injuries from lifting and kneeling.
• Industrial electricians typically work a 40-hour workweek. Overtime may be required.
• Apprentices usually earn a percentage of the journeyperson (fully qualified) rate. This percentage increases as each level of the apprenticeship program is completed.
• With experience, industrial electricians may act as mentors and trainers to apprentices in the trade. They may also advance to managerial, inspection, facilitation, or teaching positions.
• Everyone has fair access to participate and succeed in the apprenticeship system. Everyone who develops the necessary skills and abilities should be able to succeed in the trades and trade qualification system. Work environments in the province support women and equity-seeking communities.

Regulations

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