Appliance Servicers and Repairers

Nature of work

Appliance servicers and repairers service and repair domestic and commercial appliances. They are employed by repair shops, appliance service companies and repair departments of retail and wholesale establishments, or they may be self-employed.

Job duties

Small electrical appliance servicers and repairers perform some or all of the following duties:

• Repair small electrical appliances, such as lawn and garden equipment and power tools.
• Consult customer or refer to work order to establish nature of the appliance malfunction.
• Observe operation of appliance and conduct voltage, resistance and other tests using electrical test equipment.
• Refer to schematic drawings or product manuals and replace or repair parts or components using hand tools and soldering equipment.
• Prepare estimates and written accounts of work performed.

Major appliance repairers/technicians perform some or all of the following duties:

• Repair major electrical or gas appliances, such as domestic and commercial dishwashing equipment, stoves, laundry equipment and refrigerators in customer's home, in customer's place of business or in repair shop.
• Consult customer or refer to work order to establish nature of the appliance malfunction.
• Diagnose faults by checking controls, condensers, timer sequences, fans and other components using test equipment such as meters and gauges to measure resistance, current, voltage, pressure, temperature, flue gases and flow rates.
• Refer to schematic diagrams or product manuals and disassemble appliance using hand tools.
• Use shop equipment and specialized diagnostic and programming apparatus to repair, adjust and reprogram appliances.
• Replace components and subcomponents and reassemble appliance using hand tools and soldering and brazing equipment.
• Prepare estimates and written accounts of work performed.
• May plan service routes.

Sample job titles

• appliance service technician
• dishwasher repairer
• electrical appliance repairer
• electrical appliance technician
• gas appliance servicer
• refrigerator servicer
• stove repairer
• vacuum cleaner repairer
• washing machine servicer

Skills

This work requires an understanding of the principles of electricity and a mechanical aptitude. You should be able to follow instructions and perform detailed work. Patience and the ability to be methodical are required when testing motors and equipment. Analytical skills are required to determine what is causing equipment to malfunction and decide on the necessary repairs. You should also have good motor coordination, physical strength, and stamina.

Job requirements

• Small appliance repairers usually require some specialized college or high school courses or several months of on-the-job training.
• Major appliance repairers/technicians require some high school education and completion of a college program in appliance repair or completion of a three- or four-year apprenticeship program in appliance repair.
• Appliance service technician, or appliance serviceperson, trade certification is available, but voluntary, in Nova Scotia.
• A provincial gas fitter licence, or gas appliance technician certificate, may be required for gas appliance service technicians.
• Red Seal Endorsement (RSE) is also available to qualified appliance service technicians upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.

Other considerations

Workers may be self-employed and provide services as needed to their clients. Therefore, earnings may vary throughout the year and depend upon the person's ability to attract and retain customers. Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

Regulations

Contacts

Repairer, major electric household appliances

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