Industrial Electrical Motors and Transformers Assemblers, Fabricators and Inspectors

Nature of work

Industrial electrical motors and transformers assemblers, fabricators and inspectors assemble, make, fit, wire and inspect heavy-duty industrial electrical equipment. They work for manufacturers of industrial electric motors, transformers, control equipment, railway locomotives, transit vehicles and other heavy electrical equipment.

Job duties

Assemblers:

• Assemble and fit metal and other prefabricated parts to close tolerances according to blueprints to build heavy-duty electric motors or transformers.
• Assemble stators or armatures for heavy-duty electric motors.
• Compress steel laminations to build transformer cores.
• Assemble windings into core using overhead cranes and make electrical connections using crimping, brazing and soldering equipment.
• Assemble and fit electrical motor or transformer auxiliary equipment like bushings, tap changes, conduit boxes, heating devices, protective equipment and cooling equipment.
• Set up and adjust production machinery and equipment like coil winding machines for the manufacture of heavy-duty electrical equipment.
• May do basic tests on electric motors.

Electrical fitters and wirers:

• Interpret engineering drawings, electrical diagrams and blueprints.
• Fit motor starters, contactors, capacitors, circuit breakers, voltage regulators, printed circuit boards or other electrical control devices into switchboards and panelboards to make automated processing control equipment, electrical distribution panels, or other industrial electrical control equipment.
• Wire electrical connections for switchboards and panelboards.
• Assemble panelboard and switchboard cabinets and install bus bars used to carry heavy electrical current.
• May operate metal fabricating equipment to fabricate or modify bus bars.

Inspectors:

• Monitor production and troubleshoot production problems.
• Check final assembly of electric motors, transformers or control equipment to make sure they meet quality control standards.
• Collect, record and summarize inspection results.

Sample job titles

• alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) motor inspector and tester
• control panel assembler
• electrical fitter
• electrical switchgear panel wirer
• motor and generator assembler and wirer
• panelboard assembler
• power transformer assembler
• switchgear fitter-wirer
• transformer coil winder
• transformer inspector

Skills

This work requires excellent spatial perception, form perception, and eye-to-finger coordination. You must be accurate and able to pay close attention to detail. A keen interest in working with machines and routine processes is necessary. You should also be physically fit and have good eyesight and hearing.

Job requirements

• High school is usually required.
• College courses in electricity or electro-technology may be required.
• Several years of on-the-job training are usually provided.
• Set-up persons, inspectors and leadhands in this group may need experience as an assembler, fitter or wirer in the same company.

Other considerations

Movement to supervisor positions is possible with experience. Self-employment in these jobs is rare, and work is not typically seasonal.

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