Have you ever wondered what a day in the life of an electrician was like? The truth is that for electricians, no two days are the same. Their duties will vary from one day to another and depend on the company they are working for and their specializations.
Some electricians are working on call and are always ready to respond to emergencies. Others will follow a 9 to 5 schedule, installing and maintaining electrical systems for residential and commercial clients.
Here, let’s imagine we are following one day in the life of an electrician working from 9 to 5 to better understand what they do.
1. They get to work and clock in
After getting up and enjoying a nice breakfast, a home electrician will clock into the company’s building where they work. After briefly catching up with their colleagues, they will receive a list of all the scheduled appointments for that day.
They will also prepare all the tools and supplies they need for the job that awaits them. Depending on the tasks they are expected to perform, they might team up with another electrician.
They will then get in their van, which will probably feature their company’s logo and contact information, and head to their first appointment.
2. They visit a client’s business to inspect their electrical system
The first appointment for that day is to visit a small office building. The people working in that building have noticed the lights often flickered, and they want an electrician to investigate. This is not an emergency, but they are annoyed and want this problem fixed.
The electrician first speaks with the owner of the building, then performs different tests to assess the situation.
Sometimes, being an electrician is a bit like being a detective. They have to think about the problem and figure out how to solve it.
This job took longer than expected, but our electrician solved the problem. Everyone is happy, and their client promises to refer them to their entrepreneur friends.
3. They eat lunch and take a moment to relax
The electrician goes back to the building of their company. Since their first appointment took longer than expected, they only had half an hour to eat lunch and relax.
They will then get ready for their next scheduled appointment for that day and hop in their van to get there on time.
4. They go install a new bathroom exhaust fan for a client
The electrician will now visit a client’s home who wants to get a reliable bathroom exhaust fan installed. The electrician will install the switch allowing the client to operate their new exhaust fan and install the fan and all its components in the bathroom ceiling.
Since the exhaust fan will be vented through the roof, the electrician will collaborate with a professional roofer who will install the roof vent cap.
When the installation is complete, the client is happy that there will be no condensation in their bathroom. They thank the electrician and the roofer for a job well done.
5. They answer an emergency call
Next, the electrician answers an emergency call from a client who just had an important power surge in their home. Some of their appliances are now broken due to this power surge, and they will have to replace them.
For now, they want an electrician to do something to ensure they never experience another power surge like that again.
The electrician will install the main panel surge protection by attaching it to the electrical panel of the client’s home. This device will help prevent future destructive power surges, so the client can keep their peace of mind.
If the client is curious about how a power surge happens, the electrician will take a moment to explain it.
6. They go back home and spend time with their family
After this last task, the electrician can go home after a stimulating day at work. They will eat supper and spend time with their family before bed.
Who knows what they will have to do tomorrow? Electricians can work indoors or outdoors, often in cramped spaces or above high ground. They work with their hands but also have to use their mind to solve different problems safely and efficiently.
They get to meet new people and perform different tasks day after day, which is something a lot of electricians love about their job.
