MODULE1: The Electrical Trade

The Electrical Trade: Learning Outcomes

 On completion of this module, you will be able to:
o Describe the significance of the electrical trade in today's times.

o Explain the terms associated with the electrical trade.

o Outline the types of skills required by electricians working on residential, commercial, industrial, and
maintenance projects.

o Discuss the basics of the electrical wiring system in the various sectors.

o Identify the job requirements in the electrical trade.

The Electrical Trade

 The Electrical Trade
The electrical trade offers numerous job opportunities in residential, commercial, and industrial construction. 

The skills required in this profession include blueprint (drawing) reading, job planning, selecting materials,
selecting and using the correct tools, installing the components, testing the systems, and troubleshooting. 

Electricians install electrical services, conductors, and fixtures.

Both residential and commercial electricians require the same set of knowledge and skills. 

In addition to the basic skill set, electricians working on commercial projects require skills related to conduit
bending, load calculations, and exposure to higher voltage levels.

Industrial electricians, on the other hand, must also know how to install various types of conduit, large
conductors, motors, and controls. They must possess sharp testing and troubleshooting abilities.

Maintenance electricians are responsible for keeping the electrical or higher-voltage systems and
equipment in productive operating condition.

 The Electrical System

1. Residential Wiring
 Residential electrical system includes an electrical supply, electrical service, nonmetallic-sheathed cable,
nail-on device boxes, panel boards, and fixtures. 

Phases of residential electrical wiring include rough-in, trim out, testing, and troubleshooting.

2. Commercial Wiring

Electrical installations in commercial structures contain many of the same elements as residential
installations. The only difference is that in commercial electrical installations, conductors are typically
installed in metal raceways. This aspect of the job requires the electricians installing the devices to be skilled
in conduit bending procedures, too.

3. Industrial Wiring

Because of the hazardous materials that exist in many industrial facilities, the installation and maintenance
of electrical systems in these volatile environments must follow strict requirements.

Conduit systems in volatile environments must be sealed to outside vapors and gases, and any potential
sparking or arcing device must be enclosed within a special enclosure or casing to prevent the ignition of
hazardous vapors that might be present. Industrial electricians are generally split into two groups: installers
and maintenance personnel. 

 Terms Associated with the Electrical Trade

Click on the tabs below to find out more:

o Electrical Services

The electrical components that are used to connect commercial power to a premise's wiring system. 

o OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the federal government agency
established to ensure a safe and healthy environment in the workplace. 

o OJT

On-the-job training (OJT) is job-related learning acquired while working. 

o Raceway Systems
 Conduit, fitting, boxes, and enclosures that house the conductors in an electrical system. 

o Rough-in

The installation of a raceway system (including conduit, boxes, and enclosures), wiring, or cable. 

o Trim-out

After rough-in, the installation and closure of devices and fixtures.

Career Opportunities in the Electrical Trade

 Career Opportunities in the Electrical Trade
We live in a world dependent on electric power, with most of us taking its availability for granted. We have all
experienced the unexpected power failures and power outages due to weather conditions, brownouts, or
even blackouts. 

It takes a small army of electrically-skilled individuals to generate, transmit, distribute, and maintain electrical
systems and equipment in order for us to have the convenience of electrical energy.

Examples of electrical occupations include:

o residential electrician

o commercial electrician

o industrial electrician

o electrical maintenance technician

 Job Requirements in the Electrical Trade

Click on the tabs to find out more about them:

o Residential Electricans

 Residential Electricians provide the complete electrical system in a residential structure, keeping in mind the
safety precautions. A lack of safety measures may contribute to injury due to shock or fires.

 Commercial Electricians

Commercial electricians install power, light and control wiring in a variety of locations including apartment
buildings, stores, offices, service stations, and hospitals.
 Similar to residential electrical needs, these services also require that safety precautions are in place to
prevent injury or loss of life and property. 

Elements of a residential wiring installation include installing the electrical service entrance
equipment, branch circuit conductors, device boxes, panel enclosures, over-current protective
devices (circuit breakers), and fixtures such as lighting and smoke detectors. 

 Industrial Electricians

  These electricians require additional training due to the amount of special equipment that must be installed,
tested, and maintained.

Electricians working in hazardous locations must understand the special code requirements associated with
these locations. 

They should be able to differentiate between the hazardous classes and divisions, and know the
requirements for each; be familiar with three-phase power, motors and motor control systems, conduits and
wiring for process control and instrumentation.  

The Electrical Trade: Lesson Summary

 The key points from this module are:
The electrical trade offers many job opportunities to work in residential, commercial, and industrial
construction.

Electricians are responsible for the installation and maintenance of electrical systems and equipment.

Electricians working on residential and commercial projects require the same basic set of knowledge and
skills. Industrial electricians must know the installation procedure for various types of conduit, large
conductors, motors, and controls, as well as possess strong troubleshooting skills.

The electrical wiring system for residential, commercial, and industrial projects varies, and a thorough
knowledge of the requirements for each sector is a vital part of the job. 

Electricians working with industrial wiring and equipment are also required to know the safety procedures for
handling hazardous materials.