Industrial Electrician Spotlight

Industrial Electricians focus on more than simply keeping the lights on. A large part of their job is working with equipment operators to install, maintain and fix electrical systems throughout a facility.

What a typical day looks like:

Industrial Electricians are able to work with everything from big machinery to smaller, more intricate systems. They know their way around heavy machinery, environmental regulating systems, communications systems, motors, generators, transformers, robotics and control systems. Since there are so many different types of systems they might work with from day to day, they can read blueprints and technical schematics to fully understand what areas need to be wired or charged.

The information they gain from those schematics and engineering specifications can help them install new equipment, controls and wiring and plan electrical systems. Once in place, they maintain and repair systems to keep them operational and safe for everyone who uses them. Safety is key in all that they do. They are switched on to the potential of electrical hazards, so they’re well versed in safety regulations, building codes and safety practices.

Industrial Electricians often work set hours but they may be called upon to work extra hours if something needs to be repaired or to ensure a project that can’t be completed in one day is left in safe circumstances. This occupation is typically employed in the exploration and production (E&P), oil sands, oil and gas services and pipeline sectors of the oil and gas industry.

The kinds of problems Industrial Electricians solve at work:

If there is a problem, Industrial Electricians are brought in to find safe solutions that will get electricity flowing. They use a variety of diagnostic tools to find the problem and then refer to circuit diagrams and their knowledge to fix the system.

Skills used most on the job:

Industrial Electricians have the ability to follow diagrams of circuits and wiring, install systems and use hand and diagnostic tools in testing and fixing equipment. They need to be physically fit to climb ladders and stairs repeatedly throughout the day. Since wiring is usually hidden away, they may sometimes be required to crawl through walls or small spaces. They also have a knowledge of building and construction, as well as equipment maintenance.

The tasks that Industrial Electricians face may change from day to day but their electrical projects are never complete until they are safe for people to use. Whether they are wiring circuit boards for the control room, repairing heavy machinery or planning electrical systems for robotics, safety is always at the forefront.