Typical Tasks
• Installs or repairs electrical wiring, equipment, apparatus, and fixtures,
using hand tools and power tools.
• Plans the layout and installation of electrical wiring, equipment, and
fixtures according to blueprints and local electrical codes.
• Inspects systems and electrical parts to detect hazards, defects, and the need
for adjustments or repair.
• Tests electrical systems and continuity of circuits in electrical wiring,
using testing devices such as an ohmmeter and voltmeter.
• Diagnoses malfunctioning systems, apparatus, and components, using test
equipment and hand tools.
• Prepares diagrams of the location of wiring and position of equipment.
• Works from ladders and scaffolding to install or repair wiring overhead.
• Constructs and fabricates parts, using hand tools and specifications.
Field of Work
A field of work represents a broad, general area of work activity. Occupations
that have similar types of work are assigned to the same field.
• Construction and Extraction Occupations
Career Pathways
Occupations have been organized into Career Pathways to help students with high
school course planning.
• Engineering and Industrial Technologies
Career Clusters
The U.S. Department of Education has established 16 broad Career Clusters that
contain all entry-level through professional-level occupations in a broad
industry area. Clusters consist of grouped career areas with similar skill and
education requirements.
• Construction
Specialties and Similar Occupations
Other occupations that are more detailed or similar to this broad occupation.
DOT codes are from the Dictionary of Occupational Titles.
• Airport Electrician (DOT 824.281-010)
Plans layout, installs, inspects, and maintains lighting systems, lights, and
beacons at airport or flying field.
• Electrician (DOT 824.681-010)
Installs and repairs wiring, electrical fixtures, and fuse boxes in
prefabricated and modular homes, using handtools.
• Electrician, Maintenance (DOT 829.261-018)
Installs and repairs electrical systems, apparatus, and electrical and
electronic components of industrial machinery and equipment, following
electrical code, manuals, schematic diagrams, blueprints, and other
specifications, using handtools, power tools, and electrical and electronic test
equipment.
• Protective-Signal Repairer (DOT 822.361-022)
Inspects, repairs, and replaces electrical protective-signaling systems, such as
burglar alarms.
• Signal or Track Switch Maintainers (O*NET 85511)
Install, inspect, test, and repair electric gate crossings, signals, signal
equipment, track switches, section lines, and intercommunication systems within
a railroad system, following blueprints and work orders.
• Street-Light Repairer (DOT 729.381-018)
Tests, adjusts, and repairs mercury-vapor, fluorescent, electric-arc, or
incandescent street lights and traffic signals in shop.