job responsibilities Securing the license of a professional electrician is never easy. Different electricians master different skill sets. Based on those skill sets they handle different types of jobs even being in the same profession. There are different departments or sub divisions under the category of professional electrician. Domestic electricians are the ones ordinary men and women are most accustomed with. Unlike domestic electricians, their commercial counterparts handle large scale commercial and industrial projects like carrying out electrical works and wiring for a dam. They also carry out other large scale projects. A commercial electrician can smoothly carry out his professional responsibilities in the UK when he is armed with the right commercial license and registration.
More facts about a commercial electrician
A commercial electrician is an electrician who is specially trained. This electrician is trained to work on electrical systems of a building that is used for commercial purposes. You will not find a commercial electrician working in residential houses and homes. it is important to remember that this category of electricians works in a stressful and heated up environment. Usually you always find them working in a big and spacious room occupied with electrical supplies and wiring materials.
Commercial electricians work in commercial offices or buildings which include big brands, high rise shopping malls, restaurants, government offices, buildings, and such other public complex places. job responsibilities The basic task of commercial electricians includes the following –
- Making necessary installations
- Maintaining the existing wiring
- Repairing or replacing circuits that are inadequate or faulty
A commercial electrician in London or anywhere else is trained to work in large places filled with a large number of complicated electrical circuits.
Job responsibilities shouldered by commercial electricians
The job responsibilities of commercial electricians are related to large scale electrical work. The responsibilities they shoulder include the following –
- Safe installation of electrical units and wires
- Providing covers to both open wiring circuits and systems
- Thorough maintenance of electrical systems
- Inspecting an existing wiring from time to time to make sure it is safe to use
- Making sure that the electrical systems comply with the latest codes
- Diagnose every problem related to electrics that needs to be worked up on in a given area
- Laying out plans for fresh installations and new systems that need to be set up
- Constructing new electrical systems as per requirement
- Making technical drawings as well as reading those
- Ensuring the guidelines set by the relevant authorities are followed
- Training people and leading teams on specific, large scale projects
Prerequisites of a commercial electrician
In fact a graduation certificate from high school is even better. The budding professional also needs to have an apprentice certificate. In this category of electrical professional it is crucial to have the firsthand experience of an electrician. Possessing a commercial apprenticeship to work the best in a given project is even better. As far as sheer skills are concerned, one must know how to install lights, power cables and wires.
It is also important as an electrician to take up odd jobs and finish those quickly. These odd jobs should better include fixing lighting sources, breaker panels for wires, transformers and heating systems in particular.
Typical work environment of commercial electricians
A commercial electrician mostly works indoors. These professionals make themselves useful within enclosed spaces of commercial buildings. Usually one finds commercial electricians working in spacious rooms full of electrical networks and wiring although the category of electricians may have to travel between one location to another to supervise projects. When these electricians work in a perfect manner there are much less chances of sustaining electrical shocks.
Just like domestic electricians, commercial electricians too may have to get into tiny spaces to carry out their tasks. A properly skilled commercial electrician can check the functioning of the electrical system in a commercial building in the best possible way. They can also enhance the overall wiring and the security systems apart from many other things.
Necessary qualifications for an electrician in the UK
If you want to be a fully qualified electrician in the UK you need either of the two –
- An Electrical NVQ Diploma (Level 3) or
- A Technical and Vocational Qualification (Level 3)
There is no need to hold a university degree to be a qualified electrician.
However before going for an advanced professional qualification, you have to master the basics along with a little practical hands-on electrical experience. There are several electrical courses existing in the country that are designed for novices who want to become fully qualified electrician within a short period of time.
These courses are designed carefully and include all the qualifications that are necessary for an electrician to possess along with few more. In order to be a qualified electrician it is important to master the electrical theory. Along with that one has to develop relevant skills to the level of professional competency. These factors help one earn an Electrical NVQ Level 3 Diploma assures a commercial electrician in the UK.
What happens after one qualifies as an electrician
Once a candidate successfully completes the relevant professional trainings and earns the qualifications, one can seek employment with renowned electrical firms. Alternatively they may even launch their own business and work independently. But it is better to earn a few years of experience in the industry before launching one’s own business.
Becoming a ‘self employed’ electrician
Here are few assured tips that can help you on your way blooming as a self employed electrician
- You must possess the relevant electrical qualifications that are recognised by the industry (Level 3 is the minimal earmark)
- Focus on the skill set that you are best at
- Joining a competent person scheme enables you to self certify your work
- Invest in insurance like tool cover insurance, public liability insurance and others
- Somewhere at this stage it is important for you to choose between a limited company or a sole trader to claim tax benefits later
Now that you can provide commercial electrician services it is time to find your first client.
