In a general sense, an electrician’s job is to bring electricity to structures such as homes and buildings from power generating companies and power supply distributors. Usually, they focus on the planning, installation, repair and maintenance of electrical circuits and lines, sometimes dealing with electronics and circuit boards where applicable. They may even be asked to rewire a whole structure if needed.

Aside from fixing lighting fixtures, fuses and electrical lines in homes and commercial establishments, electricians can also be found in construction sites, working alongside engineers and construction workers in planning and installing electrical circuits that will power the site during and after construction.

However, because of the ever-changing industrial landscape and constant development in electrics and technology, they are often required to perform other duties and responsibilities which other ordinary electricians do not normally do. For instance, an electrician who is employed by a mining company can be sent down under the tunnels to set up lighting and bring electrical supply to the people who are working inside the mines. In addition, those electricians employed for work in the oil rigs can be assigned to bring electricity to rigs located in the sea hundreds of miles away from land. However, before they are able to work in these places, they are required to undergo special training and skills development that will allow them to acquire the necessary technical and practical knowledge and skills that they will need in order to perform their duties effectively.

Some electricians work in the power plants. They can be assigned in the plant itself, conducting electrical repairs and installations where necessary, or they can be assigned outside duties like fixing transformer lines, conduits and power cables. They may also be assigned in substations in far-flung areas.

Electricians work with various tools of the trade, including mutli-testers, oscilloscopes and others. Sometimes, they will be assigned to mentor new electricians and apprentices, mentoring them on how these tools are used and other applications which apprentices need to be aware of.

The world demands for better electricians now, and that is what pushes electricians to learn specific and new skills which are not staples of trade schools. Because of this, we now have electricians who are better equipped in serving our electrical needs.

An improperly trained electrician can put your life and your property in danger, as many home and business fires are caused by faulty electrical wiring. Thus, hiring a professional electrician is very important. There are many electricians out there, and choosing among them can be quite difficult. To ease that burden, here are six things that will help you in finding the most suitable candidate for your electrical needs.

Ask for Referrals

Talk to family and friends who hired electricians before. Ask them how satisfied they were with the service and how much they paid. Usually, each of them will have their own favorite electrician, so you need to narrow that list down by going online conducting some research.

Check for Licenses

Electricians must have a license before they can practice their trade. This license proves that they have the right knowledge and skills needed to get the job done professionally. If the electrician does not have a license, or if the firm is planning to send an in-house trained personnel, skip them and go on to the next electrician on your list.

Look for Business Permits

This is true whether you are dealing with a firm or a home-based electrical service. These ensure that the business is legitimate and recognized by the government. In all states, businesses are required to issue receipts as proof of service and for legal documentation, and only registered businesses are able to issue this.

Inquire about Insurance

Insurance is a way of protecting yourself and your property from any untoward incidents that may occur during the repair. Ask and clarify issues about the insurance that the firm offers, including sections about compensation, accidents, and even service warranties.

Ask about Their Experience

A long track record means that the business has been providing great service to its customers; otherwise, they would have closed long ago. Also, ask about any work that they have done in the past that is similar to the one you are requiring them to do for you.

Compare Costs

Electricians charge different rates, even for the same services. Thus, take you take to shop around, to contact other electricians and compare their rates. If you’re talking to an electrician recommended by a family or friend, be sure to ask if there are any referral discounts that apply.

How to test if an electrical outlet is working correctly

A malfunctioning outlet is typically a quick fix, something you need not hire a professional electrician for if you follow the proper steps. As with any electrical job, safety comes first. 120 volts will do a lot of damage to careless hands, so always wear protective gear when working near a live outlet (e.g. rubber gloves, safety glasses, etc.).

A lot of homeowners have a tendency to assume the worse when something goes wrong, particularly if they lack experience in the home improvement department. The first thing to check is the circuit breakers; high energy loads are quite frequent and the breaker box is in place to prevent extensive damage to electrical wiring when a problem occurs.

Breaker, GFCI or Wiring: Check all Three

Something as simple as flipping the breaker switch back to the “On” position is all it takes to get the outlet working again. If a circuit fuse is in question and you cannot locate the source, proceed to cycle every breaker off and on. Contact a local electrician if the problem persists, as this may indicate a potential ground fault or short circuit issue. Faulty or damaged wiring is likely the culprit, a job intended for an expert.

All modern outlets feature GFCI technology, which stands for ground fault circuit interrupter; these devices are used to terminate the power source quickly when a ground fault occurs. Take a look at the outlet. Push the little red button in the center and see what happens. When there is more current going out than coming in, the GFCI will engage. If you have ever had multiple electrical devices running at the same time that were not linked to a power strip, chances are this has happened.

Determine if the problem exists in isolation. Is the outlet in question the only one not working? Test the voltage of nearby outlets and see if they still function. Since GFCI outlets will trip when current leaks are detected, you can save some trouble by ensuring all of them are reset (common areas to check are bathrooms, kitchens, garages and basements). If the GFCI continues to malfunction, it may need to be replaced.

Lastly, loose wiring at the breaker or the outlet could be the problem. Unscrew the outlet and check the condition of the leads. At this point you may find a one of the wires has been removed from the connector, simply twist it back together and this should fix the issue. It would not hurt to install a new wire connect while you have the device open, too.