According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 666,900 electricians in the US.
It's safe to say there is no shortage of electricians, however finding the right one for your job can take some time. You need to make sure you get someone who is going to do a good job and find someone who is reliable.
Learn more about electricians, including how to find the right one for your needs and what a residential electrician is.
What Type of Electricians Are There?
An electrician is a broad term for a tradesperson who installs and/or repairs the wiring in buildings. Electricians can also install other various electrical systems within buildings, such as:
and computer network systems.
There are four main categories of electricians. There are residential electricians, commercial electricians, industrial electricians, and low voltage electricians.
A low voltage electrician is a tradesperson who specializes in low-voltage systems. For instance, video, data, and video (VDV) networks and systems.
These types of electricians might be referred to as VDV electricians, or Voice-Data-Voice electricians. They typically focus on phone lines and fiber optic cable installation and repairs.
An industrial electrician is a tradesperson who performs maintenance and installation of electrical components and machinery in the industrial field. Their work may include working with high-voltage electricity at different industrial manufacturing locations.
A commercial electrician is a tradesperson who works at business sites such as:
Commercial electricians install and repair electrical systems in existing commercial buildings and newly constructed buildings. They also work on installing and/or repairing renovation projects.
A residential electrician is a tradesperson who works in home settings, such as single family dwellings, townhomes, condos, and large apartment complexes.
Additionally, there is a range of differently qualified electricians, such as:
and an electrician apprentice.
Masters electricians have years' of experience. Whilst an apprentice is someone who is still learning the trade.
What is a Residential Electrician?
A residential electrician can fix any electrical faults in your home and install new wiring.
Residential electricians cover a range of projects and can:
inspect your house's electrical components and check that everything is safe
install wiring and lighting in your home
troubleshoot and fix any electrical issues that you are experiencing
and also re-wire your home.
To find a residential electrician, you can look in local online directories. Or you could ask your friends and family for any recommendations. Another way to find an electrician is by searching for electricians near me.
What Does a Residential Electrician do?
The typical day-to-day tasks and duties of a residential electrician include various activities. For example, reading and interpreting technical drawings and blueprints, to identify where the wiring is or should go.
Residential electricians also inspect electrical components, such as air conditioning, ventilation, and ceiling fans, in households to ensure that they are safe and work correctly. They also install new wiring, lighting, and other electrical components.
You can get the help of an electrician if you need to maintain your electrical systems. Or if you need help diagnosing problems with the wiring in your home and need somebody to fix it for you.
Electricians who work on residential properties also can replace old wiring. And they can replace old or broken electrical components.
Residential electricians follow the latest health and safety procedures and regulations in order to make your home safe.
Electricians can safely fit ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) on outlets in places where water is common. So you can have electrical appliances in your bathroom, garage, or even outside.
They can also safely fit tamper-resistant receptacles (TRRs) which is good if you have little ones. TRRs help to prevent young children from sticking objects into plug sockets and hurting themselves.
When Should I Call a Residential Electrician?
As soon as you experience any electronic complications then you need to call in an expert.
For example, if your lights suddenly go out and you can't turn them back on and there isn't any reasonable explanation (such as a neighborhood power shortage). Or if you notice that your wires are sticking out then you need to call a professional residential electrician in to re-wire your house.
Another time when people call residential electricians is when they are in a house with electrics which hasn't been updated in a while.
It is advised to re-wire your home every 25 years or so so that the electrics are up-to-date with the industry's standard and not dangerous.
Another common electrical problem is when your outlets or switches are warm to touch, or if they give you a mild shock.
In this instance, your electric might simply have too much demand in the circuit, or it could be something more serious and dangerous. Make sure you call an expert in to check out the problem.
Alternatively, if you have aluminum wiring in your house then you need to get it checked regularly. Aluminum wiring was mainly fitted between 1965 and 1975.
According to New Equipment Digest, 40% of the electricians reported concerns that there will not be enough qualified workers to maintain the industry in the next 5-10 years.
So if you have any electrical problems, now is the best time to find a trusted electrician and get your issues sorted.
Check out our tips on finding the best residential electrician near me in Mansfield.
Choose the Right Residential Electrician
There are many factors when deciding who the right residential electrician is for you and your home.
The best way to choose the right electrician is by looking around and doing some research. See what previous customers have said about their different electrician's services. Gather a range of quotes from different electricians and see which one best fits your budget.
Get in touch with us now if you are looking for a professional and reliable electrician.