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Trades in Construction and Maintenance

Electrician - Jobs

20 chapters

intermediate

Discover how trades in construction and maintenance build and sustain our world while boosting your English skills.

Chapter

Electrician

Read a passage about installing and maintaining electrical systems to discover the expertise that powers homes, businesses, and industries.

The World of an Electrician

1.1

When you think about an electrician, you might picture someone in a work uniform with a tool belt, working with wires and cables. Electricians are important people in our daily lives, though many of us might not realize it. They are the ones who make sure that the lights turn on when we flip the switch and that appliances work smoothly in our homes and workplaces.

What Does an Electrician Do?

1.2

Electricians are skilled tradespeople who install, maintain, and repair electrical systems. These systems include the wiring and circuits found in homes, offices, factories, and other buildings. Electricians also work on equipment like lighting fixtures and power generators. Some electricians specialize in certain areas, such as residential, commercial, or industrial work.

1.3

Residential electricians work in homes, installing lights, outlets, and heating systems to make sure each part of the house has enough power. Commercial electricians work in office buildings, stores, and other businesses. These buildings usually need more power, so commercial wiring systems are often more complex. Industrial electricians work in factories, power plants, and other large facilities. Here, they handle higher power systems that support heavy machinery and equipment.

How to Become an Electrician

1.4

Becoming an electrician takes time, effort, and dedication. Most start by going to trade school to learn the basics of electrical work, like using tools and techniques safely. This training usually takes one or two years.

1.5

After trade school, future electricians begin an apprenticeship, which is on-the-job training. During an apprenticeship, they work under an experienced electrician, learning to do the job correctly and safely. This training can last up to four years, giving them time to gain confidence before working independently.

The Importance of Safety

1.6

Working with electricity is no walk in the park. Electricians face various dangers on the job, from electric shocks to fires. This is why safety is a big priority for every electrician. They wear protective clothing, like gloves and goggles, and use special tools to prevent accidents. Before starting any job, electricians inspect the area and turn off power sources to avoid unwanted surprises.

1.7

In addition to physical safety, electricians follow certain rules and standards, known as electrical codes. Each country has its own codes, which exist to protect both the electrician and the people who use the electrical systems. An electrician must stay up to date with these codes because they can change as technology improves. Electricians learn to expect the unexpected, keeping their eyes open and taking their time to inspect everything carefully.

Tools of the Trade

1.8

Electricians rely on a variety of tools to do their work. A few of the most common tools include wire cutters, screwdrivers, and voltage testers. Wire cutters help electricians cut wires to the right length, while screwdrivers let them open up equipment and tighten connections. Voltage testers are essential for checking if a wire has power.

1.9

Another tool that electricians often use is a multimeter, which measures voltage, current, and resistance. It is like a Swiss army knife for electricians, combining several functions into one device. With a multimeter, an electrician can figure out if something is wrong in a circuit by spotting unusual readings, which can signal a problem. Electricians also use ladders to reach high areas and wear belts to carry their tools. Having the right tool makes the job easier and helps avoid mistakes.

Electricians in the Modern World

1.10

With technology changing so quickly, the work of electricians is also evolving. Today, electricians work on "smart" homes with systems that can be controlled remotely by phones or computers, including lighting, heating, and security. Electricians who work with smart technology need new skills to keep up with these devices and techniques.

1.11

Electricians also play a part in renewable energy projects, such as solar power. Solar panels need to be installed and connected to the electrical system in a building. This type of work requires extra training, but as the world uses more renewable energy, the demand for electricians with these skills is on the rise.

The Skills of an Electrician

1.12

An electrician needs more than just tools to do the job well. They also need certain skills. One of the most important is problem-solving. Electrical systems can be complex, and when something goes wrong, electricians must find the cause and fix it. It is like solving a puzzle, but with wires and circuits.

1.13

Electricians also need math skills for calculating the correct amount of electricity for different systems. For example, if they are installing lights in a new building, they need to know how much power the building can handle. Mistakes in calculations can lead to problems like circuits overheating.

1.14

Good communication skills are also necessary. Electricians often work with architects and construction workers. When building a new home or office, they coordinate with these teams to make sure everything is installed correctly. Clear communication helps avoid misunderstandings and keeps the project moving smoothly.

Fun Fact: A Shocking Ancient Practice

1.15

Did you know that the first known use of electricity was in ancient Egypt around 2750 BCE? Egyptians used electric fish, also known as electric rays, to treat pain by placing the fish on painful areas of the body! Although this is very different from the work of modern electricians, it shows how people have been curious about electricity for thousands of years. Today, electricians use electricity in safer and more advanced ways, but it is fun to think about how it all began with a fish.

1. Electrician

Trades in Construction and Maintenance

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100%

QuizSkip the quiz

What do electricians do during an apprenticeship?

Work alone to gain confidence

Train at a university full-time

Teach new electricians how to stay safe

Practice under an experienced electrician

Match each type of electrician to where they usually work.

Residential electrician

Commercial electrician

Industrial electrician

Offices and stores

Factories and power plants

Homes and apartments

Sort the following steps in the correct order to show how someone becomes an electrician. (Place them in order from first to last.)

work independently as a trained electrician

learn by doing real jobs under supervision

begin an apprenticeship with a professional electrician

attend trade school to learn electrical basics

What does a multimeter help electricians do?

Open electrical boxes

Measure power, current, and resistance

Cut wires and shape metal

Protect themselves from shocks

Which of the following are NOT the tools commonly used by electricians? (Choose all that apply.)

Wire cutters

Multimeter

Paintbrush

Voltage tester

Welding torch

Screwdriver

Match each electrician's tool to what it is used for.

Voltage tester

Wire cutters

Multimeter

Check if a wire has power

Cut wires to the right length

Measure voltage, current, and resistance

Why are math skills important for electricians?

To calculate materials for floors and walls

To fix plumbing and water systems

To find the best location for doors

To calculate how much electricity a system can handle

Fill in the blanks with the correct words from the text (There are four extra options).

A person who installs and fixes electrical systems is called an

A tool called a

helps electricians check if a wire has power.

Electricians wear safety gear like

and goggles to avoid injury.

measures voltage, current, and resistance.

Some electricians now work on

homes that can be controlled by phones.

In ancient Egypt, people used electric

to treat pain.

electrician

voltage tester

gloves

multimeter

smart

fish

architecture

wire cutters

helmet

cat

Complete the table about electricians' tools using the given information.

Description	Tool
Used to test if a wire has electricity
Measures voltage, current, and resistance
Tool for cutting wires to size
Tool used to open and secure electrical components

voltage tester

multimeter

wire cutters

screwdrivers

10.

Which of the following statements about electricians are NOT true? (Choose all that apply)

Electricians help install solar panels.

All electricians only work in homes.

Electricians wear safety gear like gloves and goggles.

Electricians must follow electrical codes.

Electricians do not need to work with others.

Math is important in an electrician's job.

Electricians work with smart home systems.