An Electrical Technician is a professional who troubleshoots and repairs electrical equipment. They read and interpret drawings and blueprints, install industrial electrical wiring and perform preventative and corrective maintenance. In this blog post we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Electrical Technicians.

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Main Responsibilities of Electrical Technician

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of an Electrical Technician:

Adhere to

Adhere to plant safety and 5S requirements.

Adjust

Adjust, calibrate and repair tension controls.

Analyze

Analyze situations accurately and adopt an appropriate course of action.

Apply

Apply relevant trade skills to undertaking schedules, and reactive maintenance tasks as required.

Ask

Ask questions and use input to improve performance.

Assemble

• Assemble and disassemble mechanical and electro-mechanical assemblies.

• Assemble components using power and hand tools.

Assist in

• Assist higher level electrical and mechanical technicians.

• Assist in design, development and testing.

• Assist in tool shipping & handling for field test and operation.

• Assist with identifying areas of focus for reliability / cost reduction projects.

Calibrate

Calibrate electronic equipment and instruments.

Carry out

Carry out problem solving activities on the plant and machinery to identify faults and rectify them.

Check

• Check power and hand tools for correct operation.

• Check specification sheet to determine required assembly and special options.

Collect

Collect and compile operational or experimental data.

Communicate

Communicate regularly with the Team Lead and other team members commissioning.

Complete

• Complete all required documentation including fully updating the CMMS.

• Complete assigned work efficiently and per Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's).

• Complete check sheets for all inspections and tests.

• Complete documentation required for maintenance work and line utilization logs.

• Complete minor repairs / maintenance of UPS systems.

• Complete preventive / demand maintenance tasks.

Conduct

• Conduct all repairs and installations according to recent code.

• Conduct the detailed design during the project phase.

Cut

Cut, bend and mount conduit (EMT, Liquid Tight, etc.).

Deliver

Deliver the pre-planned maintenance program as issued.

Detect

Detect faulty operations and defective equipment.

Develop

• Develop or modify production and prototype automated assembly equipment and fixtures.

• Develop, train and share knowledge with staff in order to improve skills.

Diagnose

• Diagnose and replace faulty mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic components of machines and equipment.

• Diagnose problems, replace or repair parts, test and make adjustments.

Document

Document maintenance work following the ALCOA principles.

Drive

• Drive a culture of continuous improvement and teamwork in line with company values.

• Drive control components & I / O.

Enforce

Enforce all Safety, Quality policies, and all other company policies and procedures.

Ensure

• Ensure all test spec are met and being followed.

• Ensure sets, mannequins, styling props and shoot areas are well maintained and tidy.

• Ensure tasks are completed within cost and target times.

• Ensure that quality design processes are respected, use of auto-control.

• Ensure the trading environment is well lit at all times.

• Ensure work is performed safely and efficiently.

Enter

Enter new ideas in order to meet the requirements of the aspect ‘design to cost'.

Eventative

Eventative maintenance of all environmental, mechanical and electrical operational systems.

Execute

Execute and coordinate the project installation plan and maintain proper site documentations.

Explain

Explain the concept / preliminary / detailed design.

Follow

• Follow all safe work procedures.

• Follow instructions accurately and complete assigned tasks.

• Follow OSHA and ANSI requirements when working on and repairing electrical equipment.

• Follow up the electrical integration planning to fulfill with project milestones.

• Follow written and verbal instructions and performs other tasks as directed by supervision.

Generate

Generate quotes and estimates for labour and material.

Get

Get involved in Project Work, Additional Works, as required.

Handle

Handle other tasks as assigned by Team Leader or Supervisor.

Help

• Help develop plant maintenance technicians with industrial automation components and wiring.

• Help us make a difference as a Shift Electrical Technician.

• Help us weave a sustainable future and deliver a positive impact in our communities.

• Help with route cause analysis.

Identify

• Identify and define required procedures and inspection frequency.

• Identify and know the appropriate items / things which need to be worked on.

• Identify patterns of failures and ways to design out failures.

• Identify, troubleshoot, repair, optimize manufacturing equipment and processes.

Inform

• Inform Team Lead of any issues that could affect or cause delays in completion of the Site.

Input

Input histories if required.

Inspect

• Inspect, repair, replace transformers, switches, control equipment, wiring, and electrical systems.

• Inspect, test, adjust, and repair components of the electrical distribution system.

Install

• Install and troubleshoot industrial electrical wiring.

• Install / program and troubleshoot adjustable frequency AC and DC motor drives.

• Install, repair, and calibrate transmitters, instruments, control valves, actuators, and positioners.

• Install control systems for rebuilds or new systems.

• Install electrical control panels and wire raceways.

• Install, inspect, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain electrical control systems.

• Install, troubleshoot, maintain and repair pneumatic and electric HVAC controls.

• Install unit vehicle and / or chipper components and accessories.

Keep

Keep work area clean, neat and organized.

Lead

Lead process improvement and initiate change.

Learn

Learn and operator all equipment within the work area (cell).

Lift

Lift up to 25lbs individually or up to 40lbs as a two person lift.

Maintain

• Maintain a clean and safe job-site at all times.

• Maintain and completes instrument and electrical system preventative maintenance activities.

• Maintain and repair machinery / electrical issues.

• Maintain and troubleshoot all machine and process systems, electrical and mechanical.

• Maintain and troubleshoot problems with AC drive systems and PLC's.

• Maintain clean and safe working environment in accordance with company policies and procedures.

• Maintain daily time records.

• Maintain electrical equipment and tools in good working order.

• Maintain excellent customer relations.

• Maintain files, logs and drawings for all designated instrumentation and electrical equipment.

• Maintain outdoor pole and roof lighting.

• Maintain records of equipment repairs and modifications.

• Maintain, repair, and install cable and wiring required for equipment.

• Maintain student records and participate in curriculum development and revision.

• Maintain the power distribution of plant equipment.

• Maintain work area and shop tools / equipment.

Manage

Manage job site in a professional manner.

Model

Model safe behavior at all times, and actively participate in safety improvement activities.

Mount

Mount components into enclosures.

Operate

• Operate a Forklift to move equipment and loads to and from work areas.

• Operate and maintain instrument and electrical testing equipment.

Oversee

Oversee technical repairs performed by outside contractors on process equipment.

Own

• Own basic hand tools and power tools.

• Own / manages technical investigations, SOP's and follow-ups to problems.

Participate

• Participate in company's "on call” after hours' emergency call program.

• Participate in cost effective decision making (for example / labor, parts, and materials).

• Participate in the establishment of new equipment and the improvement of existing Utility equipment.

Perform

• Perform all duties in manner consistent with environmental, health and safety policies.

• Perform basic welding and fabrication tasks.

• Perform daily / weekly test station calibrations as required.

• Perform mechanical and software upgrades to products.

• Perform modifications from drawings, prints or wiring schematics on coaches and locomotives.

• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

• Perform preventative and corrective maintenance on production equipment.

• Perform preventative, predictive and routine maintenance of Automated equipment.

• Perform product inspections and tests as required.

• Perform repairs and maintenance on electrical systems including low voltage DC to 480VAC.

• Perform root cause analysis on failures to reduce future downtime.

• Perform routine and major maintenance on liquids facilities and associated auxiliary equipment.

• Perform routine maintenance of systems based on machine PM requirements.

• Perform scheduled and progressive maintenance inspections and unscheduled designated repairs.

• Perform scheduled inspections and progressive maintenance.

• Perform tests / troubleshooting of railway signaling equipment.

• Perform tower maintenance under close supervision.

• Perform troubleshooting and repair of electrical control circuits.

Plan

Plan and perform routine work as assigned.

Prepare

Prepare technical documentation on as needed basis.

Prioritize

Prioritise work on the plant and machinery to meet operational needs and maximize plant uptime.

Promote

Promote, develop and maintain the highest standards in terms of health, safety and the environment.

Provide

• Provide all required job updates on a timely basis.

• Provide coaching and guidance to other staff to heighten their abilities to repair equipment.

• Provide customer training in the implementation of systems.

• Provide expert knowledge on products and styling ensembles.

• Provide Shift cover as required.

• Provide technical and hands on support as required during shutdowns.

• Provide technical assistance for investigations when equipment or system failure occurs.

• Provide technical guidance to contractors and staff.

Reach

Reach with hands and arms.

Read

• Read and interpret drawings, blueprints, and manuals while servicing equipment.

• Read and work from blueprints, schematics, P&ID's, drawings and ladder diagrams.

Real

Real opportunities for growth and development.

Recommend

• Recommend and implement improvements to equipment.

• Recommend and implement improvements to department procedures, provides.

• Recommend changes to Maintenance tasks and / or SOP's.

Remove

• Remove, repair, and install instruments, DCS components, and related equipment.

• Remove and replace components at the board level.

Repair

• Repair and set up power presses and other fabricating machinery.

• Repair or rework on existing assemblies.

• Repair and install electrical and electronic equipment.

• Repair and replace defective parts.

Report

• Report all injuries, illnesses and hazardous materials releases.

• Report to management any issues which affect or may affect production and safety.

Research

Research, write and revise technical documentation pertaining to qualification of facility equipment.

Resolve

Resolve assembly problems and / or reports to Team Leader for assistance.

Respond to

• Respond to daily maintenance requests in a timely fashion to minimize equipment downtime.

• Respond to electrical power interruptions.

• Respond to tenant requests and emergencies.

Retrieve

Retrieve the required information from suppliers and System Engineering, conduct JDDPs with them.

Review

• Review daily work activities and complete the Work scheduled as set out by the Lead.

• Review final reporting of the job, ensure all costs pertaining to the job have been.

• Review planned preventative maintenance procedures to maximise their efficiency and effectiveness.

• Review upcoming Work activities for documentation requirements with the Team Lead.

• Review work of drafts-persons and other technicians.

Set

• Set up, adjusts, repairs, and maintains electrical utility equipment.

• Set up PM's on new equipment.

Specify

Specify vendors and maintain a close liaison to procure and expedite materials.

Support

• Support operations during manufacturing phase.

• Support the academic success.

• Support the planning and execution of daily / weekly / and shutdown activities.

Test

Test and repair electrical components.

Troubleshoot

• Troubleshoot and program PLC (programmable logic controllers) and DCS (digital control systems).

• Troubleshoot and repair electrical equipment.

• Troubleshoot and repair equipment.

• Troubleshoot and solve complex equipment problems.

• Troubleshoot and test control loops, tune and calibrate controllers.

• Troubleshoot and test control panels.

• Troubleshoot control circuit boards.

• Troubleshoot electrical issues.

• Troubleshoot electrical issues on a variety of building systems elements.

• Troubleshoot, repair, maintain, and improve mechanical equipment and components.

• Troubleshoot and repair or replace motor starters.

Troubleshoots

• Troubleshoots and installing VFD motor controls.

• Troubleshoots electrical issues.

Understand

Understand electrical distribution systems.

Update

Update PM's on existing equipment.

Use

• Use and conduct proper care of PPE.

• Use electrical hand tools, power tools and testers to install or repair electrical equipment.

• Use Office applications for documentation (Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint).

• Use of hand and power tools.

• Use of the masculine in our communications refers equally to both men and women.

• Use of the masculine in our communications refers equally to both women and men.

• Use PC for troubleshooting automated guided carts.

• Use precision measuring equipment for machining.

Utilize

Utilize tools, equipment, ladders, lifts, etc., in safe manner per plant safety procedures.

Wire

• Wire control panels per specifications.

• Wire Control Panels to motors, blowers, burners and other devices for testing in our test PIT.

Work

• Work as part of the sustainability drive to reduce utility consumption across the site.

• Work in a proactive manner to comply with our statutory undertaking relevant to BS7671.

• Work in compliance with Occupational Health and Safety Act and other applicable codes.

• Work is safety sensitive and protective equipment is required.

• Work on PLC, HMI, Drives, Control Net, Device Net, and Ethernet.

• Work to prints, sketches, schematics, specifications, process sheets, and outlines.

• Work with all plant personnel in a cooperative and professional manner.

• Work with team to prioritize work and make efficient use of available time.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of an Electrical Technician:

1. Electrical Maintenance

2. Manufacturing Environment

3. AC

4. PLC Troubleshooting

5. Hydraulics

6. Manufacturing

7. Electrical Schematics

8. MS Excel

9. Computer

10. Instrumentation

11. MS Word

12. Wiring

13. Electronics

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of an Electrical Technician:

1. Written and oral communication skills

2. Work independently with little direction

3. Interpersonal skills

4. Positive attitude

5. Team player

6. Collaborative

7. Effectively interact with clients, tenants, management and staff

8. Initiative

9. Innovative when it comes to trouble-shooting

10. Organizational capacity

11. Problem-solving attitude