Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for Industrial Electrician

production environment

An Industrial Electrician is a professional who installs, repairs, troubleshoots, and maintains electrical equipment. They are able to read and understand electrical schematics and perform preventative maintenance. In this blog post we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Industrial Electricians.

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Main Responsibilities of Industrial Electrician

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of an Industrial Electrician:

Abide by

Abide by all company health and safety protocols and procedures.

Advise

Advise management on whether continued operation of equipment could be hazardous.

Assess

Assess problems and make changes to existing electrical systems in order to improve performance.

Assist in

  • Assist in the validation of new / used equipment transferred to plant.

  • Assist to connect wires to circuit breakers, transformers, or other components.

  • Assist with Machine certifications.

  • Assist with the installation of new equipment.

Attend

  • Attend all classes / education / training as applicable for this position.

  • Attend all meetings as required.

  • Attend to breakdowns of various onsite equipment and machines in a fast and efficient manner.

Bend

Bend and install EMT conduit and install Rigid conduit.

Calibrate

Calibrate timers and thermostats and adjusts contact points as indicated.

Collaborate with

  • Collaborate with other maintenance team members to ensure the plant is running smoothly at all times.

  • Collaborate with other technicians on mechanical and electrical problems.

Communicate

Communicate any issues to clients, and discuss payment options and scheduling.

Complete

  • Complete all required documentation.

  • Complete electrical preventative maintenance activities.

  • Complete group insurance after 60 days of service.

  • Complete project minutes and actions log.

  • Complete repairs and new equipment installation.

  • Complete routine paperwork as required.

Comply with

Comply with departmental policy for the safe storage, usage, and disposal of hazardous materials.

Comprehend

Comprehend and use technical manuals and schematics.

Conduct

  • Conduct audits / assessments on all production equipment to ensure operating standards are met.

  • Conduct testing of equipment and recommend modification or replacement.

Contribute to

  • Contribute to plant cost and downtime reduction.

  • Contribute to the continuous improvement initiatives on all aspect of the job.

Coordinate

  • Coordinate priorities between calls and work orders to ensure efficiency.

  • Coordinate projects and assist contractors as required.

Crawl

Crawl, kneel and stoop and work in small spaces.

Create

  • Create and maintain global regulatory monitoring documents with support from the regulatory team.

  • Create and manage ‘watch lists' to ensure expiring regulations are renewed prior to expiration.

Design

Design and build electrical systems.

Develop

Develop wiring diagrams, layout drawings and specifications for system modifications.

Diagnose

  • Diagnose and remedy all electrical troubles and repair and replace all electrical apparatus.

  • Diagnose any electrical problems and breakdowns.

Document

Document and complete planned repairs and maintenance activities.

Draw

Draw, read and interpret electrical schematics and one-line diagrams.

Ensure

  • Ensure all faults and downtimes are minimized as much as possible.

  • Ensure all maintenance supplies are stored in appropriate areas at end of each day.

  • Ensure preventative maintenance program are done based on assigned schedules.

  • Ensure safety of all manufacturing equipment and facilities in the plant.

  • Ensure safety of self, other employees, and property.

  • Ensure that all print updates are being completed and that rework is properly recorded.

  • Ensure that all required documentation is completed correctly and on time.

  • Ensure that safety codes and the CEC are followed.

  • Ensure timely completion of repairs, fixtures etc. as required so production is not interrupted.

Exchange

Exchange and set up of electrical / mechanical parts.

Facilitate

Facilitate the organisation of Technical and Project meetings as required.

Follow

  • Follow all energy isolation requirements.

  • Follow all Environmental procedures.

  • Follow all PPE requirements and safety rules and guidelines for all tasks being performed.

  • Follow company policies on Health, Safety & Environment and PPE requirements.

  • Follow established cleaning protocols.

  • Follow MCPC when working on production concerns, complete paperwork to close protocols.

  • Follow plant lock-out procedures during repair or servicing.

Handle

Handle breakdowns in an efficient manner.

Help

  • Help install and repair product conveyance systems and drive systems.

  • Help install new circuits and trouble shoot existing.

  • Help to repair or replace wiring, equipment, and fixtures, using hand tools and power tools.

  • Help troubleshoot and repair operational equipment as needed.

Identify

  • Identify and address any issues or concerns with manufacturing equipment.

  • Identify and resolve problems, recommending improvements in the maintenance process.

Inspect

  • Inspect assigned equipment to ensure it is in safe operating condition.

  • Inspect completed jobs for quality assurance.

Install

  • Install and maintain various types of bearings, seals, packing material, blowing and exhaust fans.

  • Install control and distribution of devices such as switches, relays and distribution panels.

  • Install, examine, replace or repair electrical components.

  • Install, repair and maintenance on electrical systems in line with statutory and legal requirements.

  • Install and connect distribution and utilization equipment components.

  • Install control systems for rebuilds or new systems.

  • Install, modify, repair and maintain electrical circuits, devices and equipment.

  • Install, Troubleshoot, and Repair 460v motors and controls to include variable frequency drives.

Interact with

Interact with internal customers and vendors.

Interpret

  • Interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

  • Interpret electrical code specifications.

  • Interpret schematics and blueprints at an intermediate level.

Keep

  • Keep abreast of new technology, electrical services, and manufacturing processes.

  • Keep drawings and panel legends up to date and report changes and inconsistencies.

  • Keep lube lines, nozzles, swivels, tips in good condition.

Lead

Lead and Support continuous improvement activities.

Liaise with

Liaise with internal departments for design input, fabrication and modifications to equipment.

Log

Log all pertinent information about all activities accomplished in a shift into our "Logbook”.

Maintain

  • Maintain AC / DC motors and drives.

  • Maintain a clean and safe work environment.

  • Maintain a clean and safe workplace.

  • Maintain an accurate log of all parts used and assist in maintaining inventory.

  • Maintain and repair large motors, equipment, and control systems in campus factory areas.

  • Maintain a safe and orderly work environment.

  • Maintain communication with coworkers through two-way radio and hand signals.

  • Maintain contact with supervision and co-workers in order to ensure and report progress.

  • Maintain housekeeping in the working area at all times.

  • Maintain hydraulics and pneumatics.

  • Maintain, install, troubleshoot VFDs, programmable sensors, SCADA, HMI, and PLCs.

  • Maintain logs of all repair and maintenance activities.

  • Maintain, PM and ensure robustness of production equipment.

  • Maintain power distribution systems and maintain all instrument / control systems.

  • Maintain, repair and test motors, generators and control systems.

  • Maintain safe practices and actively engage in continuous improvement projects to improve safety.

  • Maintain safe work standards in a manufacturing environment.

  • Maintain spare parts inventory.

  • Maintain specified records of work performed, details of repairs, and materials usage.

  • Maintain specified records of work performed, details of repairs, and material usage.

Make

  • Make decisions based on technical documents.

  • Make sure all sensors and switches are in good working condition.

Manage

Manage work order task goals of on-time completion and a daily submission of work documents.

Minimize

Minimize production downtime through preventive maintenance.

Monitor

Monitor the performance and operation of onsite equipment and systems.

Observe

Observe safe work practices.

Participate

  • Participate, collaborate and cooperate with other trades to speed up repair and maintenance.

  • Participate in 5 "S” activities.

  • Participate in Continuous improvement activity.

  • Participate in mechanical repairs as required.

  • Participate in the generation and improvement of job plans, task and routes.

  • Participate in the maintenance and organization of spare parts inventory.

Perform

  • Perform all mechanical repair.

  • Perform all work using the proper safety equipment and in a safe manner.

  • Perform maintenance and repairs on production equipment, the building and all of its components.

  • Perform maintenance in accordance with the CMMS.

  • Perform maintenance related cleaning of equipment.

  • Perform monthly / weekly calibrations as required by regulatory agencies.

  • Perform necessary preventative routine maintenance.

  • Perform other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Manager.

  • Perform other duties as required.

  • Perform other related duties as assigned.

  • Perform planned electrical and mechanical maintenance work orders in a timely and effective manner.

  • Perform planned maintenance on automated cranes, conveyors, and specialty equipment.

  • Perform preventative and reliability-centered maintenance activities.

  • Perform preventative maintenance on required equipment and scheduled work as required.

  • Perform preventative maintenance procedures and techniques.

  • Perform preventative maintenance repairs of plant equipment through issued work orders.

  • Perform quality testing and inspections.

  • Perform routine scheduled and non-scheduled electrical troubleshooting and repair.

  • Perform the required cleaning of equipment.

  • Perform various other duties as assigned by his Supervisor.

Plan

  • Plan and execute work assignments utilizing equipment schematics, drawings and manuals.

  • Plan, implement, and maintain electrical and instrumentation regulatory programs.

Prepare

Prepare material cost and timing estimates for upcoming jobs.

Provide

  • Provide assistance, guidance and advice to Apprentices as required.

  • Provide improvement suggestions to increase quality, production, and safety.

  • Provide preliminary sketches and cost estimates for materials and services.

  • Provide technical assistance to maintenance and production personnel as needed.

Read

  • Read and comprehend schematics and diagrams.

  • Read and interpret blueprints and circuit diagrams.

  • Read and interpret electrical drawings and schematics and modify if required.

  • Read and understand electrical schematics, wiring diagrams and mechanical drawings.

  • Read and update changes made to blueprints, P&ID-s, single-lines, ladder logic and wiring schematics.

  • Read electrical schematics to troubleshoot equipment.

  • Read, interpret, and following drawings, schematics, diagrams, specifications and reports.

  • Read work orders and write descriptions of work completed with parts used and required.

Repair

  • Repair instruments using testing and calibration equipment.

  • Repair, maintain and install equipment using Forklifts, Skyjacks and Cranes as required.

  • Repair mechanical machinery breakdowns on his / her own or with others.

Report

  • Report all needed equipment repairs and modifications that's needed.

  • Report anything that is unsafe or hazardous to maintenance and Plant Manager immediately.

Research

Research and develop process improvement plans to ensure equipment is meeting adequate standards.

Resolve

Resolve deficiencies found during inspection, testing and calibration.

Respond to

  • Respond quickly to production requests for electrical support to ensure minimum downtime.

  • Respond promptly to all emergency maintenance requests.

  • Respond to after-hours emergency calls on a rotational basis.

  • Respond to emergency situations as necessary.

  • Respond to machinery failures and breakdowns.

  • Respond to supervisor requests for resets, fuses, and overloads.

Select

Select and purchase electrical equipment as needed.

Sign out

Sign out all parts taken from the storeroom returning any that were not used.

Solve

Solve customer problems by working with external development teams and in-house technical teams.

Support

  • Support and assist Millwrights as required.

  • Support and maintenance of our User Acquisition effort.

  • Support for advertising / monetisation functionality in our products.

  • Support with the set-up of new equipment.

Test

Test equipment and components for current, continuity and voltage.

Troubleshoot

  • Troubleshoot AC / DC motors, VFDs, and PLCs.

  • Troubleshoot and correct equipment malfunctions.

  • Troubleshoot and correct power failures and short circuits.

  • Troubleshoot and maintain electrical systems.

  • Troubleshoot and repair electrical equipment in a manufacturing plant.

  • Troubleshoot and repair electrical equipment in manufacturing plant.

  • Troubleshoot and repair production equipment.

  • Troubleshoot electrical control systems and 3 phase motor control.

  • Troubleshoot industrial control systems and devices.

  • Troubleshoot, repair and maintain Injection Molding machines and plastic processing equipment.

  • Troubleshoot and install VFD motor controls.

Understand

Understand and follow site specific protocols and escalation procedures.

Undertake

Undertake projects related to system improvements and plant control processes.

Use

  • Use complex electrical schematics and blueprints to troubleshoot and correct problems.

  • Use electrical testing equipment to assist with determining proper course of action.

  • Use of CMMS for shift cross overs, tracking parts, and completing work orders.

Wear

Wear personal protective equipment in accordance with training guidelines.

Work with

  • Work alternative shifts that could include graveyard shifts, weekends, holidays.

  • Work closely with machine.

  • Work closely with Operations and Mechanical Maintenance personnel.

  • Work closely with PMO to ensure data availability.

  • Work from complex wiring drawings, code books and similar documents.

  • Work in and promote a safe environment.

  • Work in a team setting with other tradesmen, employees and management.

  • Work on ladders, lifts and scaffolds.

  • Work on voltage controls as well as circuits to include 110v, 440v and 4160v.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of an Industrial Electrician:

  1. Industrial Electrical Maintenance

  2. PLCS

  3. AC

  4. Relay Logic

  5. Pneumatics

  6. Drives

  7. Hydraulics

  8. Manufacturing Environment

  9. Troubleshooting

  10. DC Drives

  11. Electrical Controls

  12. Instrumentation

  13. Industrial Industry

  14. PLC

  15. Diagnosing

  16. Industrial Sector

  17. Motor Control Circuits

  18. Transmitters

  19. Various Instrumentation Sensors

  20. Continuous Manufacturing Environment

  21. Manufacturing

  22. Motors

  23. Qualification

  24. Standing

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of an Industrial Electrician:

  1. Written and oral communication skills

  2. Interpersonal skills

  3. Analytical ability

  4. Organizational capacity

  5. Troubleshooting skills

  6. Team player

  7. Problem-solving attitude

  8. Work independently with little direction

  9. Attention to detail

  10. Work collaboratively

  11. Flexible

  12. Insight

  13. Manage time effectively while handling multiple jobs with varying priorities

  14. Successful at achieving goal results in a team environment

  15. Critical thinker

  16. Time-management

  17. Reasonably solve problems

  18. Reliable

  19. Troubleshooting

  20. Deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations

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