Inside Wireworker: A Rewarding Career in the
Electrical Industry
Our trained Journeyman Inside Wiremen perform installation and maintenance for commercial office buildings and all complexes, including petrochemical, pulp and paper plants, oil refineries, power houses, retail stores, hospitals, and manufacturing plants. Types of work include:
- Planning and Initiating Projects
- Energy Management Systems
- Electrical Power and Lightning Systems
- Motor Control and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
- Establishing Power Distribution within a Project
- Planning and Installing Raceway Systems
- Installing New Wiring and Repairing Old Wiring
- Power Distribution and Metering Systems
- Building Automation Systems
- Troubleshooting and Repairing Electrical Systems
- Packaging Systems, Manufacturing Systems, Refining Systems
- Installing Fire Alarm Systems
- Installing and Maintaining Green Alternate Energy Systems such as Photovoltaic Systems (PV)
In performing these duties, Inside Wireworkers must use many different kinds of tools, ranging from simple one and two-hand tools (such as pliers, screwdrivers, and cable-cutters) to power assisted tools like electric drills and cable pullers. They occasionally operate heavy equipment such as trenchers and aerial lifts.
Over the course of the four-year Inside Wirework apprenticeship program, apprentices must acquire a wealth of technical knowledge. A recent job analysis identified 83 specific knowledge areas that are important for successful job performance. A few of the most important ones are knowledge of:
- The National Electrical Code
- How to Work With Energized Circuits (Safety)
- Blueprints (Including Symbols Used)
- Electrical Schematic Diagrams
- State and Local Electrical Codes
- First Aid
- Hazardous Materials
- OSHA Standards and Job Site Safety
Some of the most important skills to be learned are:
- Skill at Performing CPR
- Skill at Reading, Interpreting and Applying an Ampacity Chart
- Skill at Bending Conduit
- Skill at Installation and Fabrication of Support Systems
- Skill at Preparing and Pulling Wires and Cables
- Skill at Terminating Wires and Cables
- Skill at Reading a Tape Measure
- Skill at Applying Code Knowledge
- Skill at Working with Various Tools
- Skill at Troubleshooting Circuits
- Skill at Circuit Analysis