09 Feb 10 Services Provided by Electrical Contractors and Electricians

Electrical contractors are companies that employ professional electricians. Electrical contractor companies need to be licensed in order to be able to design, install and maintain electrical systems of residential, commercial and industrial clients. Their electricians need to be similarly certified.

Among the services provided by electrical contractor companies are electrical inspection; residential, industrial and commercial light systems; interior lighting; exterior lighting such as street lights, parking lot lighting and landscape lighting; generator installation; electrical panel upgrade and service; electric repairs and troubleshooting; replacement of electrical fixtures; hurricane preparation and lightning and surge protection. They offer service calls with accompanying bucket truck service. Their professionally certified electricians look after the client's electrical circuits, wiring, fuses, breakers, outlets and switches.

In certain areas, there are laws or codes related to electrical systems that need to be met, and electrical contractor companies help their clients comply with such laws or codes. One example is the 40-Year Building Inspection Program of Miami-Dade County. Under the 40-Year Building Inspection Program, structural and electrical safety inspection and certification should be done every ten years for all buildings that are aged 40 and above. The electrical safety inspection is required to be done only by licensed electrical contractor companies. The exemptions include buildings that are 2,000 square feet and below, as well as buildings with ten or less occupants, duplexes and family homes.

All electrical contractor companies in all parts of the United States are subject to the National Electrical Code (NEC). There are three classifications of US electrical contractor companies. These are inside electrical contractors; outside electrical contractors, also called line electrical contractors; and integrated building systems (IBS) electrical contractors, also called voice/data/video (VDV) electrical contractors.

Inside electrical contractors do not work only indoors. They cover all the electrical needs of residential, commercial and industrial clients inside the property boundary lines.

Outside electrical contractors are not simply electrical contractors that work outdoors. They are also referred to as line electrical contractors because they take care of building and maintaining the high voltage power transmission infrastructure line that is sourced from a power plant and is sent out to power substations, power facilities and, finally, power users.

In contrast, integrated building systems (IBS) electrical contractors, who are also referred to as voice/data/video (VDV) electrical contractors, work on low-voltage power installations. This includes telecommunications, climate control, back-up power, energy-efficient lighting, wireless networks, fiber optics and security systems.

Electrical contractor companies classify their electricians as entry level apprentice electricians, journeyman electricians, estimators and project supervisors.

Apprentice electricians earn wages even as they go through a three to five year training program. Their classroom lessons and hands on training cover the whole process of electrical installation, modification, maintenance and repair.

Those who have completed the apprenticeship go through the requirements for state licensing in order to become journeyman electricians. Once licensed, they are expected to be able to read blueprints, install control wiring and troubleshoot them on the basis of drawings, and terminate cables. They are also ready to handle the installation, modification, maintenance and repair of power systems.

A journeyman electrician can eventually be promoted as an estimator. The estimator calculates the costing and duration of the entire project for submission in bidding and for use in the project's budgeting and scheduling.

The estimator can look forward to being promoted as project supervisor. The project supervisor is expected to manage the entire workforce, ensure compliance with quality control and safety standards, monitor the meeting of deadlines, and submit required reports to upper management.

A good electrical contractor company is not only properly licensed and insured but also employs only fully qualified and licensed electricians with experience and expertise. To ensure the safety of your family or your employees and clients, make sure you get the services of a reputable and trustworthy electrical contractor company in your area.