A journeyman electrician is someone who works with electrical systems, such as lighting, mechanical connections, power supplies, communications, and security systems. He or she may work on residential or commercial electrical systems, as well as overhead lines and power distribution. A journeyman electrician can work for a manufacturing plant or a utility company, though the majority of people who enter this field work in construction.
An individual’s journey to becoming a journeyman electrician begins when they enroll in an apprenticeship program. The individual will work during the day and attend an apprentice training program at night as an apprentice. He or she is eligible to take the Journeyman’s Electrical Exam after four years, which is administered by individual states and is based on principles in the National Electric Code. The individual will be certified as a journeyman electrician after passing the exam.
After receiving certification, a journeyman electrician is free to work on any type of electrical system without supervision. He or she may work for municipal organizations, installing and repairing wiring and conduit, installing fixtures and equipment, and running power lines. Wiring fire alarm systems or installing control wiring for the building’s mechanical system are examples of more advanced tasks. A journeyman electrician is allowed to perform all aspects of installing a complete electrical system in a home on the residential side. Apprentices working toward their own certification may be trained by the journeyman electrician.
While the journeyman is allowed to do a wide range of tasks, he or she is not allowed to obtain electrical permits or complete electrical system design work. The journeyman electrician must gain two more years of work experience before taking the Master’s Certification Exam in order to perform these tasks. After passing the Master’s exam, an individual can design systems and even start his or her own company.
When it comes to working conditions in the electrical field, an individual will face a variety of challenges. First and foremost, working on electrical systems, particularly high-voltage power lines, entails inherent risk. Climbing poles or installing overhead lines poses a risk to those working on municipal power systems. On a construction site, a journeyman electrician must be prepared to deal with changing weather conditions, climb ladders and scaffolds, and be aware of hazards such as falling objects and other trades’ work.