High Voltage Electricians are responsible for installing, testing, repairing and maintaining electric power plants, including overhead and underground systems for distributing electricity to consumers.
They need to know electronics and electrical principles and how to apply them in the tasks they do as electricians. They need to now the safety standards involving work on electrical power systems of more than 600 volts.
Nature of Work
High voltage electricians do a dangerous job so every thing about them must be checked and made sure are in order. Employers usually want to make sure that they have a clean background, are properly educated and trained in the corresponding trade. Cities need them because all industries, homes and buildings consume electricity. They are needed to test electrical systems for integrity and proper functioning; they repair and maintain them as needed. High voltage electricians are necessary to do repairs when large power interruptions occur; they are necessary as well to prevent such outages from happening. They are responsible for making sure that installed electrical wirings and connections are not damaged and they meet technical and safety standards required by state and federal building codes. In testing, they use different tools and instruments to ensure the safe operations electrical components. They may also be required to maintain transformers, motors and electrical controllers when working with bigger power systems. Because they work with high voltage electricity, they must thoroughly understand OSHA and have in-depth knowledge of state and local building codes, the policies of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other regulations. Depending on the location and source of the problems they have to deal with, high voltage electricians may be required to work not only indoors but outdoors as well and in extreme conditions. They may be required to be available on call 7/24 for emergency repairs.
Qualifications
High voltage electricians are not required to have degrees but they do have to work as apprentice for about four years of on the job training. Some states require them to obtain a license although all states have examinations to test their knowledge of local and state building codes, electrical power systems and other components.