Summary
Electrical and electronics installers and repairers install or repair a variety of electrical equipment.
What they do
Electrical and electronics installers and repairers install or repair a variety of electrical equipment in telecommunications, transportation, utilities, and other industries.
Electrical and electronics installers and repairers typically do the following:
- Discuss problems and requirements with customers
- Inspect and test equipment
- Reproduce, isolate, and diagnose problems
- Disassemble equipment as necessary to access problematic components
- Clean, repair, and replace components
- Reassemble and test equipment after repairs
- Keep records of repairs, tests, parts, and labor hours
Modern manufacturing plants and transportation systems use a large amount of electrical and electronics equipment, from assembly line motors to sonar systems. Electrical and electronics installers and repairers fix and maintain these complex pieces of equipment.
Because automated electronic control systems are becoming more complex, repairers use software programs and testing equipment to diagnose malfunctions. Among their diagnostic tools are multimeters—which measure voltage, current, and resistance—and advanced multimeters, which measure the capacitance, inductance, and current gain of transistors.
Repairers also use signal generators, which provide test signals, and oscilloscopes, which display signals graphically. In addition, repairers often use hand tools such as pliers, screwdrivers, and wrenches to replace faulty parts and adjust equipment.
The following are examples of types of electrical and electronics installers and repairers:
Commercial and industrial electrical and electronics equipment repairers adjust, test, repair, or install electronic equipment, such as industrial controls, transmitters, and antennas.
Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers—such as armature winders, generator mechanics, and electric golf cart repairers—specialize in installing, maintaining, and repairing electric motors, wiring, or switches.
Electrical and electronics installers and repairers of transportation equipment install, adjust, or maintain mobile communication equipment, including sound, sonar, security, navigation, and surveillance systems on trains, watercraft, or other vehicles.
Electronic equipment installers and repairers of motor vehicles install, diagnose, and repair sound, security, and navigation equipment in motor vehicles. These installers and repairers work with a range of complex electronic equipment, including digital audio and video players, navigation systems, and passive and active security systems.
Powerhouse, substation, and relay electrical and electronics repairers inspect, test, maintain, or repair electrical equipment used in generating stations, substations, and in-service relays. These workers also may be known as powerhouse electricians, relay technicians, or power transformer repairers.
Work Environment
Many electrical and electronics installers and repairers work in repair shops or in factories, and some may work outside when they travel to job sites.
Installers and repairers may have to lift heavy equipment and work in awkward positions. They spend most of their day walking, standing, or kneeling.
How to become an Electrical and Electronics Installer and/or Repairer
Electrical and electronics installers and repairers need at least a high school education, but most specializations require further preparation through advanced education, work experience, or both.
Electrical and electronics installers and repairers must understand electrical equipment and electronics. As a result, employers often prefer applicants who have taken courses in electronics at a community college or technical school. Courses usually cover AC and DC electronics, electronic devices, and microcontrollers. It is important for prospects to choose schools that include hands-on training in order to gain practical experience.
In addition to technical education, workers usually receive training on specific types of equipment. This may involve manufacturer-specific training for repairers who will perform warranty work.
Before working independently, entry-level repairers usually develop their skills while working with experienced technicians who provide technical guidance.
Pay
The median annual wage for electrical and electronics installers and repairers was $59,080 in May 2019. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $33,730, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $93,650.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of electrical and electronics installers and repairers is projected to decline 1 percent from 2019 to 2029. Growth will vary by occupation (see table below).
Improvements in electrical and electronic equipment design, as well as the increased use of disposable tool parts, are expected to reduce the need for more electrical and electronic equipment installers and repairers.
Similar Job Titles
Critical Systems Technician, Electronic Bench Technician, Electronics Mechanic, Locomotive Electrician, Power Technician (Power Tech), Ship Yard Electrical Person, Control Technician, Electrical and Instrument Mechanic, Electrical and Instrument Technician (E&I Tech), Electrical Maintenance Technician, Electrical Technician, I&C Tech (Instrument and Control Technician), Instrument and Electrical Technician (I&E Tech), Repair Technician, Service Technician, Technical Support Specialist, Automotive Technician, Car Audio Installer, Car Electronics Installer, Car Stereo Installer, Electronic Equipment Installer, Electronic Technician, Installation Technician, Installer, Mobile Electronics Installation Specialist, Mobile Electronics Installer, Electrical and Instrumentation Technician (E & I Technician), Electrical Technician, Instrument and Control Technician (I & C Technician), Instrumentation and Control Technician (I&C Technician), Relay Technician, Substation Electrician, Substation Mechanic, Substation Technician, Substation Wireman, Wireman
Related Occupations
Transportation Equipment:
Manufacturing Production Technician, Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installer, Control and Valve Installer and Repairer, Signal and Track Switch Repairer, Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator
Commercial and Industrial Equipment:
Robotics Technician, Manufacturing Production Technician, Avionics Technician, Industrial Machinery Mechanic, Signal and Track Switch Repairer
Motor Vehicles:
Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer, Automotive Master Mechanic, Automotive Specialty Technician, Motorboat Mechanic and Service Technician, Motorcycle Mechanic
Powerhouse, Substation and Relay:
Robotics Technician, Electrical and Electronics Repairers-Commercial and Industrial Equipment, Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator, Ship Engineer, Transportation Vehicle-Equipment and Systems Inspector
More Information
The trade associations listed below represent organizations made up of people (members) who work and promote advancement in the field. Members are very interested in telling others about their work and about careers in those areas. As well, trade associations provide opportunities for organizational networking and learning more about the field’s trends and directions.
- IEEE
- International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians
- National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence
- The Mobile Electronics Certified Professional
- Aircraft Electronics Association
- American Society for Quality
- International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
- International Society of Automation
- National Business Aviation Association
- NCSL International
- Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
- Telecommunications Industry Association
Magazines and Publications
- EEWeb (news, forums)
- EE World Online
- EE Times
- EE Herald
- Electronics Weekly
- Electronic Design
Video Transcript
Wherever you find large-scale or industrial electrical equipment, you will also find skilled electrical and electronics installers and repairers keeping things running smoothly. These workers install or repair a variety of electrical equipment in telecommunications, transportation, utilities, and other industries. Installers and repairers use wiring diagrams and testing equipment to find system failures, and solve equipment problems. Most specialize: Motor, tool, and related repairers work on motors, wiring, and switches for products ranging from generators to golf carts. Transportation equipment specialists bring their expertise to trains, boats, and other vehicles to keep sonar, security, navigation, and surveillance systems in working order. Commercial equipment repairers keep industrial controls, transmitters, and antennas functioning in industrial settings. Powerhouse, substation, and relay repairers are responsible for the electrical equipment that generates and distributes electrical power. Specialists in motor vehicles work with digital audio and video players, security systems, and navigation equipment. Installers and repairers generally work full time, and spend most of their day walking, standing, or kneeling. While they put in some desk time for recordkeeping, their work can involve lifting heavy equipment and— at times—working in awkward positions. Most electrical and electronics installers and repairers need specialized courses at a technical college. Obtaining a related certification is helpful.
Content retrieved from: US Bureau of Labor Statistics-OOH www.bls.gov/ooh,
CareerOneStop www.careeronestop.org, O*Net Online www.onetonline.org