• Read instructions and warnings written on signs, labels and packaging, e.g. read signs to learn about noise and electrical shock hazards. (1)
• Read short text entries on technical drawings and forms, such as work orders, lockouts and equipment inspection sheets, e.g. read comments on work orders to learn the particulars of installation projects. (1)
• Read notices posted on bulletin boards covering topics, such as health and safety policy updates and upcoming events. (2)
• Read email messages from co-workers, e.g. read email messages from supervisors that provide detailed information about malfunctions that require troubleshooting. (2)
• Read magazine and website articles to learn about new products and stay informed about industry practices. (3)
• Read safety-related information, e.g. read safety rules and regulations governing the use of rigging and hazards, such as confined spaces and electrical shock. (3)
• Read a variety of manuals to learn how to install, maintain and repair equipment, such as programmable logic controllers, variable speed drives and automated control systems. (3)
• Read and interpret electrical codes, standards and regulations, e.g. read codes issued by regulatory committees, associations, safety code councils and municipal and provincial governments to learn how to complete electrical installations and repairs. (4)

• Read labels on product packaging, equipment, drawings and panels to locate safety and certification information, operating specifications and identification numbers. (1)
• Read meters and digital readouts to locate data, such as energy readings, settings, error codes and the number of hours equipment has been operating. (1)
• Take information from pre-maintenance work orders to determine the location and the type of work to be done. (2)
• Complete a variety of safety-related forms, e.g. complete lockout and tagout forms prior to repairing equipment. (2)
• Study shift, operating and maintenance schedules to locate the dates and times of upcoming repair and maintenance tasks. (2)
• Complete a variety of forms, e.g. enter data, such as dates, identification numbers, times, specifications and costs, to complete work orders and permits. (3)
• Locate data, such as specifications, classifications, material coefficients and identification numbers, in complex tables, e.g. scan tables in the Canadian Electrical Code for specifications, such as the size of wire needed in relation to the length of run and size of motor. (3)
• Interpret a variety of schematic, scale and assembly drawings, e.g. study assembly drawings to determine the location of parts within complex assembly and wiring schematics to locate electrical system components, such as circuits, and to troubleshoot equipment faults. (4)

• Write short comments in log books, e.g. write short comments in log books to inform co-workers about progress being made on installations and changes they may have to make to logic controllers. (1)
• May write email messages, e.g. write email messages to supervisors and managers to provide details of the work to be undertaken during the next scheduled shut-down. (2)
• May write reports to describe events leading up to workplace accidents, e.g. write about injuries and events when completing reports for workers' compensation boards. (2)
• May write detailed service reports that include descriptions of problems and their solutions. (3)

• Take a variety of measurements using basic tools, e.g. measure length of cables and the dimensions of equipment using tape measures. (1)
• Compare measurements of energy, dimension, speed, temperature and torque to specifications, e.g. compare the numeric values from gauges and digital displays to standard or required specifications found in operating and installation manuals. (1)
• May estimate times and costs for equipment repairs and installations. (1)
• May total and report the cost of small projects and repairs. (2)
• Schedule the completion of concurrent installation and repair tasks by considering project tasks, lead times and the availability of labour and parts. (2)
• Calculate electrical requirements, e.g. calculate current flows, resistances and voltages and troubleshoot electrical faults. (2)
• Calculate summary measures, e.g. calculate the average amount of power used by large installations. (2)
• Estimate the register or range of values that will correspond to the correct reading on the sensing or control instrument when installing and calibrating programmable logic controller systems. (2)
• Estimate the useful life remaining for equipment components, such as motors. (2)
• May calculate amounts for estimates and invoices. They multiply hours worked by labour rates and add amounts for parts, materials, supplies and applicable taxes. (3)
• Calculate requirements using formulae, e.g. use formulae to calculate the parameters for conduit fills and three-phase electrical circuits. (3)
• Analyze multiple energy readings to evaluate electrical system functions and troubleshoot faults, e.g. compare electrical resistance measurements to calculated or predicted values at various points in a circuit to identify the location of a ground fault. (3)
• Calculate offsets, e.g. use vectors and trigonometric constants to calculate the angles of non-standard bends. (4)

• Speak with suppliers to learn about products, prices and delivery schedules. (1)
• Exchange information with co-workers, e.g. speak with other tradespeople, such as millwrights, to coordinate activities and schedules. (2)
• Exchange information during meetings, e.g. discuss safety issues and procedures during meetings with co-workers. (2)
• Talk to operators about equipment and machinery breakdowns, e.g. ask operators detailed questions to troubleshoot faults and provide complex instructions to avoid similar breakdowns. (3)
• Exchange technical repair and troubleshooting information, e.g. discuss unusual electronic control module faults with co-workers and help desk technicians. (3)
• May provide detailed explanations, e.g. provide detailed instructions to apprentices about electrical troubleshooting techniques and working safely. (3)

• Find motor specifications by looking on tags and identification plates and by referring to manuals and technical drawings. (1)
• Encounter malfunctions in equipment. Using established troubleshooting steps, they pinpoint the location and cause of the fault. (2)
• Are unable to install or repair equipment because specifications and instructions are unavailable. They consult manufacturers, co-workers, suppliers and colleagues for advice and research websites to locate useable information. (2)
• Decide order of tasks and their priorities, e.g. decide when to begin a time-consuming job based on the probability of being interrupted. (2)
• Decide that a piece of equipment should be repaired rather than replaced. They consider capital, material and labour costs. (2)
• May evaluate the performance of apprentices. They consider apprentices' abilities to complete electrical installations and diagnose and troubleshoot faults. (2)
• Evaluate the safety of work sites. They observe elements, such as overhead wiring, lockouts, confined spaces and fall hazards. They take note of potential hazards, such as iced walkways and improperly stored tools. (2)
• Organize the most effective use of their time within the framework of assigned tasks. Routine tasks are generally assigned by supervisors or dictated by a procedure established by the employer. Much of their other work is in response to broken or malfunctioning electrical installations and cannot be scheduled. They often have to re-prioritize tasks several times a day. Industrial electricians coordinate their work with other trades and production staff, each having different needs and priorities. (2)
• Find requirements for non-routine installations by consulting with co-workers and electrical engineers and by reading electrical codes. (2)
• Face disruptions of work schedules, timelines and budgets when project designs are found to be faulty and when specifications are changed after projects have already started. They assist in the development of new designs and perform other work until the projects are restarted. (3)
• Encounter intermittent faults in equipments. They run diagnostic procedures and test the telephones during peak usage periods. They call customers for more information and scan service bulletins from manufacturers to see if any of them refer to intermittent service. (3)
• Decide to shut down a machine because of a pending malfunction. They consider the costs associated with the unexpected shutdown, the potential for damage and the risk of injury to workers if the machine is not serviced. (3)
• May select materials and suppliers, e.g. decide which brands and types of materials to use by considering specifications, warranties, costs and ease of use. (3)
• Decide how to deal with emergency situations, e.g. decide how to contend with serious equipment malfunctions that have the potential to injure workers and cause significant property and environmental damage. (3)
• Evaluate the severity of equipment faults. They consider criteria, such as readings, specifications and the risks to safety, property and the environment. (3)
• Assess the quality and neatness of installations before leaving work sites. They check the equipment for proper labelling, confirm that cables are properly anchored and connections are tight and review test results. They compare completed installations to drawings and other project documents to ensure equipment has been installed as planned. (3)
• Learn how to troubleshoot and repair difficult faults by reading operation manuals, conducting Internet research, seeking information on Web forums and blogs and by speaking with other tradespeople, electrical engineers and manufacturers. (3)

• May use personal digital assistant (PDA) devices to complete numeracy-related tasks, such as calculating material requirements. (1)
• Use hand-held electronic devices to access equipment error codes and operational data, such as electrical readings. (1)
• May use word processing software to prepare job estimates and invoices. (2)
• May use spreadsheet software to tally costs for job estimates and invoices. (2)
• May use bookkeeping, billing and accounting software to input and track sales, produce invoices and estimates and print reports, such as income and expense statements. (2)
• May use communication software to exchange email with customers, suppliers and help desk technicians. (2)
• Use databases to enter repair information and retrieve equipment maintenance histories. (2)
• May use databases to retrieve and print scale and assembly diagrams. (2)
• Use the Internet to access training courses and seminars offered by training institutions, unions, suppliers and employers. (2)
• Use Internet browsers and search engines to access technical service bulletins, electrical codes, specifications and troubleshooting guides. (2)
• Use Internet browsers to access and share information on Web forums and blogs. (2)
• May install and service Ethernet, peer-to-peer and wireless networks. (3)
• May install and service process control systems, such as distributed control systems (DCSs) and programmable logic controllers (PLCs), to control the speed and output of machinery. (3)
• Search through Internet websites and navigate several menus to locate technical data, such as pin assignments on integrated circuit chips. (3)
• May use project management software for complex equipment installations to schedule lead times and the completion of project milestones. (3)

Industrial electricians work as part of a team that includes other tradespeople and professionals to install, repair and maintain industrial electrical systems and equipment. They usually work independently, co-ordinating their work with others. For large jobs, they work with a partner or crew.

Industrial electricians often receive in-house safety training to update their certifications, such as Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG), first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). They also receive training to safely operate equipment, such as forklifts. They learn about new equipment on-the-job by reading manuals and through hands-on experience. They obtain computer training by taking courses off-site.

All essential skills are affected by the introduction of technology in the workplace. Industrial electricians' ability to adapt to new technologies is strongly related to their skill levels across the essential skills, including reading, writing, thinking and communication skills. Technologies are transforming the ways in which workers obtain, process and communicate information, and the types of skills needed to perform in their jobs. Industrial electricians will increasingly rely on computer skills to install, troubleshoot and repair complex electrical installations. For example, industrial electricians minimize the costs for complex equipment installations by using project management software to precisely plan installation activities. Industrial electricians who are self-employed will also increasingly rely on billing and accounting software to track revenues and expenses.

Technology in the workplace further affects the complexity of tasks related to the essential skills required for this occupation. For example, the sophisticated electronic circuitry of stationary equipment has increased the complexity of wiring schematics and other diagrams. In contrast, electronic databases and keyword search functions make it easier to find information, such as specifications. Not only can workers complete documents (e.g. work orders) with speed and accuracy using specialized software applications that input data automatically, but they can also calculate costs, material requirements, conversions, electrical resistance, volumes, rates and offsets using Web-based applications and hand-held devices, such as personal digital assistants (PDAs).