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Residential Electrician (Wirer) Apprenticeship

What Does a Residential Wirer Do?
What Are the Working Conditions?
How is the Training Structured?
What are the Application Requirements?
What Skills Should I Possess?
Who Do I Contact?
Additional Resources

Did you know?*

• Job opportunities should be very good, especially for those with the broadest range of skills.
• Most residential electricians acquire their skills by completing an apprenticeship program lasting 3 to 4 years.
• About 4 out of 5 electricians work in the construction industry or are self-employed, but there also will be opportunities for electricians in other industries.

*Statistics retrieved from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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What Does a Residential Wirer Do?

Residential electricians plan, diagram, install, and repair electrical fixtures, apparatus, and control equipment such as switches, relays, and circuit breaker panels. They measure, cut, bend, thread, assemble, and install electrical conduit (pipe or tubing), and pull wire through conduit. They test continuity of circuits to ensure compatibility and safety of components, using instruments such as the ohmmeter, megger, and other testing equipment.

Residential electricians assemble, install, and wire electrical systems that operate heating, lighting, power, air conditioning, electronic equipment and controls; and signal and communication systems.

For safety, residential electricians must also become familiar with the National Electrical Code, designed to protect persons and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity.

Tasks:

• Project layout and planning: Reading & interpreting blueprints & specifications. Coordination between crafts, general contractor and home owner. Layout services & branch circuits.* Calculates numbers, fractions, amps to volts, watts to amps and amps to watts. Prepares electrical drawings. Follows National Electrical Code.
• Underground Installations: Trenching & ditch digging, direct burial. Installing PVC/Rigid Conduit.* Installing grounding electrode systems.
• Thinwall conduit raceway systems: Fastening & supporting devices. Conduit fabrication. Installation of conduit, fitting & boxes.*
• PVC/RIGID Conduit Raceway Systems: Fastening & supporting devices. Conduit fabrication. Installation of conduit, fittings & boxes.*
• Installing Services & Panels: Mounting devices. Breaker installation. Fuse installation. Terminations & bonding.*
• Installing, Splicing & Terminating Wires & Cables: Installing Non-metallic Sheath cable. Establishing temporary power. Feeders & branch circuits. Control wiring. Splices, taps & terminations.
• Lighting System Installation: Installing outlet boxes & conductors. Installing fixtures. Control devices.*
• Testing & Troubleshooting Services, Motors & Branch Circuits: Checking circuit continuity. Identifying fault current to ground. Certifying system operation. Repair & maintenance. Ground verification.
• Fire Alarm Installation: Blueprint & specification interpretation. Layout & circuit installation. Control panel & device installation. Programming & testing.*
• Control System Installation: Blueprint & specification interpretation. Layout & circuit installation. Distributed control.*
• Security System Installation: Blueprint & specification interpretation. Layout. Box & circuit installation. Terminations. Testing.*
• Installing Communication & Sound Systems: Blueprint & specifications interpretation. Layout. Conduit & box installation. Installing panels & network devices. Circuit installation. Terminations & testing.*
• Installing & Termination Transformers: Mounting & installation primary & secondary terminations. Testing & troubleshooting.*
• Installing Specialized Systems: Basic life safety. Custom & low-voltage control. Entertainment & environmental.*
• Service & Troubleshooting: Testing, analysis & repair of: motors, transformers, electrical devices, electronic devices, magnetic devices, lighting & power circuits, control circuits & devices.
• Material Handling & Pre-fabrication: Material/equipment awareness. Fabricating for field installation.
• Safety Practices.
• Assemble, install, test, and maintain electrical or electronic wiring, equipment, appliances, apparatus, and fixtures, using hand tools and power tools.
• Diagnose malfunctioning systems, apparatus, and components, using test equipment and hand tools, to locate the cause of a breakdown and correct the problem.
• Connect wires to circuit breakers, transformers, or other components.
• Inspect electrical systems, equipment, and components to identify hazards, defects, and the need for adjustment or repair, and to ensure compliance with codes.
• Test electrical systems and continuity of circuits in electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures.
• Plan layout and installation of electrical wiring, equipment and fixtures, based on specifications and codes.
• Direct and train workers to install, maintain, or repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures.
• Prepare sketches or follow blueprints to determine the location of wiring and equipment and to ensure conformance to building and safety codes.

*To include all layout, drilling, anchoring, digging, channeling, fabricating of hangers and rigging pertaining to the installation of these items.

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What Are the Working Conditions?

Electrical work can be indoors or outdoors. The work is sometimes physically strenuous, requiring prolonged standing in cramped or uncomfortable positions often working with hands over head. Electricians may work in a wide variety of environments from clean and comfortable to dusty, dirty, hot and wet conditions, or in confined areas, ditches or other uncomfortable spaces. The work environment varies with each job and may include working on ladders and scaffolding.  Electricians follow strict safety procedures to prevent injuries from electrical shock, falls and cuts.

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How is the Training Structured?

• 4 year training program
• 5,232 hours on-the-job training
• 432 hours paid related instruction
• Apprentices shall satisfactorily complete an approved First Aid and CPR course during the first year of the apprenticeship and maintain certification throughout the apprenticeship
• The apprentice in his/her final year shall complete the Transition-To-Trainer Course.

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What are the Application Requirements?

• Applicant must be at least 18 years of age
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Physically able to perform trade
• Valid driver's license or reliable transportation

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What Skills Should I Possess?

• Building and Construction- Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses and residential facilities.
• English Language- Knowledge of the English language including the ability to read and speak the English language with ease.
• Mathematics- Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and their applications.
• Mechanical- Knowledge of machines and tools, both hand and power, and their use.
• Public Safety and Security- Knowledge of specific safety and health standards issued by federal, state, and local authorities, specially Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) along with employers’ rules for health and safety of employees.
• Installation- Installing equipment, machines, wiring, rigging or programming to meet specifications.
• Equipment Selection- Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job or task.
• Critical Thinking/Troubleshooting- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems and situations. Use of logic helps to determine the step by step process, to calculate electrical systems and equipment, planning, and installation.
• Judgment and Decision Making- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate solution to the task assigned.
• Reading Comprehension- Understanding written sentences, paragraphs, and symbols in work related documents. Repairing and Maintaining Equipment- Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and tools.
• Work Ethic- Ability to get to work and school on a timely and consistent basis must be self-directed with a good attitude. Ability to work smoothly with others as a team to complete a task.
• Time Management- Ability to be self motivated, responsible, dependable, and work independently without close supervision.
• Coordination- The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
• Reasoning- The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce solutions that are logical.
• Vision- The ability to see details and distinguish colors at close range (a few inches or a few feet from the observer) and at a variety of distances and lighting conditions.
• Communication Skills- The ability to read and understand all written materials, verbal instructions, and warnings. The ability to communicate ideas and instructions while speaking so others will understand.

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Who Should I Contact In My Area?

Choose your area:
Northeast
Northwest
Southeast
Southwest

Northeast

Committee Name	Contact This Committee:	OR Contact Your BAS Representative:
ABC of Wisconsin	5330 Wall St. Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 244-6056 Fax: (608) 244-2401	Kathy O'Sullivan Jane Kramer
WI River Valley Area Electrical JAC	2730 Dairy Dr, STE 102 Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 221-3321 Fax: (608) 221-9864	Debbie Fochs
WI River Valley Area Electrical JAC (VDV)	2730 Dairy Dr, STE 102 Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 221-3321 Fax: (608) 221-9864	Debbie Fochs
Northeast WI Area JAC	2730 Dairy Dr, STE 102 Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 221-3321 Fax: (608) 221-9864	Burt Harding
Northeast WI Area JAC (VDV)	2730 Dairy Dr, STE 102 Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 221-3321 Fax: (608) 221-9864	Burt Harding
Appleton/Oshkosh Area Electrical JAC	2730 Dairy Dr, STE 102 Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 221-3321 Fax: (608) 221-9864	Burt Harding
Appleton/Oshkosh Area Electrical JAC (VDV)	2730 Dairy Dr, STE 102 Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 221-3321 Fax: (608) 221-9864	Jane Kramer

Northwest

Committee Name	Contact This Committee:	OR Contact Your BAS Representative:
ABC of Wisconsin	5330 Wall St. Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 244-6056 Fax: (608) 244-2401	Kathy O'Sullivan
Eau Claire Area Electrical JAC	2730 Dairy Dr, STE 102 Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 221-3321 Fax: (608) 221-9864	Myra Stachowicz
Western WI Area Residential JAC	2730 Dairy Dr, STE 102 Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 221-3321 Fax: (608) 221-9864	Myra Stachowicz
WI River Valley Area Electrical JAC	2730 Dairy Dr, STE 102 Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 221-3321 Fax: (608) 221-9864	Debbie Fochs
WI River Valley Area Electrical JAC (VDV)	2730 Dairy Dr, STE 102 Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 221-3321 Fax: (608) 221-9864	Debbie Fochs

Southeast

Committee Name	Contact This Committee:	OR Contact Your BAS Representative:
ABC of Wisconsin	5330 Wall St. Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 244-6056 Fax: (608) 244-2401	Jane Kramer Mary Harrington
Appleton/Oshkosh Area Electrical JAC (VDV)	2730 Dairy Dr, STE 102 Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 221-3321 Fax: (608) 221-9864	Jane Kramer
Kenosha Area Electrical JAC	2730 Dairy Dr, STE 102 Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 221-3321 Fax: (608) 221-9864
Kettle Moraine Area Electrical JAC	3303 S 103 St Milwaukee, WI 53227 Phone: (414) 543-9060 Fax: (414) 543-3388	Sandra Destree
Madison Area Electrical JAC	2730 Dairy Dr, STE 102 Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 221-3321 Fax: (608) 221-9864	Debbie Schanke
Madison Area Electrical JAC (VDV)	2730 Dairy Dr, STE 102 Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 221-3321 Fax: (608) 221-9864	Debbie Schanke
Madison Area Residential Electrical JAC	2730 Dairy Dr, STE 102 Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 221-3321 Fax: (608) 221-9864	Debbie Schanke
Milwaukee Area Electrical JAC	3303 S 103 St Milwaukee, WI 53227 Phone: (414) 543-9060 Fax: (414) 543-3388	Kay Haishuk
Racine Area Electrical JAC	2730 Dairy Dr, STE 102 Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 221-3321 Fax: (608) 221-9864
South Central WI Area Electrical JAC	2730 Dairy Dr, STE 102 Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 221-3321 Fax: (608) 221-9864	Debbie Schanke

Southwest

Committee Name	Contact This Committee:	OR Contact Your BAS Representative:
ABC of Wisconsin	5330 Wall St. Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 244-6056 Fax: (608) 244-2401	Kathy O'Sullivan
La Crosse Area Electrical JAC	2730 Dairy Dr, STE 102 Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 221-3321 Fax: (608) 221-9864	Kathy O'Sullivan
Madison Area Electrical JAC	2730 Dairy Dr, STE 102 Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 221-3321 Fax: (608) 221-9864	Debbie Schanke
Madison Area Electrical JAC (VDV)	2730 Dairy Dr, STE 102 Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 221-3321 Fax: (608) 221-9864	Debbie Schanke
Madison Area Residential Electrical JAC	2730 Dairy Dr, STE 102 Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 221-3321 Fax: (608) 221-9864	Debbie Schanke
South Central WI Area Electrical JAC	2730 Dairy Dr, STE 102 Madison, WI 53718 Phone: (608) 221-3321 Fax: (608) 221-9864	Debbie Schanke
Southwest WI Area Electrical JAC	402 N 8th La Crosse, WI 54601	Kathy O'Sullivan

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Additional Resources

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics maintains information on all occupations. For more information on the Residential Wirer trade in the United States, visit:

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos206.htm

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Sources: Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards Position Descriptions,
Apprenticeship in Wisconsin Handbook

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