What is an Industrial Electrician?
Simply put, industrial electricians support an industrial plant’s electrical needs, whether these are monitoring the electrical controls via PLC panels, monitoring energy usage, wiring and maintaining the plant’s electrical infrastructure, or working with the installed industrial equipment.
Because of the nature of this type of work, industrial electricians require a broad range of skills and experience to perform their jobs effectively. This means that they need to have a lot of experience working with different types of highly specialized industrial equipment, advanced troubleshooting skills, the ability to read and interpret drawings and blueprints, awareness of electrical codes, industrial control system operation, and much more. They also need skills and experience outside of working with electrical equipment. For example, industrial electricians need to coordinate with other contractors working on the equipment or building, work with vendors to order parts and troubleshoot issues, collaborate with inspectors and regulatory agencies, so having good communication and “people” skills are a must.

Why Industrial Electricians Are Important
Industrial companies must have equipment and facilities that operate smoothly. Any downtime can cost the company thousands, even millions of dollars. In addition, failing to follow the proper electrical codes and standards may result in expensive penalties and fines and perhaps endanger the company’s equipment, facilities, or the lives of its employees. For these reasons, an excellent electrical electrician is essential for any industrial operation.
Job Requirements for Industrial Electricians
As you can see, industrial electricians are a unique breed of electricians who need a broad range of experience and skills. They need more training and experience than other electricians and need to be constantly learning to perform their jobs well. Some of the training an industrial electrician may need include:
- At least a high-school diploma
- Completion of an electrician apprenticeship program
- Specialized training for electrical equipment (installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, etc.
- A journeyman electrician license
- Several years of experience working closely with a senior industrial electrician
Because industrial electricians have to lift, move, and sometimes work in tight, cramped spaces, they should be reasonably physically fit and strong. They also need to be comfortable working in hectic, noisy, dirty work environments under stressful conditions. For these reasons, the ability to handle stress is a must. This makes good industrial electricians a valued resource for all companies.
Tri-State Electrical Provides Best-in-Class Industrial Electrical Services in the Southeastern US
Tri-State Electrical Contractors understands what modern industrial companies need in the ever-changing, complex, world. We provide superior industrial electrical services, including equipment installation, troubleshooting, PLC installation and programming, installing electrical equipment in new industrial plants, and much more. We can handle any commercial or industrial electrical work you need to be completed quickly and competently. For more information, give us a call at (423) 800-2134, fill out our simple online form, or email us at info@tristateec.com today.