What does an electrical controls technician do?
Electrical control technicians usually assist with running equipment such as those in amusement parks and carnivals. They can also repair equipment and are responsible for maintaining robotic machinery used by factories and plants for continuity of work and production. They can also install electrical wirings, troubleshoot minor glitches, and maintain good machine performance. With enough skills, they can shut down faulty wiring without interrupting other operations. They keep records of previous malfunctions and advise on the replacement of equipment.
Electrical controls technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real electrical controls technician resumes:
- Supervise and manage several environmental ECAS annual, monthly and weekly reports in cooperation with regional CEMS manager for federal compliance.
- Design, test, and implement PLC & SCADA programming to insure maintenance & production goals are meet.
- Complete evaluation and modification of control systems including PLC programs, resulting in increase system efficiency and safety.
- Develop a user interface utilizing excel and visual basic to push servo axis data into a programmable controller automatically using DDE.
- Assist in the set-up of operator workstations with all associate software.
- Install EMT, RMC, IMC, and PVC conduit.
- Replace cables, drums, pulleys, hinges, rollers & other mechanical components; test and replace motors.
- Install electrical valves and solenoids.
- Install, configure and perform point to point verification testing on Alerton control system cards.
- Maintain and troubleshoot continuous emissions monitory systems (CEMS) including quarterly linearity testing.
Electrical controls technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Electrical Controls Technicians are proficient in PLC, Allen-Bradley, and Electrical Equipment. They’re also known for soft skills such as Mechanical skills, Math skills, and Writing skills.
We break down the percentage of Electrical Controls Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- PLC, 10%
Consist of Layout and Wiring upgrades for the Quantum Series PLC, Upgrade the Software Communication in the existing PLC Software.
- Allen-Bradley, 6%
Installed, programmed, and maintained VFD, s including ABB, Allen-Bradley, Siemens and SEW.
- Electrical Equipment, 5%
Developed layouts of electrical equipment.
- HMI, 4%
Improved roll change operation by automating sequence and modifying PanelView HMI application.
- Hand Tools, 4%
Utilized hand tools, multimeters and test equipment to perform electrical diagnostics.
- Ac Dc, 3%
Fixed electrical problem, AC DC motors, VFD Drives, Overloads, PLC'S.
"plc," "allen-bradley," and "electrical equipment" are among the most common skills that electrical controls technicians use at work. You can find even more electrical controls technician responsibilities below, including:
Mechanical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an electrical controls technician to have is mechanical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "electronic engineering technologists and technicians must use hand tools and soldering irons on small circuitry and electronic parts to build components by hand." Electrical controls technicians often use mechanical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "created, edited, and published autocad electrical and mechanical documents. "
Math skills. Many electrical controls technician duties rely on math skills. "electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians use mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting tasks.," so an electrical controls technician will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways electrical controls technician responsibilities rely on math skills: "shift leader for central communications hub for south korea taught math, physics, electronics, and communications theory"
Writing skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of electrical controls technicians is writing skills. This skill is critical to many everyday electrical controls technician duties, as "electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians write reports about onsite construction, design problems, or testing results." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "installed control systems along with writing and programming detailed sequences for various hvac equipment. "
Detail oriented. For certain electrical controls technician responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "detail oriented." The day-to-day duties of an electrical controls technician rely on this skill, as "electrical engineering technologists and technicians must pay attention to detail when assembling, troubleshooting, and repairing electronic and electrical mechanical systems." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what electrical controls technicians do: "conduct preventive maintenance, installation, commissioning and detailed troubleshooting of building management, mechanical systems and electrical systems. "
The three companies that hire the most electrical controls technicians are:
- Ingevity60 electrical controls technicians jobs
- LC Staffing
12 electrical controls technicians jobs
- Sonoco3 electrical controls technicians jobs
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Compare different electrical controls technicians
Electrical controls technician vs. Controls engineer
A Controls Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and supervising electrical control systems, machinery, and equipment. They oversee projects from initial concept to installation and commissioning.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an electrical controls technician are more likely to require skills like "plc," "allen-bradley," "electrical equipment," and "hmi." On the other hand, a job as a controls engineer requires skills like "c++," "troubleshoot," "ul," and "matlab." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Controls engineers really shine in the automotive industry with an average salary of $94,308. Comparatively, electrical controls technicians tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $61,975.On average, controls engineers reach higher levels of education than electrical controls technicians. Controls engineers are 10.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Electrical controls technician vs. Electrical engineering professor
Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, electrical controls technician responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "allen-bradley," "electrical equipment," "hmi," and "hand tools." Meanwhile, an electrical engineering professor has duties that require skills in areas such as "engineering technology," "abet," "electronic circuits," and "circuit analysis." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
In general, electrical engineering professors achieve higher levels of education than electrical controls technicians. They're 17.5% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Electrical controls technician vs. Technician
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from electrical controls technician resumes include skills like "allen-bradley," "electrical equipment," "hmi," and "switches," whereas a technician is more likely to list skills in "patients," "customer service," "patient care," and "diagnosis. "
Technicians make a very good living in the telecommunication industry with an average annual salary of $46,660. On the other hand, electrical controls technicians are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $61,975.Most technicians achieve a similar degree level compared to electrical controls technicians. For example, they're 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Electrical controls technician vs. Electrical assistant
Types of electrical controls technician
Updated January 8, 2025
