People who study electrical systems and want to work in a profession that requires repairing and maintaining them can end up working as relay technicians. Normally, relay technicians repair and maintain relays in electrical power stations. Other duties of these technicians might be to calibrate generators, test various components, replace wires, and repair circuit breakers. They are also responsible for maintaining records of charges, labor time, and components that are used in repairing and reassembling equipment.
Many relay technicians have an associate's degree, but there is almost an equal balance of bachelor's and associate's degrees in this profession. Most commonly, these technicians study electromechanical instrumentation and maintenance technologies, electrical engineering technology, or electrical engineering.
Knowledge of transformers, SCADA, test equipment, substation equipment, or electrical systems is often required for this position. Relay technicians earn about $29 in an hour and make somewhere around $60,000 per annum. The jobs for this position are slowly declining in the US.
Electrical and electronics installers and repairers install or repair a variety of electrical equipment in telecommunications, transportation, utilities, and other industries.
Most electrical and electronics installers and repairers need specialized courses at a technical college prior to employment. Gaining certification is common and can be useful in getting a job.
EducationElectrical 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.
TrainingIn addition to technical education, workers usually receive training on specific types of equipment. This may involve manufacturer-specific training in order for repairers to perform warranty work.
Entry-level repairers usually begin by working with experienced technicians who provide technical guidance and work independently after developing their skills.
Licenses, Certifications, and RegistrationsWhile certification is not required, a number of organizations offer certification which can be useful in getting a job. A number of organizations offer certification. For example, the Electronics Technicians Association International (ETA International) offers more than 50 certification programs in numerous electronics specialties for various levels of competency. The International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians (ISCET) also offers certification for several levels of competence. The ISCET focuses on a broad range of topics, including basic electronics, electronic systems, and appliance service. To become certified, applicants must meet prerequisites and pass a comprehensive exam.
Important QualitiesColor vision. Workers must be able to identify the color-coded components that are often used in electronic equipment.
Communication skills. Field technicians work closely with customers, so they must listen to and understand customers’ descriptions of problems and explain solutions in a simple, clear manner.
Physical stamina. Some workers must stand at their station for their full shift, which can be tiring.
Physical strength. Workers may need to lift heavy parts during the repair process. Some components weigh over 50 pounds.
Technical skills. Workers use a variety of mechanical and diagnostic tools to install or repair equipment.
Troubleshooting skills. Workers must be able to identify problems with equipment and systems and make the necessary repairs.
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As you move along in your career, you may start taking on more responsibilities or notice that you've taken on a leadership role. Using our career map, a Relay Technician can determine their career goals through the career progression. For example, they could start out with a role such as Field Service Technician, progress to a title such as Team Leader and then eventually end up with the title Maintenance Supervisor.
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The skills section on your resume can be almost as important as the experience section, so you want it to be an accurate portrayal of what you can do. Luckily, we've found all of the skills you'll need so even if you don't have these skills yet, you know what you need to work on. Out of all the resumes we looked through, 16.1% of Relay Technicians listed Transformers on their resume, but soft skills such as Color vision and Communication skills are important as well.