When you need electrical work done, you know you need an Iowa electrician. Electrical work can be dangerous, so it is important to be properly trained and licensed to do any kind of work involving electricity.
Different electricians can specialize in different areas. For most homeowners, a journeyman or residential electrician is what they will require. Read on to learn more about different electricians.
Certification Levels of Iowa Electricians
Licensing of electricians in Iowa is done through the Department of Public Safety’s Electrical Licensing and Inspection Program. You always want a licensed electrician performing work on your home. It’s also a good idea to make sure the company working in your home is insured and bonded.
There are several levels electricians go through. In most cases, electrical work in homes is performed by a journeyman electrician, sometimes with a helper or apprentice electrician.
Apprentice Electrician
All Iowa electricians begin as an apprentice. Through an apprenticeship program or a vocational electrician program at a community college (such as the Cedar Rapids Electrical Apprenticeship Training and Educational Trust or ABC of Iowa in Grimes, IA or the Des Moines Electrical Apprenticeship in Clive, IA), students learn through a mix of classroom instruction and work experience. After completing required hours, students will find an electrician or commercial electrical business to apprentice under. Apprentices must register to become licensed before beginning their work experience.
Journeyman Electrician
After fulfilling apprenticeship requirements and completing the apprenticeship program, individuals can then take a test to become a journeyman electrician. Exams are through the Iowa Electrical Examining Board, electricians that pass the test and requirements will receive their license. Journeyman electricians are able to work without supervision as they have shown a competency to complete electrical work. To maintain their license, journeymen electricians need to renew their license every three years and take continuing education courses.
Residential Electrician
Residential electricians perform residential installations and are qualified to do electrical work where there are no more than four living units within the same building. Similar to an apprentice, there are education requirements along with work experience hours that must be met to become a residential electrician. Once requirements are met, candidates will need to pass an exam to become licensed.
Master Electrician
A master electrician is the highest level of certification for electricians. A journeyman can apply for a master electrician license after one year of working and will then need to pass an exam.
Upon completing the requirements, a master electrician can then become licensed as an independent electrical contractor. Master electricians also work on complex commercial and industrial projects and train journeyman electricians to do the same. Most homeowners will not require a master electrician.
Categories of Electricians
There are two broad categories of electricians. Outside linepeople, or outside electricians, are also called electrical workers and they work on electric utility transmission and distribution systems at higher voltages to ensure the electricity produced at power plants move to substations.
Inside wirepeople, or inside electricians, mainly work in buildings and structures on low-level voltage electricity. They will install, maintain, repair, and fix electrical systems for commercial or residential buildings. This is, of course, the type of electricians that work in homes, apartments, residences, and other building types.
Specialization of Iowa Electricians
Some electricians may work in niche industries or different fields of electrical work. Some of the most common are:
Residential Electricians
These electricians work in homes, apartments, and condos. They will be able to work on everything from circuit breaker panels to car charger installations and the installation or repair of the home’s electrical system. Essentially, anything involving electricity in your home they will be able to address.
Commercial Electricians
This type of electrician will work mainly in office buildings or other commercial settings. Responsible for installing and maintaining the electrical systems in commercial buildings. If you’ve worked in any type of business setting, this is typically the electrician that would be called for electrical work.
Industrial Electrician
Working in factories, processing plants, mines, or manufacturing facilities to install and maintain electrical systems. They may work on manufacturing processes or large complex machinery.
Contact Us for an Iowa Electrician
If you’re looking for an electrician for your home, we have licensed journeymen electricians that have the experience for any job you need done. Contact us at 515-669-3418 for Central Iowa or 319-313-3313 for Eastern Iowa, or use the form on the contact page. We’re happy to answer any questions you have about Iowa electricians.
