ABOUT THE JOB
Do you feel like a guru when in comes to electrical components? Do you have background context about electricity? Are very fond of maintain safety at all times? Good news, here is an in depth description on how to become an Electrical Inspector and be one of the chiefs in the field of the electrical industry!
An electrical inspector is responsible for maintaining the safety within residential, commercial and industrial areas by testing and checking electrical wiring, circuitry, and equipment. They are to very and assess that the installations made conform to the local and national electrical code requirements or the safety codes of their specified state. Electrical inspectors had said to possess a much wider knowledge of the fundamentals of electronics and electricity, as they are to utilize this knowledge to go hand in hand with the safety protocols.
There is no career path in the electrical industry that directly puts you in the position you wanted. Most electrical inspectors start out like any other, they were first apprentice electricians working their way up to becoming a master and then applying to become an inspector. Throughout their years of experience, they had developed the necessary expertise to put themselves accordingly to the job title as an inspector.
The work of an Electrical Inspector is less physically demanding as they are usually hired for their hard earned knowledge gained for many years in the field. They are to “inspect” or assess any violations to the National Electric code. They are to acquire a mastery with electricity, electronics and codes or regulations in their respectful area of work.
An Electrical Inspector has a lot to keep in mind when assessing commercial, residential and industrial areas, because their responsibilities and duties will vary depending on the site that they work on. Here are a few duties and responsibilities that an electrical inspector has:
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Mastering the National Electric code
One of the most important responsibility of an electrical inspector is the mastery of the National Electric Code. The National Electric Code (NEC) is a safety standard for the proper installation of electrical wiring, components and equipment in the United States. The code is adoptable depending on the region whether they are to implement it. The standard is also a part of the National Fire Codes series published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Electrical Inspectors should know:
• Separating high and low voltage electrical systems, and identify to which to corresponds to which
• The differences and limitations between electrical circuits
• Requirements for different types of voltages
• Insulation, conduit, and cabling standards
• Ground requirements
Working on Various Sites
Inspectors should be able to adapt to different working environments as they are to be called from different sites to work on. They should also be knowledgeable of the site’s safety codes and regulations.
Writing Reports
After inspecting the site’s electronics and making notes on all of the observations, the inspector has the responsibility to write down and report back all of his/her findings. This involves writing it down for a written format and encoding the information on a computer.
Issuing Permits
Inspectors that were hired by the different governments, agencies and states are responsible for issuing and approving permits. This includes inspections and a thorough assessment of permit applications with homeowners and contractors or other clients who are trying to get their permits approved.
Tasks
Here are some of the tasks that an Electrical Inspector;
• Examining and inspecting electrical systems
• Testing out sound and security systems, wiring, lighting, motors, and generating equipment.
• Inspect the installation of electrical components and proper wiring
• Keeping records
• Report findings to their agencies or governments
• Report any form of violations that does not conform with the NEC
• Test continuity.
• Compile inspection reports.
• Provide recommendations for improvement of faulty wirings
SALARY
Based on the nationwide collection of the median salary of an Electrical Inspector, they had earned $57,340 for each individual per year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The following are the estimated salaries of an electrical inspector depending on the given states:
Electrical Inspector for the city of Durham, North Carolina – $45,825/year to $71,467/year
Electrical Inspector for the city of Gresham, Oregon – $59,496/year – $75,984/year
Field Investigator for electrical trades in Oklahoma – $3466.47/month – $3648.92/month
The career is usually favored by government agencies in ensuring the safety of residential homes, that’s why the career is much better than average due to the large amount of benefits an Electrical Inspector can gain when working for a government agency. Job growth is predicted to increase by 8%, almost close enough to all of the average professions out there.
REQUIREMENTS
There is a LOT of requirements if you wish to pursue being an electrical inspector. Here are the following requirements to be an Electrical Inspector:
State License
Requirements for licensing differ from each state. Some require a state license to obtain an electrical inspector’s license, but some don’t as it only requires the completion of the journeyman and master electrician programs. But in all cases, if an electrical inspector wishes to be an independent working individual, he/she will be required to acquire a contractor’s license.
Professional Certification
In some cases, a professional certification is sufficient enough to be presented as a state license. In this career field a professional certification is always required. Some of the professional certifications require are:
• Certified Electrical Inspector (CEI)
• National Certification Program for Construction Code Inspectors (NCPCCI)
Certified Electrical Inspector (CEI) – This certification is the most difficult to obtain for applying as a electrical inspector, but it is widely accepted. This certification has two exam options:
• Certified Electrical Inspector Residential (CEI-R)
• Certified Electrical Inspector Master (CEI-M)
Applicants for either of the certificates are eligible if they had obtained their high school diploma or GED and had met at least (1) of the following
• A degree in Electrical Construction Technology
• Complete an apprenticeship program
• Possess Journeyman or Master License
• BS or PE in Electrical Engineering
• For a CEI-R, the candidate must have 4,000 hours of job experience or 2,000 hours of inspection job experience
• For a CEI-M, the candidate must have 8,000 hours of job experience or 4,000 hours of inspection job experience
Education
It is necessary to have a high school degree, but in order to get accepted it requires a much more than that. Having an associate’s degree will increase an applicant’s qualifications and opens a much quicker path in becoming an electrical inspector. The most desired education attainment for being an electrical inspector is a bachelor’s degree or PE (Professional Engineer through the NSPE).