Electrical contracting is the business of bringing lighting, power, and communications to buildings and communities across the United States and around the world. In the U.S., it is an industry valued at over $160 billion annually made up of over 70,000 electrical contracting firms employing over 650,000 electrical workers.

What is an Electrician?

An electrician is someone trained (and usually licensed) to perform electrical work. Electrical work is a highly technical profession that requires a thorough understanding of how electricity works and the materials and components used to deliver power, as well as electrical safety and standards.

An electrician can be employed by an electrical contracting firm or self-employed as an individual electrical contractor.

What is an Electrical Contractor?

An electrical contractor is a business person or firm that performs specialized construction work related to the design, installation, and maintenance of electrical and communication systems. Electrical contractors are classified by the work they do:

“Outside” or “line” contractors are responsible for high-voltage power transmission and distribution lines. Line contractors see that electricity generated at power plants is safely carried through high-voltage lines and substations before it’s used to power any facilities, buildings, or homes.

“Inside” electrical contractors provide electricity to buildings and structures. Inside electrical contractors can serve as prime contractors for all electrical and cabling design, installation, and maintenances in commercial, institutional, and residential buildings.

“Integrated building systems” (IBS) or “Voice/Data/Video” (VDV) electrical contractors work primarily with low-voltage installations, including back-up power, climate controls, wireless networks, energy-efficient lighting, telecommunications, fiber optics, and security systems. IBS contractors integrate these system controls for maximum energy efficiency and building performance.

ConTech Careers

The construction industry is stepping up industrialization and employing technology to improve the building process. Today’s planning, documenting, and building design processes are drastically different from years ago. Construction trends focus on means and methods to build infrastructure more efficiently, economically, and safely. Technology has made it
possible to do just that! Technology careers will be essential in the way companies improve project coordination, productivity, and accuracy in the field and in the office.

Construction Technologists play a huge role on project teams, helping businesses thrive on a whole new scale.
Companies use virtual design construction (VDC), reality-capture, and drone site layouts to improve the design and project management process. Projects are completed safer, smarter, and more efficiently by leveraging data and using technology to gather information in real-time. Construction technologist career opportunities are more than just 3D-Models and drones.
Technology innovations are changing the industry and the tools we see in the field. Phones, tablets, virtual reality, and augmented reality are all part of a new digital toolbelt. Capturing data is critical to that process. Construction technologists are at the front line on projects and in construction offices. Their importance to all project-workflow processes is sure to
become even more prevalent.

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