Electrical cable assembler

Electrical cable assembler manipulate cables and wires made of steel, copper, or aluminium so they can be used to conduct electricity in a variety of appliances.

The following job titles also refer to electrical cable assembler:

wire assembler
wire and cable assembler
cable assembler
assembler of electrical cable
assembler of electrical cables
electrical cable fabricator
cable wiring operative
cable and wire assembler
cabling technician

A high school diploma is generally the minimum required to work as an electrical cable assembler.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Electrical cable assembler is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to electrical cable assembler.

wire harness assembler
control panel assembler
electrical equipment assembler
battery assembler
dental instrument assembler

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of electrical cable assembler. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of electrical cable assembler with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

electrical engineering technician
electromechanical engineering technician
electrical equipment production supervisor
instrumentation engineering technician
microsystem engineering technician

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of electrical cable assembler.

• Manufacture of electrical wire products: The assembly processes and manufacturing steps taken to fabricate insulated electrical wire and cable, made from steel, copper, or aluminium.
• Electrical wire accessories: Electrical wire and cable products and accessories, such as electrical connectors, splices, and wire insulation.
• Quality standards: The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.
• Electrical wiring diagrams: The visual schematic representation of an electrical circuit, its components, and the connections between these components.

These skills are necessary for the role of electrical cable assembler.

• Apply soldering techniques: Apply and work with a variety of techniques in the process of soldering, such as soft soldering, silver soldering, induction soldering, resistance soldering, pipe soldering, mechanical and aluminium soldering.
• Organise wires: Apply wire markers and cable labels to identify and organise the wire. Use tie-wrap or cable lace to keep the wires together.
• Apply coating to electrical equipment: Prepare and apply coating, such as conformal coating, to electrical equipment and its components to protect the equipment against moisture, high temperature, and dust.
• Read assembly drawings: Read and interpret drawings listing all the parts and subassemblies of a certain product. The drawing identifies the different components and materials and provides instructions on how to assemble a product.
• Troubleshoot: Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
• Carry out measurements of parts: Operate measurement instruments to measure parts of manufactured objects. Take into consideration specifications of manufacturers to perform the measuring.
• Seal wires: Fasten and insulate electric or communications wires or cables.
• Align components: Align and lay out components in order to put them together correctly according to blueprints and technical plans.
• Use electrical wire tools: Use tools to manipulate wire which will be used for electrical purposes, such as wire strippers, crimpers, soldering irons, torque wrenches, and heat guns.
• Cut wires: Operate machinery or use hand tools to cut wire.
• Bind wire: Bind cables or wire together using cable ties, conduit, cable lacing, sleeves, spot ties, cable clamps, or straps.
• Meet deadlines: Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.
• Strip wire: Strip the wire ends using wire strippers to ensure proper connections.
• Crimp wire: Attach the electrical connector to the wire using crimping tools. Here the connector and the wire are joined together by deforming one or both so they fit into each other. The electrical connector may connect the wire to an electrical terminal or may join two lengths of wire together.
• Ensure conformity to specifications: Ensure that the assembled products are conform to the specifications given.
• Operate soldering equipment: Use soldering equipment, such as a soldering gun, a soldering torch or a gas-powered iron, to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of electrical cable assembler. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Electrical equipment regulations: The national and international regulations with regards to the use and manufacture of electrical equipment on the workfloor. These regulations provide rules and guidelines on topics such as general risk management, electrical equipment manufacture, electrical equipment testing, electrical equipment installation, warning labels, and certificates.
• Electrical engineering: Understand electrical engineering, a field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.
• Electrical power safety regulations: The compliance with safety measures which need to be taken during the installation, operation, and maintenance of constructions and equipment which function in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electrical power, such as the appropriate safety gear, equipment handling procedures, and preventive actions.
• Switching devices: Devices that are able to open and close electrical circuits, such as disconnecting switches, interrupter switches, and circuit breakers.
• Electricity: Understand the principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.
• Power engineering: Subdiscipline of energy and electrical engineering which specialises in the generation, transmission, distribution, and usage of electrical power through the connection of electrical devices to motors, generators, and transformers, such as an AC-DC power adapter.
• Fibre optics: The technology which utilises optical fibre, such as plastic or glass threads, to transmit data. Optical fibres are able to transmit light between the two ends of the fibre and may transfer images and messages modulated onto light waves. Fibre optic cables have increased in popularity because of their possibility to transfer data over long distances at higher bandwidths and with lesser amounts of interference than metal cables.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of electrical cable assembler. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Inspect quality of products: Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.
• Resolve equipment malfunctions: Identify, report and repair equipment damage and malfunctions; communicate with field representatives and manufacturers to obtain repair and replacement components.
• Maintain electrical equipment: Test electrical equipment for malfunctions. Take safety measures, company guidelines, and legislation concerning electrical equipment into account. Clean, repair and replace parts and connections as required.
• Oversee logistics of finished products: Ensure that the processes of packing, storage and shipment of finished products meet the requirements.
• Dispose of hazardous waste: Dispose of dangerous materials such as chemical or radioactive substances according to environmental and to health and safety regulations.
• Splice cable: Join and weave electric and communications cable and trunk lines together.
• Wind wires: Wind wires into a wire coil. Wire coils can be used in electrical devices as inductors, transformers, or electromagnets.
• Check for solder defects: Check the printed circuit board for solder defects and make adjustments as required.
• Use specialised tools in electric repairs: Use of a variety of specialised tools, instruments and machines, such as presses, drills and grinders; employ them to carry out repairs in a safety manner.
• Wear appropriate protective gear: Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
• Use wire hand tools: Be able to use wire hand tools, such as crimp tools, cable strippers, and cable cutters.
• Use wire processing machinery: Be able to use wire processing machines, such as wire cutting machines, wire crimping machines, and wire stripping machines.
• Replace defect components: Remove defective parts and replace them with functioning components.
• Inspect cables: Examine cables and lines to detect possible breakage or damage.
• Bend wire: Operate machinery or use handtools to cut and bend wire to form parts.
• Report defective manufacturing materials: Maintain required company records and forms in order to report any defective materials or questionable conditions of manufacturing machinery and equipment.
• Repair wiring: Find faults in wires or cables by using specialised equipment and repair these faults depending on type of wiring.
• Apply technical communication skills: Explain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
• Adjust manufacturing equipment: Regulate and monitor the manufacturing equipment settings and process parameters, such as its temperature and power level. Review the manufacturing process and equipment and suggest improvements.

8212 – Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers

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References

1. Electrical cable assembler – ESCO