Electrical equipment assembler

Electrical equipment assemblers are responsible for the assembly of electrical equipment. They assemble product components and wiring according to the blueprints.

The following job titles also refer to electrical equipment assembler:

electrical equipment constructor
assembler of electrical equipment
fabricator of electrical equipment
constructor of electrical equipment
electrical equipment production assembler
electrical assembler
electrical products assembler
assembler in electrical equipment production
electrical fabricator

A high school diploma is generally the minimum required to work as an electrical equipment 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 equipment assembler is a Skill level 2 occupation.

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

wire harness assembler
control panel assembler
electrical cable assembler
battery assembler
control panel tester

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of electrical equipment 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 equipment assembler with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

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

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

• Electricity principles: Electricity is created when electric current flows along a conductor. It entails the movement of free electrons between atoms. The more free electrons are present in a material, the better this material conducts. The three main parameters of electricity are the voltage, current (ampère), and resistance (ohm).
• 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 discharge: The qualities and applications of electrical discharge, including voltage and electrodes.
• Electricity: Understand the principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.
• 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 equipment 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Remove defective products: Remove defective materials from the production line.
• Monitor manufacturing quality standards: Monitor quality standards in manufacturing and finishing process.
• Assemble electrical components: Assemble switches, electrical controls, circuit boards and other electrical components by using hand and soldering equipment.
• Align components: Align and lay out components in order to put them together correctly according to blueprints and technical plans.
• Wear appropriate protective gear: Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
• Meet deadlines: Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.
• 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.
• Fasten components: Fasten components together according to blueprints and technical plans in order to create subassemblies or finished products.
• 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.
• Interpret electrical diagrams: Read and comprehend blueprints and electrical diagrams; understand technical instructions and engineering manuals for assembling electrical equipment; understand electricity theory and electronic components.

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

• Electromechanics: The engineering processes that combine electrical and mechanical engineering in the application of electromechanics in devices that need electricity to create mechanical movement or devices that create electricity by mechanical movement.
• Electric motors: Motors which are able to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy.
• Wire harnesses: Assemblies of wires or cables that are bound together by cable ties, tape, or lacing, and are able to transfer signals or electricity. Through binding the wires together, the wires are better protected against damage, are more compact, and require less time to install.
• Electrical engineering: Understand electrical engineering, a field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.
• 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.
• 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.
• Waste removal regulations: Know and understand the regulations and legal agreements governing the performance of waste removal activities.
• Switching devices: Devices that are able to open and close electrical circuits, such as disconnecting switches, interrupter switches, and circuit breakers.
• Electric drives: Electromechanical systems that utilise electric motors to control the movement and processes of electrical machinery.
• Electric generators: The principles and operations of devices that can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, such as dynamos and alternators, rotors, stators, armatures, and fields.
• 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.
• Electrical machines: Electrical apparatus that are able to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy (generators), electrical energy to mechanical energy (motors), and change the voltage level of an AC or alternating current (transformers).

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

• Resolve equipment malfunctions: Identify, report and repair equipment damage and malfunctions; communicate with field representatives and manufacturers to obtain repair and replacement components.
• Inspect electrical supplies: Check electrical supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems.
• Provide documentation: Prepare and distribute documentation to ensure all people involved in the production receive relevant and up-to-date information.
• Measure electrical characteristics: Measure voltage, current, resistance or other electrical characteristics by using electrical measuring equipment such as multimeters, voltmeters, and ammeters.
• 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.
• 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.
• Perform test run: Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, and adjust settings accordingly.
• Install electrical and electronic equipment: Install equipment which is dependent on electric currents or electromagnetic fields in order to work, or equipment to generate, transfer or measure such currents and fields. This equipment includes switchboards, electric motors, generators or direct current systems.
• 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.
• Replace defect components: Remove defective parts and replace them with functioning components.
• Adjust voltage: Adjust voltage in electrical equipment.
• Clean components during assembly: Clean components before fixing them to other compounds or units of components during the assembly process.
• 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.
• Install electric switches: Prepare wires for installation in a switch. Wire the switch. Install it securely in the right location.
• 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 equipment assembler – ESCO