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An electrician's education never truly ends. As electrical systems grow more sophisticated and complex, so too must an electrician's knowledge of their chosen craft. Full-time electricians may find it difficult to find a moment to study up on the latest tricks and techniques, especially if they've been out of school for a while and don't know which texts are currently regarded as the industry standards. Direct the electricians on your team to the resources below—or even purchase the texts listed for them—and you'll make an important investment in their professional development, an investment that will pay off as their value to your company increases.
Free Online Courses
In some cases, your investment doesn't even need to cost you anything! Study.com offers free, public courses on topics ranging from algebra to poetry. Their catalog includes several courses that deal with electronics and electrical technology. Two of them, "Soldering Guide" and "Circuits and Electronics," were created by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Both represent great ways for your electricians to brush up on the basics. Those looking for something a little more advanced may find "Circuit Theory" or "Lessons in Electric Circuits" of interest. With so many options, you can find relevant courses for everyone, not just college types. While some courses gear towards experienced and formally-trained electricians, others aim to satisfy those learning at a high school level. No matter the expertise of your electricians, through Study.com you'll find resources that can help them learn new skills—or master some old ones.
National Electrical Code 2020 Handbook (NFPA)
Speaking of the basics, your electricians must continuously ensure that their work remains up to code on every project they take on. Doing so, however, requires that electricians review that code every once in a while. The latest edition of the National Electric Code (released by the National Fire Protection Association) represents the newest and most comprehensive collection of safety guidelines on the market, an exhaustive tome that covers requirements for residential, commercial, and industrial electrical installations. A panel of experts reviews every one of those requirements to ensure that all the information contained in this handbook stays as accurate and up-to-date as possible (a prime concern given the rapidity of change in modern electrical systems). Even if your electricians claim to know their guidelines forwards and backward, you'll still want to to have a copy of this book somewhere in the shop.
Practical Electrical Wiring: Residential, Farm, Commercial and Industrial, 2014 Edition (F.P. Hartwell, Herbert P. Richter)
The first edition of Practical Electrical Wiring was written in 1939. Ever since, industry pros have considered it an essential text for electricians, both amateur and professional. Now in its 2014 edition, this industry standard contains all the knowledge needed to work with modern electrical wiring systems. At the same time, it retains the wealth of basic, irreplaceable information that remains as true now as it did almost eighty years ago. The most remarkable feature of this book? It manages to convey that information in a much more interesting and relatable way than most texts. The professional yet down-to-earth tone makes the nearly-overwhelming amount of knowledge offered within seem well within the reader's grasp. From expert electricians with many years under their belt to total beginners who don't know a solder from a seder, this book remains valuable. If your electricians were formally educated, there's a good chance that they encountered this book during their studies (and an even better chance that they'll appreciate exposure to the newest edition).
Electrical Motor Controls for Integrated Systems, 5th Edition (Gary Rockis, Glen A. Mazur)
Base knowledge of circuits and wiring can only get you so far. Any electrician worth their salt needs to put that knowledge to use in practical applications, especially if they work for a field service company like yours. If electricians on your team need that extra assistance in putting their knowledge to good use, you can't go wrong by getting them a copy of the newest edition of Electrical Motor Controls for Integrated Systems. Your clients, after all, don't want you to fix a malfunctioning electrical component so much as they want you to fix the machine or system to which that component belongs. By studying this text, your electricians will familiarize themselves with the inner workings of modern motor controls and integrated system technologies. That information will serve them as an excellent reference when they must repair unfamiliar machinery, expanding their skill base and allowing you to take on a greater variety of clients.
Bonus Resource! Electrician YouTube Channels
Who said an electrical education had to be all about reading? In a hands-on field like electrical work, seeing things helps immensely. And, fortunately, you've got some good choices (all free!) on YouTube. Check out the following electrician channels:
- Electrician U - The best, most popular, and comprehensive electrician channel on YouTube, Electrician U offers a plethora of instructional and How To videos.
- Mike's Tool Shed - This channel focuses on tool reviews, with an emphasis on their applications for electrician work.
- Craig Michaud: Electrical Instructor - A professional electrician, Craig offers free video lessons related to the field.
- Dustin Stelzer - Through a series of v-logs, Dustin gives viewers a glimpse into the daily life of an up-and-coming electrician.
Conclusion
As the owner of a field-based electrical services company, your goals likely include seeing your business prosper and expand in the years to come. The easiest way to do this? Ensure your electricians have the resources they need to grow along with your company. Ensure that their skills and education keep up with the rapidly-changing world of electronics. Keep these books in your office for your electricians to study at their leisure—you may even consider getting one or two of them for each member of your team as holiday gifts.
