Electricians. Maybe not the most glamorous of professions, but certainly a necessary one! What would we do without them?

The answer? Not much.

Electricians are responsible for installing and maintaining the complex electrical systems that bring power and light to our lives. Without electricians, we’d all be living in the dark! No computers, no telephones, nada.

Electricians come in many types. For example, there are:

-> Linemen, the guys you see out working the wires on the side of I80, in a snowstorm at the Utah / Wyoming line

-> Wiremen, the guys who work in office buildings, hospitals, and private homes.

They have ranks, too. There are:

-> Apprentice Electricians – least experienced of all, the role of the apprentice is to learn the trade under the guidance of experienced and accomplished electricians.

-> Journeymen Electricians – more experienced, journeymen electricians have successfully completed their apprenticeships and have been found competent by a licensing authority.

-> Master Electricians – most experienced, master electricians generally have more than 7 years experience and have passed an advanced examination covering the National Electric Code, or NEC.

So how’s the job market for electricians? Amazingly great! The Bureau of Labor Services predicts a 23% increase in openings for qualified electricians between 2010 and 2020. And the pay’s not bad either! Electricians make, on average, $23.50 per hour, or approximately $50,000 per year. You don’t need go to college to become an electrician, but an apprenticeship of several years is required.

Is it dangerous work? Of course! Working with electricity, one of the most potent forces of nature, is always going to be dangerous. That’s why it’s so important to contact a qualified electrician if you suspect problems with your electrical system. Professional, licensed, and insured, a qualified and competent electrician is a must for any electrical project, no matter how small.

The general population knows very little about solar panels, their cost or the process of installing them. What little most people know is that they are expensive but energy saving and good for the planet. Thankfully, there are new options available that make solar installation a lot more doable for the average household.

Solar panel installation, up until not too long ago, was fairly expensive. The fact that solar panels cost so much deterred many people from making them a part of their home. However, recently a new program has began that gives you the option of leasing solar panels. Solar installers place the panels on your home, then you pay a monthly leasing fee.  Even with this fee, the difference on your electricity bill will be significant enough to make it worth switching, especially when you throw in the fact that you are being kinder to the environment. Also, if more people decide to have a solar panel installation done on their homes, the cost to buy the panels would go down.

Becoming educated about how beneficial solar panels can be to your home, your pocket and your entire environment is essential. Knowing this information, and passing it on, may just be the ticket to pushing solar panels into becoming mainstream. The sun and the energy it produces is one of the most amazing, barely tapped natural resources available for our use. Especially when you consider the fact that only 1 percent of one second of the sun’s nuclear fusion is enough energy to give power to the entire earth’s population.

If you are interested in learning more about solar panels and solar installation, check out The Electric Connection’s “Solar” section of our website. You can also give us a call if you have any questions or are considering having solar panels installed.

Picking the right electrical equipment is essential no matter what line of business you’re in, so take your time with the selection process. It is especially crucial for companies in the food processing industry to pick the right cord grip and connector materials, since machinery and fittings at these plants are often exposed to harsh chemicals, water and other environmental threats, which can lead to corrosion, leakage and damage.

Electrical connectors for food processing plants normally feature corrosion-resistant properties, with different degrees of resistance for various environments and applications. Picking the wrong material will not just cause your connectors to require more frequent maintenance or repairs, but can also lead to short circuits and other safety hazards.

Damaged wiring, DIY repairs and faulty installations are all common electrical mistakes which if not corrected in time can be hazardous and lead to short circuits, injury and electrical fires. If you encounter any of these 7 mistakes in your house, fix them immediately as they pose a serious risk to life and property.