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.

What is a spotlight? What is a floodlight? Knowing the difference between the two is important for properly lighting any application. Before you can understand the difference, you must know what a beam pattern is. Beam angle or pattern is a measurement of the angles that are formed between a cone of light’s brightest point (the center) and the points on both sides of the center where the light’s intensity is 50 percent as bright.

PAR30 bulb that is available with a spot or flood beam pattern.

Fixtures, such as retrofit LED can lights may also look similar to one another while functioning as either spotlights or floodlights. Some light bars are even capable of emitting flood, spot, or combination beams. There are, however, certain fixtures that we imagine when we think of floodlights and spotlights.

If the bulbs in your fixtures aren’t easily replacable, you may need to buy new ones if you want to upgrade to more energy efficient lighting. Ultimately it will be worth the up-front investment either way, since you can save so much both in your energy bill and in replacement costs when you use LEDs or other similarly long-lasting solutions.

While some people like to own a house as soon as possible, it isn’t always practical. If you live in a rental, never fear! With just the right amount of ingenuity, you too can experience the joys of great lighting. Even if you aren’t allowed to tamper with the hardwiring, you can add more temporary fixtures such as battery operated puck lights under your kitchen cabinets or some really trendy plug-in lamps.