Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay

Career Overview

Inspect, test, repair, or maintain electrical equipment in generating stations, substations, and in-service relays.

Also Known As

• Relay Technician
• Substation Electrician
• Substation Technician
• Wireman

Alternate Job Titles

• Apparatus Lineman
• Corrosion Control Fitter
• Corrosion Technician
• Electrical and Instrumentation Technician (E and I Technician)
• Electrical Maintenance Mechanic
• Electrical Technician
• Electrical Test Technician (Electrical Test Tech)
• Field Electronics Tech (Field Electronics Technician)
• Field Technician (Field Tech)
• Gear Technician
• Generating Station Mechanic
• Generator Mechanic
• Inside Wireman
• Instrument and Control Technician (I and C Technician)
• Instrumentation and Control Technician (I and C Technician)

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• Inspect and test equipment and circuits to identify malfunctions or defects, using wiring diagrams and testing devices such as ohmmeters, voltmeters, or ammeters.
• Prepare and maintain records detailing tests, repairs, and maintenance.
• Consult manuals, schematics, wiring diagrams, and engineering personnel to troubleshoot and solve equipment problems and to determine optimum equipment functioning.
• Analyze test data to diagnose malfunctions, to determine performance characteristics of systems, or to evaluate effects of system modifications.
• Open and close switches to isolate defective relays, performing adjustments or repairs.
• Notify facility personnel of equipment shutdowns.
• Repair, replace, and clean equipment and components such as circuit breakers, brushes, and commutators.

Emerging Responsibilities

As this field evolves, you may also:

• Calibrate instruments, such as transmitters.
• Use drones for inspection of high-voltage lines and other hard-to-reach equipment.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• Mechanical
• Mathematics
• Engineering and Technology
• Public Safety and Security
• English Language
• Computers and Electronics
• Design
• Physics

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

1. Critical Thinking
2. Equipment Maintenance
3. Repairing

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Near Vision
• Oral Comprehension
• Problem Sensitivity
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Oral Expression
• Written Comprehension
• Information Ordering
• Finger Dexterity
• Visual Color Discrimination
• Control Precision

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Attention to Detail
• Dependability
• Cautiousness
• Integrity
• Intellectual Curiosity

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Support
• Independence
• Working Conditions
• Relationships
• Achievement

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years

On-the-Job Training: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years

Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

• Autodesk AutoCAD
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office software
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Windows
• Microsoft Word

Tools & Equipment

• Adjustable hand wrenches
• Adjustable pin spanner wrenches
• Alternating current AC electric welders
• Analog ohmmeters
• Bearing pullers
• Bench ammeters
• Bench drills
• Bench vises
• Bench voltmeters
• Clamp ammeters
• Diagonal cutting electronics pliers
• Digital micrometers
• Digital multimeters
• Digital ohmmeters
• Digital oscilloscopes

Work Environment

• Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
• Contact With Others
• Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$60,820
Median	$100,940
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$127,970

Workers Employed Nationally: 23,040

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.