What does electrician study?
Science began to develop rapidly in the 19th century. At that time, the first laws were discovered that made it possible to understand what electricity is. The theoretical foundations were tested in practice. The first electrical devices began to appear, and the means of transmitting electricity from sources to consumers improved.
Electrical science was based on discoveries in the fields of mathematics, physics, and chemistry. She studied the nature, properties of current, electromagnetic fields.
Modern science helps to learn everything about devices that use electricity. Thanks to research, more advanced devices are being created. Electrical engineering is a science that has become the main engine of progress.
Required elements of the scheme
The basis of the electrical wiring system is the electrical distribution panel, to which electricity is supplied from the supplying organization. It can be installed at the entrance to a private house, on the landing, inside the inter-apartment vestibule, or directly inside the apartment.
Electricity in the apartment panel from the input goes to the electric meter - a device that takes into account its consumption. After it, it is distributed to consumers via cables and wires.
To protect circuits, automatic devices are used, embedded in the circuit inside the apartment panel in front of the cable going to the consumer.
Each specific wiring diagram differs from other similar designs due to the fact that different designs of various models of electrical devices, wires and cables are used with their installation using different methods according to standard or individual projects.
Where to start learning
Electrical manuals “for dummies” are available on information portals. There is no shortage of such materials, so anyone can start studying the discipline from scratch. However, if a person plans to become an electrician, he will have to enroll in the appropriate faculty of a higher or secondary specialized educational institution.
University, technical school, college
Many educational institutions offer professional education as an electrician. It is worth considering the features of training in each of them:
- A full course at a university lasts 4-5 years. A minimum practical basis is given here. However, universities prepare specialists with good theoretical knowledge. Educational institutions accept graduates of 11th grade or secondary educational institutions.
- Technical schools provide an equal amount of theoretical and practical skills. The training is aimed at obtaining a working specialty. Therefore, the theory is studied in less detail than at a university. Technical schools accept graduates of the 9th or 11th grades of school. Training lasts 4 or 3 years, respectively.
- School or college. Such institutions prepare workers, so the theoretical part is kept to a minimum. You can get a profession as an electrician at a school in 1-3 years.
Courses
Such programs help you master basic skills in 2-8 weeks. Lessons are held both in standard and online mode. The disadvantage of the courses is the small amount of knowledge gained. A novice electrician learns the basics of electrical engineering and masters some skills. The student conducts practical classes independently.
All courses are offered on a paid basis, and you can take them without leaving another job.
Self-study
If the described teaching methods are not suitable, a person can master electrical engineering independently with the help of special literature. In this case, the electrician will not be able to perform complex tasks, but he will be able to install the wiring in the apartment. To become an experienced specialist with the help of tutorials, you need to undergo practical training as an electrician's assistant. The student must carefully monitor the actions of the mentor and complete simple tasks.
List of top 10 best books on electrical engineering
Books on electrics are necessary for both a beginner who wants to become a qualified specialist, and a professional looking for answers to the most difficult questions in reliable sources. Our selection is suitable for anyone who works with electricity. The most informative and complete publications by authoritative authors are presented here. We present to you a list of the 10 best books on electrical engineering.
Electrical connection diagrams
There are 2 main types of circuits in which components are connected in parallel or in series. A novice electrician should study the principles of their construction and operation.
Parallel and serial
In the first case, electricity branches out into all the circuits connected to each other. The total current is equal to the sum of the values in each branch. Circuits connected in parallel receive the same voltage.
When constructing a circuit in series, current flows from one branch to another. A charge of equal strength passes through all circuits.
Automatic protection systems
The power grid carries 2 types of threats:
- The power of household wiring is sufficient to ignite materials used in finishing premises. A short circuit in the network leads to an uncontrolled increase in current strength and ignition. It is impossible to reduce the likelihood of such a situation to zero, but it is reduced by introducing a circuit breaker into the circuit. When the current parameters increase, the device plate is deformed, a spring is released, which opens the contacts. The machine does not respond to starting current pulses.
- The neutral wire is connected to the ground, the phase wire is energized in relation to it. A current arises between such a conductor and grounded objects. There is practically no risk of injury to a person by electricity generated between 2 network cables. However, under certain conditions of current flow, electrical injury becomes fatal. Automatic protection systems ensure that current enters one wire and leaves through the other. When voltage appears between the phase and a grounded object, for example, a human body, the RCD de-energizes the network.
Electrical installation work
The creation of electrical networks consists of several stages:
- design;
- preparation of materials and tools;
- wiring gaskets.
Required Tools
To work you will need:
- phase detector;
- pliers;
- wire cutters;
- knives;
- insulating tape;
- screwdrivers;
- multimeter for testing networks.
Removing vinyl insulation from wires (stripping)
The procedure is fraught with some difficulties. It must be carried out in such a way that the current-carrying core is not damaged. Sometimes each conductor is protected with vinyl insulation. A set of such tires is placed in another braid. In this case, you need to cut the top layer without damaging the internal insulation. To remove the braid, use a dull knife; to strip copper or aluminum conductors, use a sharp one.
When cutting insulation, the blade is inserted halfway through the thickness of the material. After this, the wires are pulled apart with pliers. The outer insulation breaks along the cut line.
Insulation
Places of connection or damage to the braid are carefully isolated. During electrical installation, a special tape is used for this. To begin with, the cores are insulated separately, then together. The adhesive applied to the electrical tape should provide a strong hold. The material is securely glued to the vinyl sheathing to a width that prevents peeling or slipping.
Electrical wire selection
Cables can be single or multi-core. In the first case, there is a single current-carrying wire. In a multicore cable, the bus consists of braided conductors. Wires are also distinguished by the number of conductive elements. To create 3-phase wiring, a 4-core cable is used. Products consisting of 3 conductors are used to create household electrical networks. The wires are made of silver, aluminum or copper.
The first option is used in industrial conditions, due to its high electrical conductivity. In everyday life, copper or aluminum is used.
Electrical engineering and electrical mechanics
These sciences are interrelated. Electrical mechanics studies the basic circuitry of equipment that consumes electricity. The theory and practice course helps you learn how to repair household appliances. The basic principles of electrical mechanics allow you to understand how the engine and generator work, what are the differences between a stabilizer and a transformer.
Home Electrician and More (2003)
Author : V.M. Pestrikov
Popular two-volume book. The first book covers issues related to working on electricity in the city, and the second - at the dacha, garden plot and simply at leisure. In an entertaining and simple form, the main issues in the field of electricity, as well as in related areas: radio electronics, television and cellular communications, and security systems are discussed. The purpose of the book is to help anyone who wants to learn how to repair electrical networks and electrical equipment, as well as create simple electrical appliances.
Safety precautions
When working with electrical networks or devices, observe the following rules:
- Before operating or repairing equipment, read the instructions. The safety section specifies unacceptable actions that can lead to short circuits and electric shock.
- The devices must be de-energized. After this, the condition of the wire insulation is assessed. If damage is detected, bare areas are covered with electrical tape.
- If it is impossible to de-energize the electrical network, work in dielectric gloves, shoes with rubber soles and special glasses.
- Access to switchboards and electrical installations is prohibited for novice specialists.
- Do not touch stripped wires with your hands. To find the phase, multimeters, indicator screwdrivers and other tools are used.
Books for experienced electricians
The two main books without which it is impossible to work as an electrician are PTEEP and PUE.
PTEEP stands for “Rules for the technical operation of consumer electrical installations.” This set of rules has been developed on the basis of current legislation, standards and regulations. This is the first electrician's bible. The list of rules is regularly updated, as are the documents on the basis of which they are written, so you need to periodically familiarize yourself with the latest editions. The changes made from year to year vary and do not play a significant role, however, during exams for the profession and for the admission group, you need to know the latest information and standards of the company where you work.
PUE or Electrical Installation Rules is the electrician’s second bible. They describe all the requirements and rules applicable to the installation of electrical installations, as well as PTEEP are regularly updated and supplemented. At the same time, it is described in detail how and what to install, and how to ensure the reliability of the electrical installation and safety for maintenance and operating personnel. The features of various types of structures and installation options from A to Z are considered.
You can replace these books with collections, such as the Electrician's Bible. It is quite compact (6x9 cm), which makes it a pocket reference book.
An electrician engaged in production will find the book “Power supply of workshops of industrial enterprises” useful, team of authors: E.A. Kireeva, V.V. Orlov, L.E. Starkov. It describes the equipment of transformer substations, how workshop networks are arranged, the electrical equipment used and other technical issues of power supply.
For general questions, the “Big Electrician's Handbook” (Chernichkin M.Yu.) is suitable. Suitable for both beginners and experts. It describes issues ranging from basic information and cable markings to the rules for connecting electricity to a facility and the causes of malfunctions.
Recommendations for beginners
A novice electrician should follow these tips:
- When choosing a cable cross-section, a simple law is taken into account: power is equal to voltage multiplied by current. Using this formula, the main current parameters are calculated. Using tables, the cross-section of conductors and the characteristics of other elements of the electrical network are selected.
- The wires are laid strictly horizontally or at right angles. The distance from the ceiling to the cable must be at least 20 cm. If there are pipes in the room, at least 40 cm away from them.
- Distribution boards are installed at a height of 1.2 m. A distance is left between the individual modules to ensure air circulation.
- Electrical circuits are protected by automatic switches that are triggered when current leaks.
To become an experienced electrician, you need to constantly perform practical tasks and improve your skills.
Electrician's tool
Even the most experienced electrician can do little without the appropriate set of tools, this is understandable - you can’t even unscrew an outlet with your bare hands. Let's consider the minimum set of necessary tools. This is a set of various screwdrivers - figured and flat, pliers, side cutters and a knife. It's a good idea to add platypuses and a wire stripper to this list. I’ll make a reservation right away - you can’t skimp on a tool; it must be reliable, convenient and well insulated. Although there is no point in leading to fanaticism, there are often “masters” who compensate for the lack of knowledge and experience with an abundance of unreasonably expensive tools. It is best to take an old, time-tested instrument in the middle price category. Such as shown in Figures 22 – 27. In addition to the mechanical (described above) tool. You must also have a tester (multimeter, Fig. 28) and a voltage indicator (Fig. 29).
Electrician's tool
To begin with, the listed tool is quite enough, but over time its number will increase. Also in the future you will need power tools - a hammer drill, an angle grinder, a screwdriver. All this will be acquired over time and the number of tools will constantly grow. You can also add consumables to the tools. These include electrical tape, heat shrink, caps. connecting clamps and terminal blocks. A handful of all this stuff should always be on hand.
Prices for sets of electrical installation tools
Set of electrical installation tools
