Licensed Maintenance Electrician?

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mikemck

Member
I have been trying to research this, but I can't seem to get the straight of it.

I'm not really interested in becoming a licensed Journeyman, but Maintenance Electrician sounds more like what I would be good for.

Can anyone tell me what the distinction is? Espeically in the state of Texas.

TIA
 

bphgravity

Senior Member
Location
Florida
At one time, areas of Florida had special categories of electrical professionals. Maintenance electrician was one of them. Some of the vocational schools had courses and programs designed specifically for maintenance and facility-type workers. Most of these programs have gone defunct.

Check with your local IAEI, or other contractor associations and call your local vocational schools to see what programs are available.

There may not be an official license, but you should be able to get some good education on the subject matter.
 

masterelect1

Senior Member
Location
Baltimore
Lme

Lme

mikemck said:
I have been trying to research this, but I can't seem to get the straight of it.

I'm not really interested in becoming a licensed Journeyman, but Maintenance Electrician sounds more like what I would be good for.

Can anyone tell me what the distinction is? Espeically in the state of Texas.

TIA

Can't help you with Texas, but Baltimore City, Md. issues a Maint. Elect. License which allows A facility to operate under that persons license and for routine maint work to be done and some minor new work to be done such as relocation of existing equipment, new runs of less than 10', etc...

This was my first license and I found the test prep to be very helpful in getting my Masters. Hope that helps!
John
 

mikemck

Member
I'll have to check into the state of Texas, and see what exactly a licensed maintenance electrician is. I have done some preliminary searching, but did not have much luck.

I'm just not very interested in learing the NEC inside & out, and doing installations. My background is in troubleshooting & repair, and it suits me.

If I can get licensened I'm sure it would open some opportunities for me, but I don't want to work toward a license I have no interest in.
 

DBack Elec

Member
Location
AZ
mikemck said:
I have been trying to research this, but I can't seem to get the straight of it.

I'm not really interested in becoming a licensed Journeyman, but Maintenance Electrician sounds more like what I would be good for.

Can anyone tell me what the distinction is? Espeically in the state of Texas.

TIA
Yes, In the Dallas in the 80's there was such a classification. It was for electricians who worked inside (usually manufacturing) and didn't do construction work.
 

mengelman

Member
Location
East Texas
There is not a maintenence electrician license in Texas. You can check on all licensed on the Texas Department of Licensing and regulation website.
As I understand it a maintanence electrician can only maintain equipment and is not required to have a license, allthough some do have licenses. Any installations have to be done by a licensed Journyman or master electrician.
As an electricial contractor I avoid hiring maintenence electricians because of a lack of varied experience.
 

mengelman

Member
Location
East Texas
Maintenence electricians just dont have the all around experience for the work we do. I have nothing against them, I just need people who can do pretty much anything.
 

DBack Elec

Member
Location
AZ
mengelman said:
Maintenence electricians just dont have the all around experience for the work we do. I have nothing against them, I just need people who can do pretty much anything.
Have to differ here. If you need someone who is familar with conveyors and high volume drive equipment for an installation these electricians could be the ticket. And many are union too.
 

masterelect1

Senior Member
Location
Baltimore
DBack Elec said:
Have to differ here. If you need someone who is familar with conveyors and high volume drive equipment for an installation these electricians could be the ticket. And many are union too.

Agree 100% - a good industrial/manufacturing electrician will know PLC's VFD's, control, motors, as well as the more mundane aspects of the trade such as lighting, receptacles, panelboards, etc...
He may not be as familiar with installation techniques as a construction guy, but it is easier to learn on a down curve than on an up curve, which would be the case coming from industry and going to commercial/residential. Most res/comm electricians have little to no experience with motors-controllers-drives-plc's etc...

JMO,
John
 

mengelman

Member
Location
East Texas
The ones I have been around couldnt build a residential or commercial service. I dont have time to train anyone.
Personally I have experience in pretty much everything from drilling rigs to industrial to residential. I'm not trying to offend anyone and there are exceptions to everything, but I havent seen it.
 

masterelect1

Senior Member
Location
Baltimore
mengelman said:
The ones I have been around couldnt build a residential or commercial service. I dont have time to train anyone.
Personally I have experience in pretty much everything from drilling rigs to industrial to residential. I'm not trying to offend anyone and there are exceptions to everything, but I havent seen it.

Fortunately, someone had the time to train you.
 

newsparky

Member
Location
Destin,Florida
Industrial Electrical Maintenance Certificate

Industrial Electrical Maintenance Certificate

I went to a community college and got a certificate in Industrial Electrical Maintenance. Although I must say, I have been in the Electrical field now for a few months and a lot of the stuff you just learn from being on the job. I worked in a paper mill for 5 years, (production) and other Industrial enviroments prior to that, I did learn some in school but the experience of being on the job is key.
 

hockeyoligist2

Senior Member
mengelman said:
The ones I have been around couldnt build a residential or commercial service. I dont have time to train anyone.
Personally I have experience in pretty much everything from drilling rigs to industrial to residential. I'm not trying to offend anyone and there are exceptions to everything, but I havent seen it.


I know you don't mean to offend. I don't mean to offend back, OK? I have saw the opposite. I'm industrial, came from industrial background. Everyone I work with came from construction (including my boss). Yes, they can bend pipe faster, pull wire faster, they know the correct names for what they want at the parts store. (as long as it is construction related)

They can't troubleshoot control panels, PLC's, ETC. If they don't have a schematic they are really lost. I don't need a schematic because I understand how it works. If I'm not available they call our IE Dept. for simple PLC problems, ETC.

If I decided to start doing construction I would fall right in, very quickly. But it ain't gonna happen! My brain would go dead from lack of use!

Disclaimer: I don't want to offend anyone, OK? It just kinda ticked me off!
 

jbower

Member
Location
Va.
I went through a four year apprenticeship for a maintenance electrician (industrial) I also have a masters.
 
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