If you need to find out quickly if your electrician is skilled enough, just click here.
All events need electrical power to operate. Setting up the electrical power supply and distribution for an event is critical to the success of the event. You might have already had the experience of losing power, and you don’t want that to happen again!
Then there’s the safety aspect. Every jurisdiction worldwide has codes that must be followed to ensure the safety of your visitors, your staff and the equipment you use. Your electrician needs to know these.
And last, you want your power supply to be efficient and sustainable so you don’t waste money and pollute the environment any more than necessary.
That’s why you need a skilled electrician.
Who is a skilled electrician?
Someone that has the combination of skills, knowledge, and experience needed to successfully perform the job. To determine if a person is skilled or competent, you can observe their behavior and actions, and assess their ability to complete tasks effectively and efficiently which takes time and puts you at risk. You can also consider their qualifications, education, and training in the relevant area, which is hard to assess.
An event electrician is an electrician who specializes in providing electrical services for events, such as concerts, festivals, trade shows, and other similar gatherings. Their duties include installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical systems, such as lighting, sound, and power distribution systems. They also ensure that all electrical equipment is safe and meets relevant safety standards and regulations. Event electricians must be able to work in fast-paced and high-pressure environments, often under tight deadlines. They must be able to work independently or as part of a team, and be able to communicate effectively with clients, event organizers, and other professionals. An event electrician must also have a good understanding of electrical safety procedures and the use of personal protective equipment.
And how do you know if that person calling themselves an “Electrician” is able to do the job?
Here are the top 10 skills any electrician needs:
- Knowledge of electrical theory and principles, local codes and regulations, and safety standards.
- Skill in installing and maintaining electrical systems and equipment, including wiring, grounding systems, and circuit breakers.
- Ability to read and interpret site plans, schematics, and technical manuals and calculate electrical power requirements.
- Familiarity with the use of electrical testing equipment, such as multimeters, and clamp-on ammeters.
- Understanding of electrical safety procedures and the use of personal protective equipment.
- Experience in diagnosing and resolving electrical problems.
- Ability to work independently or as part of a team, and to communicate effectively with customers and colleagues.
- Physical dexterity and manual skills, including the ability to work in tight spaces and at heights.
- Good problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, and the ability to make decisions under pressure.
- Continual professional development to maintain and improve their competency and knowledge.
These are the minimum requirements any electrician must fulfil at your event!
Now how do you know if they are answering your questions correctly?
Ideally, you’d want someone at your side that has electrical competency. As that is not always possible, here’s how to determine if someone is answering your questions correctly:
- Compare their answers to established facts or standards: This can include checking their answers against official sources such as industry standards, regulations, or guidelines.
- Verify their answers with additional research: You can conduct your own research to see if the answers they provided align with other sources of information.
- Check their qualifications and experience: If the person has some kind of certification, they should have a better understanding of the subject matter and be able to provide accurate answers immediately and without stumbling over words. If you get the feeling they are guessing, be aware!
- Assess the logic and reasoning behind their answers: Evaluate the reasoning and thought process behind their answers to see if it makes sense and is supported by evidence.
It’s important to keep an open mind and approach the evaluation process objectively, without preconceptions or biases.
Ask these questions and compare the answers.
Here are some test questions and their correct answers that you might want to include in an interview (or you can have them take my online assessment here):
- What is the purpose of an electrical grounding system?
Answer: to protect persons from electrical shock.
- How would you determine the correct size wire for a circuit?
Answer: The load and distance determine the wire size.
- What is the Local Electric Code?
Answer: This is region-specific and easy to google 😉
- What is the proper procedure for working on energized electrical equipment?
Answer: The lockout-tagout procedure.
- What is the purpose of a GFCI or RCD and where is it typically installed?
Answer The GFCI or RCD are protective elements against shock. They are installed in the distribution box or panel.
- What color does the protective earth wire have?
Answer: Green-Yellow.
- Are protective earth wires have to be very low or very high in wire resistance?
Answer: very low.
If you want to be absolutely sure your electrician is qualified for the job, have them take my online assessment. I’ve used this repeatedly, and it has always provided me with the correct answer.
I hope this helps you find a skilled electrician for your next event. Remember, they are crucial to your event’s success!