There is an ever-increasing demand for trained technicians in the field of Electrical Equipment Installation, with in many businesses who supply and service electrical equipment such as hand dryers, electrical signage, dispensers, machinery and displays. This is largely due to advancements in technology and the crucial part many of these forms of electrical equipment play in the success of a business’s premises.
Proper training to install these kinds of equipment is critical to complete the installation in a safe manor, efficiently and to do so in compliance with necessary regulations.
Why is the training so crucial?
For one there are many health and safety risks associated with the installation of electrical equipment. These risks include but are not limited to Electrical shocks, Fires, or even physical Injuries. This Study by the National Fire Protection Association highlights how dangerous electrical installations can be, and well illustrates the need for proper training to safely execute such tasks.
It is also extremely important to attain the necessary level of technical proficiency for installing equipment, as the equipment now used can often be incredibly sensitive to faults not to mention the complexity displayed in many items of electrical equipment. Incorrectly wiring them or even improper handling could result in damage to the items of equipment or create an electrical hazard. The results of electrical faults and hazards can be disastrous to you and/or the property on which they were installed. As well as an electrocution risk to you they can pose a fire hazard to the property or, more likely, the failure of an installed unit.
What are the Key areas of training?
The complex nature of installations requires knowledge in many areas.
- Health and safety protocols – This includes knowing which items of PPE May be required, understanding any applicable building regulations and especially how to create and follow a risk assessment and Method Statement.
- Electrical Safety – How to handle live circuits and avoid or minimise the risks to yourself.
- Electrical Testing – How to properly verify the functionality of the equipment before and after the installation as well as the proper usage of tools such as multi-meters, voltage testers and earth loop impedance testers.
Connecting Equipment to Existing outlets – This is crucial as often installations require you to connect to pre-installed outlet, this must be performed safely, following correct safe isolation techniques and assessing the circuit load to prevent overloading any circuits
What benefits does proper training provide?
Being properly trained provides many benefits, it helps to reduce any accidents in the workplace, as well as liability and it protects both you and the end user of the equipment. Examining an incident investigated by the HSE Highlights just how necessary proper training is in protecting yourself and your employees.
It also improves the efficiency of your installations. As you will have a better understanding of the necessary steps, you will be able to install the equipment faster, with fewer errors in your installation. Another benefit of that is an increase to customer satisfaction due to your efficiency and the reliability of your installation.
By understanding and following the correct standards and methods of installation you avoid legal issues and fines not to mention many other problems. All of this adds to a greater degree of credibility and trust with your present and future customers.
Where to get training?
At the Whitegoods Training Academy, we offer an IWGE Accredited course in the installation of Electrical Equipment. We also offer online courses in skills related to the installation of electrical equipment such as health and safety, the basics of electricity and the correct usage of multi- .
We highly recommend, as with any training, that after completing a course or training session, that you strive to gain experience working along with experienced individuals preferably being mentored by them as this will help your skills grow tremendously.
Any training you receive or complete still requires that you continue your learning path, by staying up to date with new standards and safety protocols it ensures that you are able to continue to be an effective Installation engineer.
In conclusion, Training is vital in this line of work to avoid many problems such as injuries, property damage and legal troubles. Without training you leave yourself at risk of injury, fines and Death.
Whether you are an individual or a business you should seek certified training programs if you haven’t already, such training is an investment, however it is one that will pay off with the professional growth it will prompt as well as the enhanced safety and efficiency of installations.
For more information on our courses and how we can help you advance your career, visit our training courses page or Contact us today!
