How Do Electricians Keep Up With Changing Standards?

As technology advances, so do the standards for electrical work. Electricians must constantly update their skills and knowledge to keep up with the changing standards. The National Electrical Code (NEC) is revised every three years, and electricians are responsible for knowing the changes and following them. Continuing education is essential for electricians to stay ahead of the curve. There are many ways for electricians to stay up to date on the latest standards, including online courses, attending seminars, and reading industry publications.

The importance of keeping up with changing standards

As an electrician, it is important to keep up with changing standards to ensure that your work is up to code. Electricity is incredibly dangerous and following an old regulation or standard could easily put a household and people at risk. 

Staying up to date on changing standards will help you avoid potential problems down the road and will ultimately help you provide better service to your clients. Electricians, like other tradespeople, need to comply with several laws. These include workplace health and safety regulations. You must understand and follow the law to avoid any potential (possibly fatal) problems. 

How to keep up with changing standards

There are a few different ways that electricians can keep up with changing standards. Firstly, they can attend continuing education courses offered by trade associations, private training companies or community colleges. These courses help electricians stay current on the latest codes and safety procedures. Electricians can also read trade publications or online articles to learn about new products and techniques. A good example is Skills STG, which offers training on the 18th edition course.

Secondly, they can keep up to date by staying part of the community – through networking, attending conferences or reading newsletters.

The benefits of keeping up with changing standards

The Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) publishes guidance that every British electrician needs to know extremely well. The latest edition (18th Edition) was published in 2018. While changes to the guidance can be a challenge, there are several benefits to staying up to date on the latest standards.

Perhaps the most obvious benefit is that it helps electricians avoid getting fined or penalized for non-compliance. In some cases, failure to meet the latest standards could result in a loss of insurance coverage or even legal action.

In addition, keeping up with changing standards helps electricians stay ahead of the curve and remain competitive in their field. Those who can quickly adapt to new codes and requirements will be in a better position to get new contracts and grow their business.

Finally, staying current on electrical standards is simply good practice. 

The challenges of keeping up with changing standards are many. The various codes and standards can be very confusing, especially in the wake of new technology, such as smart meters. Formal education can be helpful to electricians who need to keep up with the changes, but it is not the only way to achieve a high level of knowledge and skill.