Career summary

Details for Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers


Description

Repair, maintain, or install electric motors, wiring, or switches.

Tasks

  • Measure velocity, horsepower, revolutions per minute (rpm), amperage, circuitry, and voltage of units or parts to diagnose problems, using ammeters, voltmeters, wattmeters, and other testing devices.
  • Record repairs required, parts used, and labor time.
  • Reassemble repaired electric motors to specified requirements and ratings, using hand tools and electrical meters.
  • Maintain stocks of parts.
  • Repair and rebuild defective mechanical parts in electric motors, generators, and related equipment, using hand tools and power tools.
  • Rewire electrical systems, and repair or replace electrical accessories.
  • Inspect electrical connections, wiring, relays, charging resistance boxes, and storage batteries, following wiring diagrams.
  • Read service guides to find information needed to perform repairs.
  • Inspect and test equipment to locate damage or worn parts and diagnose malfunctions, or read work orders or schematic drawings to determine required repairs.
  • Solder, wrap, and coat wires to ensure proper insulation.
  • Assemble electrical parts such as alternators, generators, starting devices, and switches, following schematic drawings and using hand, machine, and power tools.
  • Lubricate moving parts.
  • Remove and replace defective parts such as coil leads, carbon brushes, and wires, using soldering equipment.
  • Disassemble defective equipment so that repairs can be made, using hand tools.
  • Lift units or parts such as motors or generators, using cranes or chain hoists, or signal crane operators to lift heavy parts or subassemblies.
  • Weld, braze, or solder electrical connections.
  • Reface, ream, and polish commutators and machine parts to specified tolerances, using machine tools.
  • Adjust working parts, such as fan belts, contacts, and springs, using hand tools and gauges.
  • Clean cells, cell assemblies, glassware, leads, electrical connections, and battery poles, using scrapers, steam, water, emery cloths, power grinders, or acid.
  • Scrape and clean units or parts, using cleaning solvents and equipment such as buffing wheels.
  • Rewind coils on cores in slots, or make replacement coils, using coil-winding machines.
  • Cut and form insulation, and insert insulation into armature, rotor, or stator slots.
  • Set machinery for proper performance, using computers.
  • Drain and filter transformer oil and refill transformers with oil until coils are submerged.
  • Position and level battery cells, anodes, or cathodes, using hoists or leveling jacks, or signal other workers to perform positioning and leveling.
  • Verify and adjust alignments and dimensions of parts, using gauges and tracing lathes.
  • Test equipment for overheating, using speed gauges and thermometers.
  • Bolt porcelain insulators to wood parts to assemble hot stools.
  • Pour compounds into transformer-case terminal openings to seal out moisture.
  • Test conditions, fluid levels, and specific gravities of electrolyte cells, using voltmeters, hydrometers, and thermometers.
  • Clean, rinse, and dry transformer cases, using boiling water, scrapers, solvents, hoses, and cloths.
  • Inspect batteries for structural defects such as dented cans, damaged carbon rods and terminals, and defective seals.
  • Steam-clean polishing and buffing wheels to remove abrasives and bonding materials, and spray, brush, or recoat surfaces as necessary.
  • Test battery charges, and replace or recharge batteries as necessary.
  • Repair and operate battery-charging equipment.
  • Add water or acid to battery cell solutions to obtain specified concentrations.
  • Sharpen tools such as saws, picks, shovels, screwdrivers, and scoops, either manually or by using bench grinders and emery wheels.
  • Seal joints with putty, mortar, and asbestos, using putty extruders and knives.
  • Hammer out dents and twists in tools and equipment.

Interests

  • Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Education, training, experience

  • Education - Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
  • Training - Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
  • Experience - Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Knowledge

  • Mathematics -Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Education and Training -Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • Production and Processing -Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • Mechanical -Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Skills

  • Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

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