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Electrical Drafters

Also called: Electrical Designer, CAD Technician (Computer Aided Drafting Technician), Line Staker, CAD Operator (Computer Aided Design Operator)

What they do:
Develop specifications and instructions for installation of voltage transformers, overhead or underground cables, and related electrical equipment used to conduct electrical energy from transmission lines or high-voltage distribution lines to consumers.
On the job, you would:
  • Use computer-aided drafting equipment or conventional drafting stations, technical handbooks, tables, calculators, and traditional drafting tools, such as boards, pencils, protractors, and T-squares.
  • Confer with engineering staff and other personnel to resolve problems.
  • Draft working drawings, wiring diagrams, wiring connection specifications or cross-sections of underground cables, as required for instructions to installation crew.

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
  • design
  • product and service development
Math and Science
  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Skills

Basic Skills
  • talking to others
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Verbal
  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say
Ideas and Logic
  • notice when problems happen
  • order or arrange things

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include
practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Integrity
  • Attention to Detail
  • Cooperation
  • Dependability
  • Concern for Others
  • Independence

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Computer aided design CAD software
  • Autodesk AutoCAD software
  • COADE CADWorx P&ID
Data base user interface and query software
  • Microsoft Access
  • PEDYN P2000
Project management software
  • JD Edwards EnterpriseOne Project Management
  • PTC Pro/INTRALINK

Education

Education: (rated 3 of 5)
some college or
associate's degree
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training Find Certifications Registered Apprenticeship

Job Outlook

Below Average Outlook
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
Salary
$54,470
per year, on average
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about electrical drafters.