Electrician vs. Instrument Technician: What Are the Differences?

Electricians and instrument technicians are both skilled tradespeople who work with electrical equipment. Though their job duties may overlap, there are several key differences between these two positions. In this article, we discuss the similarities and differences between electricians and instrument technicians, and we provide information on what you can expect from each career.

What is an Electrician?

Electricians are responsible for installing, repairing and maintaining electrical power, communications, lighting and control systems in homes, businesses and factories. They use a variety of tools and equipment to complete their tasks, including hand tools, power tools, electrical testers and meters. Electricians must follow all local and national electrical codes when performing their work. They may also be responsible for training apprentices and teaching them the proper methods and safety procedures for electrical work.

What is an Instrument Technician?

Instrument Technicians work with a variety of electronic and mechanical measuring devices. They maintain, calibrate and repair these instruments, which are used in a variety of settings such as manufacturing plants, research laboratories and quality control facilities. Instrument Technicians use a variety of tools, including multimeters, to troubleshoot and repair instruments. They also use computer-based software to track and manage instrument calibration records. In some cases, Instrument Technicians may design and build custom instruments for specific applications.

Electrician vs. Instrument Technician

Here are the main differences between an electrician and an instrument technician.

Job Duties

Both electricians and instrument technicians perform similar work to repair, install and maintain electrical systems. However, the duties of an electrician are more extensive because they handle high-voltage electricity. As such, their job duties include tasks like reading blueprints, locating sources of electrical problems, testing circuits and diagnosing issues with equipment.

Instrument technicians do not work with electricity at such a high level. Instead, they use test equipment to monitor and troubleshoot mechanical systems. This includes using tools like multimeters to test voltage levels and oscilloscopes to examine signal frequencies. They also may be responsible for installing and maintaining sensors and other types of monitoring equipment.

Job Requirements

Electricians typically need to complete an electrician apprenticeship program, which takes four to five years. These programs are offered by unions and trade associations and include a mix of classroom instruction and on-the-job training. Some states also require electricians to be licensed.

Instrument technicians usually need to have an associate’s degree in instrumentation technology or a related field. They might also need to have experience working with the types of instruments they’ll be responsible for repairing. Many instrument technicians start their careers as instrumentation trainees before moving into more advanced positions.

Work Environment

Electricians and instrument technicians work in different environments. Electricians typically work outdoors, installing wiring for buildings or homes. They may also work on construction sites to install electrical systems for new buildings. Instrument technicians usually work indoors, often in laboratories where they test medical equipment. They may also work in hospitals or other healthcare facilities to repair or calibrate medical devices.

Skills

There are several similarities in the specific skills used by electricians and instrument technicians. Both need to have a strong understanding of electrical theory and be able to apply it to real-world situations. They also both need to be able to read and interpret blueprints and schematics. In addition, manual dexterity and physical strength are important for both jobs, as they often involve working in tight spaces and lifting heavy objects.

However, there are some differences in the specific skills used by these two professions. Electricians typically install and maintain electrical systems, so they need to have strong wiring and installation skills. Instrument technicians, on the other hand, calibrate and repair instruments and electronic devices, so they need to have strong troubleshooting and repair skills. They also may need to have soldering skills to fix circuit boards and other delicate components.

Salary

Electricians earn an average salary of $58,096 per year, while instrument technicians earn an average salary of $62,228 per year. Both of these salaries may vary depending on the size of the company at which you work, location of your job and the level of experience you have prior to pursuing either position.