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Expert Answers to Biz Questions
Listen in! Pick up some expert advice to a reader's question that we selected from CyberSchmooz.
Electricity And The Professionals Who Keep It Flowing
History Of Electricity
In years gone by, mankind created and harvested energy by natural means. Fire, water, wind, and energy from animals were used to provide energy for warmth, light, transportation from one location to another. Wood and coal were used to create fire and used to boil water to create steam turbines to power engines such as riverboats. Wind and water were used to power windmills for grinding grain or moving water from rivers to inhabited areas. The wind was used for sailing boats, also. Benjamin Franklin taught us through his experiments that energy, such as that created by lightning, could be stored or channeled over lines to direct its flow. Over time, we learned to harvest these energies and transport them along wires. This is electricity. In basic terms, electricity is the movement of energy along channels, or wires, to a designated location to be converted back into energy to power lights, appliances or any of the things we use daily in our modern world.
Creation And Distribution Of Electricity
Energy cannot be created. We use gas, oil, coal, wood, wind, and water to convert their stored energy into electrons that are then transported along wires that efficiently conduct this energy to their destination where the energy is converted back to electrons to 'power' devices. When we turn 'off' a light switch we stop the flow of the energy electrons. As soon as the switch is turned to the 'on' position, the electrons begin to flow one by one to spark the light. Some devices require more electrons as energy to function properly and others draw less energy. Today we use generator turbines, such as at a dam, to create energy which is transported according to energy needs. Excess energy is stored in batteries designed to store energy. Solar and wind power are highly dependent on batteries designed for storage of the energy produced. Read this article relating to the use of alternate natural energy sources.
Uses of Electricity
The State of California is a great example of the use of electricity. Dams, ocean currents and waves, coal, oil, nuclear reactors, solar fields, and wind turbine fields are used statewide to produce energy enjoyed by millions of people. We use this energy for lighting, appliances, heating, powering office equipment, personal computers, generating energy to be stored in phone batteries and a multitude of other things that we have become so reliant on for electricity. A temporary power outage affects entertainment, lighting, cooking, and so many things we have created a dependence around in our lives.
Educating Electricians
It takes a great deal of education to gain the knowledge to create and monitor the systems we use daily, from building new homes, commercial buildings, power plant oversight, dam operations, amusement park operations, and appliance and computer repair. California electrical contractors are trained in building, maintaining and repairing all of these systems. Wiring a new or remodeled home requires different expertise and training than a more complex commercial building that houses numerous office and retail spaces. The same is true for the complex wiring systems in operating city lights, amusement parks, and energy generation sites.
You may not need a degree to start the process to become a certified, licensed electrician. You, however, will need to complete coursework, including electrician training and electrical safety. 4-5 years in an apprenticeship position under a master electrician is required by most states to obtain licensing. Skills for electricians include the ability to think critically, problem-solving, ability to read schematics, customer service, troubleshooting skills, and additional on-the-job-training for the particular field of electrical work you choose to pursue. More complex, detailed work usually requires continuing training, especially with the proliferation of computers and the internet. Programmers and electrical technicians work together to ensure all systems are integrated and flow together.
Our Dependence On Electricity
According to Wikipedia information, our modern society is dependent on the generation of energy from natural resources to flow freely to homes and works. Think of it, no electricity equals no refrigerator or cold food, no lights, no computer, no television, no recharging a cell phone, no street lights or working traffic signals, no energy to power offices, manufacturing facilities, and for many there will be no heat, hot water, or cooking. We are dependent on the training of our electricians to brave dangerous storms, floods, or other disasters to restore electrical power for us to resume our normal lives. In the future, look upon the electrician with the respect they deserve.
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