Occupation · SOC 49-2095
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay
Inspect, test, repair, or maintain electrical equipment in generating stations, substations, and in-service relays.
Median wage
$100,940
$60,820–$127,970
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
23,040
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
279 mapped
Core skills
Critical ThinkingRepairingEquipment MaintenanceTroubleshootingReading ComprehensionQuality Control AnalysisOperations MonitoringComplex Problem Solving
Knowledge areas
MechanicalMathematicsEngineering and TechnologyPublic Safety and SecurityEnglish Language
Technology & tools
Computer aided design CAD softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareCompliance softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite software
Representative tasks
Inspect and test equipment and circuits to identify malfunctions or defects, using wiring diagrams and testing devices such as ohmmeters, voltmeters, or ammeters.Prepare and maintain records detailing tests, repairs, and maintenance.Consult manuals, schematics, wiring diagrams, and engineering personnel to troubleshoot and solve equipment problems and to determine optimum equipment functioning.Analyze test data to diagnose malfunctions, to determine performance characteristics of systems, or to evaluate effects of system modifications.Notify facility personnel of equipment shutdowns.Open and close switches to isolate defective relays, performing adjustments or repairs.Repair, replace, and clean equipment and components such as circuit breakers, brushes, and commutators.Run signal quality and connectivity tests for individual cables, and record results.Maintain inventories of spare parts for all equipment, requisitioning parts as necessary.Construct, test, maintain, and repair substation relay and control systems.Test insulators and bushings of equipment by inducing voltage across insulation, testing current, and calculating insulation loss.Schedule and supervise the construction and testing of special devices and the implementation of unique monitoring or control systems.Schedule and supervise splicing or termination of cables in color-code order.Test oil in circuit breakers and transformers for dielectric strength, refilling oil periodically.Disconnect voltage regulators, bolts, and screws, and connect replacement regulators to high-voltage lines.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Wiring diagrams and schematic drawings — read and interpret under direct supervision to support basic inspection tasks in a powerhouse or substation environment.Ohmmeters, voltmeters, and ammeters — identify and apply correctly under technician guidance to perform initial continuity and voltage checks on low-risk circuits.Inspection checklists and maintenance logs — complete accurately following established templates to document test results and repair activities on assigned equipment.Circuit breakers and basic electrical components — clean and visually inspect under supervision to support routine preventive maintenance schedules.Equipment shutdown notifications — communicate clearly to facility personnel following approved protocols when directed by a senior repairer.O&M manuals and manufacturer wiring diagrams — locate and reference with guidance to identify correct component specifications during assigned repairs.Hand tools and basic test instruments — handle safely and store correctly in accordance with facility safety and OSHA standards on a substation job site.Signal quality and cable connectivity tests — perform on individual cables following step-by-step procedures and record results in designated logs.Switch isolation procedures — follow written lockout/tagout protocols under supervision to safely open and close switches on identified defective relay circuits.Spreadsheet and word processing software — use to organize and enter maintenance records and test data as directed by lead technicians.
developing
Wiring diagrams and testing devices — use independently to inspect and test substation and relay circuits, identifying common malfunctions with reduced oversight.Test data and meter readings — analyze routinely to diagnose equipment malfunctions and document findings using analytical or scientific software tools.Circuit breakers, brushes, and commutators — repair, replace, and clean with growing independence following manufacturer specifications and facility maintenance schedules.Relay adjustment and switch isolation procedures — execute accurately to isolate defective relays and restore normal circuit operation in familiar substation configurations.Maintenance and repair records — prepare and maintain in compliance with facility standards and regulatory requirements using office suite and spreadsheet software.O&M manuals, schematics, and engineering guidance — consult proactively to resolve moderately complex equipment problems and verify optimum functioning of power systems.Signal quality and connectivity test results — evaluate against acceptance criteria, identify out-of-tolerance cables, and escalate findings to senior staff when needed.Equipment performance characteristics — assess by comparing test data against baseline specifications to determine whether system modifications have achieved desired outcomes.Equipment shutdown notifications and scheduling — coordinate with facility operations personnel to minimize disruption during planned maintenance activities.Time management and prioritization — apply to balance concurrent maintenance tasks across multiple equipment types in a live powerhouse or relay station environment.
proficient
Complex electrical malfunctions in powerhouse, substation, and relay systems — troubleshoot autonomously using full diagnostic workflows, test instruments, and wiring diagrams without supervisory direction.System modification effects — analyze test data independently to evaluate performance impacts, identify unintended consequences, and recommend corrective action to engineering personnel.Defective relay circuits — isolate, adjust, and repair with full accountability, applying advanced switch isolation techniques and interpreting multi-system interdependencies.Non-routine equipment failures — resolve by consulting engineering documentation, applying systems analysis, and integrating knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and physics principles.Comprehensive maintenance records and compliance documentation — produce and audit to meet regulatory, quality control, and facility standards using compliance and industrial control software.Cable signal quality programs — design and execute end-to-end, interpreting connectivity test data across full cable runs and presenting results to operations stakeholders.CAD and analytical software — apply to review engineering designs, validate circuit modifications, and support informed decision-making on high-voltage equipment changes.Critical safety hazards — identify and assess in live substation and relay environments, applying cautiousness and sound judgment to protect personnel and infrastructure.Cross-functional troubleshooting sessions — lead by actively listening to operations and engineering personnel and synthesizing information to determine root cause and repair strategy.Preventive and corrective maintenance programs — manage autonomously across assigned equipment portfolio, tracking schedules, parts, and outcomes using integrated facility software systems.
advanced
Facility-wide maintenance and reliability strategy — develop and direct for powerhouse, substation, and relay systems, aligning technical standards with organizational safety and uptime goals.Competency development programs for junior and mid-level repairers — design and deliver, leveraging apprenticeship and vocational training frameworks to build workforce capability.Technical standards, wiring diagram libraries, and maintenance procedures — author and govern to ensure consistency, accuracy, and regulatory compliance across all repair activities.Complex system modifications and capital improvement projects — evaluate from a systems analysis perspective, advising engineering and management on technical risk and feasibility.Organizational quality control and inspection protocols — establish and continuously improve, using data trends from test records and compliance software to reduce repeat failures.Cross-departmental equipment shutdown coordination — lead at an organizational level, negotiating outage windows with operations, safety, and management stakeholders to protect grid reliability.Emerging technologies and industrial control software platforms — assess and champion for adoption, translating technical evaluations into actionable recommendations for executive decision-makers.Safety culture and critical-thinking practices — model and institutionalize across the maintenance workforce to reduce incident rates in high-voltage powerhouse and substation environments.Regulatory audits and compliance reviews — lead on behalf of the organization, preparing documentation, coordinating technical staff responses, and resolving findings with oversight agencies.Organizational troubleshooting knowledge base — curate and expand by capturing lessons learned from non-routine failures, enabling systematic improvement in diagnostic and repair outcomes.
Also known as
129 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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