• Current: Important KSAs

Important Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

To perform most satisfactorily in the Trade one must be able or learn to perform job tasks using their developed Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. The following are the KSAs (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities) identified through a most thorough scientific job analysis conducted for our Trade through the Department of Labor. The study revealed there are specific Abilities, Skills and Knowledge that one will need to perform satisfactorily in Electrical Construction. Some, as noted are more critical and important that others; therefore, we list them (per the research) to show which are Very to Extremely Important, Moderately to Very Important and Somewhat to Moderately important.

ABILITIES

VERY to EXTREMELY IMPORTANT
  • Ability to be self-motivated, responsible, and dependable without close supervision.
  • Ability to understand verbal instructions and warnings.
  • Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide and use formulas.
  • Ability to work smoothly with others as a team to complete a task.
  • Ability to remain calm in an emergency situation.
  • Ability to communicate orally with others.
  • Ability to maintain good relations with others in a work setting.
  • Ability to discriminate between colors.
  • Ability to hear warning signals.
  • Ability to develop alternative solutions to a problem and choose the best alternative.
  • Ability to read complex technical documents.
  • Ability to maintain balance and perform construction tasks while on a ladder.
  • Ability to plan and organize tasks to meet deadline.
MODERATELY to VERY IMPORTANT
  • Ability to understand how an electrical or mechanical system works.
  • Ability to use hands to manipulate small wires and objects.
  • Ability to work with both hands.
  • Ability to communicate in writing with others.
  • Ability to supervise and monitor the work of others.
  • Ability to read and understand graphs, charts and diagrams.
  • Ability to lift 50 pounds.
  • Ability to operate two-hand power equipment.
  • Ability to coordinate body movements when using tools or equipment.
  • Ability to reach and stretch to position equipment and fixtures while maintaining balance.
  • Ability to climb ladders and poles up to 25 feet.
  • Ability to carry objects up to 50 pounds for short distances.
  • Ability to traverse irregular surfaces while maintaining balance.
  • Ability to work at heights.
  • Ability to work outdoors in extreme weather conditions, including heat, cold …
  • Ability to work in extreme hot and cold temperature conditions.
  • Ability to perform physical tasks all day without becoming overly tired.
  • Ability to work in noisy environment.
  • Ability to picture the way a construction project will appear before it is finished.
  • Ability to lift objects above 50 pounds.
  • Ability to apply muscular force quickly to objects and equipment.
  • Ability to push and pull heavy objects into position.
  • Ability to work at depths, such as in trenches, manholes or deep vertical shafts.
  • Ability to carry objects above 50 pounds for short distances.
  • Ability to use muscular strength to raise and lower heavy objects on a line or pulley.
  • Ability to bend or twist the body into unusual positions while working.
SOMEWHAT to MODERATELY IMPORTANT
  • Ability to walk long distances, sometimes over irregular terrain.
  • Ability to resist torque of moto while maintaining balance.
  • Ability to work in unnatural positions for long periods of time.
  • Ability to climb ladders and poles from 26 to 100 feet.
  • Ability to bend to get over or under objects while working on top of a pole or tower.

SKILLS

VERY to EXTREMELY IMPORTANT
  • Skill in performing CPR.
  • Skill at reading a wire table to determine conductor size required.
  • Skill at terminating aluminum or copper cable.
  • Skill at terminating high voltage cable.
MODERATELY to VERY IMPORTANT
  • Skill at splicing high voltage cable.
  • Skill at working in rubber gloves on high voltage lines.
  • Skill at splicing aluminum or copper cable.
  • Skill at rigging equipment.
  • Skill at splicing fiberoptic cable.
  • Skill at terminating fiberoptic cable.
  • Skill at terminating twisted pair cable.
  • Skill at splicing twisted pair cable.
  • Skill at terminating coaxial cable.
  • Skill at tying knots.
  • Skill at operating platform lift.
  • Skill at programming logic controllers.
  • Skill at soldering.
  • Skill at welding.
  • Skill at operating a bucket truck.
SOME to MODERATELY IMPORTANT
  • Skill at splicing rope.
  • Skill at coiling and storing rope.
  • Skill at driving a truck.

KNOWLEDGE

VERY to EXTREMELY IMPORTANT
  • Knowledge of National Electrical Code.
  • Knowledge of how to work with energized circuits.
  • Knowledge of blueprints, including symbols used.
  • Knowledge of schematic electrical diagrams.
  • Knowledge of state and local codes.
  • Knowledge of first aid.
  • Knowledge of hazardous materials.
  • Knowledge of specific job safety rules.
  • Knowledge of connections to be made for various transformers.
  • Knowledge of different conduit bends (saddle, offset, etc.)
  • Knowledge of the principles of grounding.
  • Knowledge of delta and wye transformer connections.
  • Knowledge of OSHA requirements.
  • Knowledge of proper overcurrent protection for transformers.
  • Knowledge of Ohm’s Law and related formulas.
  • Knowledge of direct and alternating current.
  • Knowledge of how to perform emergency rescue.
  • Knowledge of how to calculated degrees when bending conduit.
  • Knowledge of which wire/cable to use in different circumstances.
MODERATELY to VERY IMPORTANT
  • Knowledge of magnetic motor control.
  • Knowledge of which materials are good conductors and insulators.
  • Knowledge of fire alarm systems.
  • Knowledge of parallel circuits.
  • Knowledge of solid-state motor controls.
  • Knowledge of combination circuits.
  • Knowledge of building specifications.
  • Knowledge of series circuits.
  • Knowledge of transformer ratings.
  • Knowledge of fuse ratings.
  • Knowledge of how to care for tools and equipment.
  • Knowledge of appropriate hand signals to use with ground crew or equipment operators.
  • Knowledge of circuit breaker rating.
  • Knowledge of ladder logic diagrams.
  • Knowledge of how AC motors operate.
  • Knowledge of switching procedures.
  • Knowledge of resistance and its effects.
  • Knowledge of how fuses operate.
  • Knowledge of the properties of high-voltage cable.
  • Knowledge of which knot to tie in different circumstances.
  • Knowledge of the ratings of different types of switch gear.
  • Knowledge of algebra.
  • Knowledge of how a circuit breaker works.
  • Knowledge of programmable logic controllers.
  • Knowledge of how generators/alternators work.
  • Knowledge of how DC motors operate.
  • Knowledge of security systems.
  • Knowledge of air conditioning and environmental control systems.
  • Knowledge of inductance.
  • Knowledge of the functions of capacitors.
  • Knowledge of geometry.
  • Knowledge of how a surge protector or lightning protector works.
  • Knowledge of process controllers and control loops.
  • Knowledge of the lifting capacity of various riggings for block and tackles.
  • Knowledge of other crafts’ scope of work and responsibilities.
  • Knowledge of how to erect a pulley system for lifting heavy objects.
  • Knowledge of the functions of batteries in providing electrical power.
  • Knowledge of the properties of fiberoptic cable.
  • Knowledge of how a voltage regulator works.
  • Knowledge of power factor correction
  • Knowledge of how transformers are constructed
  • Knowledge of photo-electric sensors
  • Knowledge of sine waves generated by electrical power
  • Knowledge of harmonic distortion of voltage/current
  • Knowledge of temperature sensors
  • Knowledge of the spacing of ducts needed in a duck bank
  • Knowledge of pressure-sensitive sensors
  • Knowledge of the properties of twisted pair cable
  • Knowledge of semiconductor electronics
  • Knowledge of telephone and data systems
  • Knowledge of level sensors
  • Knowledge of trigonometry
  • Knowledge of the properties of coaxial cable
  • Knowledge of chemical sensors
  • Knowledge of the effect of soil conditions on underground cable
  • Knowledge of the properties and use of insulating oils in transformers
SOMEWHAT to MODERATELY IMPORTANT
  • Knowledge of proper depth and width needed when digging holes for supporting poles
  • Knowledge of local area networks
  • Knowledge of what makes a wooden pole unsafe to climb
  • Knowledge of orthographic and isometric sketching
  • Knowledge of strains and loads on a pole or tower that could require a guy wire
  • Knowledge of how many and which kinds of insulators to use on power lines
  • Knowledge of which ties to use with which types of insulators
  • Knowledge of the properties of metal, concrete or fiberglass poles and towers
  • Knowledge of different types of guy anchors
  • Knowledge of different types of pole and crossarm designs
  • Knowledge of the properties of different kinds of wooden poles