Electricity is essential for light, power, air-conditioning, and refrigeration. Electricians install, connect, test, and maintain electrical systems for a variety of purposes, including climate control, security, and communications. They also may install and maintain the electronic controls for machines in business and industry.

Electricians generally specialise in construction or maintenance work, although a growing number do both. Electricians specialising in construction work primarily install wiring systems into new homes, businesses, and factories, but they also rewire or upgrade existing electrical systems as needed. Electricians specialising in maintenance work primarily maintain and upgrade existing electrical systems and repair electrical equipment.