Low voltage electricians are wiremen that work in and around commercial and residential buildings to install new low voltage systems, as well as to upgrade, maintain and repair existing systems. As a professional classification, low voltage electricians got their start in the early 20th century installing, maintaining, and repairing landline telephone networks on premises. One hundred years later this profession has come into full maturity as a wide array of low voltage systems are now commonplace, from CCTV systems and other security systems to on-site fiber optic networks and broadband cabling.
Low voltage electricians face a maze of different state regulations when it comes to licensing. However the professional guidelines, tools, and techniques are standardized in the National Electrical Code (NEC).
Properly credentialed low voltage electricians can look forward to a stable job environment, growing salaries, and daily job duties that present challenging variations.
Electrical Systems and Job Settings that Call for Low Voltage Electrical Work
Also referred to as voice-data-video (VDV) electricians, put simply, low voltage electricians are professionals who install, maintain and repair low voltage electrical systems. These include:
- Home entertainment systems
- CCTV (closed circuit television) systems
- Security and fire alarms
- LAN (local area network) and WAN (wide area network)
- Fiber optic networks
- Telephone systems
- Broadband internet
- Cable and digital television
- Landline telephones
The National Electrical Code (NEC) defines low voltage systems as those that run off of between zero and 49 volts, however, state and local jurisdictions may modify this definition.
As you can extrapolate from the list above, low voltage electrical systems are now found just about everywhere electricity itself is present, including:
- Residential settings
- Offices and businesses
- Hospitals and schools
- Industrial settings
- Ships, airplanes, trains, buses, and automobiles
- Public services settings
Job Duties and Skill Requirements Associated with Low Voltage Electrical Work
When performing installations, maintenance, repairs, and troubleshooting on low voltage systems such as those listed above, typical job duties would include:
- Working with low voltage cable, conduit, and circuits
- Pulling and terminating wiring cable, such as Cat 5E or 6
- Working with DC battery systems
- Trimming out security devices
- Programming video surveillance equipment
- Installing and wiring alarm panels
- Working with coaxial cables, category rated cables, and fiber optics
- Testing and adjusting connections to diagnose problems
- Analyzing schematics, blueprints, and drawings of low voltage electronic systems
- Installing j-hooks and ladder racks
- WAP and card access system installations
- Roughing in new installations
- Installing alarm systems that include pull stations, strobes, horns, detectors, and exit signs
- Dressing and terminating distribution frames
Training and License Requirements to Become a Low Voltage Electrician
Training and license requirements can vary by state, county, and city, depending on how the licensing jurisdiction maps are drawn within a given state. The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) provides a comprehensive state-by-state directory of low voltage electrician licensing requirements by occupation (alarm technician, telecommunication technician, etc). A summary of this directory can be found below.
There are three common ways of licensing low voltage electricians:
- Jurisdictions that license residential electricians may include low voltage electrical work within this licensing category. In this case you would proceed through the residential electrician licensing progression: apprentice (4-6 years plus exam)-journeyman (2-4 years plus exam)-master electrician (may require an exam for a contractor’s license).
- Some jurisdictions license low voltage electricians in their own category. The training and license requirements in this instance take less time to complete than those required to become a residential electrician. This method can also involve progressing through the standard licensing phases: apprentice-journeyman-master electrician.
- Some jurisdictions license low voltage electricians according to their individual role. This means a separate licensing process for security alarm technicians, fire alarm electricians, phone line electricians, etc. The training and licensing requirements for these jurisdictions take the least amount of time and can often be completed in a matter of months.
Some jurisdictions do not regulate low voltage electricians at all, while others may have additional licensing requirements that don’t fall into any of the standard processes. Check with your jurisdiction’s regulatory agency or local chapter of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) to find out for certain how licensing is handled where you live.
Certification for Low Voltage Electricians
Some jurisdictions refer to “licensing” as “certification.” In jurisdictions that require a formal education and training program for licensure, in-state colleges and universities may also offer “certification” programs that fulfill education requirements for state licensure.
Professional specialty certification is yet another type of certification made available through national organizations as a way for you to distinguish yourself as an expert in a specialized area of the trade. Your jurisdiction’s licensing authority may require these nationally recognized credentials, or they may be optional credentials you can obtain to add to your competitive qualifications.
National organizations usually offer low voltage electrician certifications in specific categories. These are some examples of what is available:
- Electronics Technicians Association (ETA), offering the following certifications:
- National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies, offering the following certifications:
- Elite CEU (Continuing Education University), offering the following certifications:
You can also find several third-party companies that offer preparation courses designed to prepare you to pass the certification exams offered through the above named organizations:
Salaries and Major Employers of Low Voltage Electricians
The following salary examples, sourced in July 2016, represent the types of salaries available to properly credentialed low voltage electricians. These are shown for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to represent job offers or provide an assurance of employment or level of pay.
- Low Voltage Technician with South Bay Communications in San Jose, California: $31,200 – $62,400
- Low Voltage Electrician with Urban Alarm in Washington DC: $47,923
- Low Voltage Service Technician in Atlanta, Georgia: $45,760 – $62,400
- Communications Technician with IES in Irvine, California: $37,440
- Low Voltage Technician with Outsource in San Jose, California: $62,400 minimum
Here you’ll find the major employers in each of these major metropolitan job markets:
Philadelphia
- L-3 Communications
- Armstrong Group of Companies
- Siemens
- VC Corp
- Automated Digital Homes
Chicago
- MAC Property Management
- Spencer Technologies
- Prime Communications
- Pangea Real Estate
- Toshiba
San Francisco
- Amazon
- Mobile Tech Inc
- IES Communications
- Outsource
- MGA Employee Services Inc
Dallas-Fort Worth
- Archon Inc
- Facility Solutions Group
- City of Fort Worth
- Prime Communications Inc
- National Switchgear
Atlanta
- Cana Communications
- American Systems
- TEKSystems
- Atlantic Workforce
- Videojet Technologies
Low Voltage Licensing Requirements By State
The following is a summary of the information provided by the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). It shows which types of low voltage professionals need to obtain a license from their state licensing authority (note: when states do not specifically license low-voltage electricians these professionals may still have local jurisdictional requirements and/or require a residential or other type of electrician license):
Alabama
- General low voltage systems
- Locksmiths
Alaska
- Communications systems
- Fire and security alarms
Arizona
- Communication systems
- Fire alarms
Arkansas
- Security alarm systems
California
- General low voltage systems
- Security alarm systems
Colorado
- Does not specifically license low-voltage electricians at the state level
Connecticut
- General low voltage systems, especially those related to security systems
Delaware
- Does not specifically license low-voltage electricians at the state level
Florida
- General low voltage systems
- Security alarm systems
- Fire and security alarm systems
Georgia
- General low voltage systems
Hawaii
- Does not specifically license low-voltage electricians at the state level
Idaho
- Does not specifically license low-voltage electricians at the state level
Illinois
- Fire and security alarm systems
Indiana
- Does not specifically license low-voltage electricians at the state level
Iowa
- Does not specifically license low-voltage electricians at the state level
Kansas
- Does not specifically license low-voltage electricians at the state level
Kentucky
- Fire and security alarm systems
Louisiana
- Security alarm systems
- Fire alarm systems
- CCTV security systems
Maine
- Fire alarm systems
- General low energy electronics
- Low voltage landscape lighting
Maryland
- Does not specifically license low-voltage electricians at the state level
Massachusetts
- Fire alarm systems
- Security alarm systems
Michigan
- Fire and security alarm systems
Minnesota
- Low voltage technology systems
Mississippi
- Does not specifically license low-voltage electricians at the state level
Missouri
- Fire and security alarm systems
Montana
- All types of alarm systems (fire and security)
Nebraska
- Fire alarm systems
Nevada
- Fire alarm systems
- Photovoltaic systems
- General low voltage systems
New Hampshire
- Does not specifically license low-voltage electricians at the state level
New Jersey
- Security alarm systems
- Fire alarm systems
New Mexico
- Telephone systems
- Fire and security systems
New York
- Security alarm systems
- Fire alarm systems
North Carolina
- General low voltage systems
North Dakota
- Does not specifically license low-voltage electricians at the state level
Ohio
- Does not specifically license low-voltage electricians at the state level
Oklahoma
- Security alarm systems
- Fire alarm systems
- Alarm company systems
Oregon
- General low voltage systems
Pennsylvania
- Does not specifically license low-voltage electricians at the state level
Rhode Island
- General alarm systems
- General telecommunication systems
South Carolina
- Security and fire alarm systems
- Security alarm systems
South Dakota
- Does not specifically license low-voltage electricians at the state level
Tennessee
- General low voltage systems, which can cover:
- Sound systems
- Intercom systems
- Fire alarm systems
- Security systems
- Telephone line systems and telecommunications cables
Texas
- Fire alarm systems
- Security alarm systems
Utah
- Security alarm systems
Vermont
- Residential fire alarm systems
- Commercial fire alarm systems
Virginia
- Does not specifically license low-voltage electricians at the state level
Washington
- Telecommunication systems
West Virginia
- Fire and security alarm systems
Wisconsin
- Does not specifically license low-voltage electricians at the state level
Wyoming
- General low voltage systems