A battery technician installs, maintains, and inspects batteries in equipment like electric vehicles. This may provide a primary or backup source of power for the equipment, and requires a working knowledge of electricity, the equipment it powers, and appropriate safety procedures. Some technicians receive training on the job while others may take courses with technical schools to acquire the necessary skills. Those with experience may be eligible for promotion to supervisory roles where they oversee other technicians, establish workplace protocols, and participate in scheduling activities.
Systems periodically need replacement batteries, which may require the services of a battery technician. This involves safely removing old batteries and preparing them for disposal, making sure the equipment is in good condition, and inserting the new battery. The technician checks the connections and tests the equipment after installation to confirm it is working properly. Battery technicians need to be able to use electrical test equipment for this part of their jobs.
When battery-operated equipment experiences power problems, a battery technician can evaluate it to determine the nature of the problem. It may be necessary to perform some basic tasks like topping off fluids in the battery, cleaning the terminals, or removing corroded batteries. If the problem doesn’t lie with the batteries, the electrical system itself may be at fault. These troubleshooting tasks may be performed on site with large equipment like lift trucks in a warehouse.
Maintenance can also be the responsibility of a battery technician. This includes regular inspections along with documentation if a workplace wants to keep careful records on its equipment. The technician reviews battery-operated equipment, takes note of any issues that need to be monitored, and makes sure the components are in good working order. Regular maintenance tasks like cleaning terminals can also be performed.
There are some safety concerns for a battery technician, because the work involves working around corrosive chemicals and hot lead. Proper protection needs to be worn while handling systems and it’s important to observe basic safety precautions for working around electricity. The risk of electrical shock can be high, and with large batteries it could potentially cause serious medical complications. Technicians may be trained in safe handling of batteries and can be monitored while at work to confirm that they are using appropriate safety measures. They are typically required to report safety issues in a workplace or with a piece of equipment to request action from supervisors.