Instrument Repairers install, repair, maintain, and adjust industrial and scientific instruments that measure, analyze, and control such variables as pressure, flow, temperature, motion, force, chemical composition, and changes in energy.

NATURE OF THE OCCUPATION

Instrument Repairers may:

Inspect meters, indicators, and gages to detect abnormal changes in readings

Disassemble malfunctioning instruments

Test the accuracy of flowmeters, controllers, radiation counters, and other recording and controlling instruments to locate defective components in the system

Trace out and test electronic solid state components to locate defective parts, using test equipment, schematics and maintenance manuals

Repair and replace defective parts such as resistors, condensers, switches, valves, positioners, transistors, or integrated circuits

Reassemble instruments and replace instruments in the system

Calibrate readings on instruments according to standards

Tools and equipment used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Instrument Repairers may specialize in these areas:

710.281-026 INSTRUMENT-MAINTENANCE MECHANICS use hand tools and precision instruments to install, repair, maintain, and adjust indicating, recording, and controlling instruments.

710.281-030 INSTRUMENT TECHNICIANS inspect, test, adjust, and repair electric, electronic, mechanical, and pneumatic instruments and systems used to indicate, record, and control generating operations in conventional or nuclear power electric generating plants.

710.381-042 INSTRUMENT MECHANICS test, calibrate, and repair aneroid barometers to obtain specified operational performance, using hand tools and test equipment.

729.281-026 ELECTRICAL-INSTRUMENT REPAIRERS repair, calibrate, and test instruments such as voltmeters, ammeters, resistance bridges, galvanometers, and temperature controlling and recording instruments, using electricians' and jewelers' tools, hand tools, and measuring instruments.

637.261-022 INDUSTRIAL-GAS SERVICERS repair, adjust, and test all types of industrial gas equipment including such control mechanisms asthermostats, high-temperature-limit controls, solenoid valves, and safety pilots.

710.381-014 SCALE BALANCERS use hand tools and test equipment to inspect, test, and adjust scale mechanisms and to repair and replace defective parts to ensure the balance and accuracy of scales.

710.381-026 GAS-REGULATOR REPAIRERS test, repair, and adjust regulators (gas governors), relief valves, and related equipment used to control the gas pressure in city gas mains and service pipes, pipelines, in-plant gas systems, and petroleum refineries.

729.281-014 ELECTRIC-METER REPAIRERS inspect, adjust, and repair electric meters used for recording electric current consumption.

710.261-010 INSTRUMENT REPAIRER

Some Workers are designated according to the type of instrument repaired, such as aircraft instrument repairer, panel-instrument repairer, radiological instrument technician, meter servicer, and x-ray-control- equipment repairer.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Most Instrument Repairers work under the general supervision of an instrument maintenance supervisor or shop supervisor. Some Instrument Repairers may direct on-the-job training of apprentices or trainees. Instrument Repairers usually confer with engineers and scientists about the nature of their repair work.

Some Repairers work in plants where there is noise, dirt, heat and fumes. Others work in shops that are quiet, clean, and well lighted. In some industries, Repairers may work outdoors. Their work may require standing, bending, stooping, climbing, and working in hard-to-reach places.

Instrument Repairers must follow safety procedures because of exposure to dangerous chemicals, high temperatures and pressures, and live electrical circuits.

Most Instrument Repairers work a 40-hour, 5-day week. Some work one of three shifts in large industrial plants or rotating shifts. Those who handle emergency repairers might have to work nights, week-ends or holidays. Those employed by instrument manufacturers may have to travel often. Instrument Repairers usually supply their own precision tools at a cost of about $150.

Some Instrument Repairers join the Instrument Society of America (IAS), a scientific, technical, and educational organization. Repairers in most large plants are unionized. They usually join the union representing other workers in the plant. Members must pay dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Doing scientific and technical work

• Working with your hands to make and repair things

• Doing work involving machines, processes, or methods

You Should Be Able To:

• Know/apply mechanical/electrical principles/laws of chemistry/physics

• Follow instructions in maintenance manuals

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy

• Work easily and skillfully with your hands

• Reason and make judgments to troubleshoot malfunctions

• Visualize flat drawings or pictures with three dimensions

• See detail in objects or drawings

• Recognize slight differences in shapes or shadings

• Perform arithmetical calculations quickly and accurately

• Rate information using standards that can be verified

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

You are calibrating an instrument that must have a tolerance of .001 (plus or minus). If the current setting for the instrument is at .67, how much of an adjustment must you make?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Electric current is a flow of charge. A flow of fluid may occur when there is a gravitational potential energy difference. Similarly, a flow of electric charge is dependent on a difference in electric potential, or voltage.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a report explaining the cause for any electric malfunction that might be occurring.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide the most efficient way to repair an instrument so that the problem does not arise again.

Applicants for instrument repair apprenticeship must be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or GED, have good physical health, and pass an oral interview and a written exam. Some employers prefer to hire Repairers who have associate degrees with a specialty in electronics or pneumatics.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer; a High School Diploma or Equivalent; a High School Diploma with specific Vocational Education Classes; a Certificate (program of up to one year of study beyond High School); an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond High School) or an Apprenticeship (usually three to four years of training beyond High School) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1200 ELECTRONICS , 2200 MATH , 2900 SCIENCE , 3200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

033 ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS REPAIR

Approved vocational education programs in Electrical and Electronics repair prepare students to test, install, maintain, and repair electrical and electronics systems and components. These programs generally prepare students to operate, maintain, and repair electronic business machines, communications equipment, large and small appliances, and vending machines. Instruction includes the use of testing equipment.

The following courses may be required for completion of this program:

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.

038 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS

Approved vocational education programs in Hydraulics and Pneumatics prepare students for occupations that require specific knowledge of fluid lines and pressure valves in heavy equipment, industrial machinery, and mining and drilling equipment. Instruction is given in installing, maintaining, and preparing hydraulic and pneumatic systems, pneumatic tools, and dial pressure gages.

Courses in other trade and industrial programs may be required for completion of this program.

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

098 MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY

Programs in Mechanical Technology provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment in the design, manufacture, testing, operation, and maintenance of devices, tools, and mechanical equipment. Individuals who teach Mechanical Technology at the secondary school level must have a Michigan Teaching Certificate.

Courses will vary from school to school but may include:

196 ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION & REPAIR

Programs in Electrical and Electronics Equipment Installation and Repair provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment installing, servicing, maintaining, and/or repairing electrical and electronics systems, machines, appliances, and related equipment.

Courses within this program will vary but may include:

  Search for a College and/or Instructional Program  

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

024 INSTRUMENT REPAIRER

Some people enter occupations within this MOIScript through an apprenticeship program. An apprenticeship program is a formal program that takes 3 - 5 years to complete with most of the time spent on the job.

WHAT IS LEARNED ON THE JOB

WHAT IS LEARNED IN THE CLASSROOM

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

Please check the Military website at http://www.myfuture.com

PRECISION INSTRUMENT REPAIRERS

Precision instruments are measuring devices. They can be as simple as a thermometer or as complex as a gyrocompass. Precision instruments are used by the military to measure distance, pressure, altitude, underwater depth, and many other physical properties. Precision instrument repairers keep measuring devices in good working order. They calibrate (adjust) gauges and meters to give correct readings.

What They Do

Precision instrument repairers in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Calibrate weather instruments, such as barometers and thermometers

• Repair gyrocompasses

• Adjust and repair weapon-aiming devices, such as range finders, telescopes, periscopes, and ballistic computers

• Calibrate engineering instruments, such as transits, levels, telemeters, and stereoscopes

• Calibrate and repair instruments used in aircraft

• Repair watches, clocks, and timers

• Calibrate electrical test instruments

Work Environment

Precision instrument repairers usually work in repair shops on land or aboard ships.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful school subjects include math, science, electronics, and shop mechanics. Helpful attributes include:

• Interest in machines and how they work

• Ability to solve mechanical problems

• Ability to work with tools

Physical Demands

Normal color vision is required to work with color-coded wiring and repair manuals.

Training Provided

Job training consists of 12 to 34 weeks of classroom instruction, including practice in repairing precision instruments. Training length varies depending on specialty. Course content typically includes:

• Calibration and repair of precision measuring instruments

• Use of blueprints and schematics

The Army and Navy offer certified apprenticeship programs for some specialties in this occupation.

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian precision instrument repairers work for firms that manufacture or use precision instruments. These include manufacturing firms, airlines, machinery repair shops, maintenance shops, and instrument makers. Civilian precision instrument repairers perform duties similar to military precision instrument repairers. They may also be called instrument mechanics or calibration specialists.

Opportunities

The services have about 5,700 precision instrument repairers. On average, they need 350 new precision instrument repairers each year. After job training, precision instrument repairers calibrate instruments under the direction of supervisors. With experience, they perform more complicated repairs and may supervise others. In time, precision instrument repairers may become managers of instrument repair shops.

E-Learning Courses and Programs  

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Student membership in the Instrument Society of America (ISA) would be helpful. Experience may be gained in military service or through a formal apprenticeship program. Secondary vocational education programs teach trade and industry and electrical and electronics repair. Post-secondary education programs in mechanical technology and electrical and electronics equipment installation and repair offer opportunities for practical experience.

            School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Instrument Repairer employer

internships

volunteer work with an Instrument Repairer employer

community service work with an agency

Direct application to employers is the usual way of entering this field. Graduates of technical institutes, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs may find jobs through their school placement office or local union hall. Assistance may be available through local offices of Michigan Works!. Openings are listed in the Instrument Society of America's (ISA) monthly publication "Instrumentation Technology" and in newspaper want ads. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Employment & Careers in Measurement & Control (http://www.isa.org/employment/index/0,1639,0.00.html)            

Michigan Talent Bank (http://www.michworks.org/mtb/user/MTB_EMPL.EntryMainPage)

Classifieds Employment (http://www.classifieds2000.com)

Yahoo! Careers (http://careers.yahoo.com/)

MONSTER.COM  (http://www.monster.com)  

You should enter an electronic resume on these on-line services. Web sites of large member companies who manufacture instruments are listed on the web site of the Analytical Life Science System Association (http://www.alssa.org).

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Wages of Instrument Repairers vary with the industry; the extent of unionization; and education, experience, and specialization. Overall, wages compare favorably with the pay of other skilled maintenance workers. Repairers specializing in electronic instruments usually receive higher wages than other Instrument Repairers.

Wages earned by Instrument Repairers nationally are similar to wages earned by Instrument Repairers employed in Michigan.

In Michigan, the hourly wage rate (mid 2002), for unionized Instrument Repairers employed in the automobile industry ranged from about $26.52 to $26.90 per hour. Instrument Repairers who were employed by a large utility company in the Detroit area earned from $18.73 to $26.80 per hour in late 2002.  The median hourly earnings of  "all" workers in the U.S. were $14.92 in 2001.

Apprentices in the automobile industry earn 80% of a journeyworker's wage. Apprentices in other industries usually start at a lower wage.

Field Instrument Repairers usually have expense accounts, which cover on-the-job or travel costs. Many employers provide cost-of-living allowances and extra pay for late-shift and overtime work.

Depending on the employer, fringe benefits may include paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, disability, health, dental, and optical insurance; sick pay; tuition reimbursement; and retirement plans. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by employers.

Opportunities for advancement in instrument repair work are good, especially for the Repairer with skills in electronics. The likeliest candidate for promotion has well-developed skills, seniority, leadership potential, and a sense of responsibility. They may advance to supervisor, service representative, or engineering assistant.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were more than 65,900 Instrument Repairers employed in 2000. About 14.6% of these Instrument Repairers were self-employed.  The employment of Instrument Repairers is expected to grow as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2010. The industry distribution for Instrument Repairers looked like this:

Opportunities are expected to be more favorable in the chemical and medical supply industries because of increased emphasis on air and water pollution monitoring, and medical diagnosis.

About 1,500 Instrument Repairers are employed in Michigan. They usually work in or near large cities. They are employed in various industries. Many work for gas and electric utility companies, chemical and petroleum firms, airlines, and manufacturers of instruments and industrial controls. Large numbers work for manufacturers of steel, automobiles, aluminum, rubber, and paper and pulp. Some work for federal government agencies.

Employment of Instrument Repairers in Michigan is expected to decline through the year 2008. About 40 annual openings are expected to occur during this period, mostly due to the replacement of workers who retire, die, or leave the labor force. Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations. In late 2001, there were 64 apprentices in training for this occupation, and 8 completed the apprentice program during the prior 12 months.

Demand for measuring, analyzing, and controlling instruments will continue to increase. The high cost of energy and raw materials has caused firms to modify their industrial processes by using more efficient and cost-effective process control instruments. The use of instruments and plant automation is continuing to grow in order to contain labor cost increases. More test and diagnostic instruments will be used by auto manufacturers and service garages as the use of electronics in automobiles increases. The increasing use of instruments by industry and others has created a need for a stable supply of skilled Instrument Repairers in Michigan, especially for those having training in computers and electronics.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2008

MICHIGAN'S AREA EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2008

  EMPLOYMENT                       NUMBER               PERCENT                  PROJECTED YEARLY

  REGION                                   EMPLOYED           GROWTH                  JOB OPENINGS

  Ann Arbor Area                        160                           0.0                             4

  Battle Creek Area                     35                            -9.1                              1

  Benton Harbor Area                  70                            -2.9                              2

  Central Michigan                       10                              0.0                              0

  Detroit MSA                             540                          -1.3                              14

  Flint Area                                  60                             0.0                               2

  Grand Rapids Area                   110                           12.6                              4

  Jackson Area                            25                             17.4                              1

  Kalamazoo Area                       45                             17.0                             2

  Lansing MSA                            65                            -1.5                               2

  Muskegon Area                         40                            -2.4                              1

  Northwest Lower Peninsula       15                             -6.2                              0

  Saginaw MSA                           210                          -17.9                             5

  Upper Peninsula                         60                             5.0                               2

 MSA designates a Metropolitan Statistical Area  

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

SUMMARY PROFILE

The occupation of Instrument Repairer can be summarized by the following:

Copyright © 2003 Michigan Department of Career Development