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Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 8212

Wire harness assembler

A wire harness assembler is a person who joins individual wires and cables into the finished harnesses used in electrical and electronic equipment.

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Rate 5 of the 27 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

organise wires

apply coating to electrical equipment

read assembly drawings

troubleshoot

measure parts of manufactured products

About wire harness assembler

The job starts with the wiring plan. The assembler reads it and runs each conductor exactly to specification: cutting lengths, routing wires through electrical conduits and sleeves, binding them with cable ties and cable lacing, and finishing the ends with wiring tools. Assembled harnesses are then checked. The assembler looks for defective products and removes them, and when a connection does not work, traces the cause back through the harness instead of replacing the whole piece.

Finished harnesses receive a protective coating that shields them from moisture and abrasion. Knowledge of electrical discharge is needed, since a static discharge can damage electronic components, and so is knowledge of harness construction itself: which bundle carries what, and how tightly it may be bent.

Someone starting out builds simple harnesses at an assembly bench, learning the plan symbols and the tools before moving on to large looms with many branches. Formal requirements are set by the employer.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (27)

wire harnesseswire harnessesAssemblies of wires or cables that are bound together by cable ties, tape, or lacing, and are able to transfer signals or electricity. Through binding the wires together, the wires are better protecte...manufacture of electrical wire productsmanufacture of electrical wire productsThe assembly processes and manufacturing steps taken to fabricate insulated electrical wire and cable, made from steel, copper, or aluminium.electrical wire accessorieselectrical wire accessoriesElectrical wire and cable products and accessories, such as electrical connectors, splices, and wire insulation.electrical dischargeelectrical dischargeThe qualities and applications of electrical discharge, including voltage and electrodes.quality standardsquality standardsThe national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.electricityelectricityThe principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.organise wiresorganise wiresApply wire markers and cable labels to identify and organise the wire. Use tie-wrap or cable lace to keep the wires together.apply coating to electrical equipmentapply coating to electrical equipmentPrepare and apply coating, such as conformal coating, to electrical equipment and its components to protect the equipment against moisture, high temperature, and dust.read assembly drawingsread assembly drawingsRead and interpret drawings listing all the parts and subassemblies of a certain product. The drawing identifies the different components and materials and provides instructions on how to assemble a p...troubleshoottroubleshootIdentify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.measure parts of manufactured productsmeasure parts of manufactured productsOperate measurement instruments to measure parts of manufactured objects. Take into consideration specifications of manufacturers to perform the measuring.remove defective productsremove defective productsRemove defective materials from the production line.seal wiresseal wiresFasten and insulate electric or communications wires or cables.connect armature windingsconnect armature windingsConnect the coils of wire on the armature to the commutator segments.align componentsalign componentsAlign and lay out components in order to put them together correctly according to blueprints and technical plans.use electrical wire toolsuse electrical wire toolsUse tools to manipulate wire which will be used for electrical purposes, such as wire strippers, crimpers, soldering irons, torque wrenches, and heat guns.cut wirescut wiresOperate machinery or use hand tools to cut wire.bind wirebind wireBind cables or wire together using cable ties, conduit, cable lacing, sleeves, spot ties, cable clamps, or straps.meet deadlinesmeet deadlinesEnsure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.strip wirestrip wireStrip the wire ends using wire strippers to ensure proper connections.report defective manufacturing materialsreport defective manufacturing materialsMaintain required company records and forms in order to report any defective materials or questionable conditions of manufacturing machinery and equipment.assemble wire harnessesassemble wire harnessesBuild wire harness assemblies using wire harness boards.fasten componentsfasten componentsFasten components together according to blueprints and technical plans in order to create subassemblies or finished products.crimp wirecrimp wireAttach the electrical connector to the wire using crimping tools. Here the connector and the wire are joined together by deforming one or both so they fit into each other. The electrical connector may...ensure conformity to specificationsensure conformity to specificationsEnsure that the assembled products are conform to the specifications given.operate soldering equipmentoperate soldering equipmentUse soldering equipment to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel, such as a soldering gun, soldering torch, gas-powered iron, and others.interpret electrical diagramsinterpret electrical diagramsRead and comprehend blueprints and electrical diagrams; understand technical instructions and engineering manuals for assembling electrical equipment; understand electricity theory and electronic comp...
Optional (22) — show
electrical equipment regulationselectrical equipment regulationsThe national and international regulations with regards to the use and manufacture of electrical equipment on the workfloor. These regulations provide rules and guidelines on topics such as general ri...electromechanicselectromechanicsThe engineering processes that combine electrical and mechanical engineering in the application of electromechanics in devices that need electricity to create mechanical movement or devices that creat...electrical engineeringelectrical engineeringThe field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.waste removal regulationswaste removal regulationsThe regulations and legal provisions governing waste removal activities.switching devicesswitching devicesDevices that are able to open and close electrical circuits, such as disconnecting switches, interrupter switches, and circuit breakers.inspect quality of productsinspect quality of productsUse various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.resolve equipment malfunctionsresolve equipment malfunctionsIdentify, report and repair equipment damage and malfunctions. Communicate with field representatives and manufacturers to obtain repair and replacement components.maintain electrical equipmentmaintain electrical equipmentTest electrical equipment for malfunctions. Take safety measures, company guidelines, and legislation concerning electrical equipment into account. Clean, repair and replace parts and connections as r...oversee logistics of finished productsoversee logistics of finished productsEnsure that the processes of packing, storage and shipment of finished products meet the requirements.dispose of hazardous wastedispose of hazardous wasteDispose of dangerous materials such as chemical or radioactive substances according to environmental and to health and safety regulations.check for solder defectscheck for solder defectsCheck the printed circuit board for solder defects and make adjustments as required.use specialised tools in electric repairsuse specialised tools in electric repairsUse of a variety of specialised tools, instruments and machines, such as presses, drills and grinders. Employ them to carry out repairs in a safety manner.wear appropriate protective gearwear appropriate protective gearWear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.use wire hand toolsuse wire hand toolsBe able to use wire hand tools, such as crimp tools, cable strippers, and cable cutters.use wire processing machineryuse wire processing machineryBe able to use wire processing machines, such as wire cutting machines, wire crimping machines, and wire stripping machines.replace defect componentsreplace defect componentsRemove defective parts and replace them with functioning components.provide power connection from bus barsprovide power connection from bus barsProvide power connection from copper or metal busbars.clean components during assemblyclean components during assemblyClean components before fixing them to other compounds or units of components during the assembly process.repair wiringrepair wiringFind faults in wires or cables by using specialised equipment and repair these faults depending on type of wiring.apply technical communication skillsapply technical communication skillsExplain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.keep records of work progresskeep records of work progressMaintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.adjust manufacturing equipmentadjust manufacturing equipmentRegulate and monitor the manufacturing equipment settings and process parameters, such as its temperature and power level. Review the manufacturing process and equipment and suggest improvements.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a wire harness assembler do?

Wire harness assemblers bind wires or cables to form wire harnesses used in electronic and electrical systems and equipment. They read electrical wiring plans and tie the wire together according to specifications, using cable ties, cable lacing, electrical conduit, and sleeves.

What skills does a wire harness assembler need?

A wire harness assembler needs 27 essential skills, including wire harnesses, manufacture of electrical wire products, electrical wire accessories, electrical discharge, quality standards.

Will AI replace wire harness assembler jobs?

The AI disruption score for wire harness assembler is 45/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: quality standards, read assembly drawings, check for solder defects. Most resilient: electricity, provide power connection from bus bars, repair wiring.

AI Replacement Risk

45/ 100
Moderate Risk
Low riskHigh risk
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Quick Facts

SectorManufacturing & Production
ISCO GroupAssemblers
Essential Skills27

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