Electrical
Electrical is a crafting skill in Project Zomboid used to create small electrical devices and operate generators as source of power once the power cuts out. This is a great thing to do if you have the required fuel to operate it. Non-Electrician occupations can also operate generators, but it requires finding certain skill magazines.
Usage
To unlock the recipes for several different electrical items such as the generator and to use them, the Electrical skill is leveled by dismantling electronic devices such as CD players. A screwdriver is required for dismantling electronics into scrap parts. Each craft gives 1 XP. Reading Electricity skill books will increase the rate at which you gain XP by adding a multiplier based on your skill level. It is possible to skip the grind by choosing the Electrician or Engineer occupation in the character creation menu. You can find items such as, an Electronics Magazine that teach recipes of electronics.
Since the addition of vehicles, the electrical skill has become valuable to any playstyle. If the player has level 1 electrical and level 2 mechanics, they'll be able to hot-wire any vehicle, making it driveable without a key.
Electrical Guide
Step 1: Character Creation
Although anyone can level up the electrical skill, choosing the right occupation can give a much needed experience boost, making it easier to master the skill. During character creation, choosing an occupation and traits will provide the player with some skill levels, but it will also give an experience boost to that skill depending on the starting level. This bonus cannot be gained after the character is created, making this an important step in mastering any skill.
Starting Skill Level and Experience Boost
- Level 0 - 25% (Default for all skills)
- Level 1 - 75%
- Level 2 - 100%
- Level 3+ - 125%
Name | Starting Points | Major Skills | Description | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Electrician | -4 | +3 Electrical | Can operate generators | Has a good understanding of electronics, already knowing a lot of recipes that may be able to help them survive. |
Engineer | -4 | +1 Electrical +1 Carpentry |
Can make traps and explosives. | For anyone wanting to defend themselves with armed traps and explosives. The Engineer has a unique set of trap recipes that can't be learnt elsewhere. |
The electrician occupation is recommended for those that might be starting a game mode with limited time before electricity shuts off or if it is already off. This occupation allows the player to operate generators, meaning they can connect it to a structure and check its info. Anyone can learn how to do this, however the How to Use Generators magazine must first be read, which may be a struggle to find. The electrician also gets a 125% bonus to electrical experience, compared to a normal 25%. Making this a valuable occupation for anyone wanting to focus on this skill. Along with the bonuses to experience and ability to use generators, due to being level 3, there are a few recipes that'll already be known. Such as crafting electrical parts like the crafted timer and V1 remote controller, or trap upgrades, however the recipe for the traps themselves must be learnt first through recipe magazines.
The engineer occupation has benefits for the electrical skill, however this will give the player a 75% bonus to experience. This occupation will also give a few unique crafting recipes that cannot be learnt any other way. These include all the engineered weapons, 2 of which can be learnt through recipe magazines, however the other 3 cannot, and include the aerosol bomb, flame trap and pipe bomb.
Step 2: Scavenge for Materials
The Screwdriver is the main tool for anything to do with electronics. Screwdrivers are often found in tool sheds, garages and warehouses. Whilst searching for a screwdriver, the player will often come across various electrical items, such as a CD player or TV remote, these should also be collected for later.
Unless either of the two electrical occupations have been chosen, there will be no electrical recipes available (apart from dismantling). recipe magazines are a big part of the electrical skill, with 10 to collect. These will also need to found if the player wishes to progress quickly, however most of them aren't required as the recipes can be learnt by leveling up electrical. There are 3 main categories of the recipe magazines; the Electronics Magazine, Engineer Magazine and Guerilla Radio, each with a unique set of recipes. The best place to find these is inside mail boxes and bookshelves.
Along with magazines, skill books can also be found, which will give the player an experience multiplier dependant on the book that is read. Finding and reading any of these books should be done before continuing with the guide any further.
Step 3: Dismantling Electronics
With the screwdriver in hand, it's time to start dismantling. Any electronics that have already been scavenged can now be dismantled, with the exception of the TV remote, as it should instead be used for crafting. The player can find various electronics in the world that must be picked up before dismantling.
The tables below display all the electronics and the parts that can be gathered from them.
Miscellaneous Devices
Disassembling these devices will give some basic electrical components.
Item | Available Parts | Description |
---|---|---|
ValuTech PortaDisc Cordless Phone Digital Watch Earbuds Headphones TV Remote Video Game |
Scrap Electronics | CD player will always give 2 electronics scrap, everything else will only return 1. |
Speaker | Scrap Electronics Amplifier |
|
Home Alarm | Scrap Electronics Motion Sensor |
Communication Devices
These devices guarantee at least 1 electronics scrap. The amount of parts returned is dependent on the the electrical skill and the item being dismantled. For example, a HAM radio has a max electronics scrap return of 4, whereas a standard radio will only return 3. The chance of getting a skill level dependent part can be calculated with the following equation: Skill Level * 5 + 50%.
Step 4: Crafting Electronics
The crafting is where the electrical skill really gets interesting. So long as the player has found some electrical magazines (unless they have either of the above occupations) they can begin crafting.
Communications
There are 3 different communication devices that the player can craft: the makeshift radio, makeshift walkie talkie or makeshift HAM radio. To unlock any of these recipes, the player must have read the corresponding Guerrilla Radio Volume; there is no other way to unlock these recipes. The performance of these devices is dependant on the player's electrical level, affecting the items weight, power consumption, base volume range, channel width (min-max) and transmission range.
The walkie talkie and HAM radio allow two-way communication, meaning that so long as they're tuned into the correct frequency, players can communicate with each other directly, through text. Whereas the radio is only one-way, therefore if they're tuned into the correct frequency, they will be able to hear everything any other player says, but they will not be able to communicate back.
Engineering
Engineering refers to the five weapon recipes that require reading either the Engineering Magazines or have the engineering occupation. These items aren't particularly useful on their own, considering how rare some of the parts may be, however they can be upgraded further. Refer to the Engineered Devices table for an overview of each item's stats.
The upgraded versions of these weapons will turn them into fully functional traps that can be placed anywhere, with a trigger depending on the upgrade chosen. There are 3 different types of triggers: the timer, which will be triggered after a given amount of time; the sensor, which is triggered once it detects motion; and the detonator, which will be triggered once the player activates it using a remote controller.
The table below gives a brief look at how each of the upgrades are crafted. For further specifics, go here.
Item | Crafted Timer |
Motion Sensor |
Crafted Trigger |
Electronics Scrap |
Duct Tape |
Skill Level | Recipe Magazine |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Add Timer | 1 | - | - | 2 | 1 | - | Electronics Magazine Vol.2 |
Add Motion Sensor V1 | - | 1 | - | 2 | 1 | 2 | Electronics Magazine Vol.3 |
Add Motion Sensor V2 | - | 1 | - | 3 | 1 | 4 | Electronics Magazine Vol.3 |
Add Motion Sensor V3 | - | 1 | - | 4 | 1 | 6 | Electronics Magazine Vol.3 |
Add Crafted Trigger | - | - | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | Electronics Magazine Vol.4 |
Items
Tools
Item | Description | Weight | Classname |
---|---|---|---|
Screwdriver |
Used in the dismantling and crafting of most electronics. | 0.4 | Base.Screwdriver |
Saw Saw |
Used in crafting the pipe bomb. | 0.7 | Base.Saw |
Recipe Magazines
Skill Books
Item | Description | Weight | Pages | Multiplier | Classname |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Electricity for Beginners |
Provides an XP Multiplier upon the completion of reading. This book is for level 1 and 2 Electrical. | 0.8 | 220 | 3 | Base.BookElectricity1 |
Electricity for Intermediates |
Provides an XP Multiplier upon the completion of reading. This book is for level 3 and 4 Electrical. | 0.8 | 260 | 5 | Base.BookElectricity2 |
Advanced Electrical |
Provides an XP Multiplier upon the completion of reading. This book is for level 5 and 6 Electrical. | 0.8 | 300 | 8 | Base.BookElectricity3 |
Expert Electricity |
Provides an XP Multiplier upon the completion of reading. This book is for level 7 and 8 Electrical. | 0.8 | 340 | 12 | Base.BookElectricity4 |
Master Electricity |
Provides an XP Multiplier upon the completion of reading. This book is for level 9 and 10 Electrical. | 0.8 | 380 | 16 | Base.BookElectricity5 |
Materials
Item | Description | Weight | Classname |
---|---|---|---|
Alarm Clock |
A device that goes off after a set amount of seconds, and creates a sound-based distraction. Used via the standard throw attack. | 1.5 | Base.AlarmClock |
Aluminum |
Used in crafting Aerosol Bombs. | 0.1 | Base.Aluminum |
Amplifier |
Used in crafting Noise Makers. | 0.3 | Base.Amplifier |
Battery |
- | 0.3 | Base.Amplifier |
Box of Sparklers |
Used in crafting Aerosol Bombs. | 0.2 | Base.Sparklers |
Cold Pack |
Used in crafting Smoke Bombs. | 0.1 | Base.Coldpack |
DuctTape |
- | 0.3 | Base.DuctTape |
Electric Wire |
- | 0.1 | Base.ElectricWire |
Scrap Electronics |
Obtained by dismantling various electronic items. Used to craft Noise Makers, Pipe Bombs, Smoke Bombs, and among other items as well. | 0.1 | Base.ElectronicsScrap |
Gas Can |
- | 5 | Base.PetrolCan |
Glue |
Used to glue stuff together. | 0.1 | Base.Glue |
Gunpowder |
Used in crafting Pipe Bombs. | 0.1 | Base.GunPowder |
Hairspray |
Used in crafting Aerosol Bombs. | 0.2 | Base.Hairspray |
Light Bulb |
10 different coloured light bulbs. | 0.1 | Base.LightBulb Base.LightBulbRed Base.LightBulbGreen Base.LightBulbBlue Base.LightBulbYellow Base.LightBulbCyan Base.LightBulbMagenta Base.LightBulbOrange Base.LightBulbPurple Base.LightBulbPink |
Motion Sensor |
A motion sensor. | 0.1 | Base.MotionSensor |
Newspaper |
- | 0.1 | Base.Newspaper |
Metal Pipe |
Used in crafting Pipe Bombs. | 0.3 | Base.Pipe |
Radio Receiver |
- | 0.1 | Base.RadioReceiver |
Radio Transmitter |
- | 0.1 | Base.RadioTransmitter |
Ripped Sheets |
- | 0.05 | Base.RippedSheets |
Scanner Module |
- | 0.1 | Base.ScannerModule |
Timer |
A timer. | 0.3 | Base.Timer |
Twine |
- | 0.1 | Base.Twine |
Craftable Parts
Item | Description | Weight | Classname |
---|---|---|---|
Crafted Timer |
recipe: Add Timer | 0.5 | Base.TimerCrafted |
Crafted Trigger |
recipe: Add Crafted Trigger | 0.2 | Base.TriggerCrafted |
Remote Controller |
RemoteRange = 7, | 0.4 | Base.RemoteCraftedV1 |
Remote Controller |
RemoteRange = 11, | 0.4 | Base.RemoteCraftedV2 |
Remote Controller |
RemoteRange = 15, | 0.1 | Base.RemoteCraftedV3 |
Communication Devices
Item | Description | Weight | Placed | Noise Range | Channel | Transmit Range | Dismantle | Classname |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Toys-R-Mine Walkie Talkie |
- | 1.0 | 5 Mic 8 Base Volume |
75000 Min 150000 Max |
1000 | Base.WalkieTalkie1 | ||
ValuTech Walkie Talkie |
- | 1.5 | 5 Mic 10 Base Volume |
50000 Min 200000 Max |
5000 | Base.WalkieTalkie2 | ||
Premium Tech. Walkie Talkie |
- | 2.0 | 5 Mic 12 Base Volume |
25000 Min 300000 Max |
4000 | Base.WalkieTalkie3 | ||
Tactical Walkie Talkie |
- | 2.5 | 5 Mic 14 Base Volume |
10000 Min 500000 Max |
6000 | Base.WalkieTalkie4 | ||
US Army Walkie Talkie |
- | 3.0 | 5 Mic 16 Base Volume |
200 Min 1000000 Max |
10000 | Base.WalkieTalkie5 | ||
Makeshift Walkie Talkie |
- | 1.0 | 5 Mic 8 Base Volume |
75000 Min 150000 Max |
1000 | Base.WalkieTalkieMakeShift | ||
Premium Technologies Ham Radio |
- | 20 | 5 Mic 10 Base Volume |
10000 Min 500000 Max |
6000 | Base.HamRadio1 | ||
US ARMY COMM. Ham Radio |
- | 20 | 5 Mic 15 Base Volume |
200 Min 1000000 Max |
10000 | Base.HamRadio2 | ||
Makeshift Ham Radio |
- | 20 | 5 Mic 10 Base Volume |
10000 Min 500000 Max |
6000 | Base.HamRadioMakeShift | ||
Premium Technologies Radio |
- | 1.5 | 0 Mic 15 Base Volume |
88000 Min 108000 Max |
- | Base.RadioRed | ||
ValuTech Radio |
- | 1.5 | 0 Mic 10 Base Volume |
88000 Min 108000 Max |
- | Base.RadioBlack | ||
Makeshift Radio |
- | 1.5 | 0 Mic 10 Base Volume |
88000 Min 108000 Max |
- | Base.RadioMakeShift | ||
Antique Television |
- | 10 | 0 Mic 10 Base Volume |
200 Min 1000000 Max |
- | Base.TvAntique | ||
Premium Technologies Television |
- | 10 | 0 Mic 15 Base Volume |
200 Min 1000000 Max |
- | Base.TvWideScreen | ||
ValuTech Television |
- | 10 | 0 Mic 12 Base Volume |
200 Min 1000000 Max |
- | Base.TvBlack |
Engineered Devices
Item | Description | Weight | Swing Speed | Pitch Distance | Time Before Activation | Range Of Effect | Power | Can Be Placed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aerosol Bomb |
- | 1.5 | 1.5 | 10 | 50 | 6 | 70 | - |
Fire Bomb |
- | 1.5 | 1.5 | 10 | - | 6 | 97 | - |
Smoke Bomb |
- | 1.5 | 1.5 | 10 | 50 | 5 | - | TRUE |
Noise Maker |
- | 1.5 | 1.5 | 10 | 50 | 17 | - | TRUE |
Pipe Bomb |
- | 1.5 | 1.5 | 10 | - | 7 | 90 | - |
Trap Upgrades
Timer | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Item | Description | Weight | Swing Speed | Pitch Distance | Sensor Coverage | Time Before Activation | Range Of Effect | Power | Can Be Placed |
Aerosol Bomb with Timer |
- | 1.5 | 1.5 | 10 | - | 10 | 6 | 70 | TRUE |
Flame Trap with Timer |
- | 1.5 | 1.5 | 3 | - | 10 | 6 | 97 | TRUE |
Smoke Bomb with Timer |
- | 1.5 | 1.5 | 10 | - | 10 | 5 | - | TRUE |
Noise Generator with Timer |
- | 1.5 | 1.5 | 10 | - | 10 | 17 | - | TRUE |
Pipe Bomb with Timer |
- | 1.5 | 1.5 | 10 | - | 10 | 7 | 90 | TRUE |
Motion Sensor | |||||||||
Item | Description | Weight | Swing Speed | Pitch Distance | Sensor Coverage | Time Before Activation | Range Of Effect | Power | Can Be Placed |
Aerosol Bomb with Sensor |
- | 1.5 | 1.5 | 10 | 3 Sensor V1 4 Sensor V2 6 Sensor V3 |
5 | 6 | 70 | TRUE |
Flame Trap with Sensor |
- | 1.5 | 1.5 | 10 | 3 Sensor V1 4 Sensor V2 6 Sensor V3 |
5 | 6 | 97 | TRUE |
Smoke Bomb with Sensor |
- | 1.5 | 1.5 | 10 | 3 Sensor V1 4 Sensor V2 6 Sensor V3 |
5 | 5 | - | TRUE |
Noise Generator with Sensor |
- | 1.5 | 1.5 | 10 | 3 Sensor V1 4 Sensor V2 6 Sensor V3 |
10 | 17 | - | TRUE |
Pipe Bomb with Sensor |
- | 1.5 | 1.5 | 10 | 3 Sensor V1 4 Sensor V2 6 Sensor V3 |
5 | 7 | 90 | TRUE |
Remote Trigger | |||||||||
Item | Description | Weight | Swing Speed | Pitch Distance | Sensor Coverage | Time Before Activation | Range Of Effect | Power | Can Be Placed |
Remote Aerosol Bomb |
- | 1.5 | 1.5 | 10 | - | - | 6 | 70 | TRUE |
Remote Flame Trap |
- | 1.5 | 1.5 | 10 | - | - | 6 | 97 | TRUE |
Remote Smoke Bomb |
- | 1.5 | 1.5 | 10 | - | - | 5 | - | TRUE |
Remote Noise Generator |
- | 1.5 | 1.5 | 10 | - | - | 17 | - | TRUE |
Remote Pipe Bomb |
- | 1.5 | 1.5 | 10 | - | - | 7 | 90 | TRUE |
Recipes
Dismantling
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Makeshift Communication
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Crafted Parts
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Engineered Weapons
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Trap Upgrading
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! scope="col" colspan="4" style="height:30px;" | Timer
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! scope="col" colspan="4" style="height:30px;" | Motion Sensor
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! scope="col" colspan="4" style="height:30px;" | Remote Trigger
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