Vendor Support for design engineers
Vendor Support for design engineers
I spent about fifteen years as an electrical contractor and then went to work quoting large projects for an electrical wholesaler. We sold GE so I can only speak to their support. In the early years it would take weeks to get drawings and approvals through the manufacture. In later years after the development of GE's SPEEDI-WIN program I was able to provide switchboard drawings with dimensions, elevations and ratings and have them printing while I was still on the phone with the engineer. I developed a relationship with all the local engineering firms based on my field experience as a contractor, my years of teaching electrical apprentices and my resources at GE. The GE computer program provided drawings, tech infor and pricing on just about everything in their power distribution line plus series breaker ratings when working with other manufactures breakers. I would assume that both Westinghouse and Square-D would have simular programs. As far as engineers, in my experience, they do not really learn much about building electrical systems in school and it takes some time for them to get up to speed, although I do have some friends that were electricians prior to going back to school to become engineers. The other point I would make is most engineering firms have a couple of engineers and many more "electrical designers" who are not registered engineers but come from construcdtion backgrounds. All that being said I think to find the best service in your area you need to ask around and then cultivate relationships.
