Californian Electrition

[Toros]

I think 95% of Californian licensed electritions got thier license in easy way, (5% of them are design-Build contractors).
they do not have knowlege about electrical science; They know that hot wires electrocute and some basic things.

On the other hand. exept california and ???,
licensed electritions of other states in USA , or at least most of them know what they are dealing with, they know more than basics, they know great deal about Elect. Engineering, they can design the system, they know what is behind the building electrical world........

wish I had C-10 in a state other than California.

Thanks to god, this Forum is the only support / knowledge / information I can get about........

 

[ActionDave]

.....On the other hand. exept california and ???,
licensed electritions of other states in USA , or at least most of them know what they are dealing with, they know more than basics, they know great deal about Elect. Engineering, they can design the system, they know what is behind the building electrical world.......

I wouldn't be so sure about that.

Thanks to god, this Forum is the only support / knowledge / information I can get about........

It's a good place to learn, no doubt.

 

[Sierrasparky]

I think 95% of Californian licensed electritions got thier license in easy way, (5% of them are design-Build contractors).
they do not have knowlege about electrical science; They know that hot wires electrocute and some basic things.

On the other hand. exept california and ???,
licensed electritions of other states in USA , or at least most of them know what they are dealing with, they know more than basics, they know great deal about Elect. Engineering, they can design the system, they know what is behind the building electrical world........

wish I had C-10 in a state other than California.

Thanks to god, this Forum is the only support / knowledge / information I can get about........

What brings you to this epiphany?

 

[zbang]

Based on the questions I've read here over the last 7-8 years, I have to disagree; quite a few people, from all over the country, don't seem to know Ohm's law or other things I would consider basics. It's not just California.

Past that, there are a good many "electrical mechanics" that do high quality work but probably couldn't explain why they do things a certain way. OTOH, there are also a good many people that don't have the mechanical skills but do have the deep understanding of the whys. It takes all kinds.

 

[electrofelon]

licensed electritions of other states in USA , or at least most of them know what they are dealing with, they know more than basics, they know great deal about Elect. Engineering, they can design the system, they know what is behind the building electrical world........

:rotflmao:

Sorry I couldnt resist. Fear not, California is not unique

 

[jaggedben]

I think 95% of Californian licensed electritions got thier license in easy way, (5% of them are design-Build contractors).
...

I guess I don't know what you think the hard way is. Everybody has to pass the same test and requirements. :huh::roll:

 

[Sierrasparky]

I guess I don't know what you think the hard way is. Everybody has to pass the same test and requirements. :huh::roll:

The CA test is not as tough as some of the Masters tests out there.
Heck the General electricians test is open book from my understanding.

 

[kwired]

The CA test is not as tough as some of the Masters tests out there.
Heck the General electricians test is open book from my understanding.

What book? NEC?

NEC should be allowed to be used IMO, that is one of the primary functions of the test is to see if you know how to use that book.

I can understand them not letting you use your own book with your own notes plastered all over inside of it.

 

[brian john]

I travel a fair bit doing electrical testing and trouble shooting and across the country the knowledge level is about the same.

Some electricians think they know code and are wrong but swear by it.
Other electricians are very knowledgeable.
Some electricians do not know their bum from a hole in the ground
Some electricians do crap work
Some electricians do barely passable work
Some do excellent work

BUT basic ohms law, calculating and or working with KW, KVA, amperage ....... is taught but seldom used in the field, so electricians forget this stuff. MOST design is covered on drawings by engineers that are also mediocre to excellent at their profession.

Many people this is a job and only learn and retain what they need to know to get by, W

WANT PROOF?

How many electricians are their in the 50 States?
How many bother to get further training unless forced to by local governments?
Or lose a job and are scrambling to find new work by adding a skill?
How many belong to forums like this?

How many times when an inspector checks licenses are the J-Man actually carrying a license?

How many electricians own more than the current code book, heck how many don't even own the recent NEC?

It is all human nature, for many they get by with what they have to know to keep a job BARELY. And those same people will call those that strive to get ahead strictly because some have a thirst for knowledge BROWN NOSERS.

 

[brian john]

What book? NEC?

NEC should be allowed to be used IMO, that is one of the primary functions of the test is to see if you know how to use that book.

I can understand them not letting you use your own book with your own notes plastered all over inside of it.

When Virginia only had local test the hardest test I took was the City of Alexandria, they allowed you to bring any books you wanted. Their position was you would have those same books in your office when faced with problems why not have them with you for the test. And this was a long, hard, mentally physically draining test.

One of the easiest test did not allow any books.

 

[kwired]

When Virginia only had local test the hardest test I took was the City of Alexandria, they allowed you to bring any books you wanted. Their position was you would have those same books in your office when faced with problems why not have them with you for the test. And this was a long, hard, mentally physically draining test.

One of the easiest test did not allow any books.

I guess it would depend on what the test is for. Most Journeyman or Master license tests one should be able to use the current applicable NEC and maybe any documentation that the AHJ has on their rules and regulations. No more complicated then any questions involving theory should be on those tests, hopefully the applicant knows this stuff without needing additional reference materials.

 

[Ponchik]

I am in CA and know what Toros is talking about and I agree with him.

The test for the CA electricians is easy. The test for the contractors license is easy. My friend took his test for 5 times, he finally passed it and now he calls himself "Master Electrician" but he has no knowledge of the basic ohms law. And i know others who are in the same boat that come to class and claim to be a licensed electrician.

The state does not require CE for the contractors but do require 32 hours for the general electrician. The electricians tend to go to an online class and submit the hours without really learning anything to expand their knowledge.

 

[brian john]

I am in CA and know what Toros is talking about and I agree with him.

The test for the CA electricians is easy. The test for the contractors license is easy. My friend took his test for 5 times, he finally passed it and now he calls himself "Master Electrician" but he has no knowledge of the basic ohms law. And i know others who are in the same boat that come to class and claim to be a licensed electrician.

The state does not require CE for the contractors but do require 32 hours for the general electrician. The electricians tend to go to an online class and submit the hours without really learning anything to expand their knowledge.

Fortunate for them they have the license they are by law a Master or Electrician. I don't worry about what others do not know, I have seen to many stupid folks walking around.

In my end of the business I follow behind many so called specialist and realize many are BS Specialist and know little to nothing about what they speak.

 

[kwired]

I am in CA and know what Toros is talking about and I agree with him.

The test for the CA electricians is easy. The test for the contractors license is easy. My friend took his test for 5 times, he finally passed it and now he calls himself "Master Electrician" but he has no knowledge of the basic ohms law. And i know others who are in the same boat that come to class and claim to be a licensed electrician.

The state does not require CE for the contractors but do require 32 hours for the general electrician. The electricians tend to go to an online class and submit the hours without really learning anything to expand their knowledge.

I am going to say that you will likely find similar things in any other trade or profession and in just about every state.

Anyone that needs to take a test that is too easy 5 times before passing....lets just say are not cut out for that field in the first place, their incompetence will catch up with them sooner or later.

 

[GoldDigger]

...

Anyone that needs to take a test that is too easy 5 times before passing....lets just say are not cut out for that field in the first place, their incompetence will catch up with them sooner or later.

Unfortunately his incompetence will probably catch up with a lot of other people first. :

"What do you call a judge who finished last in his class in law school?"

"Your Honor"

 

[Ponchik]

Anyone that needs to take a test that is too easy 5 times before passing....lets just say are not cut out for that field in the first place, their incompetence will catch up with them sooner or later.

I am going to say that you will likely find similar things in any other trade or profession and in just about every state.

I agree every state has their fair share of so called professionals. But what Toros (OP) and I think is other states have harder tests and stricter requirements than CA.

 

[Fulthrotl]

I agree every state has their fair share of so called professionals. But what Toros (OP) and I think is other states have harder tests and stricter requirements than CA.

dunno... this is the only state that i've ever tried to get a license in.
i passed both the journeymans, and the C-10 on the first pass.
if you want the C-10, the simplest way is to sign up for an online
course, and it amounts to answering sample questions over and over,
until your average hits 85%, and then go sit for the test. you'll pass.

the journeymans test has a similar drill with the same course providers.

applying the George Carlin law of statistical analysis goes like this:
"imagine how stupid the average person is, and then realize HALF
of them are stupider than that."

in the last year and a half, wandering around looking at people's
work, and the skill set they use to install it, has been an eye opener
for me, and something of a shock.

i'm still trying to figure out where the half way point is at in George's
law for this occupation..... it's not reassuring.... or very far off the ground.

 

[kwired]

Unfortunately his incompetence will probably catch up with a lot of other people first. :

"What do you call a judge who finished last in his class in law school?"

"Your Honor"

If he becomes a judge, seems his chances are lower then it is for most other law school grads, but some still find themselves in right place at right time or know the right people.

I agree every state has their fair share of so called professionals. But what Toros (OP) and I think is other states have harder tests and stricter requirements than CA.

I kind of agree with Fulthrotl, I have seen the work of many that pass a test and realize they may not know their stuff all that well. I passed journeyman and contractor test first time myself, and before we had all this study guides on the internet. But even then all one had to do was go to the classes they had offered before the test, and they literally reviewed nearly every question you may find on the test, or at least enough topics were covered you should be able to pass the test if the content makes any sense at all to you.

 

[fmtjfw]

WV Master's test

WV Master's test

IMHO, I'm no dummy -- BS in Computer Science. I'm good at taking written tests.
I worked as a Journeyman for 5 years then was eligible to sit for Master's test. It has a reputation of not being easy, few pass it first time through. Open book: NEC, Ugly's, Ferm's Fast Finder, anything you scribble into the books, pocket calculator.

Being no dummy I got Mike Holt's test prep book and ran through all the tests until I was scoring in the 90's. So went to the test and sweated through it.
Two weeks later I got the result. I passed by 1 point.

There is a second route (probably like the CA route). You take a much, much simpler test from the contractor's board and you can call yourself a master electrician. No experience required.

 

[jwnagy]

Fortunate for them they have the license they are by law a Master or Electrician. I don't worry about what others do not know, I have seen to many stupid folks walking around.

In my end of the business I follow behind many so called specialist and realize many are BS Specialist and know little to nothing about what they speak.

Hi Brian.

I agree with you on allowing use of books, specifically the NEC, during testing. When I sat for the master test for the State of Maryland (1990), use of the NEC was encouraged. You still had to know your "stuff", otherwise you would spend the the majority of time allotted for testing just cruising through pages not knowing where to find anything! Having access to the code book is never a guarantee for passing.

BTW how goes life on the other side of the Potomac? It's hard to believe it's been over 30 years since we worked together! I'm starting to feel like a geezer. :lol: