Can an EC do this?

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GG

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1) Can electrical contractors install lightning protection systems, fire alarm equipment, or neon lighting without another license other than a masters/E.C. license? 2) Someone asked me what is the highest voltage residential/commercial/industrial electricians are permitted to work on. Are we limited to systems of 1000 or 600 volts? 3) Are people who work for the utilities considered electricians or do they prefer to be called "linemen".

[ May 27, 2005, 11:03 PM: Message edited by: GG ]
 
Re: Can an EC do this?

The rules and laws for electrical licensing and work allowed depend on the area or state. It varies greatly. The NEC has no say in who does what.
 
Re: Can an EC do this?

1) In NJ, an EC can work on lightning protection systems, fire alarm equipment, or neon lighting - although it may raise insurance premium.

2) In NJ, we can work on any voltage - as long as our insurance premium reflects the voltage (additional for over 600V)
(I believe the above to be true, recalling my last conversationw/my ins. agent)


3) Are people who work for the utilities considered electricians or do they prefer to be called "linemen".
(Strictly my opinion)

Electricians wire buildings - generally 120 - 480....but I have worked voltages up to 35k.
Linemen work the "line" - generally, over 120/240...but I have worked w/lineman at voltages of 120V. You might find a lineman working in a substation doing premise(SP?) wiring.
Meter readers are not considered either.


Here's one for you: What is a "narrowback"?
 
Re: Can an EC do this?

Originally posted by celtic:



Here's one for you: What is a "narrowback"?
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A person whose parents were born in the US and who is considered unfit for the hard physical labor typically performed by those in the country of ancestral origin, but this is only a guess. :D So you didnt need a license to work that 35K? Oh, and do you know who sings that song "Wichita lineman"?
 
Re: Can an EC do this?

Originally posted by GG:
Originally posted by celtic:



Here's one for you: What is a "narrowback"?
Click to expand...
A person whose parents were born in the US and who is considered unfit for the hard physical labor typically performed by those in the country of ancestral origin, but this is only a guess. :)

Originally posted by GG:

Oh, and do you know who sings that song "Wichita lineman"?
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Glen Campbell
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Re: Can an EC do this?

In my state, a master can work on anything connected by wires. The insurance company's policy is normally the limiting factor in my state.
 
Re: Can an EC do this?

I didn't think thats what you were talking about when you asked what a narrowback was, but that is the best explanation my search engine could come up with. So what is a narrowback? :confused:
 
Re: Can an EC do this?

A person whose parents were born in the United States and who is considered unfit for the hard physical labor typically performed by those in the country of ancestral origin.
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As quoted previously, right out of the dictionary.....
 
Re: Can an EC do this?

Linemen are usually referred to as "overhead electricians" by the industry.
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It really depends on where you are located. For the most part, the linemen are called linemen. In the military, they are officially referred to as outside electricians but there are too many linemen in the reserves so the term linemen sneaks into the vernacular. There is no doubt that other terms are used in various pockets of the country. I don't know of any location where any other term for electrician is used except the military where they are officially referred to as inside electricians. By the way, that is the way it was in the mid-1960s in the military, they may have changed by now. :D
 
GG said:
1) Can electrical contractors install lightning protection systems, fire alarm equipment, or neon lighting without another license other than a masters/E.C. license?
Click to expand...
Who else would do it? Check the laws of the state where you live, or at least post it so someone from there can answer your question.
GG said:
2) Someone asked me what is the highest voltage residential/commercial/industrial electricians are permitted to work on. Are we limited to systems of 1000 or 600 volts?
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The law here doesn't limit electricians in terms of voltage. I can work on any voltage. Of course, the insurance company may have a say in the matter.
GG said:
3) Are people who work for the utilities considered electricians or do they prefer to be called "linemen".
Click to expand...
I don't think they are generally considered electricians. I think "linemen" is the term most commonly used.
 
From memory, I believe that here in VA, security/alarm work requires a permit or license of some sort from the Justice Dept., and there are certain past-arrest-record disqualifications, probably felonies.

I believe it has to do with protecting the public from alarm installers who would find it too easy to circumvent their own customers' systems; sort of the ultimate "inside job" where the culprit has keys to everything.

I also recall a $600 non-refundable application fee, which would suck if one were rejected.


I don't recall any voltage limitations. I believe we can work on anything on the load side of metering, plus the line side of metering for industrial/commercial work, where we're responsible for more of the service.
 
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GG said:
2) Someone asked me what is the highest voltage residential/commercial/industrial electricians are permitted to work on. Are we limited to systems of 1000 or 600 volts?
Click to expand...

Why do you think we are limited at all by voltage?

Generally my work is under 600, however we also have installed a lot of 13.8 KV distribution and generation equipment.

The NEC itself provides information on conductors from 0 to 35,000 volts.
 
My pevious company would install fire alarm systems, but we had to have it certified by a fire alarm company. There is seperate licencing and insurance requirements.
 
georgestolz said:
In case we didn't notice, this is an old thread. :)
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DOH!
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Thanks for the info George.
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