Code Questions for Electrical Contractor Magazine

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Charles R. Miller

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Lebanon (just outside of Nashville) Tennessee
I need everyone?s help. I recently talked with the editor of Electrical Contractor Magazine about adding a Code question column every month. The questions would be the type found on typical journeyman and master electrical exams. We talked again this week, and the editor wants me to send a proposal . . . not for the magazine, but for their web site. They want to draw readers to their web site. While it would be nice to see Code questions in the magazine every month, it would be limited to about ten questions once a month. With the web site, we could have questions more than once a month. I am thinking of having general questions, NEC questions (non-calculation), and some NEC calculation questions. The answers will be provided, along with references and calculation procedures.

Here is where I would like your help. Do you think this is a good idea? How many non-calculation type questions and how many calculation type questions. How often should we post new questions on the web site?

Thanks,
Charles
 
Charles R. Miller said:
Here is where I would like your help. Do you think this is a good idea? How many non-calculation type questions and how many calculation type questions. How often should we post new questions on the web site?

Thanks,
Charles
Click to expand...

I think it's GREAT idea.

My weakest point is calculations(especially motors) so I would lean towards having more of them than the non-calculation questions.

How often ? I'd say everyday, but that might prove to be a hassle for the webmaster and whomever is creating the questions. Monthly would probably be too long between intervals. So a weekly quiz might be a good compromise.
 
I agree with Celtic regarding the calculations. As far as non calculatin questions, I wouldn't care for it much. Any of us can find the answer to most standard test type questions.

What I would care for is a typical scenario or question given with code applications. Something that is like what is already in Electrical Contractor's magazine. Often times here in the forum a question is asked, and along with the answer a lot of additional useful info is thrown out there too. I guess code with applications instead of just a code question.
 
Hello Charles
It is nice to see you post here asking us "regular guys" this question.

I also believe it would be a good idea to post this on the site as opposed to the magazine...maybe the magazine could take some from the site and print them monthly.

I do not believe that any one topic is less necessary.

Maybe you could have theme days

Monday - residential type questions
Tuesday - commercial type questions
Wednesday - pools
Thursday - calculations
Friday - misc

Although I would not care how it is done, as long as it is done ;)

Pierre
 
Code questions for Electrical Contractor Magazine

Code questions for Electrical Contractor Magazine

Mr. Miller,

I read your code articles in Electrical Contractor Magazine on a regular bases.
These articles are extremely helpful in explaining various calculations and applying any permisible demand factors. If you are planning on putting questions on the magazines web site, I would like to see about 35% code questions and about 65% code calculations.
I agree with others that I would like real word examples when ever possible. I believe many code users struggle with calculations, but we also need to be able to learn more about finding things in the code book by using key terms or words and how to find these in the table of contents or the index.
Keep up the great articles.

Thanks,
Jerry
 
Right On Jerry

Right On Jerry

Teaching and Learning....
As a reader or a poster, I would not want just a canned answer to a question... but code refferences... that I could look up and research..... and ask more questions about....
and specialy when it omes to Calc questions... I would rather turn back to the NEC than tring to find an old issue of the rag....
 
code questions and answers

code questions and answers

I love the idea, it might even help some of us study for tests. I do have on suggestion though, don't post the answers the same day as the question, give folks a chance to learn the code before you give the answer so they can see if they were right.

J.S. Harvey
 
Thanks for all the great replies and ideas thus far. Most of the questions will probably come from my newest book that will be out later this year. The answers will include Code references and the calculation questions will also include step-by-step procedures for arriving at the answer.

I like everyone?s idea of having questions everyday (or maybe Monday through Friday), but Electrical Contractor magazine may be thinking less often. With enough feedback and input, I might be able to convince them otherwise.

Pierre, I like your idea of theme days; I had not thought of that. As far as posting questions for you ?regular guys?, members of this forum are probably anything but regular. I mean that in a good way. ?Regular guys? would not be reading and/or participating in electrical forums. ?Regular guys? would not want to learn and help others learn and expand their knowledge in the electrical industry. By wanting to better yourselves and help others better themselves, you are the elite in our industry.

Again thanks and I look forward to reading more of your replies.
Charles
 
Charles R. Miller said:
As far as posting questions for you ?regular guys?, members of this forum are probably anything but regular. I mean that in a good way. ?Regular guys? would not be reading and/or participating in electrical forums. ?Regular guys? would not want to learn and help others learn and expand their knowledge in the electrical industry. By wanting to better yourselves and help others better themselves, you are the elite in our industry.
Click to expand...

I would take no offense if you called me "irregular" :D
 
Hi David,
davidr43229 said:
I also love the idea. Is this "open Book" ?
Click to expand...
Having some closed-book questions on the web site is a great idea. How about answering closed-book questions asking for the circular-mil areas of certain conductors?

When I teach exam-prep classes, I tell students it is absolutely necessary for them to memorize the circular-mil areas of all conductor sizes larger than 4/0 AWG. For a few minutes, I see fright and worry on their faces.

Charles
 
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Charles R. Miller said:
Having some closed-book questions on the web site is a great idea.
Click to expand...
Will the winner get a free subscription to [Electrical Contractor Magazine]?

2007.01_EC%20Cover.jpg
 
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