Getting ready to take my state two part exam

[Doctor Electric]

My question is simply that, even if you have worked in the electrical field for 5 consecutive years but have not touched on every electrical system there is, and not exactly sure on the set up of some equipment as far as big 720 delta ungrounded systems, 4" parallel the shut offs needed, etc.

How is it possible to become state certified electrician???

Taking big steps in my life trying to make a living for my girls any thoughts on this would be great

 

[iwire]

My question is simply that, even if you have worked in the electrical field for 5 consecutive years but have not touched on every electrical system there is, and not exactly sure on the set up of some equipment as far as big 720 delta ungrounded systems, 4" parallel the shut offs needed, etc.

How is it possible to become state certified electrician???

Taking big steps in my life trying to make a living for my girls any thoughts on this would be great

First it is difficult to talk about licensing unless you say what area you are in. The rules for licensing if required varies greatly by area.

Secondly no one knows everything, many times the questions on the test are designed to test your ability to find the answer. They don't expect you to remember it all.

 

[growler]

My question is simply that, even if you have worked in the electrical field for 5 consecutive years but have not touched on every electrical system there is, and not exactly sure on the set up of some equipment as far as big 720 delta ungrounded systems, 4" parallel the shut offs needed, etc.

How is it possible to become state certified electrician???

If you go to take the test with just the knowledge gained in the field through personal experience you won't stand a chance.

You have to get the correct materials to study to take the test. It's been a long time and I had not herd of Mike Holt when I took my test but without sample test and study materials I wouldn't have passed.

I think Mike Holt has some good training materials for sale. Or you can look around.

 

[Coppersmith]

Secondly no one knows everything...

I would go further and say there are newly minted EC's who know only 10% of the possible things they could run into. Electrical work is such a wide field, you will never know 100% of it.

You could spend 30 years doing industrial work and never wire a house (and thus not know the myriad of rules for doing so).

You could spend 30 years doing commercial work and never touch industrial switch gear or make up a big motor or pull parallel runs of 500's.

Does every electrician know how to do landscape lighting? (The answer is no.)

Forums like this are where you get answers to questions about things you've never done in 30 years.

 

[Coppersmith]

...

I guess "Doctor Electric" is your future title. Since you haven't passed your test yet, right now you're more like "Intern Electric"

 

[Ponchik]

On the exams they don't ask you HOW you do the electrical work. They ask you questions on the NEC, basic math problems, basic algebra, electrical theory and problem solving skills and common sense

I have had guys in my class with 40 years experience but could not use a code book or knew how it was set up. At the other end 1st year electricians with minimum field experience but knew about the code, about basic theory...

IMO, you need to know your theory, math, problem solving skills, know how the code book is set up and to navigate it efficiently.

Good luck.