I want to become an electrician

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Yes, 'tis true, switch points do not "utilize" electricity, and so are not outlets. (Looked it up again) However, I stand by the point that when one is trimming out, one does not install switches and "outlets", but receptacles.

Forgive me, keyboard under one hand, bong in the other.......


:eek:
 
Minuteman said:
Originally Posted by roger
Milo, I agree with Iwire.

What makes you think a switch is an outlet?
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Quote:
210.12(B) Dwelling Unit Bedroom All 120-volt, single phase, 15-and 20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets installed in dwelling unit bedroom shall be protected by a listed arc-fault circuit interrupter...
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If I have a bedroom with a door leading to a deck or patio with a required fixture outside and the switch inside the bedroom - does the switch need AFCI protection? If the switch does require AFCI protection, wouldn't it therefore be an outlet?
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I am just wondering (and this may have been covered in the past, and this is WAY off the OP) if a light fixture outside of a bedroom, with a switch (and no other part of the circuit) is in the bedroom, would be required to have AFCI protection?
 
Minuteman said:
I am just wondering (and this may have been covered in the past, and this is WAY off the OP) if a light fixture outside of a bedroom, with a switch (and no other part of the circuit) is in the bedroom, would be required to have AFCI protection?
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No, it would not, the switch is not an outlet.

Roger
 
Minuteman said:
"Sigh"... inspectors! :(
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Well, the pro- "switch is an outlet" camp aren't 100%-demonstratably wrong. Which is why the thread lasted so long.

That, and Al Hildenbrand is one tenacious guy. :D

It's just so much easier to consider it not an outlet. But lit dimmers through a big question-mark into the mix. :)
 
George, any time a word beside "switch" comes into play, (i.e. "lit" for example) we have more than just a "switch" involved, and the "switch" not being an outlet, is no longer the point.

Roger
 
George, depends on the dimmer, but if a light or timer motor needing a complete circuit own their own comes into play, we have something utilizing power at the location don't we?

Now, when a home owner does something like this in their own home behind closed doors, it is like a tree falling in the woods when none is around. Is it a violation or does the tree make any noise?

In other words, "home owner installed" and "code compliant" doesn't necessarily go together. ;)

Roger
 
I (may) want to become .. but ..

I (may) want to become .. but ..

Is there someone in Oregon willing to take the time to go over
what the minimum requirements in my state are for doing residential
work ?

I can take classes at night, have a email into our local community
college etc. to see what they have to say and sell me. As to hours
needed i'll just have to work that one out.

any opinions about PCC (portland c.c.) ?

My goal is part time not full time, I know as just an electrician
or any trade things are not what they use to be $ wise, but
it is something I just want to do.

tia
 
CutTheRedWire said:
I've decided that I want to become an electrician. I'm 23 years old and just got my GED. I've been looking around for some information that might help me understand the basics, but I haven't been able to find anything. I'll be honest, I know NOTHING about an electricians work, so I need as much help as I can get. I want to know as much as I can before enrolling in an actual class. I like to get a head start on things. Can anyone suggest a good book or instructional?
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Good luck to you. I hope you do well.
 
Desire to Work hard

Desire to Work hard

Green or not, I'm excited about getting into the field of Electrician. I've read a lot of the posts describing the income, job availability, and union comments.

I've come to a few conclusions and would love input from all of you who can help me to get my foot in the door. I also have a few questions regarding the best way to get into the field with little money and with little experience.

One conclusion is you have a better chance of having a job by not being part of a Union. Is this basically true? I'm in NC. Charlotte to be exact.

Another conclusion is the work I would be doing at first. Green as Kermit, I assume I'll be doing the labor stuff while staying shoulder to shoulder with someone licensed. Correct? What are some examples of the grunt work?

Also, starting pay seems to be 9.00 - 12.00 an hour. Does this sound about right?

Now my big question. Looking around online I'm really confused on what route is the best way to get into the field. It seems I have three choices:

Start in school - Requires money and time away from current job.
Start as apprentice - Requires testing and waiting period to be interviewed.
Start in business - Requires to be hired as helper/apprentice.

School would be hard for me because I don't have alot of money to begin with and it would require me to quit my day job.

Apprentice sounds great, but after talking with the NJATC advisor, he seemed to have blown me off because of the number of people applying for apprenticeship.

Starting in a business sounds fine, but everyone around here seems to be hiring experienced electricians only.

What do I do?

Also, what would be perfect is to get into the program/job but still retain my evening job as a waiter to keep the income at a level of living. I would be working many hour with both jobs, but would I be getting out of work as an electrician/apprentice/helper in time to be at work as a waiter? 4:30pm is when we arrive at the restaurant.
 
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What are some examples of the grunt work?
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I spent many hours with a shovel in my hands. Also spent many hours hauling and unpacking light fixtures for the journeymen to hang.

Just a few of the "grunt" jobs I did as a green apprentice.

BTW, the shovel thing never seems to end, even as a master electrician.:D

Chris
 
The old saying "Don't quit your day job" is unapplicable here. Devote yourself to this profession if you want to get noticed, avoid layoffs, and make more money per hour.

Waiting tables does not hold a candle to the sense of fulfillment you can find in creating something productive from a pile of materials.

My entrance into the business was paved by a friend of a friend. But people are hired everyday who are not friends of friends. I have no idea what tickles employers into calling you. I can only recommend persistence and positive attitude.

A taboo topic on this forum is Union/Non-Union benefits/disadvantages. Opinions are strong on either side, and friendly people get unfriendly. Hopefully, no one will discuss this and get this thread locked.

I will say simply that I am non-union, and satisfied. There are also union people who are equally as satisfied as I am. :)

Summary: Apply everywhere, and get a foothold in the industry as an apprentice for any electrical shop. Some shops are going to be better than others; but the most important thing is getting some experience, and some perspective on the electrical world in your area, in order for you to more clearly visualize your future (or if you even want one) in this business.
 
George and Raider have said it perfectly. I would like to add a few things from my experience though. It isn't a 9 to 5 job. I have worked all around the clock hours including weekends. Since I have been with this company I have worked over 30 hours straight, twice. Summers have a lot of overtime and it's hard to get vacation time in during this period. This may vary greatly from others experiences. I'm greedy and love the work, so it don't bother me. :)

If I were you I would apply at every shop I could find. It seems like when one company is busy, another is slow.

Good Luck finding what you want. :)
 
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