Just starting electrical design

[shortcircuit1]

Hello everyone,

Over the couple of months i have been on this forum i have learned quite a bit regarding NEC and other general topics...I am going to get into design pretty soon..Do you guys have any advice as to how to learn the basic stuff regarding how to design, what needs to be kept in mind while designing a space and any books that could help me in understanding the design apart from Mikeholt NEC code?.

Thanks in advance for answering my query..

 

[luckylerado]

Hello everyone,

Over the couple of months i have been on this forum i have learned quite a bit regarding NEC and other general topics...I am going to get into design pretty soon..Do you guys have any advice as to how to learn the basic stuff regarding how to design, what needs to be kept in mind while designing a space and any books that could help me in understanding the design apart from Mikeholt NEC code?.

Thanks in advance for answering my query..

My experience is the best designers have spent a lot of time in the field.

 

[shortcircuit1]

My experience is the best designers have spent a lot of time in the field.

Thanks for the advice...Do you know any online courses from the universities that i can take to familiarize myself with NEC and other design aspects?

 

[Ponchik]

Field experience will not replace any education and education will not replace field experience.

A good designer has to have both. I don't know how much field experience you, but if you have the chance work in the field as an electrician as long as you can (IMO minimum 4 years) so you get to experience what it takes to install. At the same time take theory and code classes and learn from others. Then switch over full time as a designer.

Without field experience it is hard to understand and visualize the NEC when the instructor teaches a certain code section.

 

[shortcircuit1]

Field experience will not replace any education and education will not replace field experience.

A good designer has to have both. I don't know how much field experience you, but if you have the chance work in the field as an electrician as long as you can (IMO minimum 4 years) so you get to experience what it takes to install. At the same time take theory and code classes and learn from others. Then switch over full time as a designer.

Without field experience it is hard to understand and visualize the NEC when the instructor teaches a certain code section.

Thanks for the advice ed...I do have some field experience but not a lot...

 

[growler]

Do you know any online courses from the universities that i can take to familiarize myself with NEC and other design aspects?

The first thing to learn is that the NEC is not a design manual. The NEC is a set of minimum
safety standards.

You design for what is needed or wanted and then use the NEC to make sure that your design meets or exceeds these minimum safety standards.

 

[Ponchik]

The first thing to learn is that the NEC is not a design manual. The NEC is a set of minimum
safety standards.

You design for what is needed or wanted and then use the NEC to make sure that your design meets or exceeds these minimum safety standards.

Well said!!

 

[shortcircuit1]

The first thing to learn is that the NEC is not a design manual. The NEC is a set of minimum
safety standards.

You design for what is needed or wanted and then use the NEC to make sure that your design meets or exceeds these minimum safety standards.

I was referring to more like any online courses that have videos of NEC rather than text so that its easier to understand..But thanks...

 

[petersonra]

I was referring to more like any online courses that have videos of NEC rather than text so that its easier to understand..But thanks...

lots of stuff on youtube. some of it you have to be careful about.

i think mike holt sells some videos. he has some pretty good books I understand.

 

[Unbridled]

Electrical Design

Electrical Design

After 40 years of installing electrical projects designed by others, I recommend the following standards.

1. Keep your drawings neat, legible and easy to interpret.
2. Provide separate drawings for F/A, Communications, Nurse Call Systems, A/V and etc.
3. Provide as many elevations and details without being redundant.
4. Communicate with MC and make clear the responsibilities for installation and equipment furnishings between MC and EC.
5. Design and draw feeder and branch circuitry clearly on prints, indicating home run's and circuit #'s.
6. Avoid conflicts in the scope of work. Do not bury significant information in the spec's without also noting this information on the drawings.

There are many other items that should be followed as protocol for each project, many that have nothing to do with an electrical formulas and design.
Hope this helps and good luck.

 

[Red Forman]

No replacing field experience

No replacing field experience

After being in the construction industry for 30 years (15 as an electrician, 10 of those 15 as a Journeyman) I had numerous back surgeries and was unable to do a lot of the work required as an electrician so I went to Kilgore College in Kilgore Texas to get my drafting and design degree. I have been at the design end for a little over a year now. First thing, There is ABSOLUTELY no replacing field experience. I can't tell you how many times I looked at a set of plans and thought "what the hell was this designer smoking when they made up this fairy tale of a design". Second, and this one surprised the heck out of me, Design is a MUCH different animal than installation but knowing how to install helps out exponentially. YouTube has hundreds of videos (even Mike Holt vids) but like was mentioned before be cautious with your video lessons. NEC is a minimum guideline and a good reference. Good Luck to ya...

 

[shortcircuit1]

After being in the construction industry for 30 years (15 as an electrician, 10 of those 15 as a Journeyman) I had numerous back surgeries and was unable to do a lot of the work required as an electrician so I went to Kilgore College in Kilgore Texas to get my drafting and design degree. I have been at the design end for a little over a year now. First thing, There is ABSOLUTELY no replacing field experience. I can't tell you how many times I looked at a set of plans and thought "what the hell was this designer smoking when they made up this fairy tale of a design". Second, and this one surprised the heck out of me, Design is a MUCH different animal than installation but knowing how to install helps out exponentially. YouTube has hundreds of videos (even Mike Holt vids) but like was mentioned before be cautious with your video lessons. NEC is a minimum guideline and a good reference. Good Luck to ya...

Thanks for the advice. I am also looking for classes in drafting especially in CAD and Revit too...

 

[ggunn]

After being in the construction industry for 30 years (15 as an electrician, 10 of those 15 as a Journeyman) I had numerous back surgeries and was unable to do a lot of the work required as an electrician so I went to Kilgore College in Kilgore Texas to get my drafting and design degree. I have been at the design end for a little over a year now. First thing, There is ABSOLUTELY no replacing field experience.

When I switched engineering careers from semiconductors to PV (solar) I started out installing it on residential rooftops and commercial parking shades. On my first commercial design project I was also the field supervisor while it was being built, so got to see my mistakes up close and I had to fix them. You are correct; there is no substitute for field experience.

 

[Unbridled]

Hello everyone,

Over the couple of months i have been on this forum i have learned quite a bit regarding NEC and other general topics...I am going to get into design pretty soon..Do you guys have any advice as to how to learn the basic stuff regarding how to design, what needs to be kept in mind while designing a space and any books that could help me in understanding the design apart from Mikeholt NEC code?.

Thanks in advance for answering my query..

Lighting Photo-metrics will be one of your necessities. IESNA Handbook is the essential know all reference book. Just be prepared to fish out some $$. the new edition ( 10th) now includes LED information and can sell for upwards of $500.
I developed an excel spread sheet for Panel boards with VA, connected loads and demand loads in a template which I import to AutoCADD. Knowledge of appliances that are cord and plug connected and there capacity in branch circuits is significant as well.
And of course AIC ratings of your service equipment.
Don't be reluctant to add 25% of your demand load for service size calculations for future use.

Good Luck

 

[cloudibew]

Hello everyone,

Over the couple of months i have been on this forum i have learned quite a bit regarding NEC and other general topics...I am going to get into design pretty soon..Do you guys have any advice as to how to learn the basic stuff regarding how to design, what needs to be kept in mind while designing a space and any books that could help me in understanding the design apart from Mikeholt NEC code?.

Thanks in advance for answering my query..

Enter an apprenticeship spend 4 years and become a journeyman. Imho the best engineers/ designers started off that way.