new in the field
- Thread starter preston
- Start date
- Status
Re: new in the field
Outstanding text used by many tradeschools. Covers theory well from the most basic on up, this and a current codebook should prove invaluable.
Outstanding text used by many tradeschools. Covers theory well from the most basic on up, this and a current codebook should prove invaluable.
gregoryelectricinc
Senior Member
Re: new in the field
Preston, Welcome to the feild of electrical. I enroll all of my apprentices in a school operated by Independent Electrical Contractors. Ask your boss if he is a member. My guys learn alot in class and even more while on the job with their licenced foreman.
Preston, Welcome to the feild of electrical. I enroll all of my apprentices in a school operated by Independent Electrical Contractors. Ask your boss if he is a member. My guys learn alot in class and even more while on the job with their licenced foreman.
cselectric
Senior Member
- Location
- Wisconsin
Re: new in the field
Preston,
Welcome aboard. The world is always in need of good electricians. If you keep to the attitude your showing here, you should fill that role nicely in the future.
I would highly recommend looking into an apprenticeship program. Be that IEC, ABC, or IBEW. The classroom is the best place to learn pure theory.
As for putting that theory into practice, that's where OTJ training comes in. A good journeyman is the single best resource an apprentice can have. Be prepared to work hard and always keep your mind and eyes open. Treat every day at work as an opportunity to learn and ask as many questions as you can think of (there are no stupid questions, but I've seen many a botched installation that resulted from a question not asked.)
FWIW, you have chosen to enter one of the most dynamic fields of employment around. Every code cycle the rules change a bit. Every year customer desires will change as design and fashion trends come and go. Every jurisdiction you work in is likely to have it's own set of rules amended onto the NEC and every inspector will interpret them slightly differently. My point is, the most important things you need to thrive in this field are a desire to learn, the ability to adapt, and an open mind. You will learn a lot during your apprenticeship. Once you've made it to Journeymans level, keep your mind open, for you will constantly be learning more.
Preston,
Welcome aboard. The world is always in need of good electricians. If you keep to the attitude your showing here, you should fill that role nicely in the future.
I would highly recommend looking into an apprenticeship program. Be that IEC, ABC, or IBEW. The classroom is the best place to learn pure theory.
As for putting that theory into practice, that's where OTJ training comes in. A good journeyman is the single best resource an apprentice can have. Be prepared to work hard and always keep your mind and eyes open. Treat every day at work as an opportunity to learn and ask as many questions as you can think of (there are no stupid questions, but I've seen many a botched installation that resulted from a question not asked.)
FWIW, you have chosen to enter one of the most dynamic fields of employment around. Every code cycle the rules change a bit. Every year customer desires will change as design and fashion trends come and go. Every jurisdiction you work in is likely to have it's own set of rules amended onto the NEC and every inspector will interpret them slightly differently. My point is, the most important things you need to thrive in this field are a desire to learn, the ability to adapt, and an open mind. You will learn a lot during your apprenticeship. Once you've made it to Journeymans level, keep your mind open, for you will constantly be learning more.
G
Guest
Guest
Re: new in the field
What is the focus of your company? Residential? Commercial? Industrial? Other?
ryan_618
Senior Member
- Location
- Salt Lake City, Utah
Re: new in the field
Greetings Preston, and welcome. I'm surprised nobody has stated this yet, but this forum has been very helpful to me in furthering my understanding of theory. Do not be afraid to ask any questions, as the only stupid question is the one that doesn't get asked.
Greetings Preston, and welcome. I'm surprised nobody has stated this yet, but this forum has been very helpful to me in furthering my understanding of theory. Do not be afraid to ask any questions, as the only stupid question is the one that doesn't get asked.
Re: new in the field
Try any of the books written by Richard Cox. His website is www.coxco.cc/
They are full of pictures and examples. To get the most out of them you need to already understand basis electrial theory.
Try any of the books written by Richard Cox. His website is www.coxco.cc/
They are full of pictures and examples. To get the most out of them you need to already understand basis electrial theory.
Re: new in the field
Hello Preston: I always say "you are the instructor and student. Most of this business you must learn by yourself. Read and ask questions. Keep your brain focused, and think.
I always tried to learn something new every day.
Just think after 36 days you know 36 things
Good luck on your career.
Bennie
Hello Preston: I always say "you are the instructor and student. Most of this business you must learn by yourself. Read and ask questions. Keep your brain focused, and think.
I always tried to learn something new every day.
Just think after 36 days you know 36 things
Good luck on your career.
Bennie
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Re: new in the field
Of course the texts by Mike Holt are worth purchasing. His electrical theory is great. All of his texts are well liked in the trade.
I would also suggest aquiring a shelf full of catalogs, Sq D, Bussman, T&B. Etc. If you read them you'll find a lot of information. Bussman has the best technical information I have ever seen, but you'll need to get it off their web site. Look in particular for the Yellow electrical protection handbook. Also UL has listing guides and they are a good source.
The NFPA has the NEC Digest which is a free publication on the NEC. And my #1 recommendation is to subscribe to EC&M, is free and the web site should be intech.com
I love what I do as an electrician/electronics tech. the process control equipment I install and maintain is good I don't see how it could get any better. I started off measuring reservoir level with float and chain electromechnical devices, required a lot of maintance and used in one case hundreds of feet of bead chain and pulleys.
Now the level transmitters are solid state, user programmable, and accurate to 0.2 %. it will only get better...
Of course the texts by Mike Holt are worth purchasing. His electrical theory is great. All of his texts are well liked in the trade.
I would also suggest aquiring a shelf full of catalogs, Sq D, Bussman, T&B. Etc. If you read them you'll find a lot of information. Bussman has the best technical information I have ever seen, but you'll need to get it off their web site. Look in particular for the Yellow electrical protection handbook. Also UL has listing guides and they are a good source.
The NFPA has the NEC Digest which is a free publication on the NEC. And my #1 recommendation is to subscribe to EC&M, is free and the web site should be intech.com
I love what I do as an electrician/electronics tech. the process control equipment I install and maintain is good I don't see how it could get any better. I started off measuring reservoir level with float and chain electromechnical devices, required a lot of maintance and used in one case hundreds of feet of bead chain and pulleys.
Now the level transmitters are solid state, user programmable, and accurate to 0.2 %. it will only get better...
- Status