Hi guys I just joined the forum today. I am an 18 year old who just graduated high school. I live in Georgia and work for my father who is a certified class 2 electrician. I am thinking of getting my certification as well. Any tips you guys have for me? I do not even know where to begin this journey.
newbie
- Thread starter kyled86
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luke warmwater
Senior Member
Re: newbie
Welcome to the forum and to the trade.
Don't be afraid to ask questions.
Welcome to the forum and to the trade.
Don't be afraid to ask questions.
G
Guest
Guest
Re: newbie
If you were like me at 18 you probablly dont have the money to buy many books or tapes on electricty. What I did at 18 was go to my local library and checked out books on electrical theory and just about any book that had electricity in its title. If you can get a good understanding of how electricty works it should help you to understand what the equipment you install and work on is actually doing. If you have the money for books and tapes I would say buy all that you can afford. Also your local college may offer night courses on electricity. Good luck.
If you were like me at 18 you probablly dont have the money to buy many books or tapes on electricty. What I did at 18 was go to my local library and checked out books on electrical theory and just about any book that had electricity in its title. If you can get a good understanding of how electricty works it should help you to understand what the equipment you install and work on is actually doing. If you have the money for books and tapes I would say buy all that you can afford. Also your local college may offer night courses on electricity. Good luck.
bphgravity
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
Re: newbie
I would check to see if there is a local apprenticeship program in your area that you can enroll in. This will provide you with everything you need to be learning for the first few years.
I would also check with any local community or trade colleges in your area. Sometimes they have short programs or even a full electrical program.
Learn from your Dad! When your on a job and you don't konw why your doing something, ask for the reason, the NEC reference, and all options. This will get you thinking about intent and purpose for performing certain specific instalations.
You obviously have web access, so start doing a search for info. This is a good place. For example, if you are interested in what a separately dervied system is and what to learn the ins and outs. Click on "Search" above and type it in and you will receive all the information that you wil ever need.
Good luck and welcome!
I would check to see if there is a local apprenticeship program in your area that you can enroll in. This will provide you with everything you need to be learning for the first few years.
I would also check with any local community or trade colleges in your area. Sometimes they have short programs or even a full electrical program.
Learn from your Dad! When your on a job and you don't konw why your doing something, ask for the reason, the NEC reference, and all options. This will get you thinking about intent and purpose for performing certain specific instalations.
You obviously have web access, so start doing a search for info. This is a good place. For example, if you are interested in what a separately dervied system is and what to learn the ins and outs. Click on "Search" above and type it in and you will receive all the information that you wil ever need.
Good luck and welcome!
Ed MacLaren
Senior Member
Re: newbie
).
For a brief introduction to some basics, you are welcome to download and use the free tutorials from my website - Electric Ed
No "program" to install - just save to a folder and double click!
Although Modules 402 and 405 do contain some Canadian Electrical Code references, they also contain basic theory, which should be useful. In any case, the CEC is very similar to the NEC.
Modules 102 and 104 contain only basic theory.
It's great to see a young guy who wants to learn,
Good luck,
Ed
[ June 10, 2004, 11:37 PM: Message edited by: Ed MacLaren ]
I recommend that you begin with a study of the basic electrical principles (we used to call it theory
). For a brief introduction to some basics, you are welcome to download and use the free tutorials from my website - Electric Ed
No "program" to install - just save to a folder and double click!
Although Modules 402 and 405 do contain some Canadian Electrical Code references, they also contain basic theory, which should be useful. In any case, the CEC is very similar to the NEC.
Modules 102 and 104 contain only basic theory.
It's great to see a young guy who wants to learn,
Good luck,
Ed
[ June 10, 2004, 11:37 PM: Message edited by: Ed MacLaren ]
Re: newbie
My dad has been doing electrical work for years and years however he has not done much work withing the city limits and in the area where we live there is no inspector out in the county where the majority of our work done. However, he just took the NEC Exam a few years ago and is now certified. We do a great deal of our work within the city limits now...even some industrial repairs and such. He has just about all of the books necessary to get started I think. I will have to see what all I can find. How old do you have to be to take the exam?
My dad has been doing electrical work for years and years however he has not done much work withing the city limits and in the area where we live there is no inspector out in the county where the majority of our work done. However, he just took the NEC Exam a few years ago and is now certified. We do a great deal of our work within the city limits now...even some industrial repairs and such. He has just about all of the books necessary to get started I think. I will have to see what all I can find. How old do you have to be to take the exam?
bphgravity
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
Re: newbie
I think a good rule of thumb woul be about 4 years or 8,000 hours of OJT.
Most licensing/exam boards require the applicant to be at least 18, however most will also require a certain amount of experience verification and/or some formal schooling.
I think a good rule of thumb woul be about 4 years or 8,000 hours of OJT.
tadavidson
Senior Member
- Location
- Georgia
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Re: newbie
I vote for Technical School combined with OJT in about 5 years you could be awesome. Get a New Code book coming out in September and read it then read it again then read it again,and read it then read it again then read it again,and read it then read it again then read it again. When you get ready to test you won't have a worry plus you won't have to sweat turn downs by the AHJ.
I vote for Technical School combined with OJT in about 5 years you could be awesome. Get a New Code book coming out in September and read it then read it again then read it again,and read it then read it again then read it again,and read it then read it again then read it again. When you get ready to test you won't have a worry plus you won't have to sweat turn downs by the AHJ.
Ed MacLaren
Senior Member
Re: newbie
Learn how to use the code by-
a. Knowing why codes exist and their intended purpose.
b. Understanding the "layout" and learning to efficiently use the table of contents and index.
c. Knowing the rule numbering system, and the sub-division of rules.
d. Knowing how references to other rules work, and role of exceptions and notes, and the effect of each.
e. Using the code to determine the answer to "real" problems, such as the questions asked in forums such as this.
Ed
[ June 11, 2004, 12:04 AM: Message edited by: Ed MacLaren ]
I have to (respectfully) disagree with that advice. I don't believe just "reading" a code book accomplishes anything.
Learn how to use the code by-
a. Knowing why codes exist and their intended purpose.
b. Understanding the "layout" and learning to efficiently use the table of contents and index.
c. Knowing the rule numbering system, and the sub-division of rules.
d. Knowing how references to other rules work, and role of exceptions and notes, and the effect of each.
e. Using the code to determine the answer to "real" problems, such as the questions asked in forums such as this.
Ed
[ June 11, 2004, 12:04 AM: Message edited by: Ed MacLaren ]
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: newbie
When you see a question put up on a forum try to find the answer on your own, you do not have to post what you think. You find your best answer and then watch the posted replies, you will be able to see if you are right or wrong.
You can also get practice exams from a few sources, I have found these are a great training tool in the privacy of your home.
Don't forget that the NEC provides some great help in the back of the book with examples of different calculations.
Good Luck, Bob
I think this is great advice as this will help accomplish the other items in Ed's list.
When you see a question put up on a forum try to find the answer on your own, you do not have to post what you think. You find your best answer and then watch the posted replies, you will be able to see if you are right or wrong.
You can also get practice exams from a few sources, I have found these are a great training tool in the privacy of your home.
Don't forget that the NEC provides some great help in the back of the book with examples of different calculations.
Good Luck, Bob
tadavidson
Senior Member
- Location
- Georgia
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Re: newbie
Dear Mr. ED,
You are correct, reading without comprehension would not be that valuable. I hope that newbie will understand that my post was meant to stress the importance of throughly understanding the code. If anyone reads anything repeatedly and gets OJT they will accomplish all items you indicated in A through E. If not then I would reccomend they visit YOUR SITE FOR SOME REAL EDUCATION IN THE TUTORIALS. Have a great day.
Dear Mr. ED,
You are correct, reading without comprehension would not be that valuable. I hope that newbie will understand that my post was meant to stress the importance of throughly understanding the code. If anyone reads anything repeatedly and gets OJT they will accomplish all items you indicated in A through E. If not then I would reccomend they visit YOUR SITE FOR SOME REAL EDUCATION IN THE TUTORIALS. Have a great day.
sundowner
Senior Member
- Location
- West Wisconsin
Re: newbie
The best advice I ever got from the "older", more seasoned veterans about the trade was to shut my mouth, and open my ears and eyes. Looking back on my last fourteen years in the trade... I never learned a thing with my mouth.
Just a thought newbie
Get yourself some code tabs. These are paste in book marks for the code book, with the most used chapters, tables and charts marked. It will be good practice for you to put these in a code book, it will get you walking through the book. This is the only way to get familiar with it.
Good luck in the trade, newbie
Sundowner
The best advice I ever got from the "older", more seasoned veterans about the trade was to shut my mouth, and open my ears and eyes. Looking back on my last fourteen years in the trade... I never learned a thing with my mouth.
Just a thought newbie
Get yourself some code tabs. These are paste in book marks for the code book, with the most used chapters, tables and charts marked. It will be good practice for you to put these in a code book, it will get you walking through the book. This is the only way to get familiar with it.
Good luck in the trade, newbie
Sundowner
tadavidson
Senior Member
- Location
- Georgia
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Re: newbie
Here in Georgia you must be able to document (I believe)4 years paid experience and have 3 liscenced Electrical Contractors sign an affidavit to your ability. before you can be eligible to test. The test is given in Atlanta or Savannah. Go to the Secretary of State website for more information. Good Luck
Here in Georgia you must be able to document (I believe)4 years paid experience and have 3 liscenced Electrical Contractors sign an affidavit to your ability. before you can be eligible to test. The test is given in Atlanta or Savannah. Go to the Secretary of State website for more information. Good Luck
Re: newbie
1. Ask Questions all the time you only learn when you ask.
2. Get a Code book, and learn the ways to reference what you are working on.
3. Get some schooling in this trade.
4. O.J.T. will be your best teacher. Most of the time your "why" questions will be answered in the field and/or your field experience will give you the basis on which to learn.
1. Ask Questions all the time you only learn when you ask.
2. Get a Code book, and learn the ways to reference what you are working on.
3. Get some schooling in this trade.
4. O.J.T. will be your best teacher. Most of the time your "why" questions will be answered in the field and/or your field experience will give you the basis on which to learn.
pierre
Senior Member
- Location
- Westchester County, New York
Re: newbie
Hello Kyle and welcome to the forum and the industry. There is some very good advice in this thread, which you will see repeated over and over again as time goes on... which brings me to a point I would like to add.
Be patient! It will take years of on the job training as well as schooling to become an accomplished electrician. This is a very broad industry which has a lot to offer. If you are proactive in your education - which seems like you are - you have at your fingertips (which most of us older guys did not have) resources available that can keep you busy until the day you retire .
Good luck and keep in touch here.
BTW - in Westchester County, NY it takes W2 proof of 4 years as an apprentice and 7 1/2 years (11 1/2 years in total)as a journeyman working for a licensed contractor to apply for a license test ... ridiculous in my opinion, but a fact.
Pierre
Hello Kyle and welcome to the forum and the industry. There is some very good advice in this thread, which you will see repeated over and over again as time goes on... which brings me to a point I would like to add.
Be patient! It will take years of on the job training as well as schooling to become an accomplished electrician. This is a very broad industry which has a lot to offer. If you are proactive in your education - which seems like you are - you have at your fingertips (which most of us older guys did not have) resources available that can keep you busy until the day you retire
.Good luck and keep in touch here.
BTW - in Westchester County, NY it takes W2 proof of 4 years as an apprentice and 7 1/2 years (11 1/2 years in total)as a journeyman working for a licensed contractor to apply for a license test
... ridiculous in my opinion, but a fact.Pierre
hurk27
Senior Member
- Location
- Portage, Indiana NEC: 2008
Re: newbie
Just don't ask which way the g.....
Oh never mind
Just don't ask which way the g.....
Oh never mind
rod
Member
- Location
- North Carolina
Re: newbie
Kyle,
In the 2002 NEC check out Article 90.1(C). What this tells you is that you have to be trained to even begine to use this book. In GA you probably have technical community colleges availble that provide entire curriculums on the electrical trade. You really need structured class to begin to appreciate how the code is organized. It also ties into many of the calculations used in the trade. On your own you can begin by learning Ohm's law and then working on series, parallel and serie-parallel circuits. Now get to work and good luck!
Rod
Kyle,
In the 2002 NEC check out Article 90.1(C). What this tells you is that you have to be trained to even begine to use this book. In GA you probably have technical community colleges availble that provide entire curriculums on the electrical trade. You really need structured class to begin to appreciate how the code is organized. It also ties into many of the calculations used in the trade. On your own you can begin by learning Ohm's law and then working on series, parallel and serie-parallel circuits. Now get to work and good luck!
Rod
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Re: newbie
Mike Holt has a two volume Understanding the NEC. I would buy volume 1, which covers Chapter 1-4.
Then if you are running EMT, review the EMT article. This way you tie doing to the NEC and its rules. His understanding texts do a great job of explaining the NEC.
And you may find some errors in installation. A lot of times us in the trade don't go back and read the NEC, and when we do, we (or at least I) go "I didn't know that"
I always say about the NEC - The more I know the less I know.
Mike Holt has a two volume Understanding the NEC. I would buy volume 1, which covers Chapter 1-4.
Then if you are running EMT, review the EMT article. This way you tie doing to the NEC and its rules. His understanding texts do a great job of explaining the NEC.
And you may find some errors in installation. A lot of times us in the trade don't go back and read the NEC, and when we do, we (or at least I) go "I didn't know that"
I always say about the NEC - The more I know the less I know.
sandsnow
Senior Member
- Location
- Southern California
Re: newbie
I second that !!!!!!
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