Opinions Appropriate

[bphgravity]

When covering a controversial subject or code sections that are widely interpreted, would you consider it inappropriate to provide your personal opinion on the matter or should just the facts be presented?

I understand that a certain level of biased information will always be apart of any instruction however should opinion be offered that is in contradiction of the code or of long held beliefs?

I've never really had this concern until I changed roles from an instructor/contractor to an instructor/inspector. I have suddenly found myself feeling inhibited and carefully choosing the way I respond to a question or how I make comments on something so that I may not come across as being a hypocrite or inconsistent between that what I teach and what I enforce on jobs.

Any comments or suggestions?

 

[George Stolz]

Re: Opinions Appropriate

Originally posted by bphgravity:
When covering a controversial subject or code sections that are widely interpreted, would you consider it inappropriate to provide your personal opinion on the matter or should just the facts be presented?

I think you'd be shortchanging your pupils not to provide a solution to an issue, even if it is a "solution*" with a disclaimer. You don't have all the answers, and it would be remiss to state you do. But acknowledging that there are multiple views on a subject, and offering your opinion on the matter, is giving that subject due course, IMO.

I understand that a certain level of biased information will always be apart of any instruction however should opinion be offered that is in contradiction of the code or of long held beliefs?

Can you provide an example of an occasion where your opinion contradicts code/long held beliefs?

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that this is in relation to teaching grounding (earthing), knowing your stand on that one.

If I were you, I would teach it as a code requirement, and that the requirements must be followed or we could be sued. This is different than most subjects taught, in that we normally teach them because people could die.

We're left in a quandary regarding grounding, because the requirements are so strict, yet the rewards are so abstract, if there are any.

When I teach grounding, I emphasize the "inadvertent connection to higher primary voltages" angle, as opposed to the "lightning protection" angle. I do not feel a compelling life-safety issue when it comes to grounding (earthing), so I can understand the desire to undermine the code requirements on the matter. But that's a dangerous seed to plant.

If I'm off-base, sorry. Can you provide examples of situations that try to make a hypocrite of you?

Edit to add: It goes without saying, but I should say it: my advice is very cheap, as those I teach are not paying for my 'teaching', and I have no credentials to justify charging for it. I'm throwing 2? in, awaiting qualified responses from the more scholarly and educated of the membership. Out of concern for my own reputation, and good practice, I try to conduct myself professionally and accurately, but I am acknowledging your stakes are higher as a true instructor.

[ January 07, 2006, 11:50 AM: Message edited by: georgestolz ]

 

[pierre]

Re: Opinions Appropriate

Bryan
It is good to see that as an instructor/inspector I am not the only one with those thoughts running through my head.
I will, while in class discuss some topics when the issue comes up where my opinion is different as to the code requirements. I make good and sure that the students understand it is my opinion, and that my opinion does not change the code requirement.

 

[ryan_618]

Re: Opinions Appropriate

I don't give my opinion unless someone asks for it. I stick to simply covering the code rules.

Well, on second thought...I give my opinion if I think there is a mistake in the code. For example, I think that 300.15(L) for handhole enclosures was a mistake and lack of correlation between the CMP's that govern Article 300 and 314. I beleive that 314.30 was intended to allow only access by qaulified persons, and I have been told that by many people. Like Pierre, I make it VERY clear that this is only mine and others opinion.

 

[tom baker]

Re: Opinions Appropriate

Ryan: Regarding that rule in 314.15(L)
I had the same opinion that you do. I went back and looked at the ROP and ROC it didn't seem to indicate one way or the other.
Most seem to interpert it as the lid prevents access by unqualifed persons. However, somewhere, sometime, surely some electrical inspector will say that handhole enclosure can't be used as its accessible to unqualified persons in that location.

 

[charlie b]

Re: Opinions Appropriate

I started thinking about this, and wound up waxing philosophic. So I don't know if this will be of any practical value. But I'm going to inflict it upon you anyway. Here goes.

Fact is fact, and truth is (sometimes) truth, and never the twain shall meet (with apologies to Rudyard Kipling).

Fact is incontrovertible; truth is not. Fact is something that all can seek, and all who find will find the same thing. Truth is something that few bother to seek, for they feel that it is already in their possession, and those who do seek it will find only what they choose to find.

Teach fact as fact. Teach truth as a subjective inference from fact. Teach the difference between fact and truth. Teach them how to recognize the validity in what others regard as truth.

Pick a controversial topic, and let them conduct a debate. But keep no score, and do not let either side of the debate "win." The purpose of the exercise is not to see who is the better at presenting supporting evidence. Rather, the purpose it to show that two (or more) sides of a debate can have a share of "truth," and that truth itself does not reside with the "winner."

 

[bphgravity]

Re: Opinions Appropriate

Thanks for all the comments, they are greatly appreciated!

One of George's comments makes my point perfectly. Without even mentioning a topic or providing an example, George made an assumption based on my reputation with him. This means I have developed a "stance" per say on certain issues that preceeds me. We all have.

Where this could become an issue is when certain persons confuse my personal feelings on certain issues with what I must enforce as an inspector.

I was just interested to see if there were other instructors here that were presented with challenges when discussing an issue they are passionate about yet perhaps in conflict with what the code says or the mainstream industry says.

Thanks again. I will try Charlie's technique my next class. I like the "fact-truth" comparison.

 

[TOMWELDS]

Re: Opinions Appropriate

I would definitly follow the rules, but shaking up complacency is good once in a while. That's how all the greats got to be who they are. It's all interpretation and your opinion may be a valuable view from another angle that could raise some valid points.

 

[George Stolz]

Re: Opinions Appropriate

Bryan, I love to be the guinea pig.

 

[TOMWELDS]

Re: Opinions Appropriate

I thought it was meant as 'in general'. I didnt know it was meant in a classroom environment.