Resources for Best Practice?

[cdillman7]

I am a first year electrician apprentice here. I work for a small company so my pool to draw experience from is critical and I'm trying learn as much as I can as quickly as I can. I'm reading the code book so I am aware what the bare minimum is but what resources would you recommend for best practice? For example EMT is allowed by the code (in 358.10) to be directly buried in the earth but no electrician I know would recommend it.

Ideally the journeyman I work with should be a great resource but often we are rushing on a job and questions are discouraged. So I try harder to observe and learn through observation when that is permitted. But often it's not - I usually get assigned one thing while he does something else to save time and hopefully making our job more efficient and making more money for the company. The downside with this process is that I do the same thing over and over again (which to a point is a good thing) but rarely expand my knowledge or learning anything new.

I've been trying to substitute the lack of tutoring with Youtube, Instagram, Electrician talk forums and EC&M magazine - and they are all good to a point but often short of giving a good framework for best methodology.

Appreciate your advice!

 

[Coppersmith]

What you are doing is very smart. I remember when I was like you. I'm still waiting for that foreman to show me how to use a Chicago bender. He promised.

Speaking as an EC, best practice is usually code minimum because that is the least expensive way to do the job, unless experience shows for a few cents more you can get a vast improvement.

Don't be in too much of a rush. There is a lot to learn and learning it slowly makes it sink in better. You will work with a variety of j-men and women. Each has their own style. Just follow their lead.

After I became a j-man, there was still a lot to learn. Ours is a vast trade and nobody knows it all.

 

[James L]

I agree with @Coppersmith - don't be in a big rush because you'll miss a lot.

The best resource for best practice is....practice

You'll have your own brand of best practice in time, with experience. You'll pick up some from others, and you'll learn how to eat the meat and spit out the bones.

And for heaven's sake, please don't learn best practice from YouTube

 

[ritelec]

Be patient.
It's not a bad gig, but I'll say a prayer for you tonight that something really cool comes your way and you don't have to do this for a living :- )

All the best to you.

Oh one thought. SAFETY FIRST !!!! Ladders, rigging, everything... accidents happen quick and Don't trust anyone saying somethings dead, you test it yourself.

Stay well

 

[ritelec]

Just wanted to add trip hazards, other people, and such. Watch for your self. Blades... cut away from you. Your hacksaw will bite you. You will stab your self in your hand with your screw driver. You will pinch your hand/finger with your pliers and smash your finger with your hammer. Power tools can hurt you.
EVERYTHING is out to get you. Try hard to anticipate something before it happens.
Watch your eyes. Use knee pads. Put plugs or tissue paper in your ears

Again. EVERYTHING Is out to get you.

( oh and like a recent post. Roofing nails plucking and ripping your scalp while your crawling in attic areas :- )
DON’T fall through that ceiling !!! LOL)

 

[MTW]

Find some classes to take local to you, check your local community colleges, ask your local inspectors if there is a organization in your area that holds classes.

Check the resources that Mike Holt offers.
Learn to read on your own and study what areas interest you at the time. Don't just rely on your field boss, he doesn't know everything either.

 

[Dsg319]

I am a first year electrician apprentice here. I work for a small company so my pool to draw experience from is critical and I'm trying learn as much as I can as quickly as I can. I'm reading the code book so I am aware what the bare minimum is but what resources would you recommend for best practice? For example EMT is allowed by the code (in 358.10) to be directly buried in the earth but no electrician I know would recommend it.

Ideally the journeyman I work with should be a great resource but often we are rushing on a job and questions are discouraged. So I try harder to observe and learn through observation when that is permitted. But often it's not - I usually get assigned one thing while he does something else to save time and hopefully making our job more efficient and making more money for the company. The downside with this process is that I do the same thing over and over again (which to a point is a good thing) but rarely expand my knowledge or learning anything new.

I've been trying to substitute the lack of tutoring with Youtube, Instagram, Electrician talk forums and EC&M magazine - and they are all good to a point but often short of giving a good framework for best methodology.

Appreciate your advice!

I my self come from an electrical contractor who doesn’t care about training program’s or anything but on the job education. So when given those situations make the best of your free time, yes have fun and relax but make it a point to study and learn all you can and excel.

That’s awesome you are taking the initiative to go beyond the average and just go to work and do “your” job. Strive to do and be the best and learn everything you can. Like others has said sometime have to be careful what you see on the web. As you learn you can weed out the JUNK. Here, Mike holts videos are awesome.

And if your interested in learning how things work which I think is important an awesome page on YouTube called engineering mindset, and Access to Power. And some others but like I said as you learn you’ll know what’s reliable and what’s garage.

Also you’ll learn and hear a lot of myths out in the field possibly that isn’t so, especially on the fundamentals of electricity. Watch Mikes video called grounding myths.

I as well will pray for opportunity and help for you. Don’t ever give up and keep trying harder and harder and keep your nose in your code book.

I myself still have a lot (so much) to learn but through God and the passion he has given me for this trade I have taken and turned my study habits and research 180degrees from my youth.