Teaching Article 450

[gary b]

Hi guys. I have been an instructor in both Union and Non-Union programs for years. I find that both systems have very effective teaching tools. However I have yet to find any good books, handouts, or information that explains the many rules for XFMR hookups that an apprentice or wireman can use to effectively explain this subject in an ?easy to understand? format. When I teach the subject I find it interesting how many Code references you have to use and explain. The list I use most frequently are:
450.3 & Tables, 240.4, 240.21(C), 408. 34, 408.36.
The class session is usually about 2-3 hours long. I find the rules in 450.3 and Tables hard to explain and tie into the practical use on the job. Particularly when using Article 240. I think the Code does a poor job in easily helping the installer understand what they should do for practical wiring in the field when it comes to XFMR hook-up rules. (Opinion.)

If you have any leads or other references that would help in teaching this subject I would appreciate it. I am thinking of putting together a step-by-step handout I can use in class but want to make it correct and good. My email is XXXXXXX if you have anything you can send me. I would be willing to share what I have with everyone also.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Gary Beckstrand
Utah Electrical JATC
Salt Lake City

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[Pierre C Belarge]

Gary
First, lets just repeat that the NEC is not a teaching manual. There is always some subject matter in the NEC that is hard to understand... what is hard to understand will be different for different people, as we all understand something different then the other person may.

I agree with you, that in teaching, there are some who have a tremendous difficulty in understanding Art 450. I, like you would love to have something handy that would make teaching this easier for the student and for me.

What books do you presently use for a reference?
Maybe we can put our heads together with the other guys here and come up with a reasonable plan.

 

[gary b]

I agree that the NEC is not a teaching manual. However I look at my chosen career as one that teaches the skills and techniques as well as provides a certain knowledge base for those seeking to understand a difficult and sometimes flawed product. In order to answer questions regarding the NEC I am left to rely on my own experience and knowledge base. I can look up the answer in a handbook or other person?s interpretation but find them lacking in many ways. Sometimes I wonder about the information provided by the so-called experts. I have a hard time with the old clich? that the NEC ?is not an instruction manual.? What does that mean?!! I use it all the time as a teaching tool in the classroom for apprentices, journeyman, master electricians and even engineers. If this statement means that you cannot find out how to wire a 3-way switch in the NEC then I guess I understand. But if there is not any clear information available for the installers, they will not understand what they are doing and that can lead to the lack of ?practical safeguarding of persons and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity?.
This is a real catch-22 in many ways.

To answer your question I use the ?Electrical Systems? book, ?Motors and Transformers? by Schultz, ?Delmar?s Standard Book on Electricity? and also teach a codes class at a local community college using Mike Holt?s ?Understanding the 2005 NEC? and his Exam Preparation book. I also teach inspector CE for the ICC and the IAEI so I use some of their materials also. The manufactures have provided good information for their products.

What would be nice is to have something similar to the Crouse-hinds Code Digest book that looks at Haz Loc. except have it designed for XFMR?s installation. Maybe a manufacture has something like that available now. I don?t know.

My intent would be to put together a handout that would be a simple guide possibly with illustrations and NEC references that would explain the basic rules to wire the most common XFMR?s. The electricians I teach rarely work with anything over 600-V an if they do they generally don?t work with anything over 15-kV. The key would be to keep it simple. But some kind of PowerPoint and accompany handout would go a long way in helping the electricians and inspectors in our area.

What suggestions do you have?

 

[ryan_618]

Gary, I agree with you. I was teaching about transformers a couple of weeks ago, and it is difficult bouncing back and forth between 240.21, 450.3, 408.34, et cetera.