So I had a run of pipe, about 150’ long. 244° of bend. Push a fish tape thru, get stuck at my second 90°. All I had was a 90° at about 2’ in, 30’ later , 5” 22° offset , 10 feet later, another 90° and a little bit further a 3” 10° offset. Can anyone explain why any of the 3 fish tapes i used, why I’d get stuck in the pipe? 2 of which were brand new. One was steel, other was fiberglass. Is it the gray paint looking coating inside? What is it? Sick of my job taking 6x longer than it needs to due to having to take the pipe apart and push the fish tape 2” at a time with my needle nose.

Thanks for any and all help in advance.

I am curious if the fluke 325 is a worth while meter? I do plenty of farm wiring and different scenarios work with both ac/dc and also want the ability to read capacitance with my every day meter. Not looking to break the bank but could use some thoughts on which meter to look for

For anyone wanting to become an apprentice reading this. There's not a shortage of apprentices. There's a shortage of journeyman. The reason that you can't easily find an apprentice position is there is not enough jmen to sponsor your education. Why is there not enough jmen? Well "in Ontario, studies have shown that the completion rate for apprenticeship is only 50%."

https://www.hrpa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Apprenticeship-Reform-WhitePaper-2014.pdf

Hey, so I’m a 4th year in California and I don’t do side work. But I helped out my MIL with her custom home build by tailing out her light switches and added ground screws and tails to her exterior lights so she can pass inspection. I didn’t install any switches or any lights. Yes it’s as simple as it sounds. It took about 3 hours and there were about 35 boxes. I’ve got no idea how much to charge but she insists on paying me, and I don’t want to give her the wrong idea that I or the next guy can work for cheap.

Best ear plugs for most amount of sound reduction?

Just for reference I live in the Niagara region, Ontario, Canada.

I’ve been seeing and hearing a lot of people talk about there being a shortage of skilled trade workers. In my humble opinion, I honestly think this is fake news. I think it’s just a way for the government to push kids into it so they can expedite construction of homes needing to be built and/or other commercial properties.

I’m an electrician myself, recently ticketed, when I was going to college for my terms of schooling, there were SO many kids going to school for introductory programs into trades (electrical, plumbing etc). Also, anyone that I talk to that would be interested going into a trade, find it extremely difficult to land an apprenticeship, wouldn’t you think that if we had such a shortage, companies would be hiring like crazy?

What do you guys think? Hit me with some facts if you want, I’m interested in hearing other peoples opinion. I welcome people from America to comment on this issue as well, I’m sure there’s talks of shortages in the states as well.

Cheers

Started in July, starting class at my work in a week. Anything I should prepare for? I can only screw up in class 3 times (missed homework, miss class, fail a test , late to class etc) Sounds kinda strict but reasonable been working well for the last 7 months though I'm enjoying the mindless preparation work I've been doing. And advice on tools I should get or books outside of the course work I should look at. It's a 4 year program so I'm looking at I think 3 years left. 2nd year would start this August.

I ain’t no paper pusher bs kinda QAQC guy. Me and my guys are all on good graces. Occasionally I find some pretty bad stuff at other sites. What’s some you’ve come across?

Anybody got any tricks for removing rigid reducers once they’re already tightened on? I already tried with the connector threaded on.

I want to become an electrician in the future with the goal of starting my own business. In my situation, is it better to get a business degree and learn the trade through paid learning with a company or some sort of electrical degree? The community college I’m going to offers “Engineering with Emphasis in Electrical Engineering” and “Electrical Engineering Technology”. Any help would be much appreciated. I’m sorry if my question doesn’t make much sense, I’m honestly super overwhelmed from all the different information I’m receiving from the internet and some people I know personally. Just trying to find out what the best plan would be.

Well ge

21M I’m only about 1 month in the game.

Well it took three years of using it for all uses not made for.

California sparky contractor here…, can I ask you guys your going rate for a panel upgrade? I’m a few years deep into my business. Have charged $3,500 recently for main panel upgrade. I find myself spending $1,200 in parts and permit. I had one customer tell me someone quoted her $11,500 for an upgrade. I always feel like I should charge more but how much more. Or are you guys at a similar price? FYI California main panels have a majority of the house breakers in it. Not just a main breaker. Thanks guys

Have a 200A panel in a single family dwellings that was originally the main service panel which held the service entrance OCPD. A Gateway 3 with Powerwall 3 for backup of the entire 200A panel as the 'critical load panel' fed by a 200A breaker in the Gateway 3 fed off the meter. Essentially acting as a over-current protected transfer switch between the meter and the main interior panel. Can NEC 310.12(B) / NEC Table 310.12 be applied to the feeders from the Gateway 3 to the main panel or do these feeders have to sized according to NEC 310.16.

I sized 2/0 THHN Cu for the ungrounded conductors and grounded conductor using NEC Table 310.12(A) as the panel being fed is the panel serving all loads for the entire single family dwelling unit.

The service entrance conductors between the meter and the Gateway 3 are fed by 4/0 AL SE cable

Per NEC 310.12(B), "a feeder rated 100 amperes through 400 amperes, the feeder conductors supplying the entire load associated with a one-family dwelling, or the feeder conductors supplying the entire load associated with an individual dwelling unit in a two-family or multifamily dwelling, shall be permitted to have an ampacity not less than 83 percent of the feeder rating. If no adjustment or correction factors are required, Table 310.12 shall be permitted to be applied."

My thought process is that the Gateway 3 is essentially a transfer switch for a single panel supplying the entire load associated with a single family dwelling and thus Table 310.12 could be applied, but I also find myself second guessing this because the 200A panel is now essentially considered a 4-wire fed sub panel off of the Gateway 3.

I have only ever used Table 310.12 to size conductors between the meter and the main disconnect / main service panel, but am wondering if it would apply in this situation.

Ultimately what matters is how the AHJ interprets the code, but am curious what all the good people of r/electricians think on this in this situation.

Thoughts?

One part of my job is to coordinate and manage the design and deployment of temporary power systems for live events. I work with licensed electricians and industry standard temp solutions providers such as Aggreko, CES etc etc. From time to time I need to reference the NEC to confirm something or help find a solution.

Whats the best resource for that ? I typically just google what I need to know and search the web.

Should I start all searches by municipality or can I assume that most of what I need to know is in the NEC?

Are those pocket NEC books any good ?

I hire professionals, I trust them, just sometimes I need to make sure everyone is doing all they can to solve a problem because that's my job.

Hello I’m a industrial electrician apprentice and I’m just wondering if anyone can explain this to me i had to make up a control panel last week, I tied my 0v- that had stack lights and a E-stop LED on it into my 120vac neutral (accident) and the cell ran completely fine all week why is this can someone explain what actually happens? What’s the reason your not supposed to do this?

As the title says I just moved to Charlotte and it seems impossible to find a job, I’ve called multiple places and sent my resume to multiple people as well. I’ve also tried LinkedIn and indeed. I do have experience (I went to trade school) and I also worked for a company in Virgina for 8 months doing commercial electrical work as an apprentice. Any advice on what to do? Is this just the time of year where it’s slowed down and hard to find a job?

love hidden splices like this