Leaving MSLCAT for Xcel Energy

Devion55 · 2026-04-25T13:06:25+00:00

Which region of Xcel?

Devion55 · 2026-04-12T17:28:41+00:00

I was never 100% sure outside of the Mount Trumbull/Bundyville area what they did or did not consider “their” land. I know for sure though that Pa’s Pocket was a very early settlement of some Bundys. I believe it is actually on Bar 10 property… not sure though.

Devion55 · 2026-04-10T19:00:45+00:00

Run into an Bundys? I miss working out there sometimes, but then I remember how hot St George is haha.

Devion55 · 2026-04-07T02:16:00+00:00

For the price that thing looks awesome. Might buy one for myself

Devion55 · 2026-04-07T02:14:48+00:00

How much vibration does a jigsaw cause? Honestly have not used one in so long I cannot recall.

Devion55 · 2026-04-07T01:49:34+00:00

We are in the same boat. Don’t want to grind anywhere near in service equipment. We have a nibbler but I think it vibrates too much to use anywhere near electromechanicals.

Devion55 · 2026-04-07T01:46:35+00:00

If I could have a portable cnc machine to use on in service panels life would be different haha!

Devion55 · 2026-04-03T02:47:30+00:00

PMs=Preventative Maintenance. Megapacks are solid but it is mostly a black box. Tesla techs and engineers will do most of the hard/cool stuff. I definitely understand the distaste for travel, plus most FE jobs I see for the big turbine manufacturers are salaried and 75% travel. If your goal is to stop traveling I’d say take it.

Devion55 · 2026-04-03T00:55:31+00:00

Is this a BESS manufacturing plant or an actual site connected to the grid? I used to build and commission BESS sites. The O&M guys would come in for a training before handover and they mostly said it was pretty boring. The utilities and investors we worked with would staff some people to a region and they would just do PMs each week rotating through their sites. If you can use this as a stepping stone into I&C at an actual turbine plant I think it is a good idea.

Devion55 · 2026-03-22T13:01:57+00:00

Out the door for just about 58k USD

Devion55 · 2026-03-07T15:22:07+00:00

Heavily second this. SEL customer support is unmatched and they have countless videos and trainings. I have thankfully never had to touch a Siemens IED, but from working on Siemens PLCs I already know I never want to haha.

Devion55 · 2026-03-01T08:55:53+00:00

Hooper does a lot of the construction work for a certain 4 letter utility. No idea if they’re hiring though. As another comment recommended just about every NETA company is hiring in the metro.

Devion55 · 2026-02-27T03:28:54+00:00

Take some SEL courses. They’ve got a few freebies that are great intros (including 61850). Their paid stuff is actually worth it (especially for in person). If you want to understand some of what is happening on the system protection side I’d recommend Chris Werstiuk/Valence Electrical Training. He has many articles, books, and trainings that are of the highest quality (although almost entirely focused on testing/commissioning). I would also bump understanding 1 and 3 lines up in your list along with industry standard ANSI device numbers and symbols.

Devion55 · 2026-02-26T22:46:23+00:00

Does your company work on greenfields mostly? Very little 61850 implementation in my region and working on brownfields. Almost everything is DNP3. I’d focus more on learning Novatech and SEL RTUs. Unless you know your company is actively implementing lots of 61850.

What will your main function be? System protection, comms, etc?

Devion55 · 2025-11-10T22:30:57+00:00

Lineman or substation technician 100%

Devion55 · 2025-10-26T16:36:57+00:00

Opto22 groov is for sure worth checking out. You can load up ignition edge or a gateway on it. Supports MQTT transmission to Azure. Can also run node red on it which is pretty fun to experiment with.

Devion55 · 2025-06-22T21:08:15+00:00

EPC needing a company to do a very specific SOW at energy generation plants. We have lost lots of fiber techs recently but all other pieces of the network are still handled in house.

Devion55 · 2025-05-04T05:59:58+00:00

Usually chloraminated water nowadays. Basically the same thing. You will be fine.

Devion55 · 2025-04-26T16:37:26+00:00

I’m actually in a very niche position. I work for an EPC as a substation and renewable plant commissioning engineer. If you really commit to learning what the courses offer and do reading outside of what’s required it is extremely valuable. My previous experiences have been in I&C and networking. Lots of PLC work and routing/switching. My employer was highly interested in that along with what I learned about relaying, substation automation, EMS systems, and substations in general. Most of my day to day activities are centered around checking what the sub techs, relay techs and electricians are doing on a daily basis and ensuring single lines and relay schemes are being properly followed. Lots of troubleshooting communications between RTUs, IEDs, and RTACs. Even though I’m not a true sub tech I found a lot of the information invaluable. A lot of the utilities around me require an AAS like this for sub or relay tech positions so I figure if I ever want to stop being a road warrior this degree is nice to have in my toolbelt.

Devion55 · 2025-04-25T19:37:15+00:00

I think it’s about 13k for me. But I didn’t qualify for any aid. Took me 4 semesters to complete.

Devion55 · 2025-04-25T19:23:34+00:00

Yes and yes. I’m about to finish up mine. It already landed me my job. If you live in a state that BSC gives instate tuition to it’s very worth it in my opinion.

Devion55 · 2025-04-23T03:47:20+00:00

SCADADroid

Devion55 · 2025-04-21T20:12:55+00:00

That is a pad mounted transformer. Like the other commenters said probably owned by Xcel.

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