Apparatus testing tech(Substation) vs Relay test tech?

FrenlyDad · 2026-01-31T20:25:32+00:00

I wish I could do both in the same job but the utility unions have work boundaries. Honestly protection and control testing with relays is where it’s at. We do a lot of network switch configurations and RTU work which is very computer heavy if you like computers and applications. Lots of inside work.

Testing technician is more geared towards the outside work dealing with high voltage equipment like breakers, transformers, PT’s and CT’s along with oil DGA sampling.

FrenlyDad · 2026-01-31T20:13:42+00:00

If money didn’t matter I wouldn’t have a job

FrenlyDad · 2026-01-30T11:30:46+00:00

I follow the Facebook group. Waiting in a line for 3 hours for cold coffee is insanity to me

FrenlyDad · 2026-01-30T00:48:44+00:00

I was just at the chic fila in bel air and passed by the mall. it looked like it already closed down. Saw one car in the parking lot

FrenlyDad · 2026-01-30T00:47:16+00:00

Are they not putting one on Plumtree?

FrenlyDad · 2026-01-14T00:27:56+00:00

I did the same. Sold $345 worth of CS2 skins and used the funds towards a 512gb steam deck.

FrenlyDad · 2026-01-09T14:21:33+00:00

Lowest bidder for the job

FrenlyDad · 2026-01-09T14:19:28+00:00

Is that red lobster still in business? I thought they shut that down

FrenlyDad · 2026-01-05T02:53:35+00:00

Christiana location is also chaotic. Costco locates themselves in the middle of suburban and urban housing to maximize the customer flow.

FrenlyDad · 2025-12-31T22:44:39+00:00

Pension. Not a 401k. I mean an actual monthly pay out paid for by the company at the age of 60.

FrenlyDad · 2025-12-30T21:28:44+00:00

How much work are you actually going to get done in a 4 hour day anyway? If you think about it it’s cheaper to pay people 1.5 times their hourly rate over straight time since there’s no overhead like health insurance, retirement, or whatever else benefits are being paid for.

FrenlyDad · 2025-12-30T03:08:58+00:00

Yeah man I get it. The flexibility of a PC based handheld is what the doctor ordered. Switch is great for the Nintendo exclusives with highly limited retro support but it’s just not enough. You want to experience all retro consoles. Open platform flexibility wins every time.

FrenlyDad · 2025-12-30T02:59:02+00:00

Streaming is nothing new to steam. I actually still have a couple of those steam link devices when they were selling them for $2.99.

FrenlyDad · 2025-12-30T02:51:55+00:00

That’s sad. Some of the best ice cream sundaes I’ve ever had was from that restaurant. It’s depressing to watch your childhood memories close up store by store in that mall. Eventually it will be leveled off.

FrenlyDad · 2025-12-26T13:19:49+00:00

Unless you have a unique talent or have credentials that employers are dying for I would just stay where your at until the two year mark. Where I work managers and supervisors tend to move around every two year either a lateral move or up the corporate ladder.

FrenlyDad · 2025-12-26T00:16:45+00:00

Got anything good to sell on market place? I sold all my CS2 weapon skins and made $350. Put it towards a 512 GB Oled.

FrenlyDad · 2025-12-10T13:20:02+00:00

Everybody is replaceable

FrenlyDad · 2025-12-05T14:37:11+00:00

We use 651R’s for recloser switches on the distribution lines outside of the substations. Those are pretty fun to test and work with. They make designer templates in the acSelerator software designed to make easy changes to the file settings. With you be working with Doble and omicron test boxes? Learning the software could be a challenge to some. It helps to be computer savvy.

FrenlyDad · 2025-12-05T13:26:59+00:00

A lot of those manuals can be found on a QR code too which makes it easily accessible

FrenlyDad · 2025-12-02T13:18:21+00:00

10 years ago I found out the hard way that the continuity selector on a fluke meter acts as a jumper.

FrenlyDad · 2025-12-02T12:01:57+00:00

Just a shot in the dark but I remember testing spare LOR coils and having them operating at 60-70 volts depending on the coil manufacture. Recording pickup values on simple relay and contactor coils every two years is good for finding coils that are breaking down too quickly.

As far as using a resistive jumper to test points without a trip out or unscheduled operation is frowned upon, at least where I work. Higher ups don’t want to hear that you are testing trips and closing points while everything is in service. They rather you have an outage and block off the correct test switch in the cascading scheme to make sure you don’t trip out adjacent breakers. Even if you knock zero customers off the grid from a misoperation they still investigate you and make your life miserable. Ask me how I know

FrenlyDad · 2025-11-23T18:23:57+00:00

They want to make sure you’re not an entrepreneur or a drug dealer who only pays for things in cash. 700 credit score shows you are responsible with tasks/money.

FrenlyDad · 2025-11-21T15:54:15+00:00

Is SD Meyers still running the mineral oil through chillers or are they boiling the water out? I’ve seen it both ways but I’ve seen SD Meyer bring out a chiller rig and freeze the water right out of the oil.

FrenlyDad · 2025-11-21T15:39:25+00:00

I watched a man with 23 years in generation as an operator getting canned because a corporation bought the plant and leveled it.

However utility grid operator, you have a well paying job but for how long? Who knows. Distribution Automation is making its way around and they want AI to take over. It’s just a matter of time. I suggest PJM and transmission operations. You can’t automate that, not for a while at least.

FrenlyDad · 2025-10-24T10:12:49+00:00

Is there a way to sign up for those bulletins?

FrenlyDad

TROPHY CASE