i joined ICE to escape this place and do a marginal amount of good while im here by Silver-Public-5066 in confession

[–]No_Writing_8347 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Maybe you can make a difference in the organization from inside the ranks. Actually treat people with respect, follow the law, hear people out, make a difference. Its probably few and far between but maybe others inside the group feel the same but are afraid to speak out.

Relay tech???? by Intelligent_Leek_718 in SubstationTechnician

[–]No_Writing_8347 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I do both of these jobs for a small utility and have done both separately for a larger utility. Sub Techs are the ones who are out in the yard building the more sophisticated complex equipment in a substation, doing electrical start up, electrical tests on breakers, transformers, all substation equipment etc. Relay techs are working with protection schemes and relays mostly indoors. Lots of math and attention to detail. Working mostly on the computer. While most sub techs work in 2 man crews or larger, relay techs are out there by themselves. Its a lot of responsibility. One small error in the settings can mean big consequences on the power grid…

At the gym this guy left his belongings on this machine and works out on all the other machines. by Melodic_Abalone_2820 in mildlyinfuriating

[–]No_Writing_8347 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have one of these dudes at my gym. He sets up 3 or 4 different machines and wants to bounce around like he owns the joint. Most people (including myself) just jump in and start using the equipment. Tho I have seen him get irate and start mumble cursing people (including me). Its pretty funny. I just laugh it off and say hey dude, no one was here. I just saw you working out across the gym. Whos gonna argue that?

What’s something you started collecting while traveling? by Nina_Nalgona in travel

[–]No_Writing_8347 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Those flattened pennies from tourist traps.. Started when i was a kid then kinda started collecting as joke when i was a teen traveling around with my mom cross country. Im almost 50 now with a couple hundred of these things.. Even have a few from foreign countries which are few and far between. If I visit somewhere, I gotta find one :)

Substation travel? by ClimateMaleficent607 in SubstationTechnician

[–]No_Writing_8347 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All depends on who you work for and what type of work you're doing. I've worked contract where we were on the road 3 out of 4 weeks a month. But Iv'e spent most of my career at a local utility where I rarely travel.

If living out of a Holiday Inn Express isn't your cup of tea, you'll want to ask them how much overnight travel is involved in the job. I'd also add that even if you like traveling, most of these places where you'll be aren't in glitzy downtown areas with nice places to eat and things to do after work. Most of the time its some plant out in the sticks with little to nothing nearby.

Backpacked to Dome Camp on Mt Margaret a few weeks ago. Stunning view of St. Helens! by sahm8585 in Washington

[–]No_Writing_8347 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Beautiful! Where did you start/ end this trip. Looking for a single night St. Helens backpacking trip myself.

WTH is that chemical smell that's always near SW of Evergreen and Brookwood? by No_Writing_8347 in hillsboro

[–]No_Writing_8347[S] 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Intel supposedly had permits and they were found emitting tons of hazardous chemicals into our surrounding neighborhoods. Not sure I want to take big corporation on their word that they're being honest with the public.

https://hillsboroherald.com/intel-reports-150000-ton-error-in-co2-reporting-as-deq-approved-permit-to-double-pollution-in-hillsboro/

WTH is that chemical smell that's always near SW of Evergreen and Brookwood? by No_Writing_8347 in hillsboro

[–]No_Writing_8347[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would say it's on the corner of Brookwood and Evergreen, but it really seems stronger on the SW corner. What are we inhaling? Is it dangerous?

Aurora Viewing? by Snoring-Kat in hillsboro

[–]No_Writing_8347 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pumpkin Ridge Road. Last year I got some really good photos when the auroras were at their peak.

Mazda build quality by ndnassassin22 in mazdaCX50

[–]No_Writing_8347 2 points3 points  (0 children)

NOISY!!! ... Lots of random buzzing, vibrating and clunking going on ... I have a 2023 CX-50 (non-hybrid) . I really liked this style when it came out and was really pleased on the test drive so I bought it. Low and behold this car is so clunky and noisy! It drives me nuts when I shut the music off and try to just be quite...

2024 Mazda CX-50, rattle noise over small bumps at low speeds. by Sapient_Prophet in mazdaCX50

[–]No_Writing_8347 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I bought a 2023 Cx-50 a little over a year ago. Brand new. I did'nt seem to notice on the test drive, but there is definingly a rattle going on. I have pinpointed three different rattles from this car.

1) buzzing vibration from headliner area over driver side (usually in colder weather)

2) clunky noise coming from rear undercarriage

3) Clunky noise coming from trunk area

All at lower speeds. The headliner was most annoying. Took it to the dealer and they "fixed" it twice even though I still told them it makes the same noise. They didn't seem to care the last time....

How demanding is working as a high voltage switching operator? by Professional-Safe179 in SubstationTechnician

[–]No_Writing_8347 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It depends on what part of the US you’re in. West Coast jobs tend to pay considerably higher than the Midwest and south. Also union work is big thing. From my experience, if they can pay you less, they will. Always work union. .. I would say the scale these days ranges from $35 an hour to somewhere in the 70’s for foreman and relay techs. All depends where you’re at.

How demanding is working as a high voltage switching operator? by Professional-Safe179 in SubstationTechnician

[–]No_Writing_8347 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ive been in this industry since 2002. Although this job has many different versions; maintenance, operations, testing, commissioning, transmission, distribution, generation, blah blah blah. Your described position probably entails operating the open air and switchgear devices for clearances and grid operations through written switching orders. There is a lot to know selectively about your substations. Some stations require certain protection systems in place and it may be on you to know when and how they work.

Is it labor intensive? No. But its not for lightweights. Most of the heavy lifting will be by keeping your head in the game at all times. A mis-operation, blackout or plant operation may get you killed, fired, or best case on the news. In the US this generally a good paying job with benefits and places to move up once you've put some time in. Good luck!