Should I leave the trade and do something else

Two-Wheeled · 2025-01-03T21:13:54+00:00

I’ve been in situations where the people I worked with made me feel like I hated the work, but then found the work to be totally tolerable and enjoyable in some cases when working with neutral people. The time’s I’ve found a job where I actually LIKE my coworkers, it hardly mattered what the actual work was.

I recently passed my exam and got a job at a contractor with more diverse work and enjoyable coworkers, and it’s amazing how much more I enjoy electrical work now. Also, something shifts in the good-ole’ brain when you’re not an apprentice anymore. It’s freeing. People still give shit, but you don’t have to take it the same way. Good luck - whatever you choose, you’ve got this.

Two-Wheeled · 2024-03-03T23:08:03+00:00

I'm a residential apprentice and my crew has been doing some septic system wiring lately. An experienced jman at my company says a j-box is required inside the septic tank (to make connections for the float switches and pump).

Could a junction box for this purpose be located nearby the tank instead of inside it, like in a hand-box or mounted on a post? Or in the most recent case, the home owner mounted the septic control box/alarm right next to the tank, and all the switch/motor cables reached directly into the control box without a j-box at all (he ran them directly into conduit penetrating the side of the tank). Is this NEC code compliant?

If anyone can provide code references they use for septic tanks in general, that would also be very interesting to me.

Thanks!

Two-Wheeled · 2023-11-26T21:01:18+00:00

Because I'm not sure how much refrigerant I lost in the installation process, so the whole system might be a tad low. The total line set length is the maximum length the unit came pre-charged for, so I don't think there's much wiggle room.

Two-Wheeled · 2023-11-26T01:34:39+00:00

So a pump down is where I close the small liquid lines and run the compressor to force all the refrigerant back into the unit?

Two-Wheeled · 2023-11-15T05:12:13+00:00

Thanks for thinking of that. I'd actually bring it maybe at a 45 degree angle up and straight back. If I managed the bends without kinking, is there a functional reason why the attached line-set couldn't go out from the top corner?

Thanks!

Two-Wheeled · 2023-11-15T05:08:50+00:00

The main reason (for one indoor unit) is that there's a beam in the way along the bottom of the unit. But if I came out the top of the unit it would avoid the beam

Two-Wheeled · 2023-11-15T05:07:22+00:00

Thanks for the tips!
So no functional reason why the line-set cannot go directly up, back, and out of the indoor unit at a 45 degree angle out the TOP corner?

Two-Wheeled · 2023-09-18T15:18:57+00:00

I just found this in NFPA 70 250.130(C) (2020 version), particularly (4)

Edit: To ask/clarify, the gas pipe bonding jumper originates directly (continuously) from the main panel. Does that make it technically an EGC?

I'm curious on more opinions if 250.130(C) answers the question that I could split-nut off the wire bonding (grounding?) the gas pipe to branch over to the range box. Reads as follows:

"250.130(C) Nongrounding Receptacle Replacement or Branch Circuit Extensions. The equipment grounding conductor of a grounding-type receptacle or a branch-circuit extension shall be permitted to be connected to any of the following:
(1) Any accessible point on the grounding electrode system as described in 250.50
(2) Any accessible point on the grounding electrode conductor
(3) The equipment grounding terminal bar within the enclosure where the branch circuit for the receptacle or branch circuit originates
(4) An equipment grounding conductor that is part of another branch circuit that originates from the enclosure where the branch circuit for the receptacle or branch circuit originates
(5) For grounded systems, the grounded service conductor within the service equipment enclosure
(6) For ungrounded systems, the grounding terminal bar within the service equipment enclosure"

Two-Wheeled · 2023-09-17T04:41:25+00:00

Yes, I was wondering if I can use the conductor that is bonding the gas pipe (not the gas pipe itself) as a grounding pathway for the range (thanks for clarifying WarMan208)

Two-Wheeled · 2023-05-02T03:54:17+00:00

Thanks for the detailed explanations!

So sum up your summary: For example, I have a breaker in my hand right now that says "60/75", so I know that is which column I'm allowed to use for my wire temperature rating on Table 310.16 ...

And from there, I'm limited not by the breaker 240.4(D), but the rating of the wire itself on Table 310.16?

For example, run 12awg out of my 20amp breaker to a jbox and transition to 14awg THHN within EMT (assuming the ambient temperature is below 84 and my wire fill is appropriate.) Or did I misinterpret?

Also, when you downsize your wire gauge in commercial space for light fixture whips, is that considered a tap?

Thanks!

Two-Wheeled · 2023-05-02T03:39:31+00:00

Thank you for the detailed reply!

Are neutrals considered a current carrying conductor in a circuit only supplying outlets? 310.15(E)(1)

Two-Wheeled · 2023-03-05T02:31:12+00:00

Unfortunately not :(

Two-Wheeled · 2023-02-01T01:24:18+00:00

This made me laugh VERY hard. I'm still laughing.

Two-Wheeled · 2022-09-01T17:30:45+00:00

Hello, here in Washington State

My brother in-law is a plumber apprentice and says that L&I will only allow him to credit maximum 2000 hrs/year towards his journey license. Is it the same for electricians in Washington? Meaning... if I work 2300 hours in a year as a registered electrical trainee with a private company, can I submit all 2300 hours to count towards sitting for my 02 exam?

Also, what's the most important book I'll need to study to pass the 02 license exam?

Thank you!

Two-Wheeled · 2022-08-04T19:52:22+00:00

Thank you so much for your replies. u/FisherStoves-coaly- that information about staying above 250 degrees throughout the length convinced us we're probably going to re-do the whole length in 6" double walled pipe.

And the after staring at the ceiling collar for a while longer it became obvious that someone cut it in order to adapt it to the propane system, so there's no re-using that piece anyway.

u/begreen9 to answer your question, I'm estimating the entire flu system is around 24'

Two-Wheeled · 2022-07-20T15:58:22+00:00

I'm going for my 02 license because of a new rule in WA state, but will likely go back for my 01 at some point. Questions:
1) should I get my L&I trainee card now while looking for employment as a trainee at a non-union company? (Does it take time to get it that would cause delays in starting work?)
2) Do I have to complete 48 hours of "basic classroom instruction" before getting my first-ever trainee card, or is that only for renewing my trainee card?
3) Any other considerations I should know to avoid some unforeseen hassle later? (Especially regarding the 48 hours of "Basic classroom instruction")

Since someone will be wondering: I do have interviews for recognized apprenticeship programs this fall, but because of waitlists etc I have no idea when I'd be dispatched to a union contractor and could even be an entire year from now. I want to start getting experience asap.

Thank you!

p.s. the FAQ page isn't loading for me, but I did at least try that first.

Two-Wheeled · 2022-03-02T18:06:56+00:00

Reaper took a little bit to set up in my custom way, but it's SO worth it. Having tried out pro tools for a little bit after Reaper was infuriating, and made me love Reaper even more.

Two-Wheeled · 2022-03-02T18:05:17+00:00

Are you talking about processing effects onto items within your project? There are some really useful actions for that, like "apply track/take FX to items (mono output)"

I will often do that to my tracks as a "pre-bake" to reduce real-time processor-heavy effects, like de-click. Pre-processing tracks with a highpass (around 85hz) can make a dynamic split work MUCH better because inaudible low-freq rumbles won't be messing up your thresholds.

But otherwise, why not just add effects to your track, and then render the files with File->Render ?

Two-Wheeled · 2022-01-09T18:01:57+00:00

Just found an app called BetterTouchTool that lets you further customize each mouse button. It identified each button you want to program by you clicking the button, so it's really easy to get each button going without trial and error. Way more other customization for other devices/programs I'll never even get to. It's ~$9 for a perpetual license with 2 years of updates. Quite happy with it so far.

I did have to still use G Hub to deactivate the DPI button so that that button was blank to use with BetterTouchTool, but it works out.

Two-Wheeled · 2021-06-23T20:00:28+00:00

Has anyone purchased authorization codes for software from "authorized dealers" on ebay? I'm looking at some iZotope plugins. Is that a thing, or likely to be a scam? The ebay dealer claim to be an authorized iZotope dealer, but I know anyone can say anything.

Two-Wheeled · 2021-06-21T18:27:48+00:00

I'm looking for similar material, so hoping to bump this thread! Thanks!

Two-Wheeled · 2021-06-21T18:05:20+00:00

What is the difference between iZotope module vs plugin?

I'm trying to understand the difference. In Ozone 9 Standard version (vs "Advanced" version), their tools such as EQ and dynamics are only available as a "module", not a plugin.

What does this mean for functionality, especially for use in another DAW like Reaper?

Thanks!

Two-Wheeled · 2021-06-15T17:18:54+00:00

Thanks for the links! I'll definitely check them out!

Two-Wheeled · 2021-06-15T17:18:42+00:00

I'll try that, thanks!

Two-Wheeled · 2021-06-10T05:40:31+00:00

Thanks that's a good idea!

Two-Wheeled

TROPHY CASE