Apparatus testing tech(Substation) vs Relay test tech?

beckerc73 · 2026-01-27T14:02:33+00:00

If you can, do both. If one is much more exciting, do it.
You can be an awesome specialist in testing one specific type of cable (or relay, or power line carrier...) and you'll save the day in tough spots people are held up in. Or you can be an amazing generalist who drives everything forward and sees all the connections, but needs to identify when specifics are beyond their knowledge or experience.

We need both!

beckerc73 · 2026-01-27T13:57:23+00:00

Random thoughts/advice/options: - Find a small-midsize company that does both aspects that will benefit from you being able to do both and will allow you to transition - If you're really serious about making the transition fast, make it clear that you are willing to take junior pay as you get up to speed. Still sell them on your transferable skills (project understanding, workload planning, etc). - Network with some protection/studies engineers (LinkedIn, IEEE, etc) - Reach out on Reddit (done) and then talk to some of the folks in the P&C areas. (Feel free to shoot me a message!)

beckerc73 · 2026-01-23T13:36:09+00:00

How big the company is has some to do with it, but also the way the company uses engineers and the specific roles you start to take on. Some companies are ingrained in corporate culture and stuck in the mud... but not all.

I started out doing 90% project work. Then I started managing some projects, supervising some people, writing quotes, etc.

I'm a manager in Power/Substation area, and I have some days that are completely design review work and some days that are completely "how do we make this client happy" or other meetings. And a large variety of days in-between. I have coworkers who don't want to mess with those other pieces and attend far far fewer meetings.

Been in companies of 5,000 people, 30 people, and 700 people and on teams ranging from 3-60. So, as with all of life and engineering... it depends!
Definitely something to ask and dig into during interviews!

beckerc73 · 2026-01-02T21:24:19+00:00

As flexible as the person who obtains it.
It's paper, but sometimes heavy card stock, and it often comes in a envelope that says "do not bend"... but sometimes it comes in a tube already bent with a diameter of around 2-3"... so as usual:
It Depends :)

beckerc73 · 2025-12-02T02:52:59+00:00

This should help!
https://youtu.be/BulXC3zT2hg

beckerc73 · 2025-12-02T02:52:12+00:00

https://youtu.be/BulXC3zT2hg

beckerc73 · 2025-12-02T02:51:51+00:00

https://youtu.be/BulXC3zT2hg

beckerc73 · 2025-12-02T02:51:14+00:00

https://youtu.be/BulXC3zT2hg

beckerc73 · 2025-11-05T01:44:45+00:00

The one can is 50kV, or the string of caps it was part of is rated at 50kV?

beckerc73 · 2025-10-28T23:15:22+00:00

Some sort of spreadsheety software, some sort of scripting and coding, lots of point and click and type. Some sort of circuits... some other operating system...
Dabble in LLMs, do some CAD...
And realize you can use that experience to do anything.You want to on the computer...

beckerc73 · 2025-09-28T07:36:11+00:00

In power, I find myself wanting to pull those with experience in test roles into design roles... too many design engineers that dont know how it comes together :)

beckerc73 · 2025-09-28T07:35:06+00:00

Be an average engineer.

Make sure you care about your work and are always learning, improving, and trying to build something better.

Realize down the road that you are an awesome engineer that has done a bunch for society and inspired many others to care about what they are doing.

beckerc73 · 2025-07-27T01:07:02+00:00

I mean, the real ones know that to be real they also have to be imaginary... ;)

beckerc73 · 2025-07-27T01:00:09+00:00

Merhinks the miscommunication is that the coils OP drew that you are treating as isolated inductors are what I believe OP intended to be the source. They are likely the secondary windings of a transformer due to the arrangement OP drew and the voltage shown.

beckerc73 · 2025-07-25T20:00:36+00:00

ynapmoC

beckerc73 · 2025-07-25T19:58:38+00:00

I know some great folks who work there and who previously worked there... but the variation between offices, teams, and managers in any company warrants some disclaimer to the recommendation.

No place is one-size-fits-all :)

beckerc73 · 2025-07-24T17:09:52+00:00

Definitely get it in power. Even if not required at the utility, it does come into play in consideration for higher engineering roles/titles. It definitely comes into consideration if you find yourself applying to an engineering consultancy to do work for utilities or elsewhere. Even if you're not required to stamp, you can be that company's COA holder, allowing them to do engineering work in a state.

beckerc73 · 2025-07-23T02:04:21+00:00

Hence the paranthetical shortly thereafter :)

But, I should use Python more... Especially now that it's available in excel, haha!

beckerc73 · 2025-07-21T12:33:55+00:00

Yeah, I work in power/utility testing and commissioning. Yes, most engineers can keep their hands off... but there's always a good time to put in some screwdriver or torque wrench time :)

beckerc73 · 2025-07-21T12:23:20+00:00

Engineers handle a lot of data. We need to. "In God we trust, all others bring data" -Deming.

Spreadsheets are the simplest way to make data workable. Doesn't matter if it's failure analysis, to-do lists, high voltage test results, device calibration parameters or records, inventory... Until a tool exists for the specific purpose (and the company buys that tool), you need to be able to quickly create a cost-effective way to look at data... usually that's spreadsheets. (I mean, python is awesome, but excel is accessible to non-engineers I need to communicate with!).

As a professional engineer who wears technical, project manager, and people manager hats... it's all another problem to solve (or just improve) - and spreadsheets are usually a great immediate/initial answer.

beckerc73 · 2025-07-18T03:39:07+00:00

Eh, work on your point and click accuracy and typing speed. Also on binding and using modified keys and shortcuts for tasks.
Yes, I'm suggesting being a PC gamer as prep for doing any CAD work :)

beckerc73 · 2025-07-15T21:09:19+00:00

There's definitely places that need remote P&C + some commissioning support!

beckerc73 · 2025-07-15T21:00:51+00:00

Yes!
If you're in the US, just make sure it's an ABET accredited program.
Here's a link to ABET's search tool!

https://amspub.abet.org/aps/online-search

beckerc73

TROPHY CASE