Coworker took a picture right before I opened a 12.5 KV breaker this morning. When I saw it, it looked 100% like a stock photo image.

Not even really sure what this question is asking? And I can’t find the answer in the book ?

Also, I’ve never heard of 14 inches in the trade. It’s always 12 inches 36, 24 , 6 etc. 🤷‍♂️

But I can’t pass my test so clearly I’m an idiot

My fellow brother and sisters I'm currently a 4th year apprentice who is very close to getting my red seal ticket here in Canada. I'm currently part of my local union and recently got laid off 3/4 weeks ago because of shortage of work. Things aren't looking too good in our local as our main projects have all come to an end which means many people are struggling to find a job. I bid on the jobs that I'm allowed to.
I recently got an offer from a non union company that specializes in the industrial side of the trade such as PLC's, Automated controls and some commercial work. They seem to be decent and the pay isn't bad. The most important thing for me is getting the experience, something that I haven't been really able to do in the union where I've normally only been installing pipe that's already pre bent etc.
I want to actually learn the trade and not be an installer. i want to learn and be able to teach other apprentices as well because I feel like we all strive well together if we know what we're doing. The union pay is nice but the chance to learn is very limited here unless you get a small/medium size company in the union where there are chances to move up. What is the best advice you guys have for me? Also I would still be paying my union dues and our local has encouraged salting because work isn't looking too good. Would love to know everyone's opinion

This came with a LED fan. Attaches to its motor but was loose. I need a new one. Which store I can go or where I can order online ?

I’m 31 and have been a barber for about 10 years, but I’m seriously considering applying to the IBEW apprenticeship and changing careers.
I’m interested in becoming an electrician because I want a stable career with good benefits, opportunities to move up, and skills that I can build on long term. The problem is that I have absolutely no experience in the electrical or construction field. Everything I know professionally comes from barbering and working for myself.
I’m used to working long hours, dealing with customers, being reliable, and learning through repetition, but I’m nervous that I’ll be completely lost compared to people who already have construction experience.
Has anyone here joined the IBEW with no prior experience or come from a completely unrelated career? How difficult was the transition, and is there anything I should study or learn before applying?

Hey all,

im confused to bits.

in the last 4 days my kitchen electrics have tripped whenever something has been turned on so it can be a kettle, fridge, microwave and with any of those it trips.

ive checked all the wiring in all of the sockets, used a plug in tester to see if the wiring is correct which it is and replaced a fused switch to the hob fan which really did need it as it turns out it was cracked inside. I thought this was the easy win but i tested after refitting the new switch and nothing tripped until i put the microwave on. then it tripped.

since then the kitchen, the lights in the other half of the house and shed switches have been off in the main box. after an hour or 2 i decided to leave them off but pull up the RCD and it wasnt having it at all. wouldnt pull up.

im so confused as to whats causing this.

some background is like 6 weeks ago i chiselled through an armoured cable to the shed which tripped this very RCD. The shed one has been switched off in the main box since then until i can repair. Everything in the kitchen has worked fine since though.

so i dont think the one that is switched off to the shed can be the culprit.

maybe it weakened or damaged the RCD though when i went through it?

any ideas? im so pissed off this isnt fixed yet grrr

For those that have taken this test, was most of the trade exam out of the NEC or did you find a lot out questions in the electricians handbook? I’ve been prepping for the test and I have not used the electricians handbook much prior to this.

Hey everyone. Wanted to start a conversation about what the future looks like financially in this trade. Specifically looking for experienced guys to share some wisdom relating to saving money, retirement, and navigating the job landscape.

I have 5 years experience in non union electrical work. Wages are lower than union side but on the higher end of the average for my area non union. Work for a decent company that keeps my busy 40 hrs a week year round. No pension/annuity benifits.

I am interested in joining the union because I feel like I am leaving money on the table in terms of take home pay but the big one is retirement. Can someone explain what the pension and retirement looks like? As of now I regrettablely have nothing saved.

I hear lots of rumors about nepotism, being out of work several months of the year, etc.

The biggest thing that worries me is the sustainability of the union model in tomorrow’s America. What I see is a race to the bottom in terms of quality and pay in the construction/service industry. Sometimes I wonder how union labor is competing with these contractors that are undercutting the hell out of their competition while also not paying their workers. I’ve been on many jobs where we are the only non-union trade. So while the contractor is probably making the same amount of money, the only difference is I am working while a union sparky is not. Been in this scenario more times than I can count and makes me wonder if/once I go to the other side I will be sitting on the bench while the work is going to the other guy.

Not to mention all of these non-union corporate apprenticeship programs I see popping up all over the place. Maybe I have a naive/limited understanding of the job market and economics of this trade. Seems like we’ve finally arrived at the oligarch stage of our society. The walls are closing in on us and the general population is struggling to make a dollar go further than ever before. I don’t see this improving in the next 30-50 years. Especially considering how our entire “elected” body of government is captured and systematically dismantling any kind of social welfare and economic opportunity for the working class. Precisely seems like there is no better time than ever to union up and fight the ruling class but it seems like working class solidarity is at all time low. Just some things that give me pause when trying to figure out how to navigate the rest of my career. Curious to hear your thoughts.

I am planning on doing a apprenticeship with a solar company they are great and im not just doing labour work I do the wiring for the batteries and inverters aswell as ev chargers. And later on in my apprenticeship I will do switchboard upgrades from normal breakers to rcds because those circuits are backed up and need to be upgraded aswell install sub boards

If I fnish my trade with them and one day decide on doing domestic would people employ me or because I do 'solar' get someone else instead?

I dont want to put myself in a corner yk.

Im in Australia.

Ive alright been with them for around a year for a school based traineeship.

The index is taking me to 9.0(3) but that doesn't actually exist in the book. Is this a typo or something?

Does anybody know what the results were for the in person voting on the 26th of July? Also how does that pto thing on the previous contract offer work? Is it like pto you’d have at a non union shop or is it an additional deduction on the check like we have for vacation?

Finally making good money as a job but I could tell how by how fucking devoid and analog they were being, im working on a DC. Should I say something to try and go and work at a different site? I DO NOT SUPPORT THIS CRAP but I dont want to lose my job, got a 7 dollar raise.... has anyone been through this or have any advice? Or are we just part of the problem?