Any Electricians out there?

[koda6966]

Just wondering if any of you happen to be electricians, or were at one time.

See, because as this is nearly the end my Junior year of high school, I really need to be thinking of what I should do to prepare myself for "the real world", and I'm looking into this as a career.

Any information as to what I should do to prepare myself, what I should expect in this for a career, and what type of education I would need.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

I will also be doing web searches as well as contacting various other people, but I decided to post this on here as well.

 

[Roadkill]

Strong Math, no fear of heights (26+ feet in an extension ladder), take some electrical classes in school, able to lift 50# or better, blueprint reading, detail oriented.

Certifications that will help you get an apprenticeship;

Fall Arrest Devices
Mechanical Lifts (Scissor lifts and boom lifts)
Ladders


If you can take a night course at a local college, take a basic electrical course. This would usually be residential wiring. Then would be a commercial wiring course and then industrial. If you get as many of those as you can then you are more likely to get signed on with a company as a first year.

As for tools, buy either Klein or Ideal brands for most hand tools. Tool pouches can be just about anything, Husky @ Homo Depot make some good ones. As a first year you will only need a pretty basic set of hand tools. I can see if I can find my old IBEW Union tool list.

 

[VaGent]

Make sure you take some computer courses as well.

It's a very respectfull trade to be in. I was in it for over 45 yrs & was Master Licensced in 9 different states as well as HVAC Cerified too. When electrical work slowed down I could do HVAC work which actually paid better money. There will be many days of HARD WORK involved but the pay is good & there is plenty of work out there. Get your Journeyman's License then go for the MASTERS. In North Carolina & VA it takes 4 yrs working in the trade to be able to take the Journeymans test & another 4 yrs to get a Master's License. Once you have the Masters License many doors will open for you that couldn't be opened before.

Roadkill gave you some very good advice & a good brand name on tools. I ALWAYS prefered Klein myself but Ideal has come a long way these days. Learn everything you can from everyone around you & apply yourself & you will do good. You won't get paid what Donald Trump gets paid but you sure won't go hungry either if you work everyday. I never lacked for work in all the years I was in the the electrical trade unless I just didn't want to work which never happened. I LOVED making that DOLLAR.

 

[Roadkill]

Yeah, my Klein Linesmans have had the snot beat out of them, cut countless bolts, cables, de-burred EMT, used as a hammer in a pinch, dropped 35+ feet onto concrete, shorted a couple of times (stupid bosses son!!!). Yet they still go on strong, blades aren't even knicked or dulled.

That and they make a great security tool. NO ONE wants to get knocked up side teh head or in the jaw with a set of those.

 

[koda6966]

Strong Math, no fear of heights (26+ feet in an extension ladder), take some electrical classes in school, able to lift 50# or better, blueprint reading, detail oriented.
Certifications that will help you get an apprenticeship;
Fall Arrest Devices
Mechanical Lifts (Scissor lifts and boom lifts)
Ladders

I'm good for most of that, I get high scores (90% or better) on the state Math tests required to graduate, my high school provided a class called "Architectural Design" that provided basic blueprint knowledge, and my current occupation is in a stone quarry where fall arrest device certification is required by the Mine Safety and Health Administration so I already have that.

 

[Turbo-T]

A journeyman Lineman around here earns as much as $35 an hour.

 

[koda6966]

Hell, not even a mile down the road from me is a campus that more than likely teaches some type of electrical training. And even if it doesn't, I have at least half a dozen others within 40 miles of me.

 

[pillen140]

my best friends dad makes at least 60 grand a year as a lineman for nyseg, dont know what cert he has but thats not bad money!

 

[reno]

I did Electrical work as my first job in life, was great when the work was there, but being laid off for months at a time and had to job hop drove me away after 6 years of it. Klein is the main tool name for an electrician. I was stable when I landed a job and was the one who serviced generators and the 440v equipment that could not be down. Switching panels when the power goes out and the generator knows to start up.

 

[flyingbrick]

I've been through a pre-employment program for electrical now i am looking for a job might give up the electrical side tho as i just got offered a job installing home audio (huge market round here) so we'll see i guess.

I the end i don't lose money tho as my high school payed for my collage (pre-employment program) and i hold my first level theory, so i could go back if i wanted.

 

[koda6966]

Digging up an old thread here. Oh well.

I found a college, SUNY Delhi in NY. It's about 30-40 miles away, which isn't too bad. They offer a program called Electrical Construction and Maintenance for an Associates degree. Got accepted too.

I received my tools list, which is what inspired me to look back on this thread. I'm going to be nervous as hell when I go out to buy the tools, and probably indecisive as to what brand to buy.

I'm thinking Craftsman for the major stuff, but I will probably end up going with Cobalt. What do you guys think?

 

[Southern_Trendkill]

Digging up an old thread here. Oh well.

I found a college, SUNY Delhi in NY. It's about 30-40 miles away, which isn't too bad. They offer a program called Electrical Construction and Maintenance for an Associates degree. Got accepted too.

I received my tools list, which is what inspired me to look back on this thread. I'm going to be nervous as hell when I go out to buy the tools, and probably indecisive as to what brand to buy.

I'm thinking Craftsman for the major stuff, but I will probably end up going with Cobalt. What do you guys think?

What tools are on the list? I can tell you, though, that Fluke makes one bad-ass multimeter, the only downside is the battery life.

 

[97RangerXLT]

Digging up an old thread here. Oh well.

I found a college, SUNY Delhi in NY. It's about 30-40 miles away, which isn't too bad. They offer a program called Electrical Construction and Maintenance for an Associates degree. Got accepted too.

I received my tools list, which is what inspired me to look back on this thread. I'm going to be nervous as hell when I go out to buy the tools, and probably indecisive as to what brand to buy.

I'm thinking Craftsman for the major stuff, but I will probably end up going with Cobalt. What do you guys think?

I don't know about Cobalt, but I think it is made by the same company as Craftsman (or maybe it is Husky I am thinking of...) But anyways, for wire cutters, Craftsman sucks balls. spend the extra cash and get Klein for your electrical hand tools. you can probably do ok on Craftsman screwdrivers, but for pliers, get Klein. And as mentioned above, Fluke makes some awesome multimeters.

AJ

 

[Roadkill]

I can tell you this. The Craftsman and Cobalt tools won't stand up to the abuse and needed uses that the Klein stuff does. First thing if it's on the list I'd get if I did it all again would be Klein 9 inch linesman pliers. Anything else other than strippers can be whatever you can afford. Screwdrivers are screwdrivers no matter whose name is on them really.

 

[caveman_joey]

hvac tech here for starters buy the best tools you can afford ... and don't forget to check ebay or the good old fashion yard sale. Klein handtools are worth the extra money and fieldpiece makes an affordable multimeter.. that holds up well. And do yourself a favor and buy an engraver and put your drivers license # or SSN on the tools and also the date purchased if possible... that'll keep anyone from laying claim on your tools and if the worst should happen and they get stolen/pawned it'll be easier to track down. The date of purchase helps if you work with a company that gives you a tool allowance and the tools are yours after a year and theirs if you quit before a year is up. Good Luck