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July 22nd, 2009 | #1 |
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Any Electricians Here?
I was talking with someone earlier today who knows about my interest in alternative energy and specifically solar and wind power. He suggested that I become a certified alternative energy installer (sales included) and also suggested that I look into a trade school for electricians. I'm wondering how long it will take to complete the formal training and what limitations there are on what I can do when, or if, I completed such a program.
It would be necessary to become further certified in solar and wind power installations. I'm interested in being able to wire a solar or wind powered system into a preexisting home. If I completed a trade school course would I be able to do this on my own or would I also need a master (or other) electrician? Time is a consideration as I don't have six years to do the apprentice thing. Thanks in advance. |
July 22nd, 2009 | #2 |
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Depending on your aptitude, you could learn simply wiring, in a couple weeks. Circuitry will take longer. If you're installing solar panel systems, using a diagram, a couple weeks at a vocational school will do. If you plan on designing electrical connections for different sized panels, a 1 year associates degree in basic electrical engineering will suffice
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July 22nd, 2009 | #3 |
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http://www.elec-toolbox.com/
A handy website for aspirant electricians. In the UK you can give up your job as a poatato picker in Poland get on an allnight bus to London and be wiring up peoples homes the next day.The UK and only the UK allows anyone off the street to install,design and test and inspect installations without any qualifications whatsoever.The cover all "Instructed Person" term is used to protect companies legally from any comebacks. Virtually the only work I have had for the last 2 years has been putting right and re-comissioning the crap the bosniacks have installed
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July 22nd, 2009 | #4 |
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I suppose anybody could get employed as a gynocologist for the NHS. It would help, if one wasn't White
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July 23rd, 2009 | #5 |
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A buddy of mine and I have been talking about getting into installing solar panels for months now. Great minds think a like, eh? I was considering a trade school after I got my vehicle paid off.
You need a Journeymen's to do electrical work on your own, which requires 4,000 hours (4 years give or take) of work under a liscenced electrician. However, I believe that anyone, even without formal training, can do electrical work if it is inspected by a liscenced electrician. I'm not entirely sure about that, but I'll try to see if I can confirm it with the master electrician at work tomorrow if I catch him. On the other hand, it's possible for you to do the roof installation, and then contract out the wiring part to an electrician. Set it up so that they charge a lower fee if you do all of your business through them. |
July 23rd, 2009 | #6 |
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True. If you aren't a licensed electrician, you can get it certified by one who is.
If you are installing a panel at home, no certification is needed, unless your home owner insurance requires it. If you are going into business installing these panels, you don't have to be certified either. However, you will need someone in your employ that is and certifies your work
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July 23rd, 2009 | #7 | |
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The program is 15 months long. Start this fall and finish Spring of 2011. Would cost about $6,000 plus books and fees. Since I have no real working knowledge of energy systems I'm seriously considering this course. The only drawback is my age. I don't have a lot of time to waste due to age but I wouldn't be doing anything out of the ordinary during this time anyway. It appears that the course will allow me to take the journeyman's exam since the last course is actually prep for the exam itself. |
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July 23rd, 2009 | #8 |
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I don't see how working as a registered nurse with medical college background would relate to learning electricity
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July 23rd, 2009 | #9 |
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It relates only to the electrician degree. They offer both a certificate and an associate degree. The only difference is that in the degree program one must take a couple additional classes that I've already taken such as English, Math, etc. If I enroll it would be for the degree program since I will be taking the same course either way. Does that make sense now? I'm sorry I didn't explain it clearly enough for you in my previous post.
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July 23rd, 2009 | #10 |
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I think you should go for it. I understand the age thing somewhat, even I'm pretty young. Everyone tells me as far behind as I am in college, I'm be 25 or 30 by the time I graduate. Well, I'll be 25 or 30 anyway.
So these years will pass whether I can get an education or not. The only difference is, will I get it? It sounds like a great field to get into. I'm sure you do have most the of pre-reqs done for it. You'll come out with a great skill that's in demand. Like you said, you wouldn't be doing anything in that time anyways. Try a few classes, you'll probably love it. Good luck T. |
July 24th, 2009 | #11 |
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What's your age.
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July 24th, 2009 | #12 |
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July 25th, 2009 | #13 |
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http://www.yti.edu/ 9 month course 15,000.00
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July 25th, 2009 | #14 |
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July 25th, 2009 | #15 |
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I can do the local trade school electrician program for less than half of that $15k. I would never pay that much for a trade school.
Since my last post I've found various workshops where I can become certified by a national renewable energy body and likely not have to take the trade school courses. If I need to wire a pv system into the home breaker box I can pay an electrician a nominal amount to do that part. The rest I can do. It may turn out that I will need the trade school knowledge base. Still doing the research. |
July 28th, 2009 | #16 | ||
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However, my state allows any homeowner to do their own electrical work provided that it is their primary residence-no rental property. The county requires homeowners to take a short course and then an exam. Most people just work with no permits and, thus, don't take the class. Tony, I have done some solar at my workplace and at my home. It is not very hard to do. So, your last post, IMO, is dead on. There are a lot of sites on the net that give information on putting together solar systems. You don't need to become an electrician to put your solar PV system together. Consider solar hot water, too, for your water heater and even your climate control. One of my favorite solar sites: http://www.windsun.com/
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The average kwan is of such low quality that he'd shoot himself if he had any self awareness. -Joe from Ohio Last edited by Joe_J.; July 28th, 2009 at 03:03 PM. |
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July 28th, 2009 | #17 |
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In some places, Texas for example, you need a Master's license to do any work on someone's house. A Master's can be notoriously difficult to get; $100,000.00 bond, plus pass the exam. If the code enforcement bureau of the city or county you are in thinks that area doesn't need any contractor competition, you ain't gonna pass the test. Period.
Even if you work on your own house, or a friend's, you need to pull a permit. Otherwise, you risk heavy fines or a city lien against your property. Permit in Texas requires a Master Electrician to at least sign off on the work before inspection. My advice as a professional industrial electrician is to look very carefully at the local requirements in your area. And by all means get a copy of at least the 2005 National Electrical Code. |
July 28th, 2009 | #18 | ||||
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Limited: 600 volts and no one project to exceed 40K in cost on the electrical work. Intermediate: Like Limited but project cost up to 110K and some bonding ability. Unlimited: No limits. Bonding ability required. You don't have to put up a bond, just show the ability from a bonding agency that you can get it if you need it. Quote:
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The average kwan is of such low quality that he'd shoot himself if he had any self awareness. -Joe from Ohio Last edited by Joe_J.; July 28th, 2009 at 06:03 PM. |
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July 28th, 2009 | #19 |
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My original post was in regard to my wishing to design and install pv and other renewable energy systems for clients who may wish to have such systems installed at their home or business. I'm looking at doing this for a living. It wouldn't hurt to have an associate degree as an electrician but my time is more valuable now than if I were 25. If a solar or renewable energy certification is all that is needed then that may be the way for me to go. After I start making some money with it I can then re-consider electrician's school if necessary and if it will boost the bottom line.
Last edited by OTPTT; July 28th, 2009 at 06:21 PM. |
July 28th, 2009 | #20 | |
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