I'm an Electrical Engineer, but also want to be an Electrician - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: rockbassist90
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2014, 02:50:15 am
content: I'd like to do electrical work for homes in spare time to extend my credentials and familiarize myself with electrical codes outside of engineering...I'm 24 and residing in the state of Massachusetts.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2014, 02:57:49 am
content: Interesting question. If you got your PE as a licensed electrical engineer, would you be qualified to provide your services in the trade as an electrician? Or would you have to be licensed as an electrician as well?I suspect the unions would insist you be trade licensed. I think the PE would not be relevant if you want to install wiring in people's homes.

author: nerdyHippy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2014, 03:01:38 am
content: In my state if you have a bachelor's in EE you can bypass the apprenticeship requirement for being an electrician, but you still need to take the (reportedly rather easy) exam and pay the fee. YMMV.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2014, 03:10:17 am
content: Quote from: rockbassist90 on August 04, 2014, 02:50:15 amSo check out the rules for Massachusetts...

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2014, 01:01:32 pm
content: Over here a fully qualified electrical or electronic engineers are NOT ALLOWED to wire in a simple mains socket or switch. A friend with a degree in electrical engineering wanted a career change to become an electrician - more money in it. The response from the government: You have to start as an apprentice.I have seen some of the worst work in someone's home crafted by incompetent, reckless, and idiotic electricians: two metal lighting fixtures without an earth is one example. An 240V mains active wire touching a bath and causing an electric shock is another example.We live in the most over-governed country on earth.

author: Noise Floor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2014, 02:33:00 pm
content: You will need to get licensed, and the rules of what you have to do to get that will vary by state.Depending on the state it can be easy as an exam or you may have to go to trade school first. The later is not a bad idea by the way. Many things in industrial wiring that while obviously following the laws of physics, are not going to be obvious to a EE graduate, especially if you came from a high theory based program. In addition part of becoming a good electrician is learning when and how "wiring" is pulled in a typical job site. The answer will vary for new construction vs remodel and if the property is residential, commercial or industrial. Final thought, give consideration to what state you want to practice in before beginning any exams of schooling, things you accomplish in one state from a license standpoint don't always carry over to a new state.Best of luck.

author: Bukurat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2014, 08:01:41 am
content: Quote from: VK3DRB on August 04, 2014, 01:01:32 pmBut they can design and build the equipment that plugs into it.

author: sunnyhighway
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2014, 08:53:06 am
content: Quote from: VK3DRB on August 04, 2014, 01:01:32 pmOver here regular consumers are even allowed to add some extra fuse boxes without violating any rule whatsoever.Even worst, anything behind the main switch placed by the power company, is the responsibility of the occupant.Our government apparently thinks even their senior citizens are capable of dealing with that responsibility.I must be living in a country fully populated with very smart people.

author: jeremy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2014, 10:43:16 am
content: I tried to do this in Australia. Called up lots of people in the govt and colleges, but similar to VK3DRB, they told me to sign up as an apprentice like everyone else. I'd be happy to do *some* training, but treating me like I don't have a degree in EE seems a little off.I've been told that it used to be easier, but the electricians unions have a stranglehold on the regulation. Not sure how true that is or not.Good luck!

author: ConKbot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2014, 12:17:11 pm
content: No offense to the EE's that may be skilled in the area, but I've yet to see an EE I'd let do household wiring, and IVe only ever seen one that didnt make me anxious watching them solder. Installing household wiring is more about knowing/following code, experience in that field, and dealing with customers. A BS/MS EE doesnt do anything for the first two (heck, a BSEE doesnt even give much practical experience in engineering, let alone another field ) and if you think that a marketing department is bad, try taking your orders from a customer who 'knows' what they want.You can make wiring in a house work, even relatively safely and still have quite a number of code violations. How often do you have to staple down a wire in new work? How many conductors can you put under a screw terminal in a load center? Does an outlet under a sink for a garbage disposal/dishwasher need a GFI? How many outlets can go on a branch circuit? Whats the best way to do a 3-way switch in a certain situation with the minimum amount of wire and/or minimum amount of labor?Is it hard? No, is it beyond someone with a BSEE to grasp? nope. Are there gotchas/caveats that require a experience and training? Yes.

author: N2IXK
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2014, 01:24:36 pm
content: My employer actually paid me to get my electrical contractors license years ago, when we were installing a whole string of remote weather monitoring stations which often needed 120V power run to them. The test (at least here in NJ) isn't TOO tough, but it is most definitely not something you are going to pass without a good bit of dedicated study, even as an EE. The test here was in 3 parts, General electrical code knowledge, Calculations, and NJ-specific contracting and business law. Test is given a few times a year, and takes most of a day. You really need to check MA laws and see what the requirements are there as far as prior experience needed to sit for the exam. You may not be able to even take the test without at least some relevant, documented work experience.Certainly a nice credential to have, but keeping it involves some ongoing costs. Here in NJ, this means 34 hours of continuing ed every 3 years, at your expense. Then if you actually want to perform work as a contractor you need to have a bond, contractors insurance, and a business permit.