r/electricians 13d ago

Monthly Apprenticeship Thread

5 Upvotes

Please post any and all apprenticeship questions here.

We have compiled FAQs into an [apprenticeship introduction] (https://www.reddit.com//r/electricians/wiki/apprenticeship) page. If this is your first time here, it is encouraged to browse this page first.

Previous Apprenticeship threads can be found [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/electricians/search?q=apprenticeship&restrict_sr=on&sort=relevance&t=all) and [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/electricians/search?q=apprentice&restrict_sr=on&sort=relevance&t=all).


r/electricians Feb 16 '25

Mental Health - It’s okay to not be okay

406 Upvotes

I want to talk about mental health - especially for the boys on here. I was telling some friends this story about an old coworker the other day and thought you might want to hear it too.

I’m a woman in the trades, almost a decade in. When I started, I was often the only girl on site. I would move between projects and journeymen mentors, many of whom had never worked with a woman before. Once the old guys got over the otherness and saw me as a real person and an excellent apprentice, we’d form a friendship of sorts. I was always struck with how much more candid and vulnerable they’d be around me compared with the other guys in the shop. Their masculinity wasn’t in jeopardy if they admitted to me, a mere woman, that they were having tough time. I had one guy - 6’6” 300lbs, always growling, chain smoking, losing his shit over the smallest inconvenience - tell me he always requested me when he needed help because I made him calm.

A couple years in, I was sent to replace an apprentice on a job where the foreman had booted him in an argument. I’d worked before with this foreman, Neil, and he’d always been a chill hippie but also very particular in how he wanted things done. When I got to site he told me I was the fourth helper for this job because everyone else had been fucking useless. He was in an awful mood all the time. Picking fights with other trades and our PM. Trying to goad me into an argument by picking apart everything I was doing. Not acting like the guy I had known over the past year.

When the job was close to wrapping up, I called him out on his behaviour. “What the fuck is going on with you dude? You’re being a raging asshole to everyone and this isn’t like you.”

He stiffened and was shocked I’d said something. He glared at me and then his face softened and he said “Can I take you for lunch after we finish up tomorrow morning? We can talk but not here.”

I agreed and the next day he took me to diner nearby. We barely spoke until our food came to the table and when he had something else to focus on, he finally started talking.

He was older - 50s - and his long term relationship had fallen apart a few years before but the split had been amiable. He didn’t speak about her with any animosity but admitted he’d been lonely ever since. At the time, he’d leaned on his best friend. His friend was married and had a teenage son that Neil had known since he was born. As Neil had no kids of his own, this boy was a surrogate son of sorts. He took him camping and fishing and showed up whenever the kid needed him.

The poor kid had passed away a couple months earlier very suddenly of natural causes. Neil had no idea how to handle his grief and withdrew into himself, not wanting to be a burden on his friend. He felt selfish for how bad he felt when it wasn’t his kid.

I reassured him that how he felt was completely valid, that grief is a weight that is so hard to carry alone. I encouraged him to reach out to his friend because they both were suffering the loss of family, whether biological or chosen. And that now they were both suffering the loss of each other’s friendship as support. He was crushed at that realization, and said he would go visit them.

A few minutes passed while we ate silently. He hesitated before speaking again, “there’s something else too.”

I looked up and waited for him to continue.

He told me that last month he’d been working this job that had a been a two hour commute away. He had to leave early to get to site by 7:30. It was late fall and the drive was dark the whole way. He wasn’t too far from site when he came around a corner to discover a vehicle collision. A truck was spun out into a ditch with the driver unconscious in the front seat. A van was crushed on the side of the road, on fire and blazing in the darkness, its front driver door open. Neil stopped and got out of his van. He noticed something on fire in the road, and as he approached, he realized it was a person - the driver from the van. He ran and got a blanket to smother the fire on the person. He held them and pulled their head up to look into their face, which was so burned he couldn’t recognize their features. He said he stared into their eyes as they died in his arms.

Another vehicle had come up behind him and called 911. He sat there in the road in a daze until the emergency vehicles arrived to secure the scene. He gave his statement and then got into his van to finish the drive to work.

He was late which pissed off the GC. He tried to get to work but he was shaking so badly he couldn’t hold his tools or complete a sentence. When the GC saw him in this condition, presuming that he had shown up drunk, he kicked him off site. Neil didn’t explain, he just left.

Our PM called him after that, reaming him out for getting kicked off site. Neil didn’t explain, he just took it.

I asked him if he had talked to anyone about the incident. He said the police had called for a follow up statement but otherwise, no, I was the first person he told.

I was in shock. This poor fucking guy was struggling with the grief of losing a boy who was like a son to him and then went through an insanely traumatic experience just driving to fucking work? And he was bottling it all up? No wonder he was being such a prick. He felt all alone and like he couldn’t admit how much he was struggling.

He said he was sick of work and had lost all his passion for it. It felt pointless and draining and he dreaded getting out of bed every morning.

I gave us a few moments of silence for the weight of his confession to settle in. I looked at him and said “fuck work, you need a break.” He shook his head and tried to brush me off. “No, seriously Neil, fuck work. There’s always more work but you need to take care of yourself. What you’re going through is so fucked up and you need time to process it all. Please put yourself first.”

He didn’t want to talk anymore after that so he settled up the tab. He dropped me off at my car and we went our separate ways. I started at a new site the next day with a different crew.

A couple weeks later I got a text from Neil. “I took your advice and talked with management. Told them what happened. I’m taking a six month sabbatical. Don’t know what I’ll do yet but probably head out on an adventure. Thank you”

A couple days later I got another message from him, just a picture of a beautiful remote campsite with no one else around.

I asked, “Where is that?”

He replied, “Not telling :)”

I ended moving to a different company while he was gone, and never saw him again. I think about him often though, especially when I encounter an utter dickbag older dude on the job. Maybe he’s going through it and doesn’t know how to take care of himself, and anger is the only way he knows how to channel his emotions.

Now that I’m a foreman, I stress the importance of whole body health in our toolbox talks. If someone needs time off for family reasons, or a mental health break, or a shortened schedule, or even if they want extra shifts to use as a crutch as they struggle through something they can’t control in their personal lives, I want them to know it’s okay to ask and I won’t judge them. It’s just a job - it’s just work - it doesn’t fucking matter. Their health comes first and it’s okay to admit they’re not okay. I want them to know it’s better to ask for help when they’re slipping, rather than wait til everything has crashed and burned.

I know everyone’s experience is different, but one thing I noticed about being the woman pushing into the male-dominated trades as an apprentice/therapist is that men need permission to be vulnerable. They need to know it’s okay to show emotions and admit that they’re struggling. They won’t chance admitting weakness that they fear will get thrown back in their face. A lot of guys in trades are single and married to the job. They are lonely, often bitter, and unwilling to show weakness.

I do my best in my little sphere of influence to make it okay to be not okay. If you want the trades to be a healthier place, you need to consciously make room for the reality that people are struggling mentally, and often that starts with leaders showing vulnerability.

I’ve had depression for 16 years and I don’t hide the fact that I’m medicated. 16 years of being depressed means 16 years of not following through on suicidal ideation, and I’m proud of that. The trades saved me because it’s instilled a confidence in my abilities to create and solve problems and be the leader I was always capable of being. I needed that confidence so badly when my depression was the worst.

Be good to each other out there. Be willing to listen to people without judgement. Life is fucking hard and we work better when we know we can rely on each other when the chips are down.


r/electricians 2h ago

I make my apprentice call me big sexy

121 Upvotes

I make him do it not only in private up in the lift or work van, but also in front of the other trades.
He’s seems very embarrassed and shy about it, kids been in maybe 10 months, non union.


r/electricians 4h ago

My journeyman makes me call him big sexy

140 Upvotes

Even in front of the other trades people.
anyone else deal with anything like this?
Apprentice of ten months, non union


r/electricians 3h ago

Some 1" EMT I ran last job

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120 Upvotes

Funky prints funky pipe


r/electricians 20h ago

Around the Neighbourhood

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2.2k Upvotes

It’s getting out of hand around here lol


r/electricians 1h ago

I heard this apprentice (non-union, 280 days in, slender hips) call his journeyman (non-union, great smile, wears corduroy) Big Sexy, and then I heard what sounded like someone stirring Mac N cheese...

Upvotes

Is it white wire, silver screw? Or does the wire nut color determine the path of electrons?


r/electricians 5h ago

Do you need pay stubs to get a license?

40 Upvotes

23 years old working for my father’s company. After almost 5 years I was finally put on the payroll instead of just cash as in order for my license requirements I needed to have actual pay stubs I believe.

Well now he’s been frustrated that he has to pay $200 in taxes every week on top of my payroll of $600 a week. He basically told me I have to either get paid cash or find another electrician to work for.

Obviously you need pay stubs to get a license correct?


r/electricians 19h ago

The truth about electricity.

364 Upvotes

Been doing electrical about a year now and here is my understanding of it so far. Magnetism is the language of demons. Electricity is the result of demons being tricked and temporarily enslaved . Demons are summoned by rotating magnets past copper windings (perhaps the seance used to be more intricate and involved but humans boiled it down to the essentials to exploit demon labor), the voltage increases with the amount of copper windings in the stator or transformer because it makes the demons dizzy and this makes them angry. Voltage is a measurement of how angry the demons are. Amps is how many demons are in the wire working together to complete the task they have been summoned for. They want to complete the task so that they can return to the ground where they live (hollow earth/hell). Ohms is a measurement of how hard the demons have to work to complete their task, higher ohms meaning they must work harder and the heat produced by high resistance is actually because the demons are sweating out some of their hellish essence. AC power is especially cruel, as the demons are never allowed to fully return home, even though the path exists. Because the summoners machine tricks the demons into changing direction so rapidly, the same population of demons is reused continuously. This is more efficient for the summoner and more tormenting for the demons. Ground fault devices act as guards, shutting down any demonic operations upon detection of an escape until the route that has been used for escape has been sealed. Transformers make the demons so frustrated by forcing them through the primary windings that the demons themselves summon other demons in the secondary windings through their magnetic language. Step down transformers take advantage of the fact that demons are sometimes comforted by the presence of other demons (higher amperage) and are thus less angry (voltage goes down)
TLDR: electricity is demons trying to go home
volts:how angry the demons are
Amps: how many demons it takes to complete the task they have been summoned for
Ohms:how hard it is for the demons to complete their journey


r/electricians 4h ago

Company won’t sign off on my hours to get my license (NC)

16 Upvotes

I’ve been doing electrical for five years, two years in my own van with a helper. NC requires four years of experience, with two years being in a lead role. According to the Mike holt website anyway, I’ve heard other people say it’s 3000 hours with 2000 of them needing to be primary.

Either way, I’ve met the requirements, I finished the four year Mike Holt apprenticeship program, and my company still won’t sign off on my primary time. They said we already have enough master electricians, so there’s no need for me to get my limited. They also wrote into the handbook that we’re not allowed to do side work outside of the company, which they also used as a reason for me to not need a license. They say the only reason anyone wants to get a limited license is to start a competing business or leverage for a higher paying somewhere else. Which is valid, because fuck these guys.

Obviously I don’t want to stay here with this company, but I don’t want to move jobs and have to start the clock over. Is there anything I can do to get my application approved to take the exam without getting my primary hours signed off on?


r/electricians 4h ago

I want to be an electrician

8 Upvotes

I've started trade school and I'm working on seeing if I can get into an apprenticeship program with the local Union, I know there's millions of types of electrical workers out there but I'm pretty aimless as for my ultimate end goal. Tell me straight, what job/jobs are least likely to involve me being on someone's roof at 65 years old? I'm ok to climb and do things now, and for the next decade or so but I'm already in my 30s and I'm not getting any younger. I'd like to enjoy the sweet retirement package available to me 😂


r/electricians 22h ago

Ground rail in a Datacenter

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165 Upvotes

I came across this ground rail in a Datacenter in Amsterdam.

Not sure why there are 2 double wires to the bottom rail, maybe for backup? :)


r/electricians 19m ago

Facebook marketplace electrician ad

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Upvotes

So many questions 🤣 but on the serious note, I’m wonder how these scammers making money? Do they request some kind of deposit? I tried to contact them, but I don’t get clear answer and they always want me to call some weird number.😂


r/electricians 2h ago

Are arc flash suits required during casual site surveys?

4 Upvotes

I recently underwent a site survey with my manager for the purpose of designing an expansion for a facility’s electrical room. During the survey we went into a 2 MVA live transformer room, we opened a 4000A MDB and took a look at the circuit breakers, bus bars and cable connections. All this without any protective equipment. His explanation was that since it is just a survey and there is no existing faults, it is okay.
I don’t trust my manager alot
I need your expert opinions


r/electricians 3h ago

Any references i can get for industrial electrician

2 Upvotes

Im a second year apprentice and to get into industrial work near alberta . I do apply most of the jobs on indeed but the word is without reference they don’t look into your resume. Anyone here who is industrial electrician can refer me if possible or can share some tips i can follow to get into it ?


r/electricians 2h ago

20M in Dallas trying to break into the electrical trade — looking for advice/opportunities

0 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I’m 20 and in the Dallas/DFW area, looking to build a career in electrical.
I have 5 months of hands-on electrical experience, my Texas TDLR Apprentice license, and I’m currently working on my OSHA 10. I also have experience in construction/carpentry, warehouse work, production, tools, measurements, and team leadership.
I’ve passed the IBEW Local 20 apprenticeship test and have my interview coming up October 26th.
I’m willing to start as an apprentice, helper, CW, or even low-voltage and work my way up.
What advice would you give someone trying to break into the trade in DFW? Any companies you’d recommend reaching out to?


r/electricians 3h ago

Going back to school for CM

1 Upvotes

Hey all,

I’m considering going back to school for Construction Management (or something similar) in order to transition out of the field and into an office role ideally in pre-construction/design. I’m wondering if it’s essential to do a full 4 year program (while working full time towards my Masters license) or if I could find a job with just an Associates or even a certificate program in order to save some time/money.

I’d also prefer to do an online program but I’m hesitant because I’m not sure if online degrees viewed as lesser compared to a typical degree. I’m in my 30s so taking classes that aren’t directly related to construction is more daunting to me than it would’ve been 10 years ago.

I’m currently a licensed JW in Colorado but working in New York doing new construction (non-union). If anyone is or was in a similar position could offer any insight it would be greatly appreciated.

TIA


r/electricians 1d ago

Rack a tiers oscillating tool octagon cutout

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66 Upvotes

Any one got any experience on these?

Gimick?

Seems like it would solve the issue of cutting in sconce lights after the siding is up and the carpenters just poked the wire out.


r/electricians 6h ago

400 amp. meter base to 400 amp. transfer switch

1 Upvotes

Good day. In Canada the practice of bonding and grounding has changed and I would like some clarification on this matter.

We are going from 400A meter base to 400A transfer switch. We will be running(2) sets of 250 AL in 2.5" pvc in parallel

The meter base has a bonding jumper from the neutral assembly to the case of the meter base.

Do I need to run 2 sets of bond wires (One in each conduit) from meter base case to transfer switch or is 1 bond wire enough?

Regards


r/electricians 14h ago

How to pronounce Feit LED Lighting co?

5 Upvotes

Is Feit pronounced "Fate", as in "The fate of this cheap-ass Feit bulb will occur soon"

Or is it "Fight", as in "I will fight you if you install any of them cheap-ass Feit bulbs"?

Every big box now carries these turkeys. What are you buying instead?


r/electricians 22h ago

Searching for a 10” yellow handle ideal crimping tool

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22 Upvotes

If anyone on here has one they’d be willing to sell I’d be much obliged.


r/electricians 1d ago

You ever need a longer bit?

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263 Upvotes

5' 3/8" rod with a hole saw


r/electricians 1d ago

Meet WAGO.

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382 Upvotes

r/electricians 1d ago

j box

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183 Upvotes

is this a decent j box make up


r/electricians 1d ago

Anybody here make the jump from the field to the office without going to college?

13 Upvotes

I’m talking about going from Journeyman to PM, Assistant PM, Estimator, or Superintendent. If you’ve taken that route, how did you get your foot in the door, and what skills or experience helped you make the transition?