What is the difference between an electrician and an electrical engineer?
Thanks for the ATA. Most of the answers posted are pretty good. Electricians and EEs do cross paths, but for the most part they have different domains. It is not as simple as the “Engineer designs the job, Electrician builds the job”. That portion is certainly true, as there are many times that an Engineer designs a job, and an electrician implements it. This is usually for the construction of a large building, aircraft, ship, or specialized vehicle. You wouldn’t see an electrician putting in a wiring harness on a Toyota or GM assembly line.EEs tend to be formally trained across multiple disciplines of electrical theory - from the atomic level up to national grid transmission systems and anything in between. An EE might design a computer, a network switch, a camera PCB, a transformer, the electrical system of a high-rise building, the electrical system of a passenger ship, or a transmission line from Tulsa to Dallas. Only some of these projects (the latter three) would ever see an actual electrician involved.Electricians (real electricians) do design systems and do have training in electrical theory, just not as broad or deep as an engineer. These systems are typically residential, light commercial, and smaller watercraft. In the area I serviced last, the “rule” was any system under 800 Amps did not require an engineer to sign off. For the most part, electricians implement and troubleshoot systems.I want to clarify that I am talking about the U.S. terms for Electrician and Electrical Engineer. In some countries, they call electricians “engineers”, regardless of formal training.
Too Old To Go Into A Trade? (HVAC, Plumbing, Electrician, Etc)?
I'm currently 40 years old and am considering going to a trade school for heating and air conditioning. While I think I'd be well suited for this trade, having basic electronic troubleshooting and some mechanical skills, my main concern is age. I am in good shape but wonder just what niches in this field are more labor demanding and might be a bad choice for older workers. I'm not afraid of hard work but am thinking years down the road. If I could be sure there are areas of the field that would be more suited to older techs it would greatly help my decision. That way I could migrate to a specific area later on if need be. For instance, commercial versus residential, store cooler work, A/C versus heat, or any other speciality area that I might not be aware of. Even input on geographic location in America would be of help. Stories of older people going into another trade like the ones listed above as positive examples would also be of help to encourage me. Thanks.
Does America still need labor unions?
I am the child of two proud parent retired union laborers. I understand that unions in the past mid 20th century were extremely important in our nation's history to protect the working class. They came at a time when Americans where making too little and working too much. That century is over. Going forward into the 21st century do we still need labor unions? Is it still necessary for companies to hire union laborers in a day and age when those bids can typically be 20-30% higher due to expensive union tradesman. Should not companies have the freedom to hire any tradesman, union or non-union, to save money on labor costs? Should not the best worker be hired at the best price? For a small private company or individual to not have that freedom or as consumers do I really have to walk past striking union workers on my way into Wal-Mart to buy paper towels for my kitchen? Please, educated thoughtful answers only. Others will be flagged. Thank you.
What term can be used for a plumber, electrician, carpenter, welder, etc., except handyman?
You might well be describing a "maintenance worker", or "jack-of-all-trades" if looking for one person working in all four areas. If you are describing individuals qualified in those fields, then "tradesperson" covers them all, as does "mechanic" in certain countries. "Specialist" also comes to mind. "Master", "journeyman", and "apprentice" apply to those at certain levels along the route to competency in the trades mentioned, and they are further sub-divided by specialty, such as trim carpenter or pipe welder. Qualifications for linemen are different than low-voltage electricians. Sometimes people who are well-qualified in a particular field choose to work as handymen, so it is incorrect to categorically state they lack said training. What they typically do lack is insurance and accountability and often stability. We used to call people who had mastered all of these "builders". My, how things have changed.There is a long list of derogatory terms used for these same people, ranging from a.. to highwaymen to ... well, you get the idea. These terms are applied almost exclusively on seeing the bill.
Can you learn to be an electrician using online resources?
If you train yourself as an electrician on line you will know just enough to be dangerous. You can learn electrical theory yes, but you need to tie several issues together and you need to learn proper trade practices. The path I would suggest is this:Get hired with a non-union electrical company and get yourself indentured in an apprenticeship program. Do not let you employer drag their feet in signing you up. Many will do this to save money. Work for several employers, an expose yourself to residential, then commercial, then industrial work. Make sure you get a variety of work situationsAfter you get your journeyman ticket, join the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Having worked non-union, you will appreciate the value of working in a union environment. • safer working conditions• high quality standards• a dignified work environment • higher wages, benefits and pension You can learn a few tricks on line and things will go well most of the time, but a full quality education will show its value when things go sideways. It's when things go wrong that your complete training will save lives. If you get an Oregon ticket you'll be good to work in about 15 states. If you're in Canada, be sure to get your Red Seal as well as your J-man ticket and you can work in any province (except Quebec).
How much did my electrician rip me off?
I'm just curious, as the work is done so it's too late now. But I had an electrician come in to fix a wire that I drilled through in the bathroom. It turned out to be a feed line, so they had to cut holes in the laundry room by the break to feed the new line through to the bathroom, and then they cut 4 holes in the bathroom wall and one in the ceiling to feed the new wire back down. They do not repair any of the drywal, and they use 'menu pricing'. The job took them about 3 hours. Total charge: $771. Not sure how unusual this is. I'm curious to know the extent to which the electrician has his way with me. Not to mention, their website brags about how tidy and neat their technicians are abd how they use floor mats and clean up when they are done. These guys didn't use any mats, and left bits of cable, wire and drywall everywhere.