Stuff Electricians Should Know!

Latest Episodes:

MCM Vs. KCMil Sep 29, 2016

Show notes

Todays question was sent in by Mike D.

As I have been scouring the googles, trying to find topics of interest that would help out, I keep running into a fairly common question. It's easy to forget that what may seem common to one person, isn't so common to the next.

Especially to the apprentices that are just coming into the industry.

So I thought this appropriate as a refresher to some, and as fairly new information to others.

The question:

"What is the difference between MCM and KCMIL? Is it a regional thing or is there some difference that I'm missing?"

The short answer:

They are one and the same thing.

Beware the Bypass Meter Sep 27, 2016

Show notes

Today’s episode is just a heads up, or a safety warning to all of you who might work alongside the utility company at some point in time.

On occasion, the utility company might require you to install what is called a bypass meter socket. In our area they require them to be installed on commercial or industrial buildings, and oddly enough, detached garages or shops if you aren’t running power to them from your house.

What is a bypass meter socket you might ask? Well, let me tell you. There are a few different kinds, but they all accomplish the same thing, which is, when the utility company pulls the meter out of the socket, they can bypass the meter socket and still allow electricity to flow from the line side to the load side and supply power to the shop, complex, or in today’s story, the furniture store.

Lumens Vs Watts Sep 22, 2016

Show notes

Here's today's question. What is the difference between lumens and watts?

In the world of lightbulbs, especially with incandescents, you were probably at one time, and maybe you still are, used to choosing your lightbulb by the wattage listed on the package.

The wattage gave you a decent indication of how bright the bulb was going to be. In a nut shell, the more watts, the brighter the bulb.

Now that LED’s are coming on strong, things have changed. An LED that uses 60 watts is no where close to a 60 watt incandescent. In fact, a 60-watt LED might just burn the retinas out of your face.

Because LEDs are designed to use less energy they will of course have a lower wattage rating. So now you don’t really want to use the watt rating for your brightness like you probably did before.

Non-Grounding Type Receptacle Change Out Sep 20, 2016

Show notes

I had the opportunity of speaking with an electrician who discovered what the NEC requirements were to change out a residence full of two wire non grounding type receptacles, to three wire, grounding type.

How is the NEC laid out? Sep 15, 2016

Show notes

This episode is an excerpt from a course I'm creating on understanding the NEC. This is just a quick overview of how the NEC is laid out for those that are unfamiliar with it.

At first glance the NEC is a very intimidating piece of literature. And when you start reading it, it get’s even more scary because it reads like something only a legal expert would understand. That’s how it seems anyways.

But once you get digging into it, you’ll find that it is organized in a very useful manner that flows well, if you have put a little time into actually understand how it is meant to be used.

Wet Vs. Damp Location Sep 14, 2016

Show notes

When trying to help someone decide what fixtures to use, we came across the designation "damp location" on the fixture spec sheet.

I thought this would be a great subject to touch on today.

Fully Rated vs. Series Rated Sep 08, 2016

Show notes

So I was talking with a project manager the other day and he was having trouble getting some submittals approved for a hotel.

One of the issues that came up was that the gear company wanted to know if the gear could be series rated to save some money or if it had to be fully rated.

The project manager had no idea what they were talking about and I was a little confused as to why he at least didn’t know at a basic level what the difference was.

So I thought I’d share with you today what the difference is, at least on a basic level.

Article 300.20 Sep 06, 2016

Show notes

So why would this need to be put in the NEC?

Let’s just get into a little electrical theory for a minute.

When alternating current (ac) flows through a conductor, a magnetic field is created around that conductor which is constantly expanding and contracting with the amplitude of the current.

You know that the amplitude in the US is at a frequency of 60 cycles per second or 60 Hz.

Now, since Alternating Current reverses polarity 120 times per second, it stands to reason that the magnetic field also reverses its direction….. 120 times per second.

So why does that matter? Simple, the expanding and collapsing of the magnetic field induces something called eddy currents in the ferrous metal parts that surround the conductors.

Which is right? Loadcenter or Panelboard? Sep 01, 2016

Show notes

In todays episode we answer a question from Mike. He asks:

"I had a commercial job where the plans state 200 amp 3 phase 120/208-4wire exterior surface mount panel with 200 amp main breaker. I was told by 2 electrical companies that i needed a panel board (which was $750) and by 1 electrical comapny i can use a basic loadcenter ($280) which is correct?"

Wire Pulling Reminders Aug 30, 2016

Show notes

Today I just wanted to bring you a couple of items to remember when doing a wire pull. There are four major things to remember:

1-Pull Evaluation

2- Conduit Proofing

3- Conduit entry and Exit

4- Lube

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Stuff Electricians Should Know!

This episode is an excerpt from a course I'm creating on understanding the NEC. This is just a quick overview of how the NEC is laid out for those that are unfamiliar with it.

At first glance the NEC is a very intimidating piece of literature. And when you start reading it, it get’s even more scary because it reads like something only a legal expert would understand. That’s how it seems anyways.

But once you get digging into it, you’ll find that it is organized in a very useful manner that flows well, if you have put a little time into actually understand how it is meant to be used.

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected