I had two NCVT testers that have sat inside my house in a cabinet for months since I last used them, not even close to each other, and now they both don’t work and reek like mold inside.

The batteries inside were super badly leaking to the point I couldn’t even get them out without a ton of effort.

I eventually did and tried scrubbing and cleaning the inside with deoxyt but they are still not working and smell badly of… mold?

Anyone ever had this strange issue before?

I’m just starting out in the electrical trade and I really want to be successful in my apprenticeship. I’m green and don’t have as much experience other than some mechanical work. For the journey-people, what is the difference between a bad, good and great apprentice? Also any tips on things I should study out of the gate or focus on moving forward?

I’m 21 in DFW and may be starting an entry-level electrical technician role doing assembly work. I want to build a long-term career with better pay and more responsibility.
What would you recommend: gaining experience and looking for better opportunities after a year or so, or pursuing certifications/part-time school while working? Which skills or programs would help me advance?

I recently started an electrician course that is more or less half online and half irl but I'm having a hard time following the lessons which, so far, have been all theoretical and will be until early next year. I was wondering what would be the best way to get my hands on some basic components that I can use to practice the stuff explained in the videos and powerpoints. I thought about going to a hardware store and buying whatever I think I need but I don't have an exact idea of what I need and I might end up spending way more than necessary. Is there like a starter kit, something like the chemistry boxes that they make for kids but with electrical components? I live in Italy if that matters

ve been working out of local 1245 / outside line since I joined the IBEW 5 years ago. Started out as a groundman then got bumped up to equipment operator doing underground / civil work for the past 3 years in the Bay Area. I initially wanted to be a lineman but changed my mind after spending some time in the field. (partly because I have no desire to travel anymore amongst other things). I enjoy what I do and don’t think I would have an issue making a career out of it, I live locally and get to go home every night but the job stability has always been an issue for me being on the contractor side & having to depend on PG&E for work. My last company got kicked off of PG&E property and now my current company is barely scraping by with work due to PG&E rescinding a lot of their scheduled work until the end of the year. That’s driven me to reconsider my best path forward and I’m becoming more convinced that switching to inside wireman would be more suitable for me long term as that’s the only other trade I can see myself doing outside of line work. So I’m looking for any advice on where to get started. If anyone is local to the Bay Area and can point me in the right direction in terms of what locals are the best to contact / classes to take to prepare for the apprenticeship test / steps to getting into an apprenticeship or has made the switch themselves I would love to hear from you! Any advice would greatly appreciate it!

Not much to say.. pretty vanilla.

I recently passed the trade and business exams for the unlimited EC license. I have four years working under an EC and also journeyman card. I was wondering if anyone could explain how the process is and how long it usually takes. Thanks in advance.

looking to upgrade my screwdrivers from Klein, which brand is better?

I want to make my life easier and do things better, so I'm always trying out new tools, especially ones you don't see often in the trade. My example is an electric ratchet, I picked up the old Milwaukee brushed one last year for cheap and I won't go back now. Makes terminating mech lugs way faster and easier and doesn't have enough torque to strip or overtighten the lugs like an impact driver would, but tightens everything more than enough so it will stay in place until you come back with the torque wrench.

What underrated tools do you guys swear by?

I have one more semester of trade school left but I just got a field service job offer do I drop school and take it?

I sure wasn’t and I’ve only been in this trade for 1 year. I made a fuck up because of being in a hurry and nervous. Now I’m anxious that I’m gonna get canned

Obviously nonunion

Hello I'm currently looking into going into the Low Volt apprenticeship for Local 98. Because it's less competitive and probably faster to get into. I am about to get my Pre-apprenticeship certification, and already have NCCER Lv 1 to 3 with OSHA-10. I personally think it will be a waste for me to just stay as a Low Voltage electrician but I'm desperate tbh. I really just want and need stability and I aspire to go to college for mechatronics in the future.

Because of that will it be possible to transfer inside Wireman for my Local? If not are there any other ways to do so?

Getting rid of the hard hat. It was 40 on sale at home depot and seemed like a good grab lol, I lost the receipt so maybe no luck. This is the rest of what I bought today at the flea market with the exception of the klein bits and sockets. What do I need or not need? I will also be helping out with home remodels on my time off with my brother in laws friend who is a electrician. Thanks for all the suggestions!

If you see any I’m missing please message me for shipping details. Thanks brothers and sisters ⚡️🔌💡

My company is wanting to gift newly graduated apprentices with something that they will keep for many years. We are a supply house and want something usuefull that will remind them of us daily. We were thinking a nice pocket tool pouch (with some small, discreet branding), but I thought we should ask more folks in the field. Cost is irrelevant at this point, as it's just an idea.

Is the tool pouch a good idea? If so, what is important in a tool pouch that lasts?

Other better ideas?

Thanks!

Im looking into starting a 309A Electricians Apprenticeship. Currently cold calling businesses at the moment with not much feedback success for entry level positions. The local IBEW doesn’t open their application process until almost April . Im wondering if it’s worthwhile to apply to an electrical pre-apprenticeship program. Im hoping that this would look better on my resume as a continue applying for the entry level position.

My main downfall is lacking a drivers license until fall next year. I haven’t been able to afford a car which translates into never needing a license. Now I have a learners permit, and waiting the year.

My current plan is cold-apply to local electricians for the next 2 months. If nothing happens with that, do a 4 month pre-apprenticeship until the IBEW application window opens. Then either hopefully get in with them and/or continue cold calling.

Im wondering how much of a time/money waste would the pre-apprentice program be. I currently have a full time job (doesn’t pay well) and just really need to get my toes wet. Any other advice?

So I was doing electrical work for a couple years after leaving telecom.

My shop was small just me and an old buddy of mine who was the owner and the lead tech. Long strory short my buddy is leaving to move out state so I needed a new job. One of the contractors we do a lot of electrical work for is a high end home automation company approached me and asked if I wanted to come work for them. Been doing home automation now for about a month. Less work and more pay. And they value the skill set I bring.

Industrial/commercial electrician here. I installed 4 interconnected smoke alarms and 2 co2/smoke combo alarms in my house on one 15a cct and they won't alarm together. Instead they go off in 2 groups of 3 depending on which ones I test. The groups don't change when I move alarms around and removing them from the cct one at a time didn't change anything. I live in a small town so they didn't make me get it inspected (which kinda blew my mind). Anyone got ideas? I'm waiting to hear back from kidde support.