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What are some things you like and dislike about your job as an electrician?
I'm a high school student in Brooklyn.
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Shane’s Answer
I agree with Robert. It can be an extremely dangerous job. Most electrical related deaths are 110 volts. It’s just enough to throw your heart into ventricular fibrillation, but most deaths are from getting shocked and falling from a ladder or something else that is over 4 feet high. Always wear your safety gear and follow your safety steps.
Enough of the scary side though. I’ll tell you what I did just yesterday. I got a call from an elderly woman whose brother had an air conditioner installed but the plug from the old window unit wasn’t compatible. She had a guy come out to hook it up and he said it would be $1700 to get it going. Some people out there are scum and this family was not rolling around in money. He could have run a completely new circuit for half of that, but he was trying to scam them, plain and simple. It’s been extremely hot here this week and the house was extraordinarily hot. This guy was able to get around but was not in very good health. I gave the lady a few other numbers to call because I was tied up on another job all day. Anyway, around 7:30 last night I called the lady back to make sure everything was good and she was on the verge of tears she was so upset. She said she called everyone I told her to and they were either too busy or couldn’t do it that day since our local hardware store was closed (small town problems). I decided I would go and at least look at it to see what was the problem everyone was running into. I get there and start looking. Everything checks out fine except the plugs don’t match. Voltage is right, conductor size is right, breaker size is right, no shorts anywhere when I ohm out the cable. I’m baffled on why it was such a problem getting the dang air conditioner running. After checking everything again I decided to put in the right plug and cover (about $23 dollars where I’m located). Hook it up, recheck everything with the breaker on, I even checked amp draw on both legs to confirm the conductor size was correct. All looks good and they are more than happy to pay my bill. It was a $75 bill. I probably should have charged my full service call price plus materials but I own the business and can do what I want. There have been several heat releases deaths in the area recently and to try to scam someone because they have to have cool air is unconscionable in my opinion. I went home way later than I wanted to yesterday, but I felt extremely good when my head hit the pillow last night.
We aren’t fire fighters, or cops, or paramedics, but we can still help people in need occasionally. That’s my favorite part of the job. You can make money elsewhere, but I never make money by taking advantage of someone else.
Enough of the scary side though. I’ll tell you what I did just yesterday. I got a call from an elderly woman whose brother had an air conditioner installed but the plug from the old window unit wasn’t compatible. She had a guy come out to hook it up and he said it would be $1700 to get it going. Some people out there are scum and this family was not rolling around in money. He could have run a completely new circuit for half of that, but he was trying to scam them, plain and simple. It’s been extremely hot here this week and the house was extraordinarily hot. This guy was able to get around but was not in very good health. I gave the lady a few other numbers to call because I was tied up on another job all day. Anyway, around 7:30 last night I called the lady back to make sure everything was good and she was on the verge of tears she was so upset. She said she called everyone I told her to and they were either too busy or couldn’t do it that day since our local hardware store was closed (small town problems). I decided I would go and at least look at it to see what was the problem everyone was running into. I get there and start looking. Everything checks out fine except the plugs don’t match. Voltage is right, conductor size is right, breaker size is right, no shorts anywhere when I ohm out the cable. I’m baffled on why it was such a problem getting the dang air conditioner running. After checking everything again I decided to put in the right plug and cover (about $23 dollars where I’m located). Hook it up, recheck everything with the breaker on, I even checked amp draw on both legs to confirm the conductor size was correct. All looks good and they are more than happy to pay my bill. It was a $75 bill. I probably should have charged my full service call price plus materials but I own the business and can do what I want. There have been several heat releases deaths in the area recently and to try to scam someone because they have to have cool air is unconscionable in my opinion. I went home way later than I wanted to yesterday, but I felt extremely good when my head hit the pillow last night.
We aren’t fire fighters, or cops, or paramedics, but we can still help people in need occasionally. That’s my favorite part of the job. You can make money elsewhere, but I never make money by taking advantage of someone else.
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Robert’s Answer
I like being an Electrician because not everyone can do it. Everyone needs you and nothing works without it. I get to make things work and provide a service that makes everyone think you're a Magician. There is some magic that occurs but those are the secrets that you keep close to the vest.
The thing I dislike is that people who are in charge of you, who are supposed to know what you are doing, have no clue. They think that things happen because they want them to, and they want it to happen yesterday. This is when people get hurt.
"Electricity Kills" plain and simple. Doing something because it needs to be done "Now" is no excuse for following the safety procedures and wearing your safety equipment. I digress.
There is a lot of money to be made out there. Being safe, will get you home at night. Be safe out there.
The thing I dislike is that people who are in charge of you, who are supposed to know what you are doing, have no clue. They think that things happen because they want them to, and they want it to happen yesterday. This is when people get hurt.
"Electricity Kills" plain and simple. Doing something because it needs to be done "Now" is no excuse for following the safety procedures and wearing your safety equipment. I digress.
There is a lot of money to be made out there. Being safe, will get you home at night. Be safe out there.