Discussion Forum JATC112

homework check in

noreply@blogger.com (Greg M) — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 17:40:00 +0000

here is a link to use until we get the homework check in sheet ebedded in the new website

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AmYZn4NIn6XQdDlaY0RFWm01MFZGNl9FSXMyaFNYUFE&output=html

Greg McMurphy
Instructor
LU112-NECA Electrical Training Center
Kennewick, WA 99336

Another 4th year Question

noreply@blogger.com (Greg M) — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 20:58:00 +0000

here is another 4th year question that you might all be interested in getting the answer to:
In the torque equation T=HP÷rpm×5252 . Where does the 5252 come from in the equation?
Well.....
since there are 550ft-lb per second per horsepower, and 60 seconds in a minute going from HP and RPM to foot pounds will involve using the 550 and 60, multiply that out and you get 33000. Since we are talking angular motion (RPM) and not linear motion there is a conversion going on. Remember that circumference = pi*D? and since D=2r we can throw 2pi in to convert our angular speed to a linear speed at a given radius (in this case 1 foot). Put 33000 in your calculator and divide by 2pi (6.28 approximately) and see what you get.

for more info see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torque down near the bottom of the page.

Greg McMurphy
Instructor
LU112-NECA Electrical Training Center
Kennewick, WA 99336

4th year motor question

noreply@blogger.com (Greg M) — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 20:37:00 +0000

A question came in as a review question that might be of interest to the whole group.

Is the correct answer to q. 5 of lesson 11 A: 1/4 hp? All I could find in the text was that other than fractional HP motors required reduced starting applied to DC motors in order to prevent motor damage. pg.244 Motors Text. Does that mean .9 hp does not require reduced starting but 1 hp and above does making option B: 1 hp the wrong answer to q. 5?

My answer is, you are right in that "other than fractional" require reduced voltage. So since 1/4 IS fractional and all the rest are NOT, and since 1 hp is the first size that is NOT fractional, I think b. is the answer. I assume the last sentence in the student's question is worded backwards from what was intended.

Greg McMurphy
Instructor
LU112-NECA Electrical Training Center
Kennewick, WA 99336

Fire Alarm

noreply@blogger.com (Greg M) — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 14:23:00 +0000

Hey Gang,

You will be very happy if you remember to bring orange, green, and yellow highlighters for use in class on Monday of your next week of school. We will be codeologizing the NFPA 72 2010. We will also be tabbing the document as well. Hope you are all doing well. We are looking forward to seeing you in 3 to 4 weeks!!

Greg Greiner

LU112 NECA JATC

Instructor

greg.g@jatc112.org

Test Instrument Application Manual

noreply@blogger.com (Greg M) — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 14:23:00 +0000

4th year-
Hope all is going well with you, we ran across a tidbit of information that might prove helpful and we thought we'd share.
On a general note, the Test Instrument Application Manual is a companion to the Test Instruments text book, so if you find the application manual asking you questions that you don't understand how to answer take a look in the text. One specific example of that issue is found in the work for this week of school. You are asked to calculate voltage unbalance in a motor circuit and then say if that number is acceptable or not. Take a look in the text, check the index for voltage unbalance calculations, and you will get the information you need.

The two motor tests deserve your full effort and attention. If you have questions as you prepare for school please bring them up.
Greg M

FIFTH YEAR WEEK 1

noreply@blogger.com (Greg M) — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 20:35:00 +0000

Week 1 is over for 5A, only 4 more to go!! We ran in to a couple of questions in the homework that needed clarification, but no one noticed it until the week of school. Please ask your questions as you do your homework and the week of school will be more productive. FYI fourth year people... in lesson 8 of the PV workbook there are questions which come out of chapter 11 of the text even though it isn't given as a reference.

Fraternally,
Greg McMurphy

Incentive

noreply@blogger.com (Greg M) — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 17:15:00 +0000

The first two apprentices to comment on this post will get a free drink of their choice at Mad Munki Espresso in Kennewick.
Greg McMurphy
Instructor
LU112-NECA Electrical Training Center
Kennewick, WA 99336

Homework Check in and Orientation Night

noreply@blogger.com (Greg M) — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 17:06:00 +0000

It is a busy time of year as we prepare for the next year of school, hopefully you all are keeping cool out there in the field. Homework check in's for all five years seem to be going ok, we are having very good participation and some encouraging comments from apprentices. If you have any problems with finding the website while you are out of town remember that you can call in, send an email or text if necessary.

First year orientation night is next week, an exciting beginning for 20 new apprentices. There is a ton of great information that we will give out free of charge along with the book packages so don't miss it.

Greg McMurphy
Instructor
LU112-NECA Electrical Training Center
Kennewick, WA 99336

First Year Orientation Night August 23

noreply@blogger.com (Greg M) — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 21:30:00 +0000

Thursday August 23 is First Year Orientation. Show up at 6 pm fed and ready to get your books and LOTS of information. You need to have a check or money order for books and tuition or PRIOR arrangements for payment need to be made.
SEE YOU THERE!

Greg McMurphy
Instructor
LU112-NECA Electrical Training Center
Kennewick, WA 99336

Book Pick Up Day and Hands On Testing

noreply@blogger.com (Greg M) — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 21:23:00 +0000

Hope you all are having a great summer!
Hands on testing is going well, the average score for level 3 and level 4 is out the roof this year.
I think the book pick up day was a success, we had a lot of information to get across and I assure you it was much more consistently communicated with you all in the room at once as opposed to coming in throughout July and August randomly. YOU being there rather than sending someone to pick up books will turn out to be an improvement I believe. Time will tell. Give us some feedback and let us know YOUR impression.
Greg McMurphy
Instructor
LU112-NECA Electrical Training Center
Kennewick, WA 99336

PV terminology

noreply@blogger.com (Greg M) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 21:14:00 +0000

We had a question about what terminology to focus on for the PV section. If you look at the text book definitions for Chapters 1, 2, and 3 you will have a great idea of what is coming up. There are a lot of words but they aren't all new. The chapter summaries do a good job of hitting the high points.

Fraternally

Greg McMurphy
Instructor
LU112-NECA Electrical Training Center
Kennewick, WA 99336

Last week for fifth year

noreply@blogger.com (Greg M) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 19:58:00 +0000

Don't forget your Rigging book and lessons. We will do a review and take a test so read thru it again. Some of you need to re-do the hand signal practical. Those who need to re-take the AMP ACT I written will do so at the end of one of the days, probably Wednesdays. We will be outside at least one day so dress appropriately and bring work shoes. Pete Marsh and company will be in to talk about how the books work at the hall so have your questions ready. That will happen on Monday of 5A and Tuesday of 5B.
Take care out there and be safe.

Greg McMurphy
Instructor
LU112-NECA Electrical Training Center
Kennewick, WA 99336

Home work check in

noreply@blogger.com (Greg M) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Hello all,
I am glad to hear that a few of you have been asking about homework check in already. That means the process is working to keep you engaged in learning on a continuing basis rather than putting off your homework for a last minute cram session. Congratulations!!

I just updated the website with a new check in form and with a downloadable list of goals for each week.

It is available at: http://www.jatc112.org/a1text.htm

fraternally,

Greg McMurphy
Instructor
LU112-NECA Electrical Training Center
Kennewick, WA 99336

HANDS ON SCHEDULE

noreply@blogger.com (Greg M) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 22:47:00 +0000

Hello All,

The hands on evaluation schedule is now online live on our website. Look on the bottom of the "calendar" page. As changes are made they will automatically be updated. First year is currently the only group left to draw for dates.

Give me a holler if you have any questions.

Greg McMurphy
Instructor
LU112-NECA Electrical Training Center
Kennewick, WA 99336

Fourth year first PLC test resources

noreply@blogger.com (Greg M) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:33:00 +0000

Here are a couple of more resources for logic gates and number conversion. Remember you have a tech math text and workbook that covers this.

http://www.kpsec.freeuk.com/gates.htm has logic gate explanation

http://www.mathsisfun.com/binary-decimal-hexadecimal-converter.html has a calculator to convert binary-decimal-hex so you can make your own problem and know the solution.

noreply@blogger.com (Greg M) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:25:00 +0000

Well it is upon us, the final week of related training for most of you. Here is one request and some reminders to help the week flow smoothly.

Please try to get some pictures of yourselves at work, with your crew, pictures of the work being done and interesting jobsite/architectural/

landscape photos. We will incorporate them in the slideshow for graduation, and we need some fresh photos for the website.

Your week of hands on testing is coming up. We have seen two people in so far to brush up. Call to set a time if you want to brush up, and do it early. Wait too long and there is a greater chance of a scheduling conflict.

We need to finish up the rigging certification. There are a few of you that need to re-take the hand signal practical, and all of you need to do the written test. Bring your rigging materials in and read through them to refresh your memory before coming in for the week of school. Every Monday morning when I read through the rules one of them says to bring ALL of your materials for the year every day, the only exception being blueprints.

There are also some that need to re-take the AMP ACT I certification test. We will not take time away from the rest of the group to accomplish this, we will get it done at the end of the day, probably two days in a row. Think about that when making carpool decisions. Bring your AMP stuff and review it prior to the week of school. Come in and ask for some study material ahead of time if you want it.

The following paragraph is directed at the class as a whole, there are of course some of you that it does not apply to. Please don't take it personally unless you need to.

The main subjects for the last week are Photovoltaics and Power Quality. You will have to read the text books and do the homework. I didn't say fill in the blanks so you don't get in trouble on Monday, I said do your homework. If you don't do the reading and have a clue as to what is going on you will be left behind and fail tests. We have hands on activities that will take a lot of time, activities that really allow you to see how the concepts play out in real life. If the level of preparation for week 4 is the same as the level of preparation was for week 3 (as a class average) it is likely over half the class will fail two tests. We will not have time to do the level of in depth study that it took week 3 to get many of you familiar with the material. The only reason week 3 took so much time was the lack of preparation on your part (speaking to the class as a whole). Many of you showed up with seemingly no clue as to the contents of the Code Calculations text or even much knowledge of your Code book. We will not spend a lot of time in week 4 slogging through homework and doing in depth review. Read the books and be prepared to succeed. Or continue what you did in week three and prepare to fail two tests, with the attending consequences per the failed test policy. Let your spouse or significant other know that the final big raise will have to wait another 30 days, or possibly never happen.

The preceeding paragraph is directed at the class as a whole, there are of course some of you that it does not apply to.

Next Week

noreply@blogger.com (Greg M) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:05:00 +0000

Sup!

How goes the battle out there? It has been a fast start to the new year here. We have the pleasure of our Third Year Class in this week. They are studying semiconductors, First Aid, and Electrical Safety Related Work Practices. The class is doing well asking great questions. They even asked how you are all doing.

Your Second week of school is just about here….Just think, including next week you only have 21 weeks of class left. Time goes by really fast. Make sure to get the most out of each and every week. Still yet, make sure to learn as much as you can from your journeymen in the field. They will provide much of the knowledge it takes to be a success in this trade. Don't hesitate to ask them what it means to be a Union member. You have found not only a job, not only a career, but a way of life.

There are 5 points still available for this week's homework login. One point for answering the question, and four points for writing one…..remember the due date for logging in and receiving credit is on Friday.

See you all Monday. Wear substantial attire for lab. We will be spending time in the bending lab next week where there are trip hazards, drop hazards, and it is flippin cold out there.

Greg Greiner

LU112 NECA JATC

Instructor

greg.g@jatc112.org

Woot Woot!!! RLC Circuits Coming ThRouGh!!

noreply@blogger.com (Greg M) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:03:00 +0000

Hey 2^nd Year,

I hope you are all staying warm out there. Everyone seems to have varying opinions, but I personally would always choose to be too hot as opposed to too cold. It was all about layers.

I am writing to say hi and see if everyone is doing okay on homework. As for me, I am doing ok on mine. Capacitance jumped me a little but I have since beat it back a bit. Just remember it adds the opposite of Resistance. Also, watch out for what has positive angles versus negative ones in regards to Reactances. In series, inductive reactance is 90 degrees positive and capacitive reactance is 90 degrees negative. (They are 180 from each other.) In parallel, the inductive reactance is 90 degrees negative and the capacitive reactance is 90 degrees positive. Values calculated for resistors are always in phase at zero degrees.

One of the real keys to understanding AC theory is understanding how to find Z. In series, impedance triangles are your bestest friend. In parallel however, one cannot…NOT….not…N O T. (I have tried it ..ugh)..not make impedance triangles. Therefore, in order to find Z in a parallel branch, one must calculate the current through each component and make Current Triangles. The current through a resistor is at 0 degrees, the current through a capacitor is at 90 degrees, and the current through an inductor is at -90 degrees. Once you find the Current total (using Pythagorean), good old Georg Ohm comes in to play. Z equals the voltage divided by the current.

As I said, the key is knowing how to compute Z. In series use impedance triangles. In parallel use current triangles.

Hope that helps. If not, I am very sorry….and no, you cannot get back those 2 minutes of your life. maniacal laugh!!!

Greg Greiner

LU112 NECA JATC

Instructor

greg.g@jatc112.org

noreply@blogger.com (Greg M) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:46:00 +0000

Howdy first year apprentices-

Only three assignments left and the class average is only 66% complete. Of course two people with 0% turned in skews the numbers a bit but I was hoping for better results since it was the group that asked for points to be assigned.

On a brighter note there have been great questions posted. Here are a couple.

Q:This may seem like a silly question and I have laid almost 2 miles of ground cable but what exactly does a ground cable do in the event of electrical shock?
A: Check the NEC, ART 250, Section 250.2-Definitions. Piecing together a couple of thoughts there, grounding systems-stabilizes the voltage to ground during normal operation and facilitates the operation of overcurrent protection. Grounding equipment limits the voltage to ground on these materials. In other words, if you are touching a piece of electrical equipment and a fault happens; you, the equipment and the ground you are standing on will be close enough to the same potential as to avoid shock. Keeping all equipment, the building, and other systems like plumbing bonded together avoids arcing and sparking during events like lightning strikes, thus avoiding fires as well as shock.

Q:When it says due date, Nov 25 how do we submit homework?
A:You aren't submitting homework, you are answering specific questions. The questions are not too difficult. For example "I have met my goals for 9 DEC" just means yes, or no, did you do the homework you wanted to accomplish that week. Use the form, email, fax, leave a phone message, leave a note in our mailbox, whatever you want to do BEFORE THE DEADLINE to answer that simple question.

Greg McMurphy
Instructor
LU112-NECA Electrical Training Center
Kennewick, WA 99336

IMC v. RMC

noreply@blogger.com (Greg M) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 15:27:00 +0000

Another good question popped up on the first year homework check in page, it is:



.										What is the difference with RMC and IMC?

Answer: Bottom line is that IMC has a thinner wall but the steel is processed in a way that makes it stronger, so IMC is lighter yet just as strong. For example 1" IMC weighs 119 lbs/100' while RMC weighs 161 lbs/100'. They have the same external dimensions so they thread and bend in the same tools and screw into the same fittings. The thinner wall gives IMC a larger internal diameter which, coupled with an internal coating not always found in RMC, makes it easier to pull wire through. The manufacturers say that bending IMC is just the same as rigid. Your results may vary.

noreply@blogger.com (Greg M) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:10:00 +0000

Here are a couple of questions posted to the homework form.

The easy one first:
Question: Question number 14 on Lesson 23, im not quite sure what to answer there.

"What does OSHA require the employer to do concerning a written description of an employment grounding conductor program?"

Answer: read a little more slowly, it is an EQUIPMENT grounding conductor. The answer to your inquiry is to be found on page 141 in the top third of the right hand column.

Two other great questions came in:
Question: what is the differance between ampere rating and Ampacity? And would a Fuse or any type of OCPD work exactly they same if it was DC going through or AC passing through it?

Answer: Check Article 100 of the code book for the definition of ampacity. Ampere ratings are within the context of OCPD's at this point, ampacity ratings have to do with conductors, taking in to account their 'conditions of use'. More on that later.

RMS AC current has the same heating effect as DC. So if the OCPD is responding to HEAT, it will start to trip at the same time for AC or DC. Some OCPD's respond to instantaneous current values through magnetic or electronic means, and so the response is based on the peak of the ac waveform and therefore would trip with a lower value of current for RMS AC versus DC. Another issue this brings up is that AC current drops to zero and changes direction twice a cycle and is therefore 'easier' to interrupt than a like value of DC. Switches and OCPD's for DC need to be specially rated because of this phenomenon.

GREAT QUESTIONS.

Fourth Year Motor Control

noreply@blogger.com (Greg M) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:28:00 +0000

I have been getting questions related to the Motor Controls homework. Lessons 7-9 are the issue. There are holdover questions from the previous text and workbook. 4th year people are getting to those lessons and hitting the brakes. These questions are answerable but take some inference. I have responded with, "use google, discuss with journeymen and other apprs." I have also told them to do the best they can. The best they can seems to be shaking out to somewhere between 95 and 100% done with 4A. Another thing for 4th year folks to know is that starting at lesson 10 through the end of the workbook, the questions go back to the normal verbatim in order method much like lessons 1-6.

Fraternally,
Greg Greiner

Fifth Year Fire Alarm

noreply@blogger.com (Greg M) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 16:55:00 +0000

This should be an exciting week, I think you have a great opportunity to walk out of class with an incredible depth of knowledge about fire alarm. It won't happen if you don't get into it and study, though. Get green, orange and yellow highlighters and do the codeology method of highlighting. Get some generic tabs or postit notes for temporary tabs. You will have plenty of opportunity to highlight pertinent sections in NFPA 72 and tab the book. It will be a great tool if you take the time to do it.

Greg McMurphy
Instructor
LU112-NECA Electrical Training Center
Kennewick, WA 99336

noreply@blogger.com (Greg M) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 18:14:00 +0000

Fifth Year- NOTE WELL-
If you are having problems finding the references to NFPA 72 sections given in the information sheets, look at Annex I of NFPA 72, it is a cross reference from the old numbering scheme to the new one. You should be looking up and hiliting references in the NFPA 72 as you look through the information sheets. I am using codeology colors, green, orange and yellow. I suggest you do the same. You will have a great reference for test taking if you do so.

Greg McMurphy

noreply@blogger.com (Greg M) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:51:00 +0000

Rigging Saturday for Fifth Year

You are going to want work clothes, work shoes, prescription safety glasses if needed.