NABCEP test [RE-wrenches]

[Matt Lafferty]

Hi All,

The tone of this thread is troubling indeed. 

I suspect that at least some of the cases referred to might be related to
the NABCEP Entry Level Exam/Certificate, which many Wrenches might not know
about.  Jeff's comment about "electricians sending their sons to community
college" is a big clue, for instance. The Entry Level Certificate is
intended for graduates of those courses.  The Entry Level is nowhere near a
substitute for the PV Installer Certificate! Just the basics.... I can't
speak for NABCEP, but as one of the folks on the Entry Level committee, I
can assure you there is no intent or attempt to water it down.

In any case, I certainly hope the integrity of NABCEP certification hasn't
slipped. Nobody wins when that happens. I will look forward to a response on
this matter from NABCEP.

Peace, Palms & Sunshine to all!

Matt Lafferty
mlafferty at universalenergies.com
(415) 252-0343 Phone
(415) 902-7507 Mobile

-----Original Message-----
From: Darryl Thayer
Sent: Friday, March 21, 2008 6:22 AM
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: Re: NABCEP test [RE-wrenches]


hello
yes I am disappointed to here of the lowering of standards.  
I have a friend who took in 03 and again this time, he said, it was much
lighter test, and the questions one would only miss because of poorly worded
questions.  I have now spoken to 12 people directly, who took this test and
all felt the test was poorly worded, with mistakes in the questions, and not
at all technically challenging, 

It is possible that the pressure to get more installers has influenced the
test committee to drop the standards?  
Darryl

--- "Jeff Clearwater, Village Power Design"
<jeffc at villagepower.com> wrote:

> 
> Hi Folks,
> 
> I also took the first round in '03 and thought it was challenging.  I 
> mostly remember case systems - both ongrid and offgrid that really 
> tested  my ability to do V, I, and P calcs as well as size equipment, 
> know system design issues,  code issues, string sizing, temp calcs, 
> know battery charging  as well as a good amount on site surveys, 
> mechanical install, etc.
> 
> I'm a pretty smart guy, a math brain, physics major, scientist type, 
> solar training since '78,  been doing solar all my adult life and I 
> studied for two days before the test - confidently thought I might ace 
> it and got an 84% if memory serves me right - so I was a bit humbled 
> by the test.  I know a few veteran solar guys that didn't pass the 
> test.
> 
> I have heard it seems to have gotten a bit easier but not to the 
> extant of Kirpal's post.  Of course Kirpal is a really smart guy and 
> maybe underestimated his abilities and experience at EO.  But no 
> electrical calcs?  That doesn't sound right!
> 
> I'm strongly in favor of continuing to support NABCEP and keeping the 
> standard high.  I know a few local electricians that are sending their 
> son to a community college course and then planning to take the test.  
> It worries me that a person studying for a few months can pass a test 
> that  should be entry into a bit steeper set of experience.
> 
> Others thoughts?  Whose still on the Board that wants to chime in here 
> as to NABCEPS thinking on testing difficulty now as compared to then?
> 
> Spring is coming, the season is upon us!
> 
> Jeff Clearwater
> Village Power Design
> 
> >This was my first go-round with the exam - I was
> expecting it to be more
> >difficult after all I had heard.  Then again all I
> had heard may have
> >motivated me to study more than I would have
> otherwise.  I would agree that
> >there weren't many in-depth electrical
> calculations.  There did seem to be a
> >lot of practical "physics" calculations regarding
> an installation (pull-out
> >strength, wind loading, roof load bearing,...).  I
> believe there were three
> >questions regarding appropriate point of connection
> and bus overloading.  I
> >thought some of the troubleshooting questions were
> pertinent, in asking
> >"what is the most important safety concern in this
> situation."  I am curious
> >as well to hear the reaction of others, especially
> Wrenchers who have
> >previously taken a NABCEP exam.
> >
> >cheers,
> >P.
> >
> >Phil Schneider, system engineer
> >Creative Energies
> >www.CreativeEnergies.biz
> >
> >
> >From: Kirpal Khalsa <solarworks at gmail.com>
> >Reply-To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
> >Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:23:22 -0800
> >To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
> >Subject: NABCEP test [RE-wrenches]
> >
> >Greetings wrenches........any of you sit for the
> NABCEP test this go
> >around......it sure was interesting.....
> >no wire sizing calculations!?, no voltage drop
> calculations!?, no over
> >temp output calculations!?, no ampacity
> calculations!?
> >The test was not what i expected...
> .............any one else have any
> >take on the test?
> >
> >
> >--
> >Sunny Regards,
> >Kirpal Khalsa


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