[RE-wrenches] NABCEP

Thu May 24 18:09:20 PDT 2012

Having been a Carpenter before becoming an electrician, and then working
with PV, I see the need for licencing of some sort.  You can all imagine
the "summer carpenters" I had to deal with.  Without a licensed trade like
plumbers and electricians in MN, anyone can do the work.  To become
a licensed electrician in MN, you need 10,000 hours of verified
work experience (apprenticeship) before you can even sit for the test.
 This makes our license reciprocal with, I believe, any state in the USA.
Last time I checked, if you came from say, Mississippi, you would need to
take our state electrical test to have your licence be accepted here in
MN (I just picked Mississippi).  Not every licensed electrician should be
left alone to wire, let alone run the electrical department at Home Depot!
  There are slackers in all trades.  Well maybe not perfect, to me, NABCEP
offers some kind of verifiable work experience and classroom time.

I am proud of both my state electrical licence and my NABCEP Certs.  Just
my Iron Range opinion.....

I do like the idea of an off-grid and "utility" cert as well.....

Jesse

On Thu, May 24, 2012 at 7:09 PM, Tom Duffy <Tom at thesolar.biz> wrote:

>  Certification is just a business, whether it’s for computer Techs or
> Solar Installers, and they seem to be entities unto themselves. I have
> heard all the arguments for certs, but like you said some folks don’t test
> well but are knowledgeable others test well but are clueless as to
> practical applications.****
>
> ** **
>
> Back a decade or so ago I taught Computer Tech certification (A+) at our
> local university. In one class that I taught I had 23 network admins
> (Employed as such) and managing large networks. Only three tested and one
> passed. The point is all were capable network admins.****
>
> ** **
>
> The real question is… how does one prove their expertise? Especially to
> the general public. I have seen some real nightmarish off grid systems
> setup by NABCEP installers and Non-NABCEP as well. It is a problem and
> though I don’t believe in certification, I also don’t have an alternative
> suggestion either.  ****
>
> * *
>
> Kind Regards****
>
> ** **
>
> Tom Duffy****
>
> Senior Solar Design Engineer****
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> *From:* re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:
> re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of *Dana
> *Sent:* Thursday, May 24, 2012 12:04 PM
> *To:* 'RE-wrenches'
> *Subject:* [RE-wrenches] NABCEP****
>
> ** **
>
> NABCEP has been a strangely quiet subject on this forum. FYI - I checked
> with our honorable moderator prior to posting this.****
>
> ** **
>
> If we are attempting to expand the field of “certified“ installer and
> designers why is NABCEP run the way it is?****
>
> ** **
>
> Getting the NABCEP cert and living in w.CO has been a virtual nightmare &
> living where I do and having to travel 7 hours each way, stay in a hotel
> etc, this is a joke. I may be in the minority but point to make here.
> Beyond that I became a wrench because I do not test well [avoided a 4 year
> degree] yet I can outline a schematic for electrical or plumbing in my head
> and build it the first time correctly.****
>
> ** **
>
> The test schedule and availability - NABCEP needs to open up to local
> proctoring, libraries, schools, etc.****
>
> 2 tests a Year? Electricians can re- test 24 or 48 hours? later and use a
> variety of resources. Why can we not?****
>
> When an electrician tests they get their results as they walk out of the
> test room.  Why do we have to wait 6 weeks? ****
>
> The NEC book is the only reference  material at the test when is not doing
> a trade about knowing your resources and utilizing them? From what I
> understand any number of professions and trades get to use several resource
> books. You would think we were going to be secret agents or the like. ****
>
> ** **
>
> I have done off grid for 24 years. Most NABCEP folk who are GT only have
> not a clue as to battery based design and should not be allowed to do the
> same. ****
>
> I am "certified" and probably very competent up to 50KW would be just fine
> but 100KW or 1MW? This is probably not a brilliant idea without a backup
> coach.****
>
> Questions on 3 phase on the test? I would ask my licensed master
> electrician yet we are asked several questions on 3 phase. I have asked
> masters and they have had to go look up the answer.****
>
> I would suggest a basic GT cert up to 50KW with a supplemental for >50kw
> and a separate adder for off grid. Tests every 2 month or on a scheduled
> basis with you local librarian****
>
> ** **
>
> I fly my NABCEP cert in the bathroom and upside down. It is in distress,
> stinks, and needs help. The re-wrenches is strangely silent on this much
> damaged product called certification.****
>
> I see some major issues and would like to start a discussion about how it
> is managed.****
>
> I think it needs rethinking.****
>
> ** **
>
> Thanks for considering & your opinion?****
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> Dana Orzel -  Great Solar Works, Inc -  E - *dana at solarwork.com* -  V *
> 970.626.5253*****
>
> F - 970.626.4140     C - 970.209.4076     web - www.solarwork.com  ****
>
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