Rolling stock?

[Knobhead]

welding??? is that even sparks job

Unless you’re going to use double sided sticky tape, yes.

Only about 40% of your time is electrical work. You have a plant to keep running, you do whatever is needed otherwise someone will be jumping up and down on you.

 

[rapparee]

thanks for that and what sort of work does commerical and industrial include?

Well i'm industrial. I work in a factory. We do the basic stuff like power and lighting, and then we would also be responsible for maintenance on plant and machinary. This is mostly identifing faults and then getting the machine/plant running. At times it can be dossy at other times it is high pressure depending on production demands.

 

[Sintra]

Believe it or not welding is a handy skill to have especially if you're installing heavy containment systems.

 

[snowhead]

Rolling Stock is Railways, carriages, wagons, etc.

Commercial as above; Offices, shops both small and Supermarkets, Banks etc.
Generally cleaner and lighter work (relatively speaking) compared to Industrial.

Commercial is probably more multi-skilled than Industrial.
The days of an Electrician disconnects a motor, a fitter removes and replaces it and the Electrician reconnects it are long gone except probably on very large sites.
I'm Commercial, the biggest motors I've replaced or worked on are 35kw.

Tony on his Industrial sites probably used them as door stops.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Believe it or not welding is a handy skill to have especially if you're installing heavy containment systems.

.. and if you have a 22 year old car.

 

[Knobhead]

Rolling Stock is Railways, carriages, wagons, etc.

Commercial as above; Offices, shops both small and Supermarkets, Banks etc.
Generally cleaner and lighter work (relatively speaking) compared to Industrial.

Commercial is probably more multi-skilled than Industrial.
The days of an Electrician disconnects a motor, a fitter removes and replaces it and the Electrician reconnects it are long gone except probably on very large sites.
I'm Commercial, the biggest motors I've replaced or worked on are 35kw.

Tony on his Industrial sites probably used them as door stops.

Motor changes really were rigmarole when demarcation ruled.

• I would test the motor, it’s got to be changed so I’d isolate back at the switchroom.
• Production issue the permit handing the plant over to me.
• I’d then disconnect the supply cable.
• I issue a permit to the fitters and apply their locks to the local isolator.
• The fitters would remove the holding down bolts and the coupling.
• The slingers and riggers would move the motor to the plant loading dock.
• The transport department would take the motor to stores.
• I go to stores and fill out all the paperwork for repair.
• I issue a requisition for a replacement motor (we had over 1000 on stock.)
• Transport delivers the motor to the plant.
• Slingers and riggers get the motor on to the bedplate.
• The fitters fit the coupling and align the drive before bolting down.
• I cancel the fitters permit.
• I removed the fitters locks from the local isolator.
• I connect the motor.
• I then make live from the switchroom and test run.
• I cancel my production permit and hand the plant back.

Probably a full day + overtime to change a 10HP motor which would now take 1½Hrs tops including the isolation and permits.

 

[PEG]

Also,if it is industrial work you are hankering after,you will not only have to get familiar with the function and installation,of such equipment,but get knowledgeable regarding its' use.

This may mean a longer,more protracted learning curve...

I have worked on plant,large and small,and have not got busy with anything,i cannot fully use myself. This has included directional drilling,MIG,TIG and MMa welding gear,de-watering plant,generation sets,stone processing plant etc.

For example,there is an extra layer of problems,when trying to fault find,on say,a large W/C Mig set,when you cannot actually weld with it,yourself.

On occasion,you will discover a reported "problem" is operator error,or even good ole' politics....you will find this hard to evaluate,if the testing part is out of your hands...Tony may relate to this.

You will need to be hungry to learn,learn all the aspects of the type of industry favoured,and NEVER think of parts of that trade as either beyond you,or too menial.

None of what you read on these threads,will put you off,if you are indeed serious....Because thick skin ,will be another attribute added to the list!

Good luck :icon12:

 

[UKMeterman]

If you want to see a whole load of interesting stuff to decide what you might like pop along to the NEC about this time next year and go to Drives and Controls 2014 - Welcome to Drives and Controls 2014 lots of different sectors for you to consider.

 

[assegayer]

Thank you all for your useful replies

 

[Knobhead]

Diplomacy helps if there’s a fault in the future. You cover for the operator, he’ll be helpful after that.
Learning to cut through operator BS is a learnt skill, they’ll try to cover their arse by leading you astray. You develop a 2nd sense, are you getting the truth or not. The usual “I didn’t touch anything, it did it on its own” always raises a wry smile, either that or I’d go wappy at them.

Covering for an operators cock up has landed me in the office a few times. “We know you’re telling lies, we can’t prove it!” The process lads looked after me because I looked after them.

An important thing, learn the process. That way you’ll know what should be happening and you’ll not be trying to fathom it out when it has genuinely gone belly up.

assegayer, it takes time to get in to the swing of industrial work. If you get half a chance, get in there. It’ll be hard work at first but once you’re up and running, you’ll not regret the decision.