Episode 36 - Mistakes I Made As An Apprentice Electrician

[@andrewsmusic7525]

I've been an electrician for over 40 years working domestic , commercial , industrial and entertainment sectors.If I could give only one piece of advice .... Always check for live wire yourself ... dont take someone else,s word for it that the electricity has been isolated... no matter how experienced they are.... The first thing an apprentice should learn ...... how to check for live cables in my opinion.....

[@user-ii3tz3pl8w]

Finishing my electrician continue ed 🙅‍♂️ Watching Electrician U for fun 🤠🤠🤠

[@justincralle7802]

As a brand new apprentice (first week) thank you for scaring the shit out of me. I needed it.

[@blakehorton8110]

You'll be ok man lol be safe and never take this profession as an joke or get to comfortable and you will be fine . Always look out for yourself as well and double and triple check if need be before working on anything energized .

[@AaronVira]

How are you doing after 2 months?

[@justincralle7802]

V I’ve learned a lot so far, I don’t feel lost on job sites anymore for the most part. I still learn something new everyday which is great because when I reflect on my off time it’s satisfying. I’ve been able to help with some side work too. I’m starting school through abc next week which will get me prepared for the journeyman exam. All in all it’s been challenging and humbling but satisfying as well.

[@BradPwnsU]

Justin Cralle my advice is get a nice pair of gloves. I literally would cut my hands every single damn day

[@MasterChief-sl9ro]

I will give you some advice. If they say its off. You go check! My first day they told me it was off. That 277 volt switch on a Zensco breaker tried to kill me!. It was in a fucking Hospital of all places... Never trust anybody. Verify it. You will live longer for it.. As I ran across this even too this day. Why that meter is bonded to my ass everywhere I go.. Good Luck.

[@robertmcdonald4591]

I stuck my tongue on a 9V battery once. So I can relate.

[@inttyasi]

Robert McDonald 😂😂😂😂

[@robertfpjr]

Once? That’s how you check to see if it’s a good battery.

[@collinstone7044]

My mom told me to do that once hahaha

[@infl]

Thought that was a common practice

[@westcoastbassin2904]

I remember I dislocated my thumb cause I was in a rush 😂 dumbest shit ever

[@JohnSmith-ok6om]

277 is a whole other level. I was working up on an 8ft ladder and we were dropping MC wire down demountable walls for switches. I had dropped a few MC cables down hot taking precautions to not get shocked. I came upon a MC wire I needed to drop down but it had not been stripped. So I tested it (and i should not have relied just on a TIC tester) and it said it had no power. I then broke the MC cable with my hands and cut the metal sheath. As I started to pull it apart the hot end came in contact with the now ungrounded part of the MC sheath. Both hands locked around the now two separate pieces of MC cable. I do not exactly remember what happened but my entire body locked up and I remember a super powerful pulsing going through my entire body...I hit the ground and could not get away and I thought I would not make it. But somehow my hand let go of it. I laid on the ground for a while to catch my breath. I went and got checked out by the ER and everything was good. The next day my neck and body was so sore it was hard to get out of bed. God was good, and I learned a major lesson.

[@ricardovalentin2410]

What is a tic tester? and what type of tester should you have used?

[@chrisallen1875]

Good thing Electricians are immortal.

[@tylerbrown6846]

This comment made my year 😂

[@Smb2886]

Like highlander

[@TimboStang71]

Haha love it, LEGEND

[@bryand6051]

Much respect for your honestry. For people who don't know, if electricity passes through your heart it can cause your heart to go off rhythm and you can die days later. Best to go to the hospital and have yourself checked out.

[@Journey2Master]

Bryan D agreed

[@michaelsmith9308]

I normally wait a year and if im ok, than i know its all good! iF i dont make it to the year margin - that means im in the afterlife!

[@blakehorton8110]

Never heard of this all my years , have to look into this it must be very rare

[@erickdafoe2723]

Blake Horton is this true?

[@lampoyo]

Yes. We were told in class of a guy who died hours after he went home after getting shocked. A guy in class admitted he felt really tired until the next day, after getting shocked by 277. I'm thinking his heart-beat was out of whack? Best to have yourself checked out right away.

[@Sojourner927]

When I became an apprentice I was daily put thru the ringer. My teachers were so strict- they seemed so perfect. I just knew I would never be able to become an electrician. I started making the whole crew eat lunch together. At lunch the journeymen and masters relaxed and began telling stories of their mistakes in the trade. Not only did I laugh and relate but I learned more from those stories than in the field. Thank you so much for this video.These type of experiences/mistakes are what taught me to respect electricity.And to decide to become an electrician.

[@yassanregiste6733]

Jesus loves u

[@Nelson-sr2bi]

@@yassanregiste6733 Christ is King.

[@andyfletcher3561]

I'm 61. Been in construction, one trade or another, since 1979, electrician since 1989. I have a number of injuries the employer paid for "out of pocket" that now haunt me with pain. No recourse. First, all small shops for the most part and most of the owners and companies are all dead and long gone now. No documentation. FAA facility, Palmdale California. Must have been '96, I'd only had my ticket a couple of months. Bringing some #12's into a critical 480V 3/PH that couldn't be locked out. The conductors on a 200A breaker were I guess loose. Bringing my new circuits in behind THOSE conductors wiggled them a bit and they started to arc in the lugs. Amazing how quick it carbon tracked across the lugs of that breaker AND another. I was working from the first step of a 6' step ladder. I never heard, felt,or saw a thing. It was like "So...THIS is dead?". The only thing I was aware of was the smell of my burned hair. I didn't know if I was standing, sitting, blown through a steel wall, nothing, only the smell of burned hair. I couldn't see, I couldn't hear, I couldn't feel. The first thing to come back was my hearing. Then feeling, I could feel folks patting my shoulders started making them out as asking if I was alright. The blast blew me straight back 8-10' from the panel and I landed on my feet facing the panel directly. I don't know exactly how long this all took. It seemed like minutes. Still took me another couple of minutes to talk after my sight(the scariest part for me) finally came back. All my exposed hair was gone, and that was quite a bit. The only thing that saved me from getting more than minor burns and a "welding spot" on my eye was that I left the dead front on on the panel while I worked it. I seriously thought I was dead. Scared the absolute shit out of me, and I'd seen some things across the trades I've worked in. Had some things happen to me. Just live with them. But THAT scared me. Took me over a year to sack up and go back. I tried for like two weeks after I could take my eye patch off. I knew what the job entailed, what tasks I would be asked to perform, and I wasn't...Comfortable. Way too distracted and that's dangerous to others. And for many reasons, I HAD to come back.

[@Journey2Master]

Wow my friend thank you so much for sharing that story. Keeps me humble to hear things like this. No matter how careful we think we're being, there's always the unknowns hiding around the corner. Peace my brother

[@circleboykidd]

Hey guys my name is Shaun I'm on here looking for some mentorship. Im doing maintenance and im looking for individuals with a lot of knowledge that wouldn't mind helping me and teaching me more about electrical work. If your willing to help i would be very appreciative.

[@TechieTard]

:-O wholly fuck! Electrician friend of mine alway's said, when he had to work on a live panel, he always torqued the lugs to tighten the entrance conductors. He said the conductors ALWAYS come lose after months or years from all the cooling and expansion. Glad you didn't lose your eye site. Another friend of mine was simply changing a receptacle on a typical residential job, grabbed the black conductor in the box that was from the other phase, tapped it into the line out and 240 jumped right into his right eye, he freakin lost the eye ball!!! His words, never trust the wires, you don't know what someone else did!

[@MasterChief-sl9ro]

Fuck that shit..I'm 60 and seen it all over 40 years. You ever see whats left of a 400 amp service panel. That goes Phase to Phase. You will never try that shit again. It was like a JDAM went off in that room. I felt the blast wave 100 feet away. And it was like the Sun just appeared. You could see Vaporized Copper in the guys face. As that shit travels at 50,000 psi.. Some shit tried to happen again. In the same building. As a guy was trying to put the spring back in a 400 amp disconnect. While it was still hot. As it popped out. He said hold his flashlight so he can see. I told him to fuck off. Them needle nose touch that buss. He will get to see if Jesus really does exist..I walked off. Called the shop. Made them setup a service at night. When I could turn the power off.

[@Stolentoken]

Oh wow, I actually live here, was it fox field? Thanks for sharing and glad your ok!

[@venividivici4253]

Classic story. My dad is a master electrician and I was helping him on his job. I think I was 19 at the time. He wanted me to disconnect a wire so not knowing the wire was live, I took his lineman pliers and cut the wire and BAM it nicked the pliers with a tooth and I was stunned back as the pliers dropped to the floor and blew the breaker. That was frightening to me.

[@johnjacobs6234]

Your dad's a fucking idiot. No offense. That's not a "lesson" for you to learn at 19. He shouldn't have had you work on anything hot.

[@andrewsandefur7715]

The first time I hooked up a small 6/12 QO panel I swapped a hot and neutral and made half the circuits 220. fried all the radios a lady had set up in her horse barn.

[@TheMemeXp1]

Why does your face and comment make sense lol?

[@johnsmithth3318]

I don't want to get hurt anymore . I've been in the trade a long time. Thanks for putting this up, I think anybody who wants to mess with the power should watch this.

[@b-yyourelectricguy8722]

MAN, I AM so encouraged by your series of videos. I started about 35 years ago. I started in electrical wholesale distributor sales. I was shown what an opportinity that becoming an electrician was way back then. So, after I finally listened. I used to get my hands on everything I could- books, talk to people, - Electrical Engineers, maintenance guys, otther. wholesale distributors, I worked for peanuts with electrical contractors, etc... Before this, I went to a non union electrical trade school - right out of high school. I didn't finish, due to getting married with her 2 young boys. Then, after my divorce, I went back to school for Robotics. It's cosmic or something, in high school, I didn't know that I would become a journeyman electrician. Anyway, I kept this fire stayed alive right through my divorce. It was then, that I finally took my electrical journeymans test -4 times. (Politics) I was in trade school at the time. I knew the theory, but the practical application was a weak spot for me. They just wanted to see how bad I desired my liscense. I had all my letters on place, but I took 4 different kinds of journeymans exams and reviewed the last time, and felt something funny happening. I'll never forget when I was sworn in by that board of Electrical inspector. After working for other contractors, in 2000 a chance came up to work as my own business. It was a strange job, but near the end, the electrical contractor wasn't getting paid. After I waited some weeks for another job to work on. I was called by the General to finish odds and ends on that job. I never looked back. I finished the job. Anyway, after this, about 15 years in, more of life stepped in. Mom got sick and after fighting it for years- died. Then my step dad - died, then my only sister died, all of a sudden. So, I kind of drifted through that part of my life as a journeyman electrician, with no goals. I boo- hooed for a long time. I've been around, studied, work worked with electricity for most of my adult life, but my passion died somewhere along the way. My desire to study died somewhere along the way. Then, the resistance I met, from other people, Black and White, face to face, I thought was because of color, was not pleasant either. But through all of this, I started reading more about health and nutrition. I even thought about giving up the electrical work to become a certified nutritionist. But, through everything that I've been through, that passion is returning. Thank you for your efforts. I know you are probably a union man, but I could not let my passion for this business die due to racism. My love of music is also returning. My mom had me involved in singing all of my life. So I kept singing at church to keep my promise to her. " Not to give up, and don't give up on your music." I have played around on the piano, bass guitar, etc... since I was 13. So, from my ongoing interest in nutrition, my love of music- writing and producing- my passion for obtaining My electrical master's liscense, at a mature age, I can see a future for myself again. I made a lot of business mistakes. Not charging enough for my services. People knocking my price down. I wasn't organized. BUT WHAT I DID DO WAS, TO LEAVE EVERY JOB DOING MY BEST, GIVING IT MY BEST. I USED LIVE, BREATHE AND EAT THE CODE BOOK. I built my business, over the years, as most do, on referrals. But now, my van went down. I'm using a lift driver to get around with my tools. These are some of the bleakest days I've ever seen. But, I can still earn more a day, or in less time, working for myself, than working with other electricians. That's pretty amazing. Most journeyman electricians and master's that I know, will only pay me $100.00 a day. So, it is a struggle right now. My pride gets in the way also. There is a lot of truth to - Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 New International Version (NIV) For the first time in my career, I'm developing fliers to advertise myself- to promote myself- using quickbooks online to get estimates out quickly- reading about everything I can to organize me in taxes, accounting, and the thought process of business. My image, the customer's perception making the difference, etc.... But, I'm still feeling a little down sometimes with stuff, back bills, and bills. But - My passion for what I do is returning slowly. I now see what I didn't do was, try hard enough, and try smart enough, in doing what I could do for most of my life. So, I'm pushing forward somehow. So, as I sit here meditating on what I can do to reach the goal of my master's liscense, again I want to thank you. Some of us, have to learn things the hard way. Get kicked in the business head. Get knocked down by life to see just how bad we desire this thing called success. I now know deep down inside, that an electrical tradesman is what I was meant to be. I also now know deep down inside, that a nutritionist is also what I was meant to be. I went to school for Automated Robotics / Electronics after my divorce. I've got to use this knowledge also in my business somehow. My mission now is to give myself so much passion again, and to fuel it, fan it, keep it burning right through to my end, that everyone that sees me, understands that this is what I do. I've got two grand nephew's and a grand niece to leave some money behind for them, to help them get a fighting chance in this life when I die. I've learned so much over the years. It can't be put into words. I've passed your basics videos to others, but I was not in a position to hire them long term to really make a difference in thier lives. That's another goal of mine. So, Continued Peace, Power and Purpose be in our lives. B-Y Electric Byron

[@circleboykidd]

Hi my name is Shaun and im looking for mentorship if you'd like to help let me know. I'd greatly appreciate it! Thank you and stay blessed my people :)

[@yellownp22541]

I know about peaks and valleys of life, like you right now deeply in s valley, looking forward to begin climbing the peak. Stay positive don’t give up, things will be better. I get inpatient waiting but it will happen soon.

[@Z-Ack]

Longest comment ive ever seen...

[@digoravas1986]

U a virgo ur strong and can overcome anyodds

[@armandhammer2235]

@3:40 I had an apprentice working for me with a gold front tooth. I was on a ladder installing a water heater in an attic. He was a go getter, I told him I needed something and he took off running for the truck. He didn't come back right away, I got down and looked for him and found him with his gold tooth in his hand. He tripped and fell and knocked his tooth out. Cost me a grand and I told him again: THERE IS NO RUNNING IN PLUMBING. 😎

[@gazoline7093]

my boss in Australia loves red bulls, and he has this little system depending on the severity of your f**k up depends on the number and size of the red bulls you have to buy him at lunch.

[@raymondgarafano7845]

I think I know. Touchin 277 off panel with no current drawn is not same as getting btween 10 amp load and neutral

[@enteraqua]

That’s not healthy.

[@americanpride9733]

Is he still alive?

[@theeducator6342]

Brother you make me want to go get a job as an electrician. Thank you

[@TheCompton1963]

Do it !!!!

[@Cruisnik00]

Just discovered your channel. Learning a lot since I just started my apprenticeship and enjoying all the tips and info you’re giving.

[@austinpowers3699]

I stuck my hand in a 110 volt outlet when I was 8, exept unlike a normal child, after I got shocked. I did it again.😎

[@Shrampion]

Feels good huh?

[@burumunwolf7879]

I have the chance to be an apprentice and you've scared the crap out of me with all the videos of yours I've been watching. If I can pass the test for being a train engineer. I'm ready for this new challenge.

[@TheFlyingtire]

Just applied to a couple apprentice positions a couple day’s ago. Here I am worrying about doing something really minor like bending an offset the wrong way a ruining a stick of conduit and you’ve literally fallen through the ceiling and fried water heaters lol

[@loganocchionero6621]

I've been an apprentice for 4 months, and have been working with electricians for about a year and a half and still haven't been shocked. I did a college program that goes through everything that apprentices do in trade school and know what I can and can't touch. I'm told I will get shocked sooner or later, but Im trying to keep this streak going as long as possible

[@tonymoon2022]

Walking through kudzu to clear a path for my bucket truck and got tangled and fell backwards. Broke my tibia. By myself. No phone or radio close. Started to crawl. A non English speaking individual saw me and carried me to my truck. And he stayed with me until the ambulance arrived. Proof that the vest humanity existed that day. God bless that man.

[@enteraqua]

Goddamn kudzu

[@bbilagody]

Thank you for sharing your experience brother. I'm a 1st year. Veteran US Army. You make joining this trade a good decision

[@benmardis8237]

bbilagody best thing I ever did brother, every day is a new experience. 3rd year apprentice here

[@WhatsAfterThisPlace]

I am currently active us army. I cant wait to get out and start this!

[@peteshmeat9495]

@bbilagody veteran here too, also electrician now. Lol small world.

[@rayjohnson6912]

Eric Bernik not sure about your area but where I’m at, you take an apprenticeship test through the fire marshall and the test is based on code, or you can find a contractor or company that will hire you as an apprentice

[@jude2005386]

Needed to hear this. Thank You for this Series.

[@analisarivera7712]

Now I feel so much better...the things I did on my first jobsite LOL Thanks for this video❤

[@Journey2Master]

It's always good to hear that there's somebody that's done WAY dumber shit than you right? lol

[@georgie_the_cockatiel4232]

We had a 5th-year apprentice that was about to journey out... He got hit with 277v changing out an exit sign, the shocked toasted him of an 8' ladder. He got paralyzed from the impacted... stay safe, good thing there's a brotherhood that looks out for one another....

[@SovereignTroll]

Your work ethic and no matter what attitude carries you far.

[@clifforddobbs6693]

I was hit by 3 Phase 277 at a NASA job once didn't say anything but it left a bruise I did the same thing looked around stayed quiet and shed a tear knowing my ass was lucky i didn't make a good bridge.

[@landonwalker7704]

From Amarillo. Ibew602. Found your channel yesterday and really enjoy it. I am a 2nd year and at the end of that year.. I love it! I have experienced many thing including a fatality on the jobsite. Still gets to me sometimes but it only make me wanna be the best I can be everyday. Keep up the good work bro.

[@Journey2Master]

Thanks for watching my dude!

[@AbdiCervantes]

What was the cause of the fatality, if I may ask

[@dakotaspears8924]

Dude i'd love to be your apprentice lol, great vids man. couldn't tell you how many times I laughed at these stories

[@victorvalente5858]

First off I love you content man. I’m an EJ as well. I remember getting hit from 277 with full load before and I feel you bro. I got got wrapped by all types voltages when I was an apprentice. But that 277v tho. It like was like I got hit from a truck. It was like nothing I felt before. I finished my shift but all whole time my arm felt painful and heavy. Hard to explain. But I learned a valuable lesson that day.

[@jerbear6947]

Yes exactly on 277V. Mine knocked me off the ladder and burned a small crater in my fore arm. They say 480 don’t let you go usually. Means death usually. Scary stuff sometimes for sure.

[@davids.9924]

My dad got shocked by 480. He grabbed a welding machine that was ungrounded and had a short in the wiring, so the metal body was hot. They're right about 480 not letting you go. Dude said he tried pulling off the welding machine so hard, he dragged the thing with him. Somehow during all this, his shoulder blew out off his rotator cuff, and it broke the circuit and saved his life. Needless to say, he was out of commission for a little while.

[@justink7269]

Your experience is so much more valuable than you think

[@twalker5196]

Love the story of you putting it in reverse and finishing the job dude.

[@colewolfe6601]

The story at Hobby Lobby was hilarious! Thanks so much for sharing your experiences man!

[@galemckamy8869]

Loved the video. Good info. I've been bit by 277VAC and, yeah, it hurts, but being bit by 250VDC feels like being hit by a sledge hammer. It put me on my knees in a split second and my hand was throbbing for hours.

[@zmettin1994]

VDC is a different beast man. Completed a circuit in a data center doing some “hot slides” in an emergency scenario. 600 VDC hit me like a mule kicking me in the chest. Threw me (I threw myself in hindsight.) Could not feel a damn thing and couldn’t do a damn thing short of sitting on an upside down bucket outside the facility coming down from that shock. Glad you are okay. No way to turn off a battery... learned a good lesson that day.

[@bryanbridges2987]

Wow, that story about the panel box made me feel a lot better about myself. I was helping my uncle rewire an old house, (he did this so I could get some MUCH needed experience), and he told me to wire the new breaker box. All the CB's were doubles. So I'm squatting down, splicing wires, running em under the box, into the box and then into CBs. I was so dumb, I put the black wires AND the whites in CBs. I would put one black in the top, and its white below it. Needless to say that was a terrible mistake. I blew out several lights and their fridge. It was late at night when I realized what I had done, so I had to wake my uncle and his wife up and tell them to turn the power off. I felt awful.

[@adren0chr0me.]

I was an apprentice in a different field (software) and made so many mistakes. It’s comforting in a way to know that apprentices and people just starting out will and can make mistakes and I’m not the only one.

[@dirty_butter]

In 2006 I was new to truck mechanics and working as a parts changer. I was changing a speedometer sensor on the back of a transmission. Covered in Dallas Sweat and Over the road grease. I set my forearm on an aluminum fuel tank and had the spider web feeling from forearm to butt where I was sitting on a creeper. Trucks carry 4 700amp 12vdc batteries. 1400 in primary power and 2800 for cranking. But 1400 amps is not the locking motion I ever want to be doing again. Now I disconnect the ground. Thanks Man, I love your informative videos and so does my Father.

[@SeanReifschneider]

If you set down your tools on a tile and the tile cracks, it was probably improperly installed. If you don't have 95% thinset coverage on big tiles, they are prone to cracking. I wonder if that property owner had all sorts of tile cracking problems after you left. We were remodeling our kitchen and I just laid down a bunch of 16x4 tiles so my wife could see what they look like. The dog came in with this giant bone and dropped it and cracked a tile. My wife was freaking out about "what if the dog does that after we get the tile in?" I took her to a test board I had laid a bunch of tile out on with thinset and gave her a hammer to hit it with. It takes a pretty hard hit to crack a properly supported tile. :-)

[@Journey2Master]

Damn, good to know

[@AnimosityGamers]

shocked by 347 volts from a commercial pot light. Had it locked out with my tag on it and someone cut my lock off when trying to flip random breakers to reset something they tripped. OHS never found out who it was. I locked up like a board, apprentice kicked the ladder out from under me to get me down. But by far DC is the worst to get shocked by im my opinion.

[@AnimosityGamers]

Journey 2 Master I suspect it was a painter cause he never once spoke to me after and I’ve seen him flicking breakers before but there wasn’t any concrete evidence so basically innocent until proven guilty.

[@amoncopeland6747]

Yea seen DC melt a ring on a finger

[@briiandee]

Ac is more dangerous than DC because of the human bodies capacitance.. we can withstand higher DC voltage than ac.. you would barely feel 6v dc across your tongue, where as 6v ac would hurt a little

[@jaredhouston4223]

@@briiandee This is not true. A/C is sinusoidal with "peaks" and "troughs" and you can break away from a shorted A/C circuit during the "troughs" D/C on the other hand will not let go of you. 48 volts of D/C is way scarier than 240 A/C. Also A/C is sent through higher voltages than D/C which allows for more of a "skin effect". It's not the voltage that kills you anyways it's the amperage. I could touch 1 million volts all day at .001 amps, but if it had .5 amps behind it I would die from heart disruptions.

[@JerseyTom]

@@jaredhouston4223 1,000,000 volts at .001 amps is still 1 kilowatt of power... You aren't touching that all day, you aren't even touching that for a second.

[@ghentforce2020]

Dude...in one video you're inspiring me to become an electrician...and in the next you're scaring the hell out of me. What gives man. Please tell me that all of these incidents were preventable. I'm not going to be able to sleep tonight.

[@Journey2Master]

Hahaha they were, I just let my guard down and wasn't careful

[@peteshmeat9495]

90% of electricians are cynical dicks. Probably from long hours and doing preventative maintenance and installing meter stacks in established residential buildings having to deal with annoying tenants telling at you even though they know you were going to be working on it at least a month prior, because they need to make dinner for their stupid ass, equally annoying kids. And the fact you might be working on a stack for almost 24 hours, with no sleep. And your manager lied and told the HOA youd be done in 10 hours

[@Migwelp]

@@peteshmeat9495 that sounds like ass. Is that stuff commonplace? What part of the country?

[@clifforddobbs6693]

They are preventable but many times everyone forgets do it safely not arrogantly

[@aquattadomdren6760]

Potential. In one video you see the potential opportunity, in another you see the potential for risk. Analyzing and managing your risk is the key to ANYTHING mechanical. As he says, carelessness and letting his defense down led to those accidents. So far, I’ve installed and repaired garage doors, backflow preventers and now I’m installing hvac equipment (residential retrofit). Ideally, that fear will not inhibit you from doing your job in a timely manner, but will allow you to avoid muscle memory mistakes because you are in fact thinking and not just going through the motions.

[@jackdoyle9409]

Dustin, you are the man. I got shocked last week, wrestling with two GFCIs, trying to get them into a double gang box. Should have just turned the friggin breaker off, but I was very careless in this case. Anyway, I lost concentration and put my finger on the hot screw. I could have easily had my other hand on the bonding screw, completed the circuit, and stopped my heart. Luckily, it just hurt. I promised myself that I wouldn't make that mistake again. Still haven't been shocked so bad that it made me reconsider my career path, and I hope I never will. Just gotta be careful, and get a clamp meter in the future. Thanks for the videos, and stay safe out there, everyone!

[@davidchitty4810]

Jack Doyle next time wrap the device with electrical tape

[@texasjourneyman207]

If u got shocked u were already grounded somewhere anyways u can touch a hot wire if u are not grounded so touching the green screw would make no difference if u got shocked it’s because u were grounded at some point

[@rodriguezgaming4799]

I got shocked once on my second week of being in the field and after i got shocked my ass thought i was gonna become the flash 😂😂

[@amoncopeland6747]

277 is no Joke.. Its a life changing experience. Been hit by it a couple of times. Worst was when I took it to the dome, sweaty dome with a well loaded circuit. Time stops came out of my body took a look at myself heard me making noises. Then you have trouble breathing and thinking for a few days.

[@goaliedude32]

That's nutty. I got a tingle from 277 through one of those little giant ladders. All of the other ladders were in use and we needed to get done. I didn't think there was a path to ground with the kind of floor we were working on but i got a pretty sharp tingle. It def felt different than getting hit full on by 120 and I can tell that I never want to get hit by full 277. Glad to hear you tell your story instead of reading how it took you out!

[@spikeklein2196]

Glad you’re still with us Dustin. Holy crap

[@XXMUZZELFLASHXX]

Haha I knew you blazed😂 a fisherman can always spot another fisherman from afar 😉

[@cward1954]

When you get in a hurry, mistakes will be made. I try and tell younger folks that, and they don't listen.

[@rocky_rocker_1235]

Yeah being electrician can be very dangerous. I work at plant and the area has voltages ranging from 14.6k to 600/347vac. Then the some control 250vdc or 240ac or 120vac or 24vdc. Then we have VFD that use 870vdc for powering. We also have 250vdc power systems for our DC equipment. Some of the old equipment has expose systems like huge contractor that use for motor circuits or other control. Lucky we finally upgraded our production lines where thing are way safer. I was scared when I was doing my apprenticeship and troubleshooting some of the old systems. I always double check to make sure power was dead before working on or even near.lol I always had my low volt gloves and sheild on when trouble shooting stuff. Some of the AFE drive lines had gaint capacitors that would hold chargers and would need to discharge before pulling the switch. Some of contractor give big ass sparks. It was scary metering the 250vdc gaint ass coils and watch the contacts open and close. People should know is that current what’s going hurt or kill a person. There are systems that are extra low voltage but high current. The person should have understanding what system does like voltage, current and load. Thats what going tell the trade person if he or she going to live or live like veggie 🤤 or be dead😵.lol I like your video because it reminded me when I was apprenticeship and my days of frying shit too.haha

[@yulopthegreat]

Normally it is voltage kill right?high ampere batteries with 12 volt wont kill u..but if high voltage battery witj even low amp does kill

[@Berbs73]

I hit myself in the head with a claw hammer when I was an apprentice. That was 24 years ago.

[@colina2269]

My most costly fuck up was when I was up in a bucket truck replacing a ballast in a pole light. I had the ballast resting kind of on the flap that comes down that the ballast and bracket can secure to. I think I was holding the ballast on the flap and trying to screw the bracket on the flap while holding the ballast secured to the bracket but lost my grip and dropped the ballast right on the ground, it bounced off the ground hit one car cracked a windshield and dented a fender then bounced off that car and hit one next to it aswell. Always position your bucket under whatever your working under

[@Journey2Master]

Colin A whoa!!! Holy shit the feeling you must have had in your stomach watching that all go down!!! Thanks for sharing, valuable lesson learned there.

[@louierichardson123]

I want to thank you for creating great content! This has made me begin my electrician journey and I love it :)

[@elc2k385]

Im glad that Im starting to watch all your Journey to Master vlogs.

[@lesterfaapaiaga9681]

I start my apprenticeship first day at 7am and it’s 12:15am Thanks for the heads up

[@RahmatNajji]

Amazing story brother... love your stories... and thank you so much for all the knowledge you shared... learned so much from you

[@markiefufu]

Not an electrician, but used to work commercial, installing floors, so I've been around a lot of electricians and other trades. Really enjoying your videos. Currently wiring up my school bus/RV and getting a lot of good info from you. I'll probably have a licensed electrician go over my work when I'm done, to be on the safe side. Anyway, as for being shocked, 110 doesn't really phase me, lol. But years ago when I was rebuilding the engine in my 78 Trans Am, I was adjusting the distributor and the main boot was not on all the way. Not sure what volts and Amps hit me, but it was a huge shock and I felt electrified for hours. Not a fun feeling when that happens. Stay safe and keep up the good work.

[@CipherSerpico]

Even when you can't stand up, you're a stand up guy. I'll see myself out.

[@ivanlinares7837]

Wow! Thanks for sharing these amazing, humbling experiences with us! Crazy!

[@davids.9924]

I've been a helper for about a year and just got bit by 120 for the first time. Wasn't bad at all, but definitely woke my ass up. My dad got shocked by 480 and almost died. His rotator cuff blew out during the electrocution , and it broke the circuit before it reached his heart, which saved his life.

[@DavidRobinsonakaDJTiggr]

Hoping to start an apprenticeship soon (UK)... once got shocked after replacing the heating element in an electric cooker 230v. Body locked up and couldnt let go for what felt like ages.. my wife said it was about 5 seconds before i fell away from it. Lesson learned: switching off is not isolating something. Hey I wont ever forget it... i wont ever do it again!

[@ebony0922]

Omg thank you for this video!! This video definitely just changed my mind about becoming an electrician. I was undecided about what I wanted to do. Thank you for the story and please stay safe.

[@Canikman05]

Thanks for the honesty. I have watched several of your videos today after applying for an apprenticeship, wandering if it's a good fit for me. Id be leaving a job I've had for 17 years, building a great, well known company as a landscaper, but realize I can't do that forever. I think I will be making a good choice based on what I've learned from u. My personality seems a lot like yours. Lol

[@najodo5209]

Dude I graduated from my electrical program like 2 months ago and I’ve only just sent in my form to get licensed in my state and I’m just terrified man. My class has taught me well but my memory I don’t personally believe is up to standard and I did get high honors and all that bullshit but I just don’t trust myself. This work is serious and real and I don’t want to mess anyone up. This is terrifying for me and idk what to do.

[@something_in_the_radiator1665]

how are you doing now? i want to get into this trade but i'm trying to learn as much as i can before i take the aptitude test.

[@MrWhoadudewhoa]

Dude... You're stories are hilarious. I'd love to work for you.

[@idiotblacksmith9751]

Once I decided to take a camera apart and discharged the capacitor that charges the flash into my arm was definitely fun

[@oldaccount-j8j]

I was moving an 11ft ladder for the journeyman I was helping and he left his drill bit on top. I folded the ladder without checking and it fell and hit me right on top of my head. Not a terrible accident but it clocked me good unexpectedly

[@goaliedude32]

NO TOOLS ON TOPS OF LADDERS First guy I worked with 10 years ago, will never forget the way he would yell that at me. I didn't clock him, it was just the principle of the act of doing that.

[@tainopr4356]

Thanks for the video. I’m extremely grateful to have watched it. I always practice every safety posible, but things are more in perspective now.

[@andyramone8497]

I'm an electrician myself, and I have some of those very experience. I really appreciate your channel bro. I hope to meet you some day. I'd really like to get some other way to get in touch with you.

[@duenge]

While you were working while injured,...You proved the quality of employee you were! Good man. In the 80's I was a Medic, and I defibrillated myself by accident once...I can relate...

[@Jo3sX]

I recently started as an apprentice working on 7kv electric fences. Very low ampage but your whole body just vibrates. Certainly wakes you up.

[@jamessexton2423]

Love that hat. Thanks for scaring the shit out of me. Im still gonna get into the trade... I think.

[@mrzee5354]

I subscribe this man sounds like he knows what he's talking about and very knowledgeable

[@travalicious128]

Have gotten a sting, but nothing on that level. Been working live a lot recently with this new company, but it's nothing with working 120v. Love your stuff dude! I have seen a guy get shocked by 347v and know a guy who got shocked by 600v.

[@bMegalyth]

"It doesn't hurt that bad" until it happens to you. Take care of each other on the job. We're all there for the same reason.

[@wing7534]

Been an apprentice for just over 3 months now and I’m loving it. My boss told me to check out your videos and said he couldn’t find anything wrong with any of the information you put out. Haven’t been shocked yet but I know it’ll happen eventually

[@nicholasjackson3248]

How was the apprenticeship interview?

[@wing7534]

Nicholas Jackson Pretty easy actually. It’s a small company and I’m the only worker under the boss. We went to dinner and had a conversation. I had no prior labor experience but he was fine with that because he can mold me how he likes

[@nicholasjackson3248]

@@wing7534 did u have experience with tools before your apprenticeship?

[@wing7534]

Nicholas Jackson Somewhat yes, doing work with my friends on my truck and whatnot, but nothing crazy

[@Randyhenderson868]

Oh man i got bit by a 270 wild leg in a old residential home. I didnt even know the houses had it. My boss warned me to look close at the panel. I didnt. It fucking hurt. I learned a good lesson

[@MasterChief-sl9ro]

You do now. As I seen people not know that as well. They seem to not notice ever third breaker was missing for a reason. They install a breaker for 120 volts. Man when they turned that on. It smoked every TV. Toaster on the circuit...

[@casketman14]

I look up to you bro. The whole paying child support and still being able to pay for you and your new family’s bills is crazy.

[@isaiahmartinez9840]

Fuckn up man !! If your not learning your not leading!!! Thanks these videos are great to hear about other electrician experiences!! You named mistakes name your accomplishments !! Stay safe stay wild KZbin

[@baha1517]

First year legitimate indentured apprentice should watch out for bad companies that have their false apprentices; ones without apprentice trainee licensing . They're are all over the place, these ones won't be there for long because they cannot collect hours, but the damage they cause is huge on the company. If anyone who is a first year catches someone like that, they should opt out of the company, because the first moment you notice it, the company will lay you off because you know to much. They will have this person look after you like a journeyman, and isn't even near qualified to be an apprentice. Our states do not have anyone coming onsite looking for Training licenses, or Journeyman licenses, and if they did, there would be plenty of career opportunities to legitimate apprentices and qualified electrical tradesmen. Trades school is a scam, because they don't provide you with licensing or OJT Hours.

[@something_in_the_radiator1665]

i'm looking forward to getting into this trade but i've been trying to gain knowledge before i apply. why do you feel trade school is a scam? could you elaborate?

[@bracketzoxmk4671]

I love your videos. Currently I've been a helper for about 3 months to a handyman who specializes in electrical I've already done a few fuck ups (mainly reason is because I have 2 jobs) I still haven't been shocked but you explaining your mishaps. So now I I'm know to be more focused Thank you

[@TheAxlepup]

Right there with ya on the 277. I have been hit twice by 277. Completely different than 120. It literally made me scream the last time involuntarily.

[@izdagrimeyone]

My messed up coffee orders haunt me more than any electrical job mishap I ever did. It's the journeymen that didn't complain about my messing up their order that sting the most and I'm not lying.

[@jeremyhall9346]

The worst shock I ever had was from a 277 motor on the top of a feather-plucking machine. It was the last motor on the frame and had been added after the original installment. I turned off the machine and locked out the disconnect. I didn't realize that the motor I was working on was fed from another device's cabinet. I was setting on top of the machine with the motor between my legs wiring it in. I had 2 wires made up and pulled on the wires to check that they were tight. My hand slipped and I hit one of the bare wires that wasn't made up. It hit me and my leg went straight out in front of me and I fell off the machine. That's what saved me.

[@laeodiel4023]

Breaking the window reminded me of when I used to work at an electrical supply shop, I was helping an apprentice load emt into the bed of a pickup and he got the bright idea to throw a bundle of 1/2 emt into the bed and ended up smashing the back window of the journeymans pickup, I was surprised to see him with the same journeyman a couple weeks later in the same pickup with electrical tape covering the back

[@henrymorgner1562]

Safety safety safety and safety on top of that.the most important p p e is your mind.

[@GreasyReecey]

Good comment

[@jamesj8348]

I enjoyed your stories, currently 6 months into my apprenticeship. One time while I was working on an outside light fixture I ran inside to turn the switch off, I came back out not knowing that one of the kids in the house flipped the switch back on, I clipped the wires and it blew up in my face. I didnt get hurt or anything but it was definitely a scare. Haha

[@unfoldingcactus33]

Were you wearing safety glasses?

[@derekbushnell1309]

Laugh out loud. I enjoyed this. You and I would get along great on the job. You sound just like most electricians I work with. The stories and the adjectives are exact. Laugh out loud.

[@couldntthinkofagoodnamesoi8357]

I've been hit by 480v, feeding an ac induction motor. Life-changing experience, really sobering

[@geekingtweakingweeknd5922]

Did you hold all 3 wires lmao?

[@carlosnegrete1692]

The Can lights! I can relate to that one 😂 sometimes they do move with the drywall if the screw isn’t tight enough

[@kaialarson7612]

Hey Dustin! I work as a carpenter’s apprentice and find your videos useful in my trade. You mentioned that while you were injured from falling off a ladder, you would make notes on the blueprints and was hoping you could elaborate on that. I am both a laborer and office assistant to the GC-blueprint reading is something to do to help him out. Thank you!

[@Kampfner0087]

I do fireplaces which requires some electrical but a coworker had put a fire place in and it had been sitting on top of a ground wire and he had crawled into the chimney to set up some vent and it shocked him at 120 and it basically welded him to the fireplace, good man and verry sad but point of the story if you didn’t hear already is to always shut the power off

[@affinity3281]

Im so glad i didnt take risks like some of the other guys i work with who have a no fear attitude. My family DEPENDS on me being healthy. I cannot afford a fall or accident. Im the only guy wearing safety glasses when nobody else is.

[@tylerclark5086]

As my 3rd week as a first year apprentice, this makes me feel a lot bettter lol

[@kaibaCorpHQ]

17:03 It sounds like we're talking about different wine tastes or something, but the electrician version lol.

[@clivemorgan7632]

Your experience is crazy!!!

[@pachioue]

I got hit across my left arm with 208 around 2 months ago, and I could still feel "phantom shocks" in that hand up until a week ago. Kept looking to see if I had brushed something else I shouldn't have every time one of them happened. It was my own fault for rushing and not thinking during a demo for a remodel we participated in recently. But, from now on, I know to slow down and take the time make damn sure I'm safe and clear before continuing on with my work.

[@ziprock]

a journeyman i worked with used to run his own company, lets call him ted. one of the journeymen under him was working in a large commercial panel and died. similar to your story, the apprentice found him and was scarred for life. ted wasnt even working on this job himself but he and his company was taken to court and that was the end of his company. another story i heard involved a 3 phase breaker replacement that blew up in a guys face, but he always looked away when turning shit on so that may have kept his eyes from getting fucked up. they figured it may have been condensation inside the breaker after bringing it in from a freezing cold van.

[@shawn576]

Ha, I do that too. I always cover my eyes when I flick a switch.

[@kiraslight4750]

First year apprentice here. I just fried a quad receptacle. Everything was wired right, but I just ended up screwing into the hot wire when I was screwing one of the outlets in. My journeyman wasn't too happy.

[@keithb5744]

Damn, that neon sign story was wild. Gave me anxiety listening to it lol

[@MajorityXII]

I drilled through a wire. The wire was connected back to the panel. Instant ignition through the wooden studs the wire was passing through. I thought I was going to burn down that house that day.

[@raecross8872]

Yep done that

[@andrewwilliams3221]

Man this is an awesome video! Been doing this for about 3 years, had to drill 6 in Holes for remodel cans wholesale grab the stud skating across the cabinet door. I told the cabinet guy. He was pretty shocked that I told him. He said people never tell us when they mess something up usually we find it or the homeowner finds it. He was like I'll just have the manufacture send us a new one no big deal.

[@Journey2Master]

Andrew Williams ya dude I find that being up front with people and admitting your mistakes makes them respect you more....MOST people at least lol