Hi all.

I'm currently a third year Electrical Engineering student, and I'm the process
of interviewing for different positions and one of the position qualifications
specifically states that I may need to do field work where I have to verify
code compliance.

Furthermore, I have to have "knowledge" of NEC codes.

What I'm wondering is, where's a good place to get basic information?
Obviously, I'm not going to be able to completely gather everything that is
listed within the NEC code book, but I want to know some general ideas that I
can present to the interviewer so that I atleast convey a sense of basic
understanding of NEC codes?

Also, what is MEP design?

Any help is greatly appreciated,

thanks.

BTW- Sorry if this is a bit off topic, but this is seemingly the most active community where I could find a diverse range of opinions about this subject. And, as is apparent by the threads, a lot of people here are very knowledgeable.

Also, if you could give me any general engineering interview tips I would be much appreciative.

Reading the rules again, it seems as if only advanced topics are allowed, so I apologize for the inconvenience.

So, I'll understand if this topic is promptly closed or deleted.

If you have any advice, then please send it to my email:

braveheartfan7@hotmail.com

Thanks.

e-field Welcome, give it a chance, you will get some answers.

I do not think you have broken any rules, Bill will let you know if you have.

In my opinion it would be tough to sound proficient with the NEC in just a few short forum postings.

The thing with the NEC is hardly anything is yes or no. It is no, never,... except yes in this particular situation.

There are some good reference training books, check the book store here at this site and / or at Mike Holt's

Good Luck, Bob

The best way to get both NEC knowledge and to learn how to apply it to actual real installations is to work for a picky electrical contractor. I would suggest trying for a summer job as an electrical apprentice. Depending on your situation and availble work, you might be able to to work some during the school year.
One of the irritations of the and probably all construction trades is designs that are incomplete and/or unworkable. You will be able to learn how to be a more effictive engineer once you have actual work experience.
Good luck

If I had to pick out one book—NEC Handbook published by the NFPA. Second would be McPartland’s NEC Handbook published by McGraw-Hill. Don’t want to discourage anyone, but unless you have a year to prepare, it’s a tough task. The best would be to familiarize yourself with how the Code is organized and indexed—mainly to know where to find specifics. Code terminology is its own sort but critical. Even senior people have to look up details, so in a job interview the best answer may be something like, “Motor overload protection—I’d start in chapter 4 (or article 430) depending upon familiarity with the book. Having a photographic memory of technical details helps.

e-field,
What type of classes do you take? During my undergrad in EE, my classes were pretty far off from the design and code compliance of power related construction.
I wouldn't have imagined trying to interview for a job that required "knowledge" of NEC codes, as before diving in with a boss that was willing to teach me for a a few years, I wouldn't have had a clue. Even if I read the Code handbook, at that time, I had no concept of some of the language used.
Not to be negative, but it would be a hard sell, if you did not already have code knowledge to be able to determine code compliance of a project/system.
BTW, MEP is Mechanical (generally Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning), Electrical and Plumbing.
My best interview technique, is to be humble, and tell them you are willing to learn.

iwire-

Yeah, before the interview I'm probably going to browse over the more popular books as suggested by Bjarney.

nespary-

You're right about "incomplete work"-- even "ambigous" work could be regarded as a more serious offense as opposed to incomplete work, and I'm sure you've had experience in dealing with both.

Bjarney-

Thanks for the book recommendations. I'll be sure to atleast browse over them before the interview. And you're certainly right that the best thing for me to do is figure out how the book it outlined, realize that it's not completely yes or no (as stated by iwire), and then go from there.

Ron-

I've completed all of my general engineering courses (engineering design, statics and dynamics, and thermodynamics), so this semester I am getting started with my electrical courses, specifically digital system design and circuit theory.

None of these classes, btw, discusses any of the NEC codes, and I honestly doubt that any classes really do. Working knowledge and educational knowledge seem to be completely separate, and I'm trying to bridge the gap (so to speak) right now.

I'm honestly not expecting them to drill me on NEC codes, rather, I think that they will expect me to know their application and use with regards to the company, because it seems like it would be more or less having to research the NEC codes and use them on a case by case basis. This emphesis is what I'm hoping for, atleast.

I'm essentially interviewing for a rather large engineering consulting firm for their summer internship positions. I think they don't expect most students to know much about MEP design or NEC codes at this stage of their educational career.

Thanks for the interviewing tip. Due to my relative lack of experience, I'm going to stress my grades and willingness to learn and put forth effort on my own time.

-Thanks all!

My favorite book is "American Electricians' Handbook" by Croft and Summers. Covers it all, including installation techniques.

Earl

I'm not going to mention any names here, but one of the books that Bjarney reccomends I will never buy again after after I purchased the 2002 version. There were many, many sections of it that have not been updated to reflect the 2002 NEC, despite the fact that the cover insists that it "conforms to the 2002 NEC".

I get frustrated when I spend my own hard earned money for a book that the author/editor has not taken the time to fully update.

As an EE that grew up (after the BS ( )) to become a one person Electrical Contracting outfit, I can say that my BSEE gave me about 1/3 of what I need as an EC. There is also 1/3 NEC knowledge and 1/3 mechanical ability.

That is, the Code, theory and mechanical know-how make this job.

When I was at University, I worked along side of a Master / Electrical Contractor through the summers and on weekends during the year. The on-the-job discussions and just plain sweat greatly augmented the EE course work.

How do you get it? . . . time and effort. It really is an additional "degree", one that makes an EE more well rounded in certain fields.

Al

E-field, you might try looking to see if there are electrical code courses available at a local community college. Additionally, there might be opportunities for "ride-alongs" with electrical inspectors. Regardless of the interview process, you will need to get familiar with the code anyway.

Ryan—you raise a very good point. Authors and publishers ‘resting on their laurels’ do not deserve anyone’s business.

Elzappr had a very good idea about the community college. I teach a NEC class at the local technical colege and had an engineer in my class last semester. He is a foreman at a pharmaceutical factory and wanted to make sure his electricians were wiring according to code. We use Interpreting the National Electric Code by Truman C. Surbrook & Johnathan R. Althouse which can be found on Amazon.com along with an answer book. It covers the entire NEC. I would also recommend any of the Tom Henry books.

e-field,

It sounds like you are getting an emphasis in electronics. You need to see if your school offers any course in Power Systems or Rotating Machinery. I know the world needs digital circuits but they cannot operate if they don't get power from somewhere.

Way back when, if I had to take another electronics course I would have never graduated. Luckily, I got to take a senior design course in building wiring systems (our texts were the Square D Digest, the Westinghouse Lighting Handbook, and the NEC) instead. For practical experience, I worked as an electrician in the theatre department providing power and lighting to the touring shows.

Very few college interviewers expect you to really know anything of substance. Usually they are looking for your willingness to continue learning (their business) and which courses you have taken, inside and outside of your degree.
Be yourself, don't exaggerate, talk about what you like in engineering, and your short to medium range career plans.
I remember interviewing a candidate that was taking a robotics course, so he wanted to find a job doing that in a specific area of a specific city. He certainly didn't show the flexibility expected of someone with no experience.