Any of you guys know what this is. It was wired up to a light receptacle in my basement.

Low voltage step down transformer

@Placidseven - MO are you remodeling your home?

@RevStench more like fixing a poorly remodeled home

Oh haha Well I guess you know some things are done right now.

For the doorbell @Placidseven - MO

@Lebens finishing up HVAC school in Feb (18 months). U have any general advice for me? Any areas of the trade i should stay away from, go toward? Im getting straight As but there is just so much to know, areas to go, I feel disoriented. Any advice id greatly appreciate it

@REVNAT/PA bro general advice from another tradesman, I went to trade school for machine tool and now I'm a carpenter, and I specialize in historic preservation. Try everything in your field, and find what you enjoy then find the guys who will pay you the most haha

I recommend targeting residential service companies

Start as an installer. Move up to tech.

Move up to sales tech

Spend some time learning the business and start contracting

^^^ becoming the contractor is the endgame!

Yes sir

@Deleted User @Lebens how long does it take to become a certified electrician?

It varies from state-to-state. you have X amount of hours in the field and some State accredited school. An engineering degree will provide the requirement for time in the field. At that point you're eligible to test for your Master's license

Your time in the field roughly works out to 4 years

Ty

Yes sir

In cali they verify your ss records for hours. Plus 4-5 years of school

An Apprentice thats brand new makes half of jm wages. So if jm make 50 you make 25 and it goes up every year.

I'm an electrical engineer

Can I skip the school?

Again I believe it varies upon state but yes your school degree he is applicable towards a certain portion of the requirements. It should go towards the schooling portion of it

@dog0fwar just know that the goal should be electrical contractor

I got 10k in savings and a college degree, should I get on someone else's crew or do my own gog

I would suggest working for someone else for a while before striking out on your own. There is a lot to be learned from guys that have been out there for a while. To start with one service truck, ladders and tools plus throw in start-up costs insurance licenses Etc you could put a dent it your money quick. You can go residential commercial or Industrial working for someone else would kind of give you an idea of what the different types of work you'll like

Tbh $10k won't be enough at all. And it wont help if you only have theory on paper, you have to know how to install to start a company.

Your best bet is to work for someone for a a few years. Learn residential, commercial and industrial. Once you learn the methods of each, you'll know how to manage a crew worth their salt

Also being good at sales is a bonus

More of an AV thing, but anyone here going to CEDIA?

No sir.

Great posts in this topic @Lebens and @Deleted User. Very active and great coverage

Ty

Thanks!

Hey @Deleted User I have a question for you, in that picture of your tool layout, between your scissors and drywall saw, what is that thing with the gray wire nut on one end? I can't make it out in that picture.

is it a rat tail file?

It's a small triangular file that I used to dress screws and things that I have cut or deburr an edge