3rd year apprentice for an electric company. Most don't really take the time to let you even LOOK at the prints, this video does so much help for someone like myself. Thank you!
Honestly a 3rd year apprentice has no business looking at the prints other than maybe to see where lights are going. The foreman or lead should be handling those. You will get there however
I'm starting my apprentice ship with a master electrician and this is gold for me . I'm literally reading and watching as many things to help me grow and progress for the future. Thank you for the insight .
Noob here. Your videos have helped me so much when it comes to knowing how and why and when it comes to tools what to use when and where. I work with a buddy of mine who has been an electrician for 4 years and I’m a noob but he said he is surprised I know as much as I do because he has had some guys who are just ignorant when it comes to the process but I credit you for a lot of the things I’ve learned
Great overview of a set of commercial plans! - as a commercial electrical engineer who has been on the other side of these prints for decades, I appreciate seeing this overview from your position as the installing electrician. Kudo's for reviewing ALL of the prints, including Architectural, Mechanical and Plumbing - a great point to make for new electricians (and on larger projects you will even have Civil and Landscaping and even Structural plans to review). Buildings are a lot of interconnected/intertwined systems from many trades, so it's great that you emphasize getting that overall feel for the whole building. I would also add that these types of projects are many times designed to what is called a "basis of design" - a term meaning that much of the equipment is just selected as a "placeholder" for the final equipment, which could be from a number of different manufacturers, so the plans end up being a bit generic. And you nicely showed how you take this "diagrammatic" set of plans and carefully add your installation details such as the j-boxes, actual routing, etc. to allow you to build it, and present an accurate set of as-built or "record" drawings for the building owner. Finally, I do appreciate your comment about engineers making mistakes - I'm the first to admit that I have never produced a "perfect" set of prints, and have always felt that building buildings takes close teamwork between designers and installers. Well done sir!
The plans for commercial and industrial are the same. The difference is what the building is going to have in it. I do Fire Sprinklers, I'm a pipe fitter. I have done many industrial buildings that do not have any horns and strobes on the fire alarm system and their system is there just to monitor mine. It's because only the people that work in that building will ever be in that building. The Sprinkler system is there to allow time for them to egress and they know their planed escape route. Where as commercial buildings are going to have employees and customers in them essentially at all times so they will have more signage and horns and strobes. But as far as the plans go they look the same well save for like if it's a office with grid ceiling then you will see the ceiling on a reflected ceiling plan print, where as if it's a open warehouse you will see little lines for the bar joist and columns.
Great summary for such a short video, plan reading could be an entire series. You do a great job putting a lot into a small package. •When "speaking with engineers" get it in writing or I guarantee you any verbal directive that ends up not working out will be conveniently "forgotten." at the end of the job your stuck holding the bag. •Consult with shop drawings from equipment manufacturers if they call for circuitry or other extras beyond original scope of work you're due a change order. The contract was signed on the engineered plans not company X's shop drawings. •Once you have more than 10 guys under your supervision it's unlikley you'll have any tools in you hands other than a tape measure pencil and phone. Keeping the crew going with materials,info, and guidance is full time job.
Thank you for this, I'm an apprentice at Intel and reading prints are the only thing I'm struggling with. i know my bends , everything you would see in key notes , just needed to know where to put it, it was holding me back till i seen this Video not long ago .Thank you for this sir!!!!
Thank you 2 years in commercial and still working on blue print familiarty. some foreman try to help out and want us to use blue prints but the two foreman ive worked with the most hate it when guys look at the blueprints they want it done how they say which I get. and also with rfi's and updated plans they keep on their ipads and you never see those. But trying to get more familiar and be able to read and interpret plans thanks for the help!
Thank you for the video. I am a graduate electrical engineer and have designed a few of these comercial plans in the 13 months I have been doing this. I have made some mistakes but always try to correct them asap and it does help when the contractors just ask the question if they are not sure about something on the plans. Some times the mistakes just come from the drafters not understanding the engineers markups and they just slip through the cracks unnoticed. It was ingeresting to see the difference in the style the plans are presented in the US vs here in Australia as the symbols used are very different from what I am use to.
How do you handle prints with junction boxes when someone else is running a certain area? Seems like everyone just wants to throw a junction box where ever they want.
great video, I love the overhead view. What I think might be more beneficial is if you took the dwg files showed them on a computer versus an overhead shot.
The reflected ceiling plan also show with shades of black/white or dots if the ceiling is hard lid or drop tile or concrete. This is important for rough-in of back boxes and mounting of devices, the RCP will help giving and idea to know what type of hardware is needed for mounting devices, lighting,fans, etc.
Question. I have a light in a pantry . The size of a closet. The light is a bulb in a switched socket. I’m told that is against code. Can I replace it with a recessed led light?
What you can do is hire an electrician instead of trying to get things for free from people who invested years of their life to acquire the knowledge to safely do electrical.
interesting take. I was curious about the low voltage systems. In my state, the electrician provides pathways for the low voltage systems (data, cameras, fire alarm, etc). The low voltage tech installs the wires and devices. Did your plans not include any of these systems or you are not responsible for them?
I thought he said he was from Austin and in Houston where I work normally the low voltage would be a separate contract from the electrical contract but, we still usually install part of the contract like raceways and pull strings
As a 3rd year Electrical Engineering Student, I always wanted to learn how I can do what electrician do like practical not just by solving theory. I love solving thats why I enter i electrical engineering course but I thought it is more good if I have a knowledge about what electrician do so that we have a good understanding about what will to do.
Heads up for anyone installing/bidding AV infrastructure for a Performing Arts Theater, Concert Space, or an AV intense Multipurpose gym etc, the conduit required always takes those who haven't done one by surprise. There is a boat load of it and AV signal separation issues as well. Look for pathways especially in building shells or existing buildings. In these venues there is often an AV technical transformer and Isolated Grounding system. For coordination, we just went through a Navisworks exercise to coordinate with all trade in 3d for pathways etc. Seems to be going well.
Could honestly do a separate video on wiring methods of commercial kitchens. PVC boxes for disposals, commercial dishwashers, contractors for ventilations
Im a woman looking to get into the trades. Im excited as I want to work as an electrician. I love the highlighting idea, I cannot wait to use my highlighters.
When do you find the time on site to read the plans in detail? It would take hours to go over the whole electrical section let alone the mechanical etc
I think what your doing is great to attract people into the trade. Let me however help you out with a couple things. For L1-51, L1-53, L1-55 The prints are showing you those three receptacles to pull together. 3 hots, three neutrals, and one ground. They are all 120v single phase, not three phase. You could normally get away with a old school full boat (3 hots and one neutral, using breaker ties of course), except obviously its speced out here for separate neutrals. It looks like someone changed that up by the scribbling out of the original ciruit for whatever reason so that may not still apply. That part is irrelevant. Shit changes as thats fine as long as the panel schedule reflects this. The 42" on the print for that receptacle is 42" AFF (above finsihed floor) for that kitchen receptacle. On the riser disagram 4 and 5 are disconnects, not panels. Obviously from the CT cabinet they leave and then hit disconnects before feeding the low voltage panels. The other "prints" your referring to on the details of the equip to be installed those are called submittals. They are your friend and very nice especially now with the modern technology. Good prints go a long way
I know some businesses are moving to planning stuff in things like Autodesk Revit in 3D to make visualizing easier. Have you see any of this in your trade yet?
I wish 3 things: 1. That all prints had comprehensive legends. 2. That people would remember it's a 2D representation of a 3D space. 3. That it be illegal for anyone to use BIM without at least a year bending conduit, installing water/sewer/gas/HVAC, and reading paper prints. Punishable by 30 days of watching The View on a continual 24-hr loop.
Not required. Grounding conductor can be shared with multiple phase conductors so long as ground size is suitable for largest current carrying conductor in raceway.
I think that was three phase conductors, three neutrals, one ground in that homerun. Probably 3 120v circuits going back to GFCI Cb's since it was a kitchen.
Half the time the architects don't give you enough information or they give you inaccurate information. They usually leave it up to the contractor to figure out what goes where.
The JM Electricians shouldn't be looking at the plan alot. That is the supervisor or leads job. Usually they have people team up in the morning and give the Journeyman a smaller copy of the plan if he really needs to look at them.
@@anthonymartinez8347 hey 1 year later I know but I’m switching from residential to commercial and I wanted to know if you understood the blueprints then vs now. Also how was your experience in commercial .
@@ryelleija7580 doing a lot better now, after dominos we started a Hyundai dealership, and now I’m doing an ulta beauty at the mall, love doing commercial now
I can’t tell you how many journeymen we have had on our job site from temp staffing that can’t even read a panel schedule- they pulled in neutrals on every 208 circuit and wasted 500’ of white per PDU (transformer/panel all in 1 unit)- we have 7 pdus in a row over a 1,500 long floor and they did it on almost every one- wasted thousands of dollars of wire on that single mistake. They also kept referring to 208 as 240 😒.
@@zacharybob4336 currently building a DC for a major retailer out of state, the job has been staffed at times with 3-5x more guys from temp staffing than employees of the actual company that is running the job. It’s a a case of we need warm bodies that can run miles of pipe (albeit not very well). It’s a 4 million square foot 3 story DC- we have been working on it for 12 months nonstop with 8-27 guys. At least 100% + turnover rate, with plenty of that turnover being people invited to leave.
The documentation here is often weak in terms of the information provided. If you compare it with countries like Germany or even Russia, you'll notice a significant difference. Their documentation is much more comprehensive and detailed. It includes all the necessary dimensions, bills of materials, and highly detailed single-line diagrams. This level of detail means you’ll spend far less time trying to understand what needs to be done.
3rd year apprentice for an electric company. Most don't really take the time to let you even LOOK at the prints, this video does so much help for someone like myself. Thank you!
Leave that company immediately. They care more about their position than proper training the future.
Go to your boss and ask for a set of old blueprints from a job that's been completed.
Honestly a 3rd year apprentice has no business looking at the prints other than maybe to see where lights are going. The foreman or lead should be handling those. You will get there however
Bro I can't even get in A company. I went to school too lol
@@zhumusic-ng9tr find a legit company that does commercial/industrial. There is ZERO shortages of work only qualified people
Wow! Like a years worth of experience meshed into 20 minutes. Great job explaining, well thought out. Well done! Thank you
I'm starting my apprentice ship with a master electrician and this is gold for me . I'm literally reading and watching as many things to help me grow and progress for the future. Thank you for the insight .
Me too man. I'm a couple months in, but you picked a good channel to watch. This man has almost taught me more than my journeyman
Me too man. I'm a couple months in, but you picked a good channel to watch. This man has almost taught me more than my journeyman
Noob here. Your videos have helped me so much when it comes to knowing how and why and when it comes to tools what to use when and where. I work with a buddy of mine who has been an electrician for 4 years and I’m a noob but he said he is surprised I know as much as I do because he has had some guys who are just ignorant when it comes to the process but I credit you for a lot of the things I’ve learned
Noobs are the future 💪
Great overview of a set of commercial plans! - as a commercial electrical engineer who has been on the other side of these prints for decades, I appreciate seeing this overview from your position as the installing electrician. Kudo's for reviewing ALL of the prints, including Architectural, Mechanical and Plumbing - a great point to make for new electricians (and on larger projects you will even have Civil and Landscaping and even Structural plans to review). Buildings are a lot of interconnected/intertwined systems from many trades, so it's great that you emphasize getting that overall feel for the whole building. I would also add that these types of projects are many times designed to what is called a "basis of design" - a term meaning that much of the equipment is just selected as a "placeholder" for the final equipment, which could be from a number of different manufacturers, so the plans end up being a bit generic. And you nicely showed how you take this "diagrammatic" set of plans and carefully add your installation details such as the j-boxes, actual routing, etc. to allow you to build it, and present an accurate set of as-built or "record" drawings for the building owner. Finally, I do appreciate your comment about engineers making mistakes - I'm the first to admit that I have never produced a "perfect" set of prints, and have always felt that building buildings takes close teamwork between designers and installers. Well done sir!
Industrial plans next? That would be great to see the differences
Industrial is just commercial with more cowboys 😂
Maybe he can just do a how to read video??
You’ll deal with a lot of contactors and relays and motors that’s the difference
@andr3w_496yes
The plans for commercial and industrial are the same. The difference is what the building is going to have in it. I do Fire Sprinklers, I'm a pipe fitter. I have done many industrial buildings that do not have any horns and strobes on the fire alarm system and their system is there just to monitor mine. It's because only the people that work in that building will ever be in that building. The Sprinkler system is there to allow time for them to egress and they know their planed escape route. Where as commercial buildings are going to have employees and customers in them essentially at all times so they will have more signage and horns and strobes. But as far as the plans go they look the same well save for like if it's a office with grid ceiling then you will see the ceiling on a reflected ceiling plan print, where as if it's a open warehouse you will see little lines for the bar joist and columns.
Great job explaining commercial blueprints, D. I admire your passion and dedication to electrical education.
Great summary for such a short video, plan reading could be an entire series. You do a great job putting a lot into a small package.
•When "speaking with engineers" get it in writing or I guarantee you any verbal directive that ends up not working out will be conveniently "forgotten." at the end of the job your stuck holding the bag.
•Consult with shop drawings from equipment manufacturers if they call for circuitry or other extras beyond original scope of work you're due a change order. The contract was signed on the engineered plans not company X's shop drawings.
•Once you have more than 10 guys under your supervision it's unlikley you'll have any tools in you hands other than a tape measure pencil and phone. Keeping the crew going with materials,info, and guidance is full time job.
Thank you for this, I'm an apprentice at Intel and reading prints are the only thing I'm struggling with. i know my bends , everything you would see in key notes , just needed to know where to put it, it was holding me back till i seen this Video not long ago .Thank you for this sir!!!!
Thank you 2 years in commercial and still working on blue print familiarty. some foreman try to help out and want us to use blue prints but the two foreman ive worked with the most hate it when guys look at the blueprints they want it done how they say which I get. and also with rfi's and updated plans they keep on their ipads and you never see those. But trying to get more familiar and be able to read and interpret plans thanks for the help!
Thank you for the video. I am a graduate electrical engineer and have designed a few of these comercial plans in the 13 months I have been doing this. I have made some mistakes but always try to correct them asap and it does help when the contractors just ask the question if they are not sure about something on the plans. Some times the mistakes just come from the drafters not understanding the engineers markups and they just slip through the cracks unnoticed. It was ingeresting to see the difference in the style the plans are presented in the US vs here in Australia as the symbols used are very different from what I am use to.
Is it true that engineers never assume their mistakes, when the electrical worker points them out??
2.5 years apprentice now this videos help me alot thank you
I was the design engineer of record on a manufacturing plant before I retired. Electrical plans had 250 sheets. Good presentation.
How do you handle prints with junction boxes when someone else is running a certain area? Seems like everyone just wants to throw a junction box where ever they want.
If you put a junction box somewhere it should be added and drawn into the prints with pencil or highlighter
Love that Junction box layout. Always thought something like that would make sense.
Amazing video! Very educational! Thank you!
great video, I love the overhead view. What I think might be more beneficial is if you took the dwg files showed them on a computer versus an overhead shot.
My brother my prayers have been answered thank you
The reflected ceiling plan also show with shades of black/white or dots if the ceiling is hard lid or drop tile or concrete. This is important for rough-in of back boxes and mounting of devices, the RCP will help giving and idea to know what type of hardware is needed for mounting devices, lighting,fans, etc.
Question. I have a light in a pantry . The size of a closet. The light is a bulb in a switched socket. I’m told that is against code. Can I replace it with a recessed led light?
What you can do is hire an electrician instead of trying to get things for free from people who invested years of their life to acquire the knowledge to safely do electrical.
Keep it up bro I've learned so much from you! Getting my License down here in South Tampa Florida!
Great skills and knowledge
interesting take. I was curious about the low voltage systems. In my state, the electrician provides pathways for the low voltage systems (data, cameras, fire alarm, etc). The low voltage tech installs the wires and devices. Did your plans not include any of these systems or you are not responsible for them?
I thought he said he was from Austin and in Houston where I work normally the low voltage would be a separate contract from the electrical contract but, we still usually install part of the contract like raceways and pull strings
As a 3rd year Electrical Engineering Student, I always wanted to learn how I can do what electrician do like practical not just by solving theory. I love solving thats why I enter i electrical engineering course but I thought it is more good if I have a knowledge about what electrician do so that we have a good understanding about what will to do.
Heads up for anyone installing/bidding AV infrastructure for a Performing Arts Theater, Concert Space, or an AV intense Multipurpose gym etc, the conduit required always takes those who haven't done one by surprise. There is a boat load of it and AV signal separation issues as well. Look for pathways especially in building shells or existing buildings. In these venues there is often an AV technical transformer and Isolated Grounding system.
For coordination, we just went through a Navisworks exercise to coordinate with all trade in 3d for pathways etc. Seems to be going well.
We just looked over some Commercial plans today in my electrical course too so now I get to watch this too
You installed 3 phase delta high leg system? 240v?
😮
Image looks considerably improved- new camera? Set looks great too. As usual, great teaching video. Thanks so much!
Would you recommend, as an apprentice, obtaining a set of plans to review/study while at home?
Yes
Could honestly do a separate video on wiring methods of commercial kitchens. PVC boxes for disposals, commercial dishwashers, contractors for ventilations
Im a woman looking to get into the trades. Im excited as I want to work as an electrician. I love the highlighting idea, I cannot wait to use my highlighters.
Ever do any stage theatres? I feel like I'm always helping the electricians learn the unique stuff of Theatrical lighting systems.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Really loving your vids bro thanks
Great info. well explained, Thank you Dustin. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Great video! Where can I get that super cool whiteboard??
How go about running coduits?
How do you figure the actual layout of Panels,conduits, wire inside the conduits to the different loads?
When do you find the time on site to read the plans in detail? It would take hours to go over the whole electrical section let alone the mechanical etc
I think what your doing is great to attract people into the trade. Let me however help you out with a couple things.
For L1-51, L1-53, L1-55
The prints are showing you those three receptacles to pull together. 3 hots, three neutrals, and one ground. They are all 120v single phase, not three phase. You could normally get away with a old school full boat (3 hots and one neutral, using breaker ties of course), except obviously its speced out here for separate neutrals. It looks like someone changed that up by the scribbling out of the original ciruit for whatever reason so that may not still apply. That part is irrelevant. Shit changes as thats fine as long as the panel schedule reflects this. The 42" on the print for that receptacle is 42" AFF (above finsihed floor) for that kitchen receptacle.
On the riser disagram 4 and 5 are disconnects, not panels. Obviously from the CT cabinet they leave and then hit disconnects before feeding the low voltage panels.
The other "prints" your referring to on the details of the equip to be installed those are called submittals. They are your friend and very nice especially now with the modern technology. Good prints go a long way
So are the conduit runs not pre planned? Meaning these need to be drawn in by the electricians as the job goes on?
Red, Black, Blue is insane! What about your BOY 277v?
As a beginner is this the right video to start with?
Wow. This was really helpful
The background music is distracting from your excellent content.
so you had 3 phase voltage coming in, as that 208v? how did the engineers get 240v panels without a transformer?
I know some businesses are moving to planning stuff in things like Autodesk Revit in 3D to make visualizing easier. Have you see any of this in your trade yet?
Would like to see industrial machines plans next
Need an in-depth course for us premium members
I wish 3 things:
1. That all prints had comprehensive legends.
2. That people would remember it's a 2D representation of a 3D space.
3. That it be illegal for anyone to use BIM without at least a year bending conduit, installing water/sewer/gas/HVAC, and reading paper prints. Punishable by 30 days of watching The View on a continual 24-hr loop.
Can you do a lengthy like 3 hour version of this and go into detail along with attaching a pdf so we can actually see it closer up ourselves
What state are you located at? I need to work for someone like you
A ground for each phase on 3 phase power?
Not required. Grounding conductor can be shared with multiple phase conductors so long as ground size is suitable for largest current carrying conductor in raceway.
@Sicilian switchblade that's how I have always done it, but Dustin mentioned a marking for 3 phase with 3 grounds, and that would be a new one for me.
I think that was three phase conductors, three neutrals, one ground in that homerun. Probably 3 120v circuits going back to GFCI Cb's since it was a kitchen.
Do a oilfield prints please
Half the time the architects don't give you enough information or they give you inaccurate information. They usually leave it up to the contractor to figure out what goes where.
Shouldn’t the 3 phase panels take 4 4/0 not 3..
Good
السلام عليكم أنا اختكم صاحبه قناه طبخ ومفيش عندى تفاعل ومشاهده ممكن تنصحوني ب حل المشكلة ازى وشكرا لحضرتك
The JM Electricians shouldn't be looking at the plan alot. That is the supervisor or leads job. Usually they have people team up in the morning and give the Journeyman a smaller copy of the plan if he really needs to look at them.
I just barely past my jm exam last month, they just gave me the blueprints to a dominos witch starts next week,, not sure how to approach this
how did it go?@@anthonymartinez8347
@@anthonymartinez8347 hey 1 year later I know but I’m switching from residential to commercial and I wanted to know if you understood the blueprints then vs now. Also how was your experience in commercial .
@@ryelleija7580 doing a lot better now, after dominos we started a Hyundai dealership, and now I’m doing an ulta beauty at the mall, love doing commercial now
I can’t tell you how many journeymen we have had on our job site from temp staffing that can’t even read a panel schedule- they pulled in neutrals on every 208 circuit and wasted 500’ of white per PDU (transformer/panel all in 1 unit)- we have 7 pdus in a row over a 1,500 long floor and they did it on almost every one- wasted thousands of dollars of wire on that single mistake. They also kept referring to 208 as 240 😒.
I'll go ahead and say it. Those aren't journeymen...
Journeyman thru temp staffing? TF kind of contractor are you working for?
@@Enlightn76 unbelievably they passed the state exam but certainly not in spirit no
@@zacharybob4336 currently building a DC for a major retailer out of state, the job has been staffed at times with 3-5x more guys from temp staffing than employees of the actual company that is running the job. It’s a a case of we need warm bodies that can run miles of pipe (albeit not very well). It’s a 4 million square foot 3 story DC- we have been working on it for 12 months nonstop with 8-27 guys. At least 100% + turnover rate, with plenty of that turnover being people invited to leave.
@@Penguin545 sounds like a shitty company to take on a 4 million square foot distribution center and not have 8-27 electricians to man it.
Kill the distracting background music.
It’s really hard to concentrate with that music
I could understand if its obnoxious or loud but i didnt mine it at all..
*mind
Nah I like it
im like 6/7 months in and this made no sense
you just have to get more hands on in the field. Won’t really make a lot of sense just based off a youtube video.
the NEC changed
The content is great but The music sounds like you are in a funeral home.
Dang guys is it that bad? Lol. Funeral home?
Reminds me of the show how its made.
Videos too long
Get to the point
The documentation here is often weak in terms of the information provided. If you compare it with countries like Germany or even Russia, you'll notice a significant difference. Their documentation is much more comprehensive and detailed. It includes all the necessary dimensions, bills of materials, and highly detailed single-line diagrams. This level of detail means you’ll spend far less time trying to understand what needs to be done.