arc-flash clients

[jimmyjames12]

hello

I finally obtained my PE license, so I would like to start a side business performing arc-flash studies. the company I worked for had big-name clients like at&t and pg&E. I won't be able to get such clients because I am just starting off.

So what type of clients do you think are suitable for someone like? I have called many large grocery stores to offer my services without any success.

 

[dpc]

As a PE, be careful with a "side business" - if you are working for another engineering firm, there are a lot of potential conflicts and most consulting firms would not allow it. Check your employment agreement carefully.

I'd suggest contacting smaller engineering firms and offer your services as an outside consultant to do arc-flash studies. Do you have the necessary software?

 

[jimmyjames12]

I quit the job to try new things so currently, I am not employed. I should have changed "side business" to part-time job.
I would be borrowing the software license (easypower) from a friend.

 

[wbd]

There may be legal/liability issues using a software license that is not in your name. For example: if there is an incident in a facility that you did a study for, there may be a way for a lawyer to claim damages against you since you noted the product name and version number in the report and then it is discovered that you are not the license holder or work for the company that holds the license.

Have you discussed that with insurance company that you have your professional liability insurance with?

 

[dpc]

This might also violate the software license agreement, I suspect.

 

[jimmyjames12]

Wbd

I did not know that I will have to look into that alot more. I completed two jobs through upwork.com as freelancer where the person that hired me provided me with a software key is that not a similar situation?

 

[wbd]

Jimmy, I don't think that is the same as you were hired by someone and provided the tools to do the job. They are the license holder and you were working for them. It would similar to a corporation that holds the license but has numerous engineers working for them.

In your situation, a friend is loaning you his hardware key to use. You are not working for him. As noted above also, that may violate the license agreement.