Design Engineering Training/Reference Material

[NMEng]

I am a power engineer at a utility company, I would like to begin doing residential/commercial design work in my spare time. I understand the math and materials, but I have never worked with design documents. Does anyone know of any good online courses, videos, or reference material that can help me get started? I would like to learn more about everything a design plan should entail; level of detail, which information goes on which sheet, things of that nature. The state requirements in my state are very general, and I would like to learn more about what all should be included in and how to organize electrical plans.

 

[lansford]

Find a local A/E firm who needs some incidental help at times.
Then you can eventually become a "Professional Moonlighter"
Jim

 

[dpc]

I'd advise getting sample sets of plans and specs and reviewing them. Often available from clearing houses who make plans and specs available to contractors. I'd suggest taking an NEC class - sometimes offered by inspector associations, etc. NEC compliance and knowledge of NEC quirks and exceptions will be vital in small commercial projects.

Also, I'd forget about residential work, unless it's something special. Contractors generally do all design on these.