What Is Exptected Of An Electrical Engineer 1

[shamsdebout]

I hope this is not a repeat thread if so I apologize.
I have been a bit frustrated, I am fairly new to working in an MEP consulting environement (almost 2 years). I have a general knowledge of electrical installation. I am running into situations that call for detailed conduit routing for power and data from architects. I am not very familiar aobu this, am I expected to know this? Could someone shed some light on what is to be expected from an Electrical Engineer working in a consulting environment.

 

[Latexman]

Of course the client is expecting you to everything about everything, right? If you've come across it more than once in 2 years, I'd say it's time to educate yourself on it.

Good luck,
Latexman

 

[PLukacovic]

What's expected from any engineer is a solid base of knowledge and the willingness to research topics that may arise in the workplace in order to get a job done correctly. Don't say you don't know something, just say you'll look it up.

 

[IRstuff]

Whoever is the engineer of record is supposed to know. Presumably, if you want to ever become an EOR, you need to learn the material.

I'm thinking that the more germane question is what YOU thought an EE was supposed to be doing?

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[davidbeach]

Of course you are supposed to know that. Sometimes it matters, sometimes it doesn't matter. It is highly critical that you know the difference and know how to detail the routing when it does matter.

 

[MintJulep]

Obviously the architect expects the engineer to know this.

Obviously your employer expects YOU to know this, since the architect's request is being routed to you.

 

[PEDARRIN2]

Research the topic on your own.

Ask a more experienced engineer in your firm how to apply the knowledge have gained.

That is what I had to do - although not in electrical - but in plumbing and piping. But from what I have seen, you detail conduit routes larger than 2" from source equipment (xfmer/switch gear/etc.) to cirucuit panels to use equipment. Data is similar but with different terms.

Very simply put - it is connecting the dots. With experience, you learn how to connect the dots. At least that is what I have experienced.

You do this to coordinate with the other trades (HVAC/P/FS) and with architectural walls and floors and with structural members.

If there are tight fits above ceilings or where structural is big - you need this coordination.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

The two basics I learned in college and not much else was:

How to find the right book
How to read it.

Pretty much been doing that the last 35 years...

 

[ctopher]

"What Is Exptected Of An Electrical Engineer?"

A spark.

Chris
SolidWorks 09, CATIA V5
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[msquared48]

Shocking thought man...

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[ctopher]

It's Friday...

Chris
SolidWorks 09, CATIA V5
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[rbulsara]

shamsdebout:

Although you are new to the field, I do believe your question is very relevant. I can only share my opinion and experience on the same subject. The question is more relevant for work in the existing facilities.

There is a difference between what should be expected and what is expected by clients.

In my opinion, the following would be considered a reasonable expectation of a consulting engineer (CE) of a MEP firm in the USA:

The CE should know the reasonable routing of conduits that is feasible and constructible. There should be adequate information on the contract document that shall allow a bidder to price the job correctly as to length, bends and rise/falls. For example, if the conduits are expected to be run in the above ceiling space before it hits a chase and goes up the floor and to the roof, the CE shall verify that the route is reasonably free of obstructions and is doable. Any special difficulties of the work should be highlighted.

Now you may or may not have adequate means, training or licensing to verify all existing conditions. If it only takes poking your head above ceiling tiles or through a access door, I would think you should be able to do it. If it requires verifying inaccessible spaces or difficult to reach locations such as very high ceiling and requires a contractor or electrician's skills and tools, you have all the right to let the owner know that that is the case. Let the owner decide if he wants you to hire the necessary contractor or electrician's help (during the design) or he can hire directly, but eventually the Owner has to pay for the effort and time.

Similar logic 'should' apply to underground feeders. CE should make reasonable effort to find out U/G obstructions from available documents and talking to owner, but short of performing a survey. If a survey is required, it should be done by a professional and be compensated by Owner.

I have used this tactic successfully and most clients had no issues or they agreed as to what route to show as they were reasonably sure of what is feasible in their buildings. Some did not like the facts but could not deny it. So they agreed but were not happy.

As I said, many clients or architects think that since they hired you to do some work, they expect everything out of you even unreasonable things. There are always clients who would never be satisfied but that is part and parcel of the business. In that case you state your position, keep notes somewhere and do the best you can.

Rafiq Bulsara

http://www.srengineersct.com

 

[racookpe1978]

ctopher (Mechanical)

"What Is Expected Of An Electrical Engineer?"

A spark. "

---

Lettuce expand that:
"A spark.
In the right place.
At the right time.
At the right voltage. That stops when I want it to.

(By the way, those plastic pipelines that EE's keep using are much cheaper if you take the copper out. Easier to bend. Easier to pull. And with no copper in the way, there is no resistance either.)

 

[ctopher]

racookpe1978,
lol

I once worked with an electrician that was working on a 1000v panel. He forgot to take off his gold watch.
Sent him flying several feet back. Melted his watch to his wrist. (20 years ago)

Chris
SolidWorks 09, CATIA V5
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion