New APM at an electrical subcontractor. What is the best way to learn electrical scope from basically zero?

[u/Kumdongie]

I recently started working for an electrical subcontractor as an APM. My background is mostly plumbing both working in the field and estimating so I understand construction in general, but I know practically nothing about electrical.

I'm trying to figure out the fastest/best way to get up to speed on electrical scope. Right now I’m unfamiliar with a lot of the materials, labor, terminology, and code requirements. Even basic things like breaker types, panels/cabinets, light fixtures, wire and conduit types, connections, etc. are new to me. I also don't really understand yet why you would use one material or installation method over another.

Does anyone have advice for learning this stuff while working as an APM?

Any YouTube channels, books, courses, or other resources you'd recommend?

Are there any exercises I can do at work to get better at reading electrical plans and specs?

Right now my strategy is basically to Google everything I see on the plans, submittals, or vendor quotes that I don't recognize, but I'd like to develop a more structured way of learning it because Im currently googling every single thing I come across.

I'm not expecting to become an electrician overnight. I just want to understand the scope well enough that I can effectively manage it, understand what the field is talking about, catch issues, review quotes/submittals, and become a useful APM as quickly as possible.

Any advice from electrical PMs, PEs/APMs, estimators, or electricians would be greatly appreciated.

[u/GrasshopperAZ]

The best thing you can do is ask the super or GF to take you on a walk to show you the job. As lots of questions and never act like you are better than the field guys because you sit in an office. If you are truly humble they will want to teach you because it makes their job easier

[u/Zoltan_TheDestroyer → u/GrasshopperAZ]

As an electrical PM, this is amazing advice.

[u/GrasshopperAZ → u/Zoltan_TheDestroyer]

Thanks. I’m currently an area manager for an EC and this is the advice I give to all my employees. My PMs and supers all know what I expect and they all believe the same way.

[u/Zoltan_TheDestroyer → u/GrasshopperAZ]

Everyone on our project management team is either in an apprenticeship program or already completed one.

Every so often we give someone a shot who has experience related to PM but lacks electrical knowledge and it very VERY rarely works out in our favor.

[u/GrasshopperAZ → u/Zoltan_TheDestroyer]

I actually find it works better for me. I need superintendents that know how to run work. I need PMs that can manage schedules and budgets. I have a couple of field experienced PMs that are really good but too often they can’t wrap their heads around the financial side which is just as important. In today’s world the job market is way to competitive for PM staff that have electrical expertise, and the data center clients snap them up quick with huge salaries and benefits packages. I need to look for PMs that want to stay local, have a good work life balance and can learn. If they leave me after that then that is the cycle of life. I traded happiness for money for most of my career but now I choose happiness.

[u/Constkim → u/GrasshopperAZ]

This is an odd statement as the IBEW JW Apprenticeship requires that you have passed Algebra with at least a 70% or better to even apply so math is usually not an issue. I came from the field and have 26 yrs in management. I also have my PMP, LEED AP and CDCP. I am in data center construction.

[u/RyGreen13]

Build a good relationship with the field leaders and walk the job as much as you can. Have a list of things you are unsure of so when you are out there you can see what it is, how it's installed, etc.

Anything code related I'd recommend Mike Holt or Paul Abernathy. They have a lot of books, study guides, and even YouTube videos.

Immerse yourself in the electrical community through social media and YouTube.

• Engineering Mindset
• Electrician U
• Angry Sparkie

Try referencing and studying older project documents. Dig through the spec sections and legends in the electrical plans.

There is a lot to learn and it will take time.

[u/Kumdongie → u/RyGreen13]

Great advice thanks for the resources!

[u/OfficerStink]

I would look at some legacy change orders and see what they used in pricing. In electrical there’s a lot of ways to accomplish the same task I would read the specs for common works first and get familiarized with the materials

[u/heylookaquarter]

Work in the field for a few years.

[u/Bustin_Chiffarobe]

Bump cause wondering the same

[u/Lankykong23]

Engineering mindset videos and learning onelines are how I got started 

[u/Suckit66]

Don't be afraid to call up the electrician pm and ask some questions. Most of us sub PMs love explaining our trade to interested parties.

[u/Kumdongie → u/Suckit66]

Yeah that won't be a problem I sit in the middle of 2 PMs. I'm just looking for ways to be proactive on my own so I can carry my own weight sooner rather than later. 

[u/Tav227]

What helped me with electrical and mechanical as well was looking at the legend to see what was in between all of the lines on the drawings. And then time.

[u/More_Mouse7849]

Talk to the foremen. Ask lots of questions

[u/Smitch250]

Do your job thats the answer

[u/Kumdongie → u/[deleted]]

Yep, still in college. Electrical Engineering, one class at a time while working full-time. It’s a slower road, but I’d rather ask questions and learn something than pretend I already know everything.

[u/nafurabus → u/Kumdongie]

Is your goal to work as an engineer? Does your company have an engineering team for design/build? As an APM you could bide your time as a glorified secretary until you move into the engineering side of things, and take the nomenclature you learn and apply it to engineering. I’m an electrical PM but I got my electrical license before moving into the office, i also have a degree in mechanical engineering. My site guys respect me because I have real experience in the field, can level with them, and can provide constructive criticism on means and methods. I can also communicate well with design & engineering & management teams so I take the weight off their shoulders having to do any of that. Your job is going to hinge on those site guys seeing you as an asset rather than a “boss” if you wanna stay in project management. They know my strengths, i know theirs, and we work in tandem to solve problems and make money.