Circuits

Depends on what is in your textbook.

Sorry Shawn I don't have a text book, This is something I need to know for a position on my job.

Thank you

I see three postings in a row from you with very fundamental questions. By chance are you applying for a job that you have no qualifications for?

Seems to be immensely qualified for management; already equipped with severe lack of basic knowledge and crappy attitude.

This is exactly why we balk at answering questions of this nature (and the other 3 or 4 you've asked). This question itself is very poorly worded, as is typical in company tests devised to measure whether someone has a general technical understanding of how stuff works. The people making up the test are often clueless, so the questions are not very good.

In your case, you are clearly not qualified for any job requiring technical understanding , because you have to come here to get answers to these very basic questions. I would recommend that you instead do something for which you are qualified -- the world is already full of enough people who are incompetent in their jobs. Would it not be more satisfying, and better for your company, to do something you are good at?

Poorly worded though these questions may be (clearly seeking particular answers which can be easily graded) they are intended to measure your knowledge, not ours.

You can, I hope, see how the ethical issues might make us queasy.

I don't see anyone balking, really. Just the original questioner balking from telling us all we've been had...three times over.

Current.

The first consideration is the voltage required for the conductor insulation, then the conductor gauge is determined by the combination of the load, distance of the wire to the load, ambient temperature, temperature rise for the load current, all of these figure into the potential voltage drop to be accounted for and the wire gauge to be selected. All of the above is the first consideration.

What is the first consideration in determining the thickness of surface conditioning for any runway?

The length of wire in any circuit? Or would that be the second? Or fourth?

I'd agree. If the wire cannot make it from point a to point b, all else doesn't matter. If it is insufficiently long, you profoundly change the nature of the circuit, by making it incomplete.

This point is moot because of the various methods of splicing and tapping. Splicing and tapping of circuits whether they be feeders or branches has little overall effect on the circuit as a whole.

Will it be conducting electricity?

That's the first question you have to answer when determining the size of wire for any circuit.

The second is - How the f*ck do you get up and walk around? You must be retarded.

Sirblurr, firstly let me apologise for some of the responses that you got from some of the posters to your question (and some of the other questions you posted) - some of them were quite ignorant in their responses.

However, having said this some of the posters are correct (you can forget all the ethical type of responses as they are just bogus).

I think some of the posters are forgetting that they once had to start off at the bottom of the ladder,so to speak.

This Job that you are applying for would require quite a bit of compentance, you will get the experience as the projects and the years pass.

To answer this question: The things to consider are

1. The cable type and the installation method
2. Is overload protection needed (Overload protection is not required for all installations)
3. Calculate the design current of the system

There are other things to consider also so please do not assume that it is as easy as following these three steps.

Hopefully the company that you are applying to have experienced engineers and they will be able to help you along the way. I wish you the best of luck and hopefully you will enjoy your career as an engineer.

As for "Guest" - I believe this person to be severely in need of mental assistance simply based on the responses that this person has been posting.

Kind Regards

Mr. W.A Snow

Dear Blink,

I do take ethical issues seriously. However, in this case I see no ethical issues.

No employeer in their right mind would determine an engineer to be experienced based on asking "What is the first consideration in determining the size of wire for any circuit?" or "Analog and digital refer to the two ways electricity can what?" - the employer may ask these types of questions if they wish to find out if someone has an interest in a subject - clearly the poster does since she has bothered to register on CR4 and post a number of queries. That tells me that this person has an interest in this area and that is a bonus.

An employeer will ask about past experiences and projects etc and use this informaion to determine if the engineer is experienced and suitable for the position.

Regards

Mr. W.A Snow

No employeer in their right mind would determine an engineer to be experienced based on asking "What is the first consideration in determining the size of wire for any circuit?" or "Analog and digital refer to the two ways electricity can what?"

I agree, at least to a large extent. One would hope these test questions are not used as part of a selection process for engineers.

Questions like these are used however, to indicate whether a candidate for a position like "shift safety supervisor" has a basic understanding of electrical systems. There could be 20 internal candidates applying for the position and the position might very well require some technical knowledge. The test developer (probably incorrectly) thinks that this test (of maybe 10 , maybe 30 questions) will assess the candidate's level of understanding in the subject matter. The employer must weed out 17 of 20 people to come up with three people to interview further. This test helps to weed out the people who know less from those who know more.

If we simply supply answers to these questions to someone who can't be bothered to at least come up to speed in the basics, then we are (potentially) allowing this apparently unqualified person to appear more qualified than someone who actually knows the material.

the employer may ask these types of questions if they wish to find out if someone has an interest in a subject

In practice, I don't think that happens. Typically, employers want to find out, regarding candidates: Do they have the knowledge? Do they have the skills? Evidence of interest is shown by the fact that the candidate has applied. In practice, tests beyond job-specific skills and knowledge tests are limited to aptitude tests and personality profiles.

An employeer will ask about past experiences and projects etc and use this informaion to determine if the engineer is experienced and suitable for the position.

I agree, although in this case, I'd assume they are not hiring an engineer. But in any case, questions about past projects etc. occur in an interview, whereas these questions appear to be from a prescreen aimed only at assessing if candidates have enough basic electrical or controls knowledge to move into a position. A qualified person may have answered nine of ten questions on this test but didn't make it to the interview because we've helped sirlburr answer ten of ten, even though she doesn't show any evidence of having even the most basic understanding of electrics.

If one of her questions were "Why is it that I've seen both thermal overloads and magnetic overloads used in motor circuits? What conditions determine when you use one or the other? Do you ever use both?" then she'd be showing some interest in something other than simply getting the pat answer to a test question.

Granted, this is all conjecture. But the fact that sirlburr presents herself as a woman with curiosity in one place, but then says "This is something I need to know for a position on my job" in another makes me think there could be ethical issues I'd just as soon avoid -- there are, after all, thousands of other places on the web and elsewhere to get answers to these questions. If she "needs to know" this for her job but clearly does not know it (and just as clearly does not know several other very basic bits of electrical knowledge), then all we would be doing by answering the question for her is helping her present herself as knowledgeable when she is not. We are not helping her; we are not helping her company.

This may very well be much ado about nothing.... and as I said before, I appreciate the kind and optimistic tone of your original reply.

Regards,

Ken

What a scary thought.

Is there a web site for heart surgeons? "I have a 42 year old male that weighs 425 pounds. I am having trouble finding his heart through all of the fat. Can anyone tell me an easy way to pick out the heart?

Dr. Guest.

Please hurry, this patient has been open for two hours already."

push the nipples together and probe the chest wall at the point they meet

Mr. Fry,

Thanks for posting this in a no B/S manner. The worry that she is attempting to secure a job posting in which she, in my opinion, is definately qualified for was the main reason for the reply to this thread.

Perhaps is we were aware of the basis of the question, we could be more supportive. If a guest was to post."I have an interview question that was asked. 'What is the first consideration when choosing a wire? I want to reply the following:' I feel that the first consideration should be the current required to be carried by the wire, followed by voltage being used, temperature operating range, and location. Does anyone feel I am wrong, or have missed any important considerations?"

If a guest was to post a similar message to this, I would be more inclined to want to assist. Any comments?

I want to thank you for taking your time out to be kind. Yes some of the other posters were nasty and I forgive them but as I said before this is an opportunity that has come up and I have been on my job for some time but the questions I am asking are for another department that I can move up and yes I may not have much knowledge but I thought this would be a good place to come to get what will be helpfull to me. So once again I thank you and to the others thank you for making me want this that much more. For I am a Woman in a mans world and that may be what your mad about.

No... not much of a chance there, us being upset about the fact you are female.

It is rather quite simple really, what the issue here is...

For to long, men AND WOMEN both have gotten jobs and positions of authority without the means to perform the function or exercise the authority they were given properly.

You want this job? Then earn it, don't scam it. Earn it and you earn our respect. Scam it and own the scorn that goes with.

For I am a Woman in a mans world and that may be what your mad about.

Nah! You know what you know but haven't expressed it in a manner which others may know what you know you know

Sirlburr, that one ain't gonna wash, engineering world or no. How can it be you are being persecuted when it's you, yourself, who identified your gender? Or are you saying those questions were posed only to you as a set-up to discredit you and hold you down in favor of others? Rest assured, the questions are totally above board; and that, man or woman, demonstrating an ability to understand what the questions are asking and respond accordingly will demonstrate more than just a small bit of (fundamental) technical competency. I would like to see you get the answers by your own mental/analytical initiative, with help from (rather than rescue by) others—this rather than your just being fed answers...answers which—if you think about it—you could never be sure whether or not they are "on the mark." This way, not only you will benefit, but also others who are trying to help you, but are likewise having difficulty coming up with the answers. In the end, it (your successful outcome) will have been a collaborative effort...just such as male engineers frequently use.

Hint: each test question is seeking a brief, uncomplicated answer...and an ability to justify that answer. No excursions into complex jargon and techno babble will be needed. Your best approach to getting help, and discovering the answers, will be to take a stab at the answers and post to this board—this is another form of getting your questions answered...by indirect means—so that it will begin to emerge to you (and others here as well) when you are "getting warm." In short order you will arrive at the precise answers you need; and will have thought it through mostly for yourself. This process, in addition to getting your answers, will also benefit you in a skill area in which you have yet to show proficiency: ...an improved ability for getting your questions answered...a skill that will stand you in better stead in any workaday "world," male or female, or engineering. Finally, your ability to answer those two questions (and those of their kind) will say much more about you to potential employers than you now realize. In fact, while their seeming simplicity and sparseness might seem to indicate otherwise, those questions (about AC and analog/digital) were artfully contrived to do just that. More about that later if you are interested.

Now, as my recompense for getting you started in the right direction, I would be very appreciative if you could provide a few brief, clear details about the situation and circumstance in which you were asked the questions. Something a bit more specific and informative than "I'm hoping to land job." The information you provide will, I expect, assist me to answer another question to which, later on, you will also be likely to want an answer...I also expect.

So, have fun with it.

"For I am a Woman in a mans world and that may be what your mad about."

And

"Just to enlighten you I am a woman with curiosities and this forum IS for questions I don't have answers to."

Comments like this make it clear that you are playing the victim card. Nobody here cares if you are male or female. You seem to think that you are uninformed and held back because you are a poor female. What an insult to all of the females that are engineers and scientists and all of the things that your attitude will prevent you from being. Step one - give up on the "I am a poor oppressed female garbage"

You can get the answers to the basic questions by googling and researching the topic on the internet. Then when you have the basic knowledge come back and ask meaningful questions. All here will be happy to help anyone that is helping themselves. But if you ask excessively basic questions that you can find the answers to with a little effort you will get a lot of garbage. It takes time for us to answer a question and when they are basic like that, it takes a lot of time. Try answering "how many miles to the gallon will I get?" It would be nice to have a little more info wouldn't it - some people are probably thinking truck, others car, could be a lawnmower. That is the type of question you are answering. You need more basic understanding to ask a meaningful question - try research, it works.

So stop playing poor female and work for what you want.

Good Luck

The very first consideration should always be: "Is the individual Qualified to make this determination?"

That being said, and in light of you stating that this is for a job position; are you trying to advance from production to maintenance/ engineering?

Do you have any technical experience? If not, ask them to send you to school.

Those that do not understand electricity and try to pick it up as they go stand an extremely great chance of getting themselves or others injured or possibly killed.

Prior to answering any more questions the context and pertinent background is warranted.

"Is the individual Qualified to make this determination?" - this is an important point but how does one become "Qualified".

Having the necessary College/University degree does not necessarily mean that the person is Qualified. Experience is just as important (perhaps more important in some fields) than a College/University degree. As far as I know there is only one way to get experiece and that is actually doing the job for a number of years.

Regards

Mr. W.A Snow

Qualified, in this context, refers to:

1. Does the individual know and understand all of the pertinent safety related issues?
2. Does the individual possess the relavent knowlege to perform the task?
3. Has the individual been properly trained?

In answer to all of the above, I would have to say NO

I would then have to say that this individual should pass on this opportunity until she is able to acquire at least an elementary understanding on electrical principle and theory. This knowlege is easily gained at a tech school or in an apprenticeship program.

I am a licensed Journeyman, and have been since '94, who is concerned primarily about safety. This is especially true due to the number of recent posts that indicate that this indivdual is way over her head and should pursue further knowlege first!

Mr. Snow,

The issue on degrees is also very pertinent. I have spent over 20 years being told that I was not as smart as the engineers who have degrees and the majority of the time when there was an issue as to whether or not the way something was drawn up on the prints would work in the real world or not, the engineers were proven wrong. Almost in every instance we were forced to install according to the prints, even when the engineer was told in advance that it wouldn't work, Then we were finally able to show them how to actually make it work. Usually this involves recently graduated engineers full of _ _ _ _ and vinegar wanting to make their mark. After several years they finally start to realize that there is no substitute for experience and then collaboration becomes the norm and projects run smoother ad deadlines are met far more frequently.

I'm sorry if this offends some of the engineers out ther but facts are facts.

Noshorts, I could not agree more. Personally I have my degree but I learned most of what I know (some would argue that it is not alot but thats a different story )from practical experience and from working with engineers without degrees - these people are, in my eyes, engineers. They have a vast amount of knowledge that could never be learned in a College/University.

I am not saying that having a degree (College/ University qualification) is useless, it is very important and alot of basics are learned which is important for future learning.

Regarding the original poster, if the company does hire her then she should undertake formal training in this area, if she has the interest then there is no reason why she could not be successful in this field. I agree with some of the posts pointing out the safety etc reasons but these are things that can be learned. However, if the original poster was trying to pass herself off as having experience in this field then this could be dangerous to both herslf and the prospective employer.

Insulting her is no way to proceed (this comment is amied at "Guest")

Regards

Mr. W.A Snow

Mr. Snow,

Your comments towards this guest in particular are correct. Tis particular individual is too insecure in his/her own identitythat they must resort to anonimity to chastise someone. In my opinion this type of individual exhibits absolutely no professionalism and, therefore, should be ignored. I will do this and would like to ask the other users to follow this example. This "guest" is crying out for attention like a child.

Noshorts,

Agreed.

Regards

Mr. W.A Snow

Oh yeah!

All are guests in the eyes of CR4.

All are children in the eyes of themselves.

Ask a childish question; get a childish answer.

Learn from a childish answer; ask again less less childishly.

Get it?

Regards,

That Guest

Facts are also opinions and bad personal experiences. Even engineers have these, too.

Facts are facts. You would never say that "I believe that 3 times 3 is always 9". 3 times 3 is equal to 9 is a fact.

When asked who would make a better president, that is opinion. Note that opinions vary from person to person while facts are static and constant.

/Ari (Orpheuse)

You missed the point entirely.

Nah! He only omitted pertinent...

And your determinisitic concept of the universe it one that was abandoned ages ago.

The very first consideration should always be: "Is the individual Qualified to make this determination?"

I agree. Such questions are best left to a committee to determine.

...are you trying to advance from production to maintenance/ engineering?

...or, perhaps, from packaging to assembly?

No, that would be the last determination...or non-determination. The first would be: does the individual comprehend the question well enough to formulate an answer. But he should get bonus points for asking on-line in order to find the right answer by eliminating all wrong answers. Such persistence in an employment candidate could bode well for any employer.

the first consideration in determining the size of wire for any circuit is what it is to be used for that determines and quantifies.

If to provide power then to what level (amps/volt) does the equipment require power and at what distance, etc.?

In other words, Sirlburr, evade the question with maximum flair!

Is the same person entertaining themselves by being multiple names ?

Dear sirlburr,

If I may I'd like to make a few (ok more than a few) suggestions. Advice is not a take it all or leave it all situation. Judge each piece of advice on its own merit.

First remove all the emotional garbage and realize it is just venting of frustrated opinion. Think of it as loud punctuation.

The more you acquaint/submerge yourself in a subject the better you will be able to judge the advices worth.

Next look for the longterm goals/consequences and work toward them. With knowledge comes responsibility. Long term goals keep you from going in directions that waste your time or are not a positive direction.

What is the first consideration in determining the size of wire for any circuit?

It's use. What are you using the wire to do? AC, DC, telephone, cable TV, welding, Power transmission, coil, electomagnet, earth ground, etc. Each has considerations, limitations and responsibilities.

Sometimes Accounting will try to get you to get people killed by cost cutting. Understanding how to deal with people you would not normally want to deal with is a learned skill.

Tact and diplomacy take years to master. First learn to never let your emotions control your actions. Even when you must act angry to get others attention it must be an act or you will lose perspective. Others will try to make you angry to control your actions, like here to keep you from finding answers. Understand that they are responsible for their knowledge not being misused. Don't judge others action by what they say, watch what they do.

Ok I'm off my soap box (speakers stand)

Brad

Long ago, I used to design power distribution systems on USN vessels. The job would entail adding a bunch of equipment, so you would calculate the total loads so you could size your three-phase transformers, circuit breakers, and cables. On ships, you pass cables through holes drilled in water and air tight bulkheads and decks. Metallic stuffing tubes, through which single cables pass, are used to maintain watertight and airtight integrity. These are sized for specific cables sizes and types. TOTAL LENGTH OF RUN from source to load will affect the voltage available at the load which has to be within an allowable percentage of the source voltage. I am ashamed to say that on at least one occasion, voltage drop has bitten me on the butt and caused me to redesign my system but luckily before it went to my PE). When you change your cable size to allow for voltage drop, this forces many other changes; such as penetration sizes, number of cables you can run together or in conduit, weight of the cables, etc. On ships all these things contribute to change in weight and moment which is another calculation. If you are at the point in your project of building your list of materials and putting it on the drawing, it is a really big "Oh shit!" My point is, voltage drop needs to be looked at as soon as you have calculated your total loads.