Positive or Negative?

Cue (NZERS), Issue 16, 31 January 1945, Page 15

Positive or Negative?

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NO subject provides either more points for the interested or shocks for the careless investigator than the electrical trade. And that normally inexcusable play on words might be excusable in this case if it is sufficient to arrest the attention for a moment of all those interested in the electrical trade — electrical z , wiring, workshop practice, and electrical engineering. What is the postwar prospect in New Zealand? What assists the placing of the feet on the first rungs of the ladder in this vital branch of industry and development? What factors play a part in the climb up that ladder to success?

To ensure that all feet are on the ground at the start, and that flights of fancy concerning wealth without working do not ? get out v of hand, consider first two authoritative comments on the trade that are poles apart.

; First, the optimistic side. Without any doubt it is by far . the stronger. New Zealand, with other countries, many of which are ahead of her in this sphere, will be turning, more and more, to electrification as a source of power and, of course, light. New Zealand is now starting in this development from a back mark for reasons with which we are not at the moment directly concerned. There is a power shortage in New Zealand, omprehensive plans to overcome this are under way. After the war there W1 .! be development in every branchP the electrical trade providing scope Or the men who are keen, able and Progressive. . In short, electricity will be increas- ] n g y relied upon in everyday life and m ustry lighting, heating, ventilating, power machinery and so on. 1 there be 'a place for you in this development?

Now for the less optimistic side. The future of the trade depends on building programmes, hydro-electric schemes and progressive development of the entire country—-city, town and country alike. The speed with which this takes place does have a bearing on the promptness with which opportunities ' become available for tradesmen and professional men. There are some sections of the work that require close examination of prospects. In the past the trade has been subject to considerable unemployment, and with reason, for a sixroomed house where a carpenter would be employed for some months would provide for the electrician not more than a few days’ work. War itself has required a vast amount -? of electrical work in manufacture and maintenance of equipmentthis embraces the extensive field of radio, for example — and thousands will be returning from the Services with some electrical experience. This is obviously a big limiting factor; Those are the. two general points of view. It is obvious that the policy announced in New Zealand of not training ex-servicemen for the electricalwiring trade, for instance, unless, they

have had some previous experience either in the Services or in civil life, is sound in principle. But there is no "thou shalt not" attached to anything in a free country and if you have absorbed the foregoing and can still be interested, this article 9

sets out to give examples of some of the types of work involved; what qualifications are needed, and how best to make, or develop, an approach.; 1’ > . * * * ' There are two main divisions• TRADE and PROFESSIONAL. The electrical TRADE may be divided into two sections: — (a) The Manufacturing Section, which deals with the manufacture of electrical equipment and fitting — switches, switch-boards, conduit fittings, motors, generators, solenoids, magnetic fittings, heaters etc. This is a vast field. • (b) The Servicing Section, which handles the installation of manufactured appliances, and their maintenance, repair and periodical testing. In the former section the main trade divisions, excluding , the designer, are involved. They can be summarised as follows: — (1) Electrical fitter and turner, who handles the actual mechanical side, and who, in addition to a thorough knowledge of machine shop practice, must have a good understanding of the electrical application. . ' > ' (2) The Electrical Serviceman who handles the assembly of various components and the testing of the completed article. . ' : 4 (3) \ The Electrical Wiremen • and their ; Assistants who deal with the circuit assembly and final testing, and in many cases the installation of equip-

ment and preliminary operation of the gear. ? ; • (4) Specialist Process workers, are also found in this section. These were originally only semi-skilled operators; but to-day are considered skilled artisans in the winding of coils, assembly of the component parts,

transformers etc; and also the operation, of permanent' testing installations j t is important to note that the man whose job it is to test electrical equip, ment can very rarely see the fault or trouble. If a steam turbine, ' a reciprocating steam engine, a petrol

engine, or a machine-tool refuses to function .. correctly, the source of the trouble can in almost every case be traced by a visual examination of the machine parts. ■ " To become a registered electrical wireman . requires a 7 period of apprenticeship and attendance at. a technical school. The Electrical Wiremen’s Examination must be sat in the apprenticeship period. Candidates for registration must gain their practical experience under the supervision of a Wireman already . registered. The minimum period of 'apprenticeship before. registration is three years. Keen wiremen may possibly, desire to branch out to a higher paid work, such as is available in power stations,, and operators in large industrial plants. From the above information the reader will no doubt visualize many attractive opportunities for men who have previously, through force of circumstances or because of .lack of information, have been working in unskilled positions where advancement was limited, and who have since received introductory experience of the trade. For the man who is prepared to work hard and undertake diligent study, this ever-increasing field of ; electrical work offers opportunity and an indispensable position in the development work of to-morrow.

A professional engineer generally: means in New Zealand one who has after his name the letters BE. (Bachelor of Engineering) or A.M.I.E. •

(Associate Member of the Institution of Electrical Engineering.)

The professional engineer is found employed by the P.W.D. to build and maintain hydro-electric works and main supply lines, holding an appointment as Power Board engineer or manager, tramways engineer, or working for an electrical c engineering firm such as National Electric. In the P.W.D. jobs, the salaries follow the usual run of Government jobs -from about L3OO to L. 750 with a few-plums reserved for the nabobs. According to the -size of the' Power Board, the engineer will probably receive from LBOO to LISOO, or higher, and no doubt the able man with one of the larger firms will do. as well. - . >

• The BE degree course takes 4 years and requires , a sound mathematical c education. If the will is there, v any • man can do mathematics. If he is not prepared to work hard enough to become competent at them, he might as well give up the idea of being a \ professional engineer. There are other branches of the trade in which he would-be happier as well as better off. This BE course exempts the student from most of the AMIEE examinations, but he still has to do three years of practical work before he can apply for this diploma.

For the man who does not wish to or cannot go to a University, the method to follow is to be employed by a registered electrical engineer, whether he is a private employer or the boss in • P.W.D. or other public body. While there, he carries on his studies first for the Preliminary and then for the Associate Member’s Examination. If he _as passed matriculation he is exempted join most of the- Preliminary, which is an exam, of much the same standard, nee again, the work involves a good eal of mathematics, as well as plenty o study in other subjects. On passing e examinations and producing evidence that he has had a period of responsible experience, the student- has the tight to call himself AMIEE. . The AMIEE examination is % divided l o three -. sections—Joint Section A, ec 1011 B, and Section C.

The subjects for Section A, which covers the basic education are — (i) English. (2) Mathematics (in general to about Stage I BA with extra work on Calculus.) (3) Applied Mechanics (Statics, Hydrostatics, Kinematics, Kinetics, Hydraulics and strength of materials.) (4) Applied Heat -/Thermometry and Thermodynamics, Combustion, Properties of Matter, Light and Sound.) ] (5) Principles of Electricity ■_ (Current Electricity,. Electrostatics, Electromagnetic Induction, AC Machinery, Measuring instruments, Thermionics.) Section B covers the more advanced instruction necessary for specialisation. The -subjects are:(1) Electrical Engineering (Circuit Calculation, Materials, Machinery; Thermionics, MercuryArc Rectifiers, Photometry.) (2) One of (a) Electrical Supply (b) Electrical Installations (c) Electrical Machinery (d) , Electrical Measurements (e) k Line Communication (f) Radio Communication. ' , Section C (the words are quoted) ”-is intended to assess the functional

capacity and the suitability of the candidate for responsible work as a professional electrical engineer.” It consists of an oral , and a written examination occupying one day. ♦♦ , ♦ Electrical ' engineering is a good profession for anyone who does not like to be tied to a desk all his life. The nature of the work generally ensures, that he spends at least ■ part of his time in the open. He also ha» a wide range of localities to choose to live in and can see New Zealand while, earning his living. If he later decides to see the world, he has qualifications that will ensure him employment. \ Hr

To sum up, the profession offers lucrative and interesting employment to 'the man who has the ability, the training and the initiative. ' It is worth remembering now that electrical work in the Armed Forces may be counted towards the service necessary before registration has been considered by the Electrical Wiremen’s Registration Board. Several important concessions have been made. y Further, the Trade Training' Scheme

embraces this trade, and ex-servicemen may become adult-apprentices and have their wages subsidised up to journeyman's rate while they are working out their time. If you are already “ part-way O n with your study you - may wish to continue it. There may be facts not mentioned in such a short summary as this that you require to know. ERSis a servicing department in both these fields. It is over to you. What is the answerpositive or negative?