Electrical work Canada

[Romans99]

For those of you who are interested in coming to Canada i have started this thread to give you an idea of what the work is like over here.

As ever, if you have any questions regarding the differences in methods/terminology etc then please feel free to ask


First three pics are some pipework, 70% of what you do over here is installing EMT and pulling wire through it.

Next are some typical panel shots

Then, me installing rod for cable tray in a 600,000 sq foot building. Thats a lot of rod,
its -30 degrees inside and the ceiling is sheer ice.

Then, an outdoor car park plug, I mounted and wired over 50 of these in temperatures of around -25c

many more to come......

 

[Romans99]

The IP exam in Saskatchewan covers residential, commercial and Industrial certification and provides you with a single Red Seal certificate which can be used in each area of Electrical work. Unlike other provinces where separate certification is required.

Whats the plan for when you arrive in BC? do you have a job etc?

And Greenspark - what do you mean does it slow everything down?
We were installing outside lights up 30ft high on a scissor lift for 10 hours a day, the temperature was around -40 to -45
This is expected. On the other hand, i was digging a trench in July in 95 degree heat and covered head to toe in mosquitos

Its below freezing in Saskatchewan in October, november, december, january, february, march and early april
Nothing stops.

 

[part270579]

Hey Romans, I did not know that about Sasakatchewan. I thought that Construction Electricians and Industrial were classed as completely different roles in Canada. That's how the ITA show it. Guess you are a lucky bugger

Nope, not got any employment as of yet. Have an interview with City Central to organise when I get there and a bit of a bite from a guy in Kamloops. Just have to see what's what.

 

[jamesallan]

what sort of cash is on offer in canada?

 

[Romans99]

Dollars mate

 

[chrisjh]

Dollars mate

lol oh dear

 

[greenspark]

Fair shout, stupid question mate. I'm also someone that started my training with the reasoning that I am a practical person and also loved the idea of having a trade that would allow me to move abroad one day, Canada being my main aim. I ask about the cold because I can't imagine having to deal with that sort of temperature (or lack of). How long did it take for you to adjust to that, not just working but in general?

 

[Romans99]

Greenspark

There is a fair bit of variation in temperature throughout the country and places such as British Columbia and particularly Vancouver have milder wetter winters similar to a "bad" winter in the UK.
However, out on the Prairies (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) winters are very cold and very long.

So obviously it depends where you go.
There are usually a couple of days a year where Saskatchewan is the coldest place on earth.

I wont lie, it is brutally cold in january and february, but its also quite exciting and interesting and theres a real spirit of "survival" that grips the place and its kind of man vs nature in an enthusiastic battle which keeps you going.

The Winters are actually incredibly beautiful and id choose that over grey skies and rain any day.

Dont let the numbers scare you. With my winter boots, insulated coveralls, gloves, winter jacket and balaclava ive worked outside for ten hours a day and it was no more uncomfortable than a wet january in manchester.

 

[1ManRiot]

My long-term plan is to move out to Canada one day. Thankfully I don't have a family to worry about!

 

[DannyBoy007]

Hey Great thread, I am currently applying to move to Canada so I am studying to take the red seal exam but I am stuck on a example question can anyone help?

If a 4 HP DC motor is running at 60 % efficiency when connected to a 200 volt DC power source, then how many amps does it draw? 21.31 50.86 57.65 61.04 88.07

and this is the formula but I cant get the answer.
HP x 746
E x %Eff

By the way do you have any advice about study or getting work in Canada? All hints and advice welcome. Keep up the thread it is helpful.

 

[bleward]

Hi Romans, you sent me some stuff via email back in 2009 regarding canada(aye im like an elephant) anyway we are going through the process of doing our visas for uprooting the family and moving lock stock to canada (ontario) is our destination as we have family all over that state/area. Is there a means of finding out the apprenticeship boards in that area and contacting them before i set out? the idea is that i leave before the wife and kids and stay with family while getting tore into hopefully my 4th year stage and putting the hours in on the books and on site. Reading various websites is conflicting although settlement.org was very helpful.

A few quick questions as well, ive read the 4 pages of this and think i have the jist of it but better to get it form the horses mouth lol.

1. How hard is it to get into the concept of there wiring? ideally id be looking to do domestic type stuff (my uncle from canada who was a spark back in the uk in the late 70's says domestic stuff is very easy to pick up, he ended up working for bell doing phone lines) although id turn my hand to anything but your pics with all those conduit runs doesnt seem like a walk in the park.

2.What would the sort of wage a 4th year(which is what stage i hope i would be going in at) be getting per hour? $20??

3.When the move happens any point in taking my tools from the uk? did you take yours?

4.What are the natives view of outsiders coming in to do work?

5.And finally for now, how do you think you have adjusted and settled away from work

If its easier to respond via email or pvt msgs for any of those questions just go for that.

Cheers in advance

 

[YUZHKIN]

Hi Romans99 - I was wondering about how British qualifications are accepted in Canada. I lived in Canada for some years and know they are fussy, and for example, a nurse trained in Ontario can't get a job in BC without retraining. Maybe building trades aren't so difficult. Will they accept or give equivalence to the various levels we have now in the UK, i.e. 'Defined Scope Domestic Electrical Installer', 'Full Scope Domestic Inspection & Testing' as well as 'Electrician'. And do you have to take an exam? P.S. what is the hourly rate in Saskatchewan right now? Cheers Paul.

 

[brengun1]

how do you manage to keep warm? do you have to wear thick gloves? if so do they interfere with working?

 

[RichSand]

Isn't it -40'C there?

 

[chippysparks]

Hi Chap Great thread, Hope you don't mind a couple of questions, How did you go about applying for the Visa? Do you think its best to visit, speak to a few companies in the area you want to go, get a job offer. Come back and then apply. Or are there better ways of going about this I have been in the trade for about 6 years, and I cover all aspects of installation. Cheers Ash

 

[jackdollar524]

Then, me installing rod for cable tray in a 600,000 sq foot building