Ready, Set, Wire!

Oct. 1, 2005
This month, Tim Boyd competed in a grueling three-day challenge requiring accuracy, endurance, and wits. The competition was part of the annual wire-off event, sponsored by Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC), which took place in Baltimore during the organization's national convention. Boyd, IEC's Oregon Apprentice of the Year, recently completed his four-year apprenticeship. He prepared for

This month, Tim Boyd competed in a grueling three-day challenge requiring accuracy, endurance, and wits. The competition was part of the annual wire-off event, sponsored by Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC), which took place in Baltimore during the organization's national convention. Boyd, IEC's Oregon Apprentice of the Year, recently completed his four-year apprenticeship. He prepared for the competition by studying textbooks and practicing in the Chemeketa Community College electronics lab in Salem, which features motor starters, push-button stations, timers, and relays, as well as a bench set up with power. The competition included a written section, a conduit bending challenge, and one major project in which competitors were required to put together relays and controls according to a set of drawings they were given. Boyd came in fourth out of 19 competitors from across the nation. Beyond the thrill of competing, he says the opportunity to network, meet others in the industry, and learn new things was just as exciting. Boyd hopes to teach the trade to others in the classroom someday, but for now, he says, “I look forward to helping whoever it is that goes next year to get ready for it. Definitely, I want to invest back into it and see if we can do even better next time.”


Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EC&M, create an account today!

Sponsored Recommendations

Electrical Conduit Comparison Chart

CHAMPION FIBERGLASS electrical conduit is a lightweight, durable option that provides lasting savings when compared to other materials. Compare electrical conduit types including...

Fiberglass Electrical Conduit Chemical Resistance Chart

This information is provided solely as a guide since it is impossible to anticipate all individual site conditions. For specific applications which are not covered in this guide...

Considerations for Direct Burial Conduit

Installation type plays a key role in the type of conduit selected for electrical systems in industrial construction projects. Above ground, below ground, direct buried, encased...

How to Calculate Labor Costs

Most important to accurately estimating labor costs is knowing the approximate hours required for project completion. Learn how to calculate electrical labor cost.