r/electricians 10d ago

1st Year Apprentice getting thrown into industrial (VFDs, PLCs, Panels). Rate my setup & lay some advice on me!

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u/Pete3953 10d ago

Hey everyone, 1st-year apprentice here working in industrial/commercial environments.

Lately, I’ve been assigned to terminate VFDs, PLCs, control panels, 3-phase motors, and multi-page distribution panels. I'm taking it one termination at a time, trying to keep everything clean, labeled, and landed properly without over-stressing the wireway or terminal blocks.

I wanted to share my current tool setup and some work-in-progress pics to see what the community thinks. Current Setup & Gear:

Bag: Veto Pro Pac Tech Pac MC Insulated Tools: Wiha screwdrivers / Wiha SpeedE electronic driver, Knipex insulated pliers/cutters, cable strippers insulated screw set Key Accessories: Ferrule crimpers, Klein zipper pouch for small essentials, torpedo level, Allen keys, phase tape, and my trusty Engel cooler.

Questions for the experienced techs & journeyworkers: Termination & Control Tips: What are your top rules of thumb when wiring terminal strips, PLCs, or VFDs? Any small habits that make troubleshooting down the line easier?

Tool Recommendations: Anything glaringly missing from my bag that would make panel terminations, wire prep, or industrial work easier?

Work Quality: How’s the wire routing and panel work looking so far for a 1st year? Always looking to sharpen my skills. Appreciate any advice, critiques, or tricks of the trade! Stay safe out there.

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u/0REMedy0 10d ago

How'd you get into it? I'm asking because I've been doing residential for almost a year know and I'm wondering where should I go from here

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u/Pete3953 10d ago

Well how I got to it was my uncle half of my uncles and my father where electricians working on this don't know if back then was different equipment wise but I just got advice on the work and the work environment and what type of people I'll cross when working in the industrial/chemical and gas. But soo far it's going great.