Ask Paul | National Electrical Code

This episode is powerful because it focuses on a question presented to NECA as a Question of the Day. Listen as Paul explains the use of PVC on a fuel dispensing pump, and its use of Rigid Metal Conduit, and the question is about the bonding rules. Let’s break it down and expand on the answer provided by NECA to the individual who submitted the question. Listen as Paul Abernathy, CEO and Founder o...

In this episode, we tackle one of the hardest truths in entrepreneurship—knowing when a business isn’t ready to stand on its own. Too many people pour thousands of dollars, years of time, and even money from family into ventures that simply aren’t producing enough income to survive. At some point, determination can turn into financial damage. We discuss how to recognize when it’s time to shift gea...

In today’s connected world, burning bridges in the electrical industry can cost you far more than you realize. In this episode, The Electrical Guru dives into the real-world consequences of publicly criticizing inspectors, manufacturers, educators, and fellow electricians—especially on social media. The electrical trade is a tight-knit community where reputations travel fast, and opportunities oft...

This episode is powerful because it focuses on the value of Home Inspectors to the electrician and not just the buyer and/or seller. You may be shocked, pun intended, to learn what Paul Abernathy, a nationally recognized electrical expert, thinks about home inspectors and what they bring to the table for electricians. We, as electricians and electrical contractors, are always looking to grow our b...

This episode is powerful because it focuses on the importance of soft skills, such as communication and conflict mitigation, that all service employees need to be trained to understand the importance of Soft Skills in the Trades.   The company's reputation can be destroyed by one bad service call. The results of poor people skills can undo thousands of hours, if not years of hard work, when it cou...

🧠 Being the best electrician in the world does not make you the best electrical contractor — and it definitely does not guarantee business success. In this episode, Paul Abernathy breaks down the uncomfortable truth most electricians never hear: Technical skill alone does not build profitable, scalable electrical contracting businesses. You’ll learn: Why customers don’t buy your technical ability...

This episode is powerful because it provides an overview of a critical concept: effectively removing electrical power from a circuit or equipment and restoring it to an electrically safe condition. This podcast episode will provide a summary and overview of the 2-hour video on FastTraxTube.com, which discusses creating an Electrically Safe Working Condition using NFPA 70E and OSHA 1910.333 practic...

Certified Thermal Electrician™ is the most complete thermal imaging certification program built specifically for electricians, electrical inspectors, and electrical contractors. This video is a sample from our program lesson on Understanding Severity in Electrical Thermal Imaging. This professional thermal imaging training teaches you how to safely perform infrared inspections, interpret thermal i...

This episode is powerful because it focuses on the free thermal imaging calculators we have at ThermalElectrician.com and how they can be useful to anyone who is using a thermal camera in the field for accurate and reliable results. Listen as Paul Abernathy, CEO of Electrical Code Academy, Inc., and creator of the Certified Thermal Electrician program. Taking great electricians and making them ama...

This episode is powerful because it focuses on when untrained thermography experts peddle fear instead of facts to gain customers. In fact, in this episode, we talk about a few examples where a contractor lied to a customer and how that very act can give the profession a bad name. There is a difference between a Thermographer and a Certified Thermal Electrician, and we set the record straight in t...

This episode is powerful because pricing is the #1 issue that destroys contractor profitability, confidence, and scalability. Episode 47 positions YOU to become the authority who understands your value and breaks free from fear-based pricing. Many contractors are working their pricing backward, using an hourly rate, and actually have no idea what their cost of doing business actually is. They figh...

In this episode, Paul talks about that famous plateau that many contractors experience as they attempt to grow their business. It’s not just a mental block; it is a real limitation that will stunt your business growth if you do not learn how to overcome it. In this episode, we will dig into all these topics to help you break that limitation and strive for growth. Listen as Paul Abernathy, CEO and...

In this episode, Paul discusses the importance of building a strong relationship with your customer from the outset, enabling the cash cow to flourish and ultimately drive growth. Learn the touchpoints to building a relationship with your customer and now to retain their business in the future. This is not rocket science, but there is a proven method for building success with repeat business rathe...

In this episode, Paul talks about how important it is to have NEC and other construction standards readily available when doing installations or inspections. In fact, making sure you are doing it right the first time sends a message to the customer that you know what you are doing and to the inspector that you are the best in the business. Without a tailored AI model designed for all trades, we ca...

Why Every Electrical Contractor Needs a Thermal Imaging Camera — And How It Will Transform Your Service Business. Learn more about our certification program at https://thermalelectrician.com Welcome back to another powerful episode of the Master The NEC Podcast, the show that helps electricians, contractors, inspectors, and professionals stay sharp, stay informed, and stay ahead of the curve. I’m...

In this episode, Paul talks about how to determine the ampacity of single insulated conductors, such as THHN, when applying ampacity given in Table 310.16 and how to apply adjustments and corrections per 310.15(B)(1)(1) and 310.15(C)(1) for the 2023 National Electrical Code. However, these fundamental basics of conductor ampacity ring true regardless of the NEC you are using. This is a LONG podcas...

In this episode, Paul talks about how to prepare for an electrician exam the correct way. In this episode, Paul will explain how to help have a higher rate of success on an electrical exam, as well as tips on doing better during the electrical exam and in your preparation study time. The Fast Trax® Program is a structured learning program for the 2020 National Electrical Code and the 2023 National...

In this episode, Paul talks about a massive announcement and industry-leading partnership between one of the largest manufacturers of thermal imaging products and Electrical Code Academy, Inc. We are poised to actually bring a change to the Thermography World with the only Electrician Specific thermal imaging course, and how to use it in your daily world, and for special conditions. This will be t...

Hey folks, it’s Paul Abernathy — The Electrical Guru from the Master The NEC Podcast. You want more local business without paying for ads? Here’s the trick — get your customers to leave 5-star reviews while you’re still on the jobsite. I’ll show you how to use QR codes — like the ones I laser-engrave on my metal hat clips — to link straight to Google, Bing, and Yelp. It’s simple, it’s smart, and i...

Welcome to the Master The NEC Podcast, where we go beyond code to talk business, professionalism, and mindset for electricians who want to master more than just conductors. I’m Paul Abernathy, The Electrical Guru, and today we’re talking about something that stops more electricians from succeeding than competition ever could — pricing fear. You’ve heard it before: ‘They’re cheaper than you!’ … or...

Welcome to the Master The NEC Podcast, the show where we don’t just talk theory — we talk truth about the National Electrical Code, real-world installations, and what it actually takes to be a professional in this trade. I’m your host, Paul Abernathy — The Electrical Guru — and today we’re stepping outside the codebook for a minute to talk about something that every contractor faces sooner or late...

In this episode, Paul was asked the following question. Listen as Paul breaks down a question about AI (Artificial Intelligence) and how it will affect the Trades in the future and what do we think AI will take over and how it will play out over the next 10 years. We also send a message to NFPA about their BULLY TACTICS with NFPA 70, which is created by YOU the electrical community. You won’t want...

In this episode, Paul was asked the following question. Listen as Paul talks about 5 steps that must be achieved to become an electrician, regardless of the state you are located in. The reason that most folks fail to achieve the dream of becoming an electrician is because they lose focus on the path. On today’s podcast we talk about the path you need to be laser focused on following if you are in...

In this episode, Paul talks about 250.122 and how the EGC will be sized per the 2026 National Electrical Code. While I do not like this change, I will nonetheless teach it and break it down for everyone since there was a huge change when it comes to parallel raceways. Listen as Paul Abernathy, CEO, and Founder of Electrical Code Academy, Inc., the leading electrical educator in the country, discus...

In this episode, Paul talks about 210.70 in terms of Lighting Outlets. We will talk about where the “battery” backup aspect of the NEC disappeared to. So, this episode is all about lighting outlet requirements. Listen as Paul Abernathy, CEO, and Founder of Electrical Code Academy, Inc., the leading electrical educator in the country, discusses electrical code, electrical trade, and electrical busi...