Ask Paul | National Electrical Code

Paul W. Abernathy
  • 3.2 (5)
  • COURSES
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Welcome to Ask Paul the podcast where nationally recognized electrical code experts answer your electrical code-related questions on a weekly podcast. Join us as we answer questions submitted on the www.PaulAbernathy.com website. Get answers from National Electrical Code Panel Members who give their own opinions to answering NEC-related questions. Please be sure to visit https://fasttraxtube.com and subscribe for a FREE ACCOUNT to listen to all our new podcasts starting March 1, 2024. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ask-paul-national-electrical-code--4971115/support.

  1. 6D AGO

    Master The NEC | Episode 54 | My Thoughts on Home Inspectors

    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 business, to increase our exposure, and to simply be the best we can be. So, embracing the Home Inspection Industry is very important to an electrical contractor’s success. Yes, I know the actual Electrician likes to bash the stuff in a home inspection report when things are called out that seem frivolous, but at the end of the day, you, the Electrician, are getting paid to either fix the issues or give a detailed explanation of what is acceptable. Once that interaction is done, it’s up to the negotiation between the buyer and seller, and nothing you say in a report, be it the home inspection report or electrical follow-up evaluation, should be biased or one-sided. Simply state the facts, collect your check, and move on.  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 business-related topics to help electricians maximize their knowledge and industry investment. If you are looking to learn more about the National Electrical Code, for electrical exam preparation, or to better your knowledge of the NEC, then visit https://fasttraxsystem.com for all the electrical code training you will ever need by the leading electrical educator in the country with the best NEC learning program on the planet. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ask-paul-national-electrical-code--4971115/support.

    33 min

  2. JAN 15

    Master The NEC | Episode 53 | Do Your Service Techs have Soft Skills?

    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 could have all be avoided with some soft skills training. 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 business-related topics to help electricians maximize their knowledge and industry investment. If you are looking to learn more about the National Electrical Code, for electrical exam preparation, or to better your knowledge of the NEC, then visit https://fasttraxsystem.com for all the electrical code training you will ever need by the leading electrical educator in the country with the best NEC learning program on the planet. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ask-paul-national-electrical-code--4971115/support.

    38 min

  3. JAN 15

    Master The NEC | Episode 52 | Being the Best Electrician Will NOT Make You Successful

    🧠 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 — they buy your company imageThe difference between being a great electrician and a great electrical contractorHow branding, professionalism, communication, and systems drive real growthWhy so many talented electricians fail as business ownersWhat successful electrical companies actually focus onIf you're an electrician, electrical contractor, service technician, or business owner in the trades, this episode will fundamentally change how you think about success. 🎧 Listen now and start building a company that grows with or without you. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ask-paul-national-electrical-code--4971115/support.

    44 min

  4. JAN 15

    Master The NEC | Episode 51 | Overview of Electrically Safe Condition

    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 practices. This is a great listen before watching the video on FastTraxTube.com for an in-depth understanding of lockout and tagout procedures and all the necessary things to create an electrically safe work environment.  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 business-related topics to help electricians maximize their knowledge and industry investment. If you are looking to learn more about the National Electrical Code, for electrical exam preparation, or to better your knowledge of the NEC, then visit https://fasttraxsystem.com for all the electrical code training you will ever need by the leading electrical educator in the country with the best NEC learning program on the planet. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ask-paul-national-electrical-code--4971115/support.

    32 min

  5. JAN 6

    Master The NEC | Episode 50 | Understanding Thermal Severity in Thermography

    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 images using ΔT analysis, apply NFPA 70B & NFPA 70E standards, and write defensible inspection reports that protect both your customer and your license. Whether you are an electrician, master electrician, electrical contractor, facility maintenance technician, or electrical inspector, this course gives you real-world field skills you can apply immediately.  🔧 What You Will Learn ✔ How to properly use thermal cameras for electrical inspections ✔ How to calculate and interpret ΔT (temperature difference) ✔ How to classify findings using the official Green / Yellow / Orange / Red severity system ✔ How to perform thermal inspections on panels, motors, transformers, bus systems, VFDs, and control equipment ✔ How load conditions affect thermal results (I²R heating explained) ✔ How to avoid common thermal imaging mistakes ✔ How to write professional NFPA-compliant inspection reports ✔ How to turn thermal imaging into a profitable service offering 🏗️ Built on Industry Standards This program is aligned with: • NFPA 70B (Electrical Equipment Maintenance) • NFPA 70E (Electrical Safety in the Workplace) • NETA Maintenance Testing Specifications • NEC Article 110 & 310 thermal principles 🧑‍🏫 Who This Course Is For • Electricians • Master Electricians • Electrical Contractors • Electrical Inspectors • Facility Maintenance Professionals • Industrial Electricians • Preventive Maintenance Technicians 💼 Why Electricians Need Thermal Imaging Most electrical failures begin as heat. Loose connections, overloads, phase imbalance, and deteriorating components all show early warning signs long before failure occurs. Thermal imaging allows electricians to detect these problems early — preventing fires, outages, downtime, and costly repairs. 🎓 Get Certified Learn more about the Certified Thermal Electrician™ program here: 👉 https://ThermalElectrician.com Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ask-paul-national-electrical-code--4971115/support.

    36 min

  6. 12/24/2025

    Master The NEC | Episode 49 | Why Calculators Matter for Thermal Electricians

    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 amazingly great electricians. 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 business-related topics to help electricians maximize their knowledge and industry investment. If you are looking to learn more about the National Electrical Code, for electrical exam preparation, or to better your knowledge of the NEC, then visit https://fasttraxsystem.com for all the electrical code training you will ever need by the leading electrical educator in the country with the best NEC learning program on the planet. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ask-paul-national-electrical-code--4971115/support.

    37 min

  7. 12/13/2025

    Master The NEC | Episode 48 | Thermal Imaging is full of Misconceptions

    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 this episode. Sit back and enjoy the show. 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 business-related topics to help electricians maximize their knowledge and industry investment. If you are looking to learn more about the National Electrical Code, for electrical exam preparation, or to better your knowledge of the NEC, then visit https://fasttraxsystem.com for all the electrical code training you will ever need by the leading electrical educator in the country with the best NEC learning program on the planet. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ask-paul-national-electrical-code--4971115/support.

    55 min

  8. 12/12/2025

    Master The NEC | Episode 47 | Charging What You’re Worth Without Fear

    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 fight the low-cost competition only to put themselves out of business chasing that white rabbit down the hole of No Future.  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 business-related topics to help electricians maximize their knowledge and industry investment. If you are looking to learn more about the National Electrical Code, for electrical exam preparation, or to better your knowledge of the NEC, then visit https://fasttraxsystem.com for all the electrical code training you will ever need by the leading electrical educator in the country with the best NEC learning program on the planet. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ask-paul-national-electrical-code--4971115/support.

    41 min
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Ratings & Reviews

3.2
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Welcome to Ask Paul the podcast where nationally recognized electrical code experts answer your electrical code-related questions on a weekly podcast. Join us as we answer questions submitted on the www.PaulAbernathy.com website. Get answers from National Electrical Code Panel Members who give their own opinions to answering NEC-related questions. Please be sure to visit https://fasttraxtube.com and subscribe for a FREE ACCOUNT to listen to all our new podcasts starting March 1, 2024. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ask-paul-national-electrical-code--4971115/support.

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