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. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 12/11/2025

    Master The NEC | Episode 46 | Why Most Contractors Plateau and Break Through

    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 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.

    34 min

  6. 12/10/2025

    Master The NEC | Episode 45 | The Contractor’s Blueprint for Repeat Business

    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 rather than trying to fight the lead magnet mentality to always gain new customers. You already have a goldmine with your existing clients if you know how to market to them.  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.

    36 min

  7. 12/09/2025

    Master The NEC | Episode 44 | The Best Ai for Contractors

    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 can ensure you get the right results fast and accurately while in the field and on the job. Give TradeHog.Net a TRY for free and ask the HOG any questions you want.  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.

    11 min

  8. 11/30/2025

    Why Every Electrical Contractor Needs a Thermal Imaging Camera and Course

    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 your host, Paul Abernathy, your Electrical Guru, and today we’re diving into a topic that is transforming the electrical service industry: Why every electrical contractor — yes, EVERY ONE — needs a thermal imaging camera on every service call, not as an add-on. Not as “something we do sometimes.” But as a standard part of your professional toolkit. And we’re going to go deep into: NFPA 70B requirementsHow to create proper loading conditionsResidential and commercial applicationsI²R heating and hidden failuresHow thermal diagnostics increase profitabilityAnd why mastering this skill is essential for modern electriciansAnd of course, how all of this ties directly into becoming a Certified Thermal Electrician™ with Electrical Code Academy, Inc. Let’s get into it. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ask-paul-national-electrical-code--4971115/support.

    1h 2m
See All (316)

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.

Information