power limited testing in Minnesota

[mrlighturfire]

Well as we all know if you do hvac in MN if you are not a licensed electrician you cannot rewire any furnaces or A/C up even on a simple replacement you need to hire electrician even for low voltage. Really stinks or I could think of other words. Anyways I am scheduled next month to take this test and was wanting some scope on how difficulty or what to expect from this. If anyone in MN has taken this please respond. Library has book to study the dept of labor electrician people says it is a open book test but library won't release book to be taken out. Thanks for any input.

[Wild]

If you are very comfortable with electrical circuitry and very familiar with NEC 2002 Code then go for it and good luck. Otherwise I recommend you call Dunwoody and sign up for their Test prep for Low Voltage Power Limited License course. The next available date is March 10, 12, 17, 19 which are Mondays and Wednesdays. The class is 5:30 to 9:30pm. Cost is $415.00.

You will have to wait a few months obviously but if you take the test and fail you will have to wait even more to retake it, something to think about.

[mrlighturfire]

Thanks for the advice I will keep that in mind. If I fail this which I hope that I won't I will look into it. If I can pass it on just little money that I have invested in it now that would be good. After December 31 they said who ever does not apply for this now would be required for 3 year training program which is new law that goes into effect Jan.1. Thanks again.

[BadgerBoiler MN]

Like most tests, this one is designed more to challenge your ability to regurgitate useless information than your useful knowledge of electricity.
Less than 5% of the test is HVAC related.

I wouldn't consider taking it again without formal instruction. Dunwoody is great but Dakota tech and the MN PHCC offer classes also.

I took 40hrs of instruction on the MN PLT test, apprenticed a year w. ME and wired
- high voltage and low- both furnaces and boilers for 30 years and still missed the test by a couple of points. If you work on IT, magnetic door locks and home entertainment centers you would be better trained for the test.

As for the MN and NEC code. 95 percent of all HVAC equipment is installed without the "help" of a master electrician. Unless you work in Duluth, Mpls or St. Paul you will likely never need a PLT. Don't get me wrong, education is always a good thing, but restraint of trade is always a bad thing. The cream rises to the top. Good luck.


MA