Not everybody in this industry has had the benefit of a formal education in electricity or electronics. By that simple revelation it came clear to me that some people understand certain terminology better than other terminology. That’s why some people understand the so-called “West Virginia” formula, which is W = V × A, but they may not understand the same expression as P = V × I. But it is the same concept expressed in a different “language.” Someone who took my class once told me that my approach was that of an engineer as opposed to an electrician. I didn’t understand what he meant at the time but now I know. It’s a matter of terminology. Mike Novasel is a production electrician from Local 2 in Chicago who is touring with Mary Poppins. He recently taught a class with me and he’s one of the self-taught people in the industry. The way he explained it to the class was with the acronym “PIER.”
P for Power in Watts
I for Current in Amps
E for Voltage in Volts
R for Resistance in Ohms
His mnemonic serves as a sort of translator from engineering to tech. If you have trouble remembering the terms then use this and you’ll never forget it.
From “Focus on Fundamentals” by Richard Cadena, PLSN, Sept. 2009
