Continuing Trim Out with My Son Josh!

After the demo and rough in phases a project are complete, the trim out phase must begin in order for the items that have been installed to function properly and look good! In the latest episode of Electrician U, Dustin (and his new apprentice Josh!!) trim out one of the projects they have been working on.

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First let’s discuss WHAT trim out is. It’s a general term we use to describe the installation of the final pieces of the equipment we have installed on a project. It consists of device plates (for receptacles, switches, etc.), trim rings for can lights, the lamps themselves for the light fixtures, and things of that nature. Some of these items we do NOT want to install until the project is all but complete. For instance, if we were to install the device plates early, the painter would most assuredly have to take them off to paint properly and the screws or plates usually either get damaged or lost somewhere. So, we wait to the end, and everything stays nice and new looking!
For this project, screwless device plates are being installed. This requires a bit different installation method than a standard device. There is an additional backplate that must be installed on top of the device. But the screws must be driven in just so, the device cannot be too tight to the wall or too loose, etc. or the plate won’t fit right. Its also a great opportunity for a newer apprentice to learn HOW to trim things out, as there are a few hundred receptacles over the four buildings on this project. Repetition is a great way for new electricians to learn. And by having so many devices in one project, it compacts that time down into one job! Another thing an apprentice must do is try to anticipate the needs of the person they are working with and have those needs met as quickly as possible. It’s also the apprentice’s job to LEARN by watching, assisting, and finally performing.
Installing the trims for the can lights will also happen during trim out. This project used super small micro can lights (a 3” can) with an adjustable color driver (it allows you to set what Kelvin color you would like the fixture to produce. The lower the Kelvin number the warmer/orange the color. The higher the Kelvin number the cooler/blue the light will be). Something to keep in mind when trimming out a project is your fingerprints. Try to keep your fingers off the newly painted walls/ceilings as much as possible. It just looks bad if you leave fingerprints everywhere and the painter may have to come back and repaint and will undoubtedly charge YOU for it!! Consider wearing latex gloves when trimming a project.
How you wired the project and the level of professionalism used during the rough in phase, will certainly be found when you trim out! As devices are being hooked up and energized/tested problems will undoubtedly arise and if things weren’t wired correctly, now BECOMES the time where we MUST fix them. But, due to the nature of the buildings finish, since other trades final work is done and we DON’T want to ruin it, it typically takes longer as we must move slower and be much more careful. So, try to install your wiring as correctly and professionally as possible; it’ll pay dividends in the end!
A special shout out to Dustin’s son Josh! He has been doing a great job of learning the electrical trade as an apprentice! He works super hard and is very eager! Doesn’t mess around on his phone either!! Josh asks the questions he should and is honestly interested in doing things the right way! Kudos Josh!!
We hope this has been helpful to understand the trim out process of a project! What topic would you like to see a video on? Leave a comment in the comment section and let us know! Please continue to follow Dustin and Electrician U as we are constantly adding new content to help our followers along in their electrical careers!

#electrician #electrical #electricity #terms of trade #electrical contractor #power issues