Amp Up

A2L refrigerants are changing the game in HVAC, but their impact goes beyond just the cooling side. Electrical components like circuit breakers, relays, and sensors need proper certification to work safely around these low-flammability refrigerants. In this episode, we break down why A2L certification matters for everyone on the job—HVAC techs, electricians, and contractors—and how it keeps your work safe, code-compliant, and future-proof.

Download the free Trade Hounds app to listen and connect with tradespeople across the country: https://www.tradehounds.com/

Starting out as an apprentice can feel like getting tossed in the deep end. From the tools you need on day one to the safety habits and work ethic that earn respect, this episode lays out your REAL survival guide for the jobsite. Listen in to avoid rookie mistakes and set yourself up for a strong start in the trade.

Download the free Trade Hounds app to listen and connect with tradespeople across the country: https://www.tradehounds.com/

Innovation isn’t just hype, it’s changing how jobs get done and making you more money. In this episode, we break down how smart building tech like connected lighting, smart HVAC, and power monitoring is helping contractors cut costs, avoid downtime, and land bigger projects. From healthcare to commercial work, this tech can really give YOU an edge.

Download the free Trade Hounds app to listen and connect with tradespeople across the country: https://www.tradehounds.com/

In healthcare, power loss isn’t just an inconvenience…it’s life or death. Automatic transfer switches are the silent lifeline that keep operating rooms, ICUs, and emergency departments running when the grid fails. In this episode, we break down how ATS work, the codes that govern them, and why they’re the most critical switch you’ll ever wire.

Download the free Trade Hounds app to listen and connect with tradespeople across the country: https://www.tradehounds.com/

Siemens BIMPOWER is a FREE Revit plugin that’s changing the way electrical contractors work — cutting down errors, keeping materials lists up to date, and speeding up collaboration across entire projects. In this episode, Wade and Paige break down how it works, why it matters, and what it means for faster jobs from design to build.

Download the free Trade Hounds app to listen and connect with tradespeople across the country: https://www.tradehounds.com/

Have you ever heard of the “restaurant breaker”? The 3-pole GFCI is changing how kitchens, laundromats, and even car washes stay safe from dangerous ground faults. In this episode, Wade and Paige break down how it works, where it’s used, and why it’s the next big thing in electrical safety.

Download the free Trade Hounds app to listen and connect with tradespeople across the country: https://www.tradehounds.com/

What is electricity, really? In this episode of Amp Up, we take it back to the fundamentals with a breakdown of how electrons move, what makes materials conduct or resist, and why voltage is more than just a number.

Join Wade and Paige as they walk through the core concepts every apprentice needs to know—circuits, current, Ohm’s Law, grounding, AC vs. DC, and even how transformers shape the power grid. Whether you're new to the trade or brushing up on the basics, this one’s packed with insights and analogies that make the science click.

Download the free Trade Hounds app to listen and connect with tradespeople across the country: https://www.tradehounds.com/

Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs) do more than just trip breakers—they actively prevent electrical fires before they even start. In this episode, we break down how AFCIs work, why upgrading to them is essential for modern electrical safety, and explore the latest tech improvements that make installation and diagnostics easier for electricians on the job.

Download the free Trade Hounds app to listen and connect with tradespeople across the country: https://www.tradehounds.com/

May is National Electrical Safety Month, and we’re diving headfirst into one of the most dangerous hazards in the trade: arc flash. In this episode, we break down what causes arc flashes, why they’re so deadly, and how fast fault clearing can drastically reduce the blast radius.

Learn how Siemens' Dynamic Arc Flash Sentry (DAS) technology is keeping electricians safer on the job with smarter tech and faster fault clearing.

🎧 This episode is sponsored by Siemens.

Download the free Trade Hounds app to listen and connect with tradespeople across the country: https://www.tradehounds.com/

We're diving into Pneuma—a powerful AI platform that's streamlining the way electricians work. From AI-powered search to immersive 3D models and even augmented reality, Pneuma offers tools that make finding information faster, creating content easier, and training more engaging.

Whether you’re a seasoned engineer or just starting out, this episode shows how Pneuma can simplify your workflow, personalize your experience, and help you get more done in less time.

Don’t miss this one—it could literally change how you work.

Download the free Trade Hounds app to listen and connect with tradespeople across the country: https://www.tradehounds.com/