pat testing questions

Well that reply was really unhelpful. More so than the course.

First thing to realise is that RCDs and related  devices like RCBOs have two current ratings, a maximum load current which may be 32A, or 16 or 13A for a plug-in one, and a maximum fault current, which is much lower, 30milli-Amps or less for safety of life applications, like sockets. This much lower current represents the largest fault current, normally to earth, but could be to anywhere that is not a legitimate load, as inside the RCD it is measured as the difference of the live current going out and the neutral current returning - so an RCD does not need an earth connection itself to detect a live to earth fault. 

The idea is that if you are in your bare feet on the lawn and anything more than 30mA flows out of say your defective hedge trimmer cable or whatever, and goes up your arm to and down too ground via your feet, the RCD will trip, cutting the supply before fibrillation of your heart really gets going. It does not stop it being !!!##!!!  painful though, and you may be hurt if the muscular convulsions  make you fall over something hard or sharp but the chances of survival are greatly improved.


So for a socket supplying equipment that may be hand held, an RCD with a 30mA trip  current, or less,  is the expected answer.

When I asked above if you understood fuses and breakers this is sort of what I meant.

Other RCD ratings exist for special applications, but they are not for safety  of life.

I understand all of that, its just the specific requirements on outdoor sockets. 


One of the questions was the trip time of outdoor sockets and another was the amperage rating of the outdoor sockets requirements. I.e 32a. 


So for clarification the rating is 32a with a trip rating of 30ma and trip time of 40ms or less?

Well it turns out that only 2/5 of us on that course actually passed. So that largely indicates the tutor needs to spend less time talking about his dad and more about the course

I have to agree and support comments by Sparkingchip and lyledunn, they are bang on the money. I have also been involved in delivering and assessing City and Guilds short courses. All too often the tutor gets blamed for poor preperation by delegates or indeed candidates on the course that is actually not suitable for them. there are very good, good, average, poor and downright terrible training establishments out there. Its a competitive market so its a case Im afraid that many of these providers "Stack them high sell them cheap"!!


So a question for Ryder2012 if you dont mind, why did you pick that particular training establishment? did you research before you signed up what there reviews were like compared to others, performance etc etc or did you just pick the lowest cost provider and the one delivering and providing exam in the shortest period? All quality training and assessment providers have official complaint procedures, so did you make any kind of complaint or even have a polite word with the tutor that his stories off subject may be great but can they concentrate on the matter at hand.


You never indicated what exam you were actually sitting as the management exam is 2377-32 and the actual inservice test and inspection element is 2377-22?

There are no formal requirements for attending nor even sitting the exam and assessments albeit those with formal electrical qualifications should find things pretty simple. There are a number of training establishments that will offer a shorter intense course for those that think they are capable, but also offer extended training 3 days for those with zero qualifications.


Open book exam, multiple choice on a subject where there are no formal joining requirements, it may sound harsh, but having sat these type of courses myself (And passed) the "Clue" is always in the question, there are two key words, understand what is being asked and the index or glossary, definition pages in the C.O.P will lead you direct to one of the four answer you have to choose from.


From my experience certainly over the last five years, but it was always an issue but not so much as today, people pay for the cheapest and quickest provision, do not do any pre course research on the subject before they attend, turn up and expect with a days training or whatever to pass. if they dont always easy to blame somebody else.


GTB

well my knowledge is enough that i can wire up a house, i know ring mains run on 2.5 twin core and earth running off 32amp breakers, lighting ringmains run of 1.5 twin core and earth with a 16a breaker, i know that mcbs must be in place and the distribution unit should now be all metal construction.  i also happen to know that if working with a 3 phase, each rail/phase should ideally be balanced to have the same total amperage across them, but practicality doesnt always happen.


i also get certain other elements like selvs, how cookers, showers and boilers USED to be required to be on thier own ring main but due to modern technology this is now not a requirement as most of these things run on a 13amp fused plug anyway.


i also know that electrical outlets must be a certain distance from sources of running water (sings, baths, showers) but cannot recall at time of writing this that actual distance. i believe its 2.5m? i know your not meant to be able to touch an outlet and source of running water at the same time.


my knowledge often wains in the finer details such as trip times due to typical "industry standards" or adopted standards. example being trip times of rcds/rcbs being generally the same either due to law or standard so you can buy these products knowing that they will function because of those laws or standards.


hopefully that clarifies some of the extent of my knowledge. mostly its things like the laws reguarding bs ens, stuff like gs38 and alike. most health and safety stuff i have enough knowledge to work out whats what. like a statement and what it pertains to such as pewer and hasaw etc etc. anyway, i got a retest on the 19th september and been looking for a reliable online mock exam (preferably for free) but cant seem to find a good one to practice with and use to learn more.

i actually didnt get to select the provider as the course is being paid for by a 3rd party company. 


i believe its the 2377-22 exam anyways.


the other learners in the course where very engrossed and asking good questions to the tutor, many of which where met with "dont worry about that" or "i'll get to that later" and never did get round to them. honestly i do wish you guys could have observed the course as i do feel you'd agree that the delivery of the course was below standards. but hey there will always be the debate of tutor vs learniner and who is at fault without everyone involved being in that course to see the way its delivered and attitude on both sides of the desk, i can only speak from having sat ALOT of CandG courses this was below par,anyway  im learning from you guys as well. so thank you.

Oh Dear!


(my comment was not ref the last entry but the one before it)