Electrical Competency, what is it?

davezawadi (David Stone): 
 

This thread has not quite gone where I hoped. We know the general definition, I would like comments on whether these are met by electricians in general, and if not where we need improvements. Thanks.

Kind regards

David

I once had to assess 4 very competent industrial installation electricians for the C&G2391. I had to turn the 4 day assessment course into a training course (to the constination of the training company) as none of them had ever used any of the standard set of test instruments.

IMO experience across a wide range of electrical installations and processes for a period of not less than 10 years will provide some of the skills that will make a reasonable inspection engineer. Sounds hard to be sure but then you would have to come away from engineering and  become specific technicians focusing on a limited range of installations.

Now, if the BS7671 stays non- retrospective then the above would be appropriate, but if, as the new rules implied by the Electrical installations in rented properties then the whole process becomes retrospective and would need to be inspected to whatever the current regulations are.

So little or no experience is also implied when testing to current regulations as opposed to assess across a range in time for safety.

Legh

davezawadi (David Stone): 
 

This thread has not quite gone where I hoped. We know the general definition, I would like comments on whether these are met by electricians in general, and if not where we need improvements. Thanks.

Kind regards

David

I once had to assess 4 very competent industrial installation electricians for the C&G2391. I had to turn the 4 day assessment course into a training course (to the constination of the training company) as none of them had ever used any of the standard set of test instruments.

IMO experience across a wide range of electrical installations and processes for a period of not less than 10 years will provide some of the skills that will make a reasonable inspection engineer. Sounds hard to be sure but then you would have to come away from engineering and  become specific technicians focusing on a limited range of installations.

Now, if the BS7671 stays non- retrospective then the above would be appropriate, but if, as the new rules implied by the Electrical installations in rented properties then the whole process becomes retrospective and would need to be inspected to whatever the current regulations are.

So little or no experience is also implied when testing to current regulations as opposed to assess across a range in time for safety.

Legh