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Advice on training

MrJack96

Hi guys I hope this is the right section for this post. I was looking for a-bit of advice regarding experience and training. I’ve been in electrical maintenance for almost 5 years now. My qualification is engineering maintenance electrical NVQ 3. I’m also studying towards a HNC in electrical engineering. I feel like I lack experience in electrical installations and testing although I have also completed my test and inspection. I feel like I’m in a difficult place at the moment as I know I can do the work just lack confidence. I’ve tried reaching out to people to get more installations and testing experience unpaid and managed to get a day testing but it’s been a struggle.
I guess my ultimate goal is to be one of these electricians that can turn there hand to anything.

Sorry for the long post, any advice will be greatly appreciated

  • 0

    Hello Mr. Jack, your honesty is to be applauded. Have you tested your own home installation? And relatives and friends installations too?

    When I was younger I had not installed metal conduit. Then I had a job to install a short length for a builder in a council meeting hall. I obtained a length of steel conduit and practiced bending it in my garage. I had to use a home made bending block as I could not afford to buy a conduit bending machine. The block comprised a large block of wood with holes for the conduit to go through. Using lever action I eventually made a 90 degree bend.

    I did the job with the help of a friend, and was short changed by the builder who did not pay me the full amount asked for. I never was an expert at conduit bending but good enough to get by.

    So yes, get any chance you can to quietly inspect and test any installation. Also there are many Youtube videos on the subject that are very helpful.

    John Ward is very good. The videos may be a little dated and updates may be needed, but the basics are still there.

    Electrical Installation Testing - YouTube

    Good luck,

    Z.

  • 0

    Thank you for your reply zoom up it’s much appreciated. Do you think it would be worth me going down the NVQ route in installations or would this be a waste? Ive managed to get a few more days testing with Someone I know. But as I’ve said my installation experience is limited. 

  • 0 in reply to Zoomup
    Zoomup said:
    When I was younger I had not installed metal conduit.

    The 1/2 day (Friday pm) was optional on my course, but two of us gave it a go.

    When Zoomy was a lad, we didn't have eBay, but I suppose that there was Exchange & Mart. I certainly wouldn't want to bend conduit without a proper bender - I barely have the strength with one.

  • 0

    One way of gaining practical experience is to do work for yourself, friends and family. Within reason, you can take as long as you like and re-do stuff if it doesn't work first time.

    If you want to get on a CPS, I am afraid that you will have to jump through the various hoops which they set.

  • 0 in reply to MrJack96

    I'm a bit out of touch with current qualifications and training courses. What you need is to work alongside a  qualified experienced inspector and tester to get to know what to look for and the best and most effective and efficient testing methods including safety as well.

    The I.E.T. publishes a guide to inspection and testing, along with many other publishers.

    The wiring regs. is our bible and has sections on inspection and testing and model forms as well. Just follow the 18th edition. But practice and guidance is essential.

    Example of old textbooks.....

    Electrical Installation Practice H A Miller First Second Third Year Books 3rd Ed | eBay

    Z.

  • 0 in reply to Chris Pearson

    And pay them lots of money to fend off any customers you may upset!

  • 0 in reply to Chris Pearson

    The trick when using a conduit bending machine, for those with weak arms, is to insert a large pole over the bending handle to increase leverage. Then get a heavy weight like an elephant to stand on the base to prevent the machine toppling over. I done that many times. Poor old Nellie.

    Z.

  • 0

    I jumped from Electronics to Electrical when in my mid twenties, applied for a training course at the local tech and got laughed out of the interview as I was too old to take up an apprenticeship.

    I ended up 30 odd years later providing sub-contract teaching for the same company.

    The informality of the training outside of a recognised apprenticeship was for me precarious but the experience, training and work comes eventually.

    IMO, keep away from the five day wonder courses as even the best teachers are unable to get across all the likely skills required to make you a proficient electrician. You, basically just can't take all that information in in one go...

  • 0

    The IET Shop - Guidance Note 3: Inspection & Testing, 9th Edition

    Z.

  • 0 in reply to Zoomup

    Zoom, a very useful book if you appreciate the limitations, practicalities of the testing procedure.  Its unlikely to be so useful without hands on experience. Although, when I started teacher training, I suprised my tutor by teaching one of the three most practical demonstratable subjects, how to wire a BS1363 plug, as a theory class.  .......

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