AM2 questions and queeries 2017

Jonathan85 · Jun 12, 2017

Hi everyone.

I am sitting my AM2 the end of this month (june) and have a few questions as my college is being very vague on things. some may seem very basic but any help would be appreciated.

first of, does anyone know weather the 2 way lighting circuit has to be wired in the two plate or three plate method and is it done in singles or T&E. as two different tutors have told us two different things. and if anyone whos sat it recently could post up a coloured pic it would be a massive help.

second, I am paying the £165 for the AM2 'prep day' and haven't really been given a clear answer for what its for. first I was told it was a practice day on the board. then told it was just to fill out paperwork. I am confused as to why I would have to pay £165 for paperwork which should be filled out in the initial cost of the AM2. can anyone clarify what the prep day is for.

lastly. on the AM2 are you given wiring diragrams or circuit diagrams to do the install with and is it true if you get one part wrong on the install you fail the whole thing?

many thanks for any help regarding this.

Wilko · Jun 12, 2017

Agree with Zdb the Tutor will go through each item on the prep day. Eyes and ears very important here as there will be only one way to guarantee a pass - their way

And a little pic just for fun.

[ElectriciansForums.net] AM2 questions and queeries 2017

Pete999 · Jun 12, 2017

Wilko said:
Agree with Zdb the Tutor will go through each item on the prep day. Eyes and ears very important here as there will be only one way to guarantee a pass - their way
And a little pic just for fun.

View attachment 36789

Kin simple when you put it like that Wilko

LeeH · Jun 12, 2017

I can count 3 switch plates on each

Still don't understand the terminology.

westward10 · Jun 12, 2017

Three plate refers to the plate of the ceiling rose which has three terminals hence "three plate".
Two plate refers to a ceiling rose plate with two terminals hence "two plate". This method would have used circular junction boxes for the switch connections. The modern method of wiring lighting circuits by taking the L and N to the switch seems to have adopted this "two plate" moniker although the "plate" part refers to the ceiling rose most of which these days are three terminal or four if you include the earth terminal.

flex_m · Jun 12, 2017

To expand on what Zdb said the connections are in the switch ie two core from the board to the first switch, line to common then 3 core between three switches, neutral from the board connected to grey and the other two used as strappers from L1 and L2 through the intermediate switch and from the last two way in two core to the light you take the switch line from the common and the neutral from the grey of the incoming 3 core. All connections must be srewless ie wagos, don't forget your sleeving.

You have wiring diagrams for everything and circuit diagrams for the heating heating circuit.

Take your time to read all the instructions carefully, if you don't follow the specification exactly you will fail the installation section. You can use time from the testing section to correct any mistakes.

LeeH · Jun 12, 2017

Ok I get it, so the 3 plate system is to aid the new generation of plastic sparkies who may find looping in/out of a ceiling rose challenging.

Ian1981 · Jun 12, 2017

Wiring through light switches with mains at the switches avoids the use of unnecessary junction boxes for things like installing down lights and outside lighting as there is a neutral at the switch.
When people do it when all there is in the room is a bog standard ceiling rose, then it's annoying!
Can make it awkward to test as well as really you should test each light from the switches if mains fed switches to confirm polarity and if the cpc is present rather than just go to the end of line which will be in the switch

westward10 · Jun 12, 2017

LeeH said:
Ok I get it, so the 3 plate system is to aid the new generation of plastic sparkies who may find looping in/out of a ceiling rose challenging.

No the three plate is the loop in/out method

westward10 · Jun 12, 2017

Ian1981 said:
Wiring through light switches with mains at the switches avoids the use of unnecessary junction boxes for things like installing down lights and outside lighting as there is a neutral at the switch.
When people do it when all there is in the room is a bog standard ceiling rose, then it's annoying!
Can make it awkward to test as well as really you should test each light from the switches if mains fed switches to confirm polarity and if the cpc is present rather than just go to the end of line which will be in the switch

Maybe misreading but how is end of line at the switch.

Ian1981 · Jun 13, 2017

westward10 said:
Maybe misreading but how is end of line at the switch.

I meant if the last mains was at the switch you would still test at the light but if all switch live and neutral to lights then all would need testing to verify your cpc at the light positions as a your cpc may not have terminated properly in the switch

Zdb · Jun 13, 2017

I prefer the connections to be in the switch as it's handy having the neutral there if you want to fit a fancy dimmer.

gazdkw82 · Jun 13, 2017

Zdb said:
I prefer the connections to be in the switch as it's handy having the neutral there if you want to fit a fancy dimmer.

yes this is the way I was taught and iv only recently finished. its preferred to have a neutral at the switch now for those fancy switches etc

hmm · Jun 13, 2017

OP. I had a lad do the AM2 a few weeks back and he was telling me it's a two way and intermediate system wired in singles, essentially two plate where the feed is taken straight to the common on the first 2 way switch, two 'strappers' are wired between L1 & 2 of that switch and the intermediate, and then between the intermediate and the L1 & 2 of the second switch, and then a switched feed is taken up to the light. The neutral goes straight to the light as it's wired in singles.
My advice, as from others, is to look at what you will be doing and think of a list of questions that you want to ask. DO NOT leave your two training days until every question on your list has been asked and answered to your satisfaction; if you don't understand the answer say so. You've paid for the training, ensure it works for you. Best of luck.

gazdkw82 · Jun 13, 2017

Jees what's all this "bad spelling" malarky!??

I didn't seen that point is it

westward10 · Jun 13, 2017

AM2 questions and queeries 2017

Jonathan85

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Wilko

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Pete999

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LeeH

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westward10

flex_m

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LeeH

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Ian1981

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westward10

westward10

Ian1981

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Zdb

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gazdkw82

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hmm

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gazdkw82

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westward10

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