AM2 - Sparky facts errors?

Hectorhill · Feb 18, 2014

Hi All

Revising for my up and coming AM2 exam. I have been using the sparky facts site as my kind of bible. When I have been flicking through this forum though some people have commented that there are plenty of errors on the sparky facts website. Has anybody else heard this & if so what are the errors.

Also know its a long shot but…..

any one know anywhere I can get my hand on (or at least view) a copy of the job description they give out when you begin the AM2?

any help much appreciated !

thanks

Hilldog · Jun 18, 2014

Haha no offence taken. I've not worked in the industry but have got all my exams at night school etc. I'm 36 so am changing career. Leaving work next week to find work but am trying to get my am2 also. I've got my 2391-10 so I'm not that bad (surely ) Jus struggling a bit with the hands on stuff. Tbh I feel fairly confident with the rest of the am2. It's just this conversion circuit. I have used sparky facts as my guide but am now finding flaws in it

davesparks · Jun 18, 2014

I thought the whole point of the AM2 was to assess practical abilities at the end of an apprenticeship?

2na · Jun 18, 2014

I see, well depending on the make of the trunking, they may or may not have earth terminals in the back of the box. If not, put all the cpc's in a connector or wago. Always connect all the earths together, if in doubt, earth it.

Hilldog · Jun 18, 2014

Thanks mate

fyi I can use the am2 as part of prior learning towards my NVQ. If I ever get in a position to go in for it that is.

DomCallear · Jun 21, 2014

Am2 is pretty simple, its over 3 days. Mine went like this;

Day 1

Safe isolation of the distribution board you're going to be doing your practical work on.
Start practical work.

Day 2

Complete practical work.
Test and Inspect your installation.

Day 3

Safe isolation of your fault ring.
Fault finding.
Online exam.

The time they give you for every aspect is plenty, just keep your nerve and don't flap.
All the containment is in for your installation all you will need to do is pull the cables in and connect them up (simple). Make sure you use the correct cable stated on the sheets, failing to do so will result in a fail as one of the lads i was with found out.
The fault finding is simple, the rig you work on is exactly the same setup as your install all you need is a continuity "beep" meter and an electrical head. The assessor just wants to know the exact location of the fault. For example; no continuity of earth between socket 2 and 3.
The online exam is ridiculous, I don't even know why they bother giving it you, 27 out of 30 questions are simple, you should know them off the top of your head. The last 3 you'll probably have to open one of the 4 books you have and have a quick skim through, but there is nothing complex about any of the questions.

Hilldog · Jun 21, 2014

Thanks mate I appreciate that.

like I said I think I have a sporting chance of passing. I've done enough work and attended the prep day. It's just this LAST cpc connection on the 2 way & intermediate that has thrown me. I know that the earth loop path must be complete to function so I am wondering how they can just terminate the cpc in a connector block at the LAST/FURTHEST SWITCH because there is no return loop path. Zs = ze + r1 & r2. They haven't connected it to the back box or earthing point which I presumed they would have to to take it back to the origin etc. Does that make sense? I know how to earth switches 1 & intermediate but switch 3 just doesn't seem to sink in.

telectrix · Jun 21, 2014

that's because the cpc is a radial and so goes from origin of circuit to the end. you only have a loop if the circuit is a ring. your R1 +R2 can only be measured by linking the L and cpc conductors at on end. don't get confused with r1,r2, as they are end/end measurements on a ring circuit.

Hilldog · Jun 21, 2014

Aahhhhhhh I get it now. That makes sense when you think of continuity of cpc test. That's brilliant thanks for all of the help!!!

Richard Burns · Jun 21, 2014

Damn, waste of time me drawing this then!

[ElectriciansForums.net] AM2 - Sparky facts errors?

411.3 a cpc shall be run to and terminated to each point in the wiring and to each accessory.(except lampholders)

Hilldog · Jun 21, 2014

Hi mate

It wasn't a waste of time at all Your diagram helped me out A LOT!! I now understand the conversion. Wiring because of that.

i have attached a picture here. He has definitely got that single cpc terminated into a connector block. You think that's wrong then?

Richard Burns · Jun 21, 2014

No that is correct, if it is a mid point of the circuit then the cpc should be connected together and keep going along the circuit.
If it is the end of the circuit then it terminates there (and is usually put in a connector block to stop it flapping around)

Hilldog · Jun 21, 2014

Thanks mate

Hilldog · Jun 22, 2014

Just been having a play around with terminating swa as my exam is tomorrow. All good in terms of that but... I have just read that it's 4 core we get and not the 3 core I have been practices with. I need the swa to connect up from the db to the isolator for the 3 phase socket but obviously I'm going to have a core spare/left over now as it's only L,N & E. I'm guessing I might stick this extra core into earth in the db end and the same for the isolator end (the isolator has a connection via a piranha nut) Anyone know if this is correct?

thanks

Simonslimline · Jun 22, 2014

Why will you have a spare core if its a 3 phase socket?

Hilldog · Jun 22, 2014

Simonslimline said:
Why will you have a spare core if its a 3 phase socket?

Cos they said use the armour as a cpc and then it's L,N,E meaning I have a core spare. Just found this little picture I nicked off a you tube clip. He's used a core here as a cpc so guess I'm gonna have to chance it and do that. Think I might secure the db end to the Banjo etc rather than straight to the earth bar. Unless anyone knows any differently of course????

AM2 - Sparky facts errors?

Hectorhill

Hilldog

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davesparks

2na

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Hilldog

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DomCallear

Hilldog

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telectrix

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Hilldog

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Richard Burns

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Hilldog

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Richard Burns

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Hilldog

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Hilldog

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Simonslimline

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Hilldog

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