A.C.A Approved Electrician Test

[Dannyg83]

Could anyone give me some info onthe A.C.A test for becoming an approved electrician as i have got mine in about 6 weeks and dont know what to expect ? Not sure if this just applies to sparks in Scotland

Cheers

 

[michaelw6]

never heard of it sorry im from bristol way??!!

 

[Dannyg83]

I think its just applies up here in Scotland mate

 

[g1url]

Hi Danny.
Just found your post when looking on google for the same info you were looking for a while ago. I have my test on monday and dont know what to expect.. how did you get on ?. Do you remeber any useful info that would help me stress less.
Thanks
david

 

[garry]

Hi David,good luck with your aca mate.I have mines next Tuesday and I'm not sure what to expect aswell.

 

[dodds3218]

Hi mate , been looking like mad for info on approved too!! I have mine in two weeks, how was it? could you lets us no anything about it?
cheers

 

[Smudge]

i had mine a couple of weeks ago and failed on the testing.
Supervision part - common sense.
Risk assesment part - again, common sense, yet have a look on the net of general risk assesment forms, hazards, trips and falls, electric shock, etc. You cant be too careful so go overboard with it!
The rest is multiple choice for the rgs etc. All the books are in front of you, and if you read the questions properly, it is fairly easy to figure out where to look in each book.

I failed on the testing part, as i couldnt answer a safety question before going on with the Ze test. He wouldnt then let me carry on with 'live' testing. Was asked what precautions should i take after disconnecting main earth. I presume i was meant to use the insulating matts to cover exposed metal etc?? I am still unsure of this, and i cant seem to find info on it. I dont want to organise my re-sit until i have cleared it up! I am also the only spark at a factory, so have no one to ask!?!

Anyone give any help, would be greatly appreciated. (and unless i have missed something totally obvious, i couldnt see anything in test proceedure in OSG, or the guidance note?). Posisibly just cant see the wood for the trees but would be greatful of any pointers.

 

[IQ Electrical]

When you remove the main earth for a Ze test, the installation should already be isolated.

Are you sure the question wasn't 'what precautions should you take BEFORE disconnecting the main earth?'

 

[telectrix]

i thought that. the only one i can think of after dissing the main earth and testing ZE, is make sure your leads and probes are sound ( insulation wise ) and correctly connected before prodding live terminals.

 

[Smudge]

Apologies, should maybe explain better. Within the test booth, is a large 3phase board. All main earthing is from here(gas,water,steel etc). This board supplies a smaller single phase board which I was to carry out the live testing on. The examiner may have asked what precautions should be taken BEFORE the Ze test (as the more sense that would make!).

When I'd been told I'd failed, he did say I should have looked carefully at ALL the equipment available to use, and the only thing I could see were the insulating matts. With the short time the earth becomes live during the test, surely this is why to cover other exposed conductive parts?? I'm sure this sounds like a stupidity takes over kind of question, but I am genuinely stuck! And at 100quid for the resit, I best get it right this time!!

 

[IQ Electrical]

You must ask permission to isolate, then isolate, only then do you disconnect the earthing conductor.

He might want you to stand on an insulating mat but there is no requirement to.

 

[gamblor6]

i failed mine for the same reason, the plastic mat is actually a barrier, there are hooks on the wall it hooks on. barrier between you and live conductors.

 

[IQ Electrical]

i failed mine for the same reason, the plastic mat is actually a barrier, there are hooks on the wall it hooks on. barrier between you and live conductors.

So how do you perform the LIVE Ze test now that you're 'well barriered'?

 

[gamblor6]

its clear plastic, i asked the same question and he told me he would have shown me had i said to him i would use a barrier for live testing. honestly he had me standing there for 5 mins. me saying erm erm erm. longest 5 mins of my life lol

 

[IQ Electrical]

It sounds annoyingly silly!