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

 

[g1url]

how did you guys get on .?. the barrier is put up just below the loadside terminations to cover all/most of metal trunking etc . gamblor6 is almost right , the guy will ask what you will do next, you say fix protective barriers that are sitting under the workbench with orange spring clamps beside them in a tub. he will give you a hand to put it up . dont worry aout what height cause he will show you by trying to clamp it on. the main thing is you know that it needs to go up and why.

 

[garry]

Had mine today... think it went ok.It was no where near as bad as I thought it would be.The questions at the end are hard going,it was really tight for time and I had to just guess a few in the end.If I pass the testing,safe isoltion and fault finding I will be happy.They said about two weeks for the results so fingers crossed lol

 

[richieboy1972]

Hi garry tried to post a message last night but the website crashed.

I managed to do ok with the exam, like yourself i thought the exam at the end was an absolute nightmare, and had to guess
a few at the end as i had run out of time, 2 weeks to wait for the result finger crossed,
Best of luck speak soon...

 

[gm1988]

H, im in the same boat. I have my ACA coming up in around 2 weeks and im panicking already because all ive done for the past 2 years is essentially house bashing, so ive not had much experience with testing, motors or really looking up regs for voltage drops etc.

ive read all your posts and have been v. helpful, but if anyone else has anything else to add to give me a heads up, would be greatly appreciated!
is everything required for the test in all of the regs, on site guide etc? im thinking about calling my old college to see if they do any kind of refresher course, anyone heard of one?

thanks

 

[g1url]

would be a good idea to contact college to see. most of the info you need is in these posts tho. if you read through the wee book you get out and check each bit against posts on here ,someone has usually posted about all the bits that trip you up.all the info is in the books they tell you about in the handout.

 

[Smudge]

I just passed mine on the second attempt last week. For the written/theory parts, it won't do any harm scanning over the mentioned books. Not to learn them, that's near impossible, but just to understand the way they are laid out and how to find categories within them. The testing (the bit I failed), is basically normal testing. Things to remember, insulation resistance on 3phase installation, main switch open, all breakers closed, digital meter removed. Ze, use of plastic sheets as a barrier.

Know what your expected results should be.

The second part of the testing has faults in it, so it is important you understand what you are doing!! ie/ short circuit, reverse polarity etc.

 

[garry]

Just found out today that I passed.I'm glad it's over,I would just like to say a big thanks for all the helpfull posts because without them It would have been alot harder.if I can help any one out feel free to ask any questions.

 

[gm1988]

Was just wondering with regards to the people who sat the ACA. when the testing took place, what was tested? eg. was it a 3 phase board or single phase. was the motor circuit tested or was it just lighting/sockets etc...

cheers in advance

 

[garry]

hi mate...i was asked to do the insulation resistance on the 3ph board but all the rest where on the single phase.The tests i was asked to do where...R2 on a socket,insulation resistance,ring continuity,psc on db then rcd on a socket.i used all the tips from this thread and managed to pass.Its not as bad as you might think it is.The guys are pritty sound aswell.also know your rcd trip times and where to find if your zs complies.

 

[m372d]

Doing mine in a couple of weeks and glad I came on here, very good advice. Have a couple of questions about the testing part if anyone has any info?

Insulation Resistance - If asked to do this on the 3 phase board what do you need to disconnect regarding the motors? or do you just have the isolator off? same goes for the single phase board with the cooker switch and shower?

Ze - Would the correct way of doing this be - isolating the board if its live, disconnecting the earth, switching the power back on, carry out the test, isolate the board, reconnect the earth and power back on?

Rcd tests- Is there a RCD used as a main switch and if so what are the trip times for this or where would i find it?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Smudge]

Insulation resistance on 3phase board. Motors off at isolators. Main switch off, each circuit on. Mention to disconnect any electronics etc (digital power meter in this case). Later, on single phase board, no test from shower switch to shower. Also remember 2 way switching needs both strappers tested.

Ze, power is off. Disconnect main earth. Hang up plastic matts as a barrier to protect yourself. Ask for power on. Test ze. What would you do if ze a lot higher than stated? (tip- who's problem is it(external to installation!!)).

Rcd test, 15mA no trip, 30mA trip in 200ms, 150mA trip in 40ms.
Remember do both sides of sine.
Test button.
If an rcd is used on main board, 300ms is acceptable trip time. Good luck.

 

[m372d]

Insulation resistance on 3phase board. Motors off at isolators. Main switch off, each circuit on. Mention to disconnect any electronics etc (digital power meter in this case). Later, on single phase board, no test from shower switch to shower. Also remember 2 way switching needs both strappers tested.

Ze, power is off. Disconnect main earth. Hang up plastic matts as a barrier to protect yourself. Ask for power on. Test ze. What would you do if ze a lot higher than stated? (tip- who's problem is it(external to installation!!)).

Rcd test, 15mA no trip, 30mA trip in 200ms, 150mA trip in 40ms.
Remember do both sides of sine.
Test button.
If an rcd is used on main board, 300ms is acceptable trip time. Good luck.

Thanks a lot. If an rcd is used for the main board is it the same tests as the socket rcd? i.e. half, rated and 5 times?

 

[Smudge]

Normally, yes. In this occasion, you do the test on an rcd socket (200ms trip time), and then you'll be asked the time for the main rcd. Be confident in your answers. My first test, I panicked and flapped. 2nd time, I knew what to expect which helped massively. The guys that take you through are actually sound. If your not sure on something, ask them. The worst they can say is they can't answer that but they WILL try point you the right direction. And it will do you no harm to have the OSG open on the relevant page (that's what it's there for).

 

[gm1988]

Got my test tomorrow morning, Pass or fail id just like to say thanks to everyone for all the helpful information, especially "garry" for his detailed walkthrough! if i get anything other than whats on here ill be sure to post. Cheers again people

 

[brightspark26]

Hi I am sitting here looking through this old thread. I need to go and sit my test any help would be much appreciated