Always wondered

[assegayer]

Hey guys new to the trainee forum after some kind memebers guided me here instead.

So the 2 questions i have is that i am currently doing mostly commercial work where all trades are involved and is basicaly just them ripping out the old and in with the new.

What i would like to ask is that say somebody asked you to install spotlights in a kitchen or where ever how would you go about getting the wires in there without taking the ceiling down because studs can get in the way etc.

Also i have some family abroad on holiday and have said that twice in a row there fridge has literally been fried because of a sudden surge..do they sell surge protectors that you can just put the tails in and then tail out of them to the consumer unit?

lastly this isnt really a question but i feel as if an apprenticeship would have been a better option because they would actually teach you everythings but instead i just seem to be chasing in boxes and running cables (which they explained what it is for) but i do not feel like they would teach me wiring in 3 phase cu etc. jsut needed to get that off my chest

Thanks guys

 

[Pete999]

Hey guys new to the trainee forum after some kind memebers guided me here instead.

So the 2 questions i have is that i am currently doing mostly commercial work where all trades are involved and is basicaly just them ripping out the old and in with the new.

What i would like to ask is that say somebody asked you to install spotlights in a kitchen or where ever how would you go about getting the wires in there without taking the ceiling down because studs can get in the way etc.

Also i have some family abroad on holiday and have said that twice in a row there fridge has literally been fried because of a sudden surge..do they sell surge protectors that you can just put the tails in and then tail out of them to the consumer unit?

lastly this isnt really a question but i feel as if an apprenticeship would have been a better option because they would actually teach you everythings but instead i just seem to be chasing in boxes and running cables (which they explained what it is for) but i do not feel like they would teach me wiring in 3 phase cu etc. jsut needed to get that off my chest

Thanks guys

Your last question reminds me of what they had me doing for a long time, but I persevered and have been all over the world as an Electrician, never even dreamed I would have done and been where I have been during those box chopping days, keep at it it will come good in the end.

 

[assegayer]

Your last question reminds me of what they had me doing for a long time, but I persevered and have been all over the world as an Electrician, never even dreamed I would have done and been where I have been during those box chopping days, keep at it it will come good in the end.

lool box chopping days hahaha...the thing is im not even doing an apprenticeship jsut working as a sparks mate for a company while going college off course

 

[trev]

If you're at college and working as a mate then you're probably getting the crap jobs to do first. For several weeks during the early part of my apprenticeship all I got to do was be general dogsbody. I'd fetch and carry, hold ladders steady, go to the shops, nip round to the wholesaler if we were close enough. I then graduated to box chopping, chasing, pulling cables etc and then it took off from there. Once I was considered able to do a particular task without supervision I'd be given something a bit more challenging.
It is this period that is the most mind numbingly repetitive but it is also the cornerstone that your practical learning will be based on. Suck it up, pay attention, leave your phone in your pocket apart from break times, if you run out of things to do then tidy up.
Gradually you'll be trusted to do more and more.
For now, don't worry about how to feed downlights or surge protection. That will come in time.

 

[trev]

Just as an aside, how do your family members know that the cause of their fridge breaking down is due to a sudden surge? Are they electrically qualified?
What other appliances were plugged in at the time of these "surges"? Were they damaged?

 

[assegayer]

If you're at college and working as a mate then you're probably getting the crap jobs to do first. For several weeks during the early part of my apprenticeship all I got to do was be general dogsbody. I'd fetch and carry, hold ladders steady, go to the shops, nip round to the wholesaler if we were close enough. I then graduated to box chopping, chasing, pulling cables etc and then it took off from there. Once I was considered able to do a particular task without supervision I'd be given something a bit more challenging.
It is this period that is the most mind numbingly repetitive but it is also the cornerstone that your practical learning will be based on. Suck it up, pay attention, leave your phone in your pocket apart from break times, if you run out of things to do then tidy up.
Gradually you'll be trusted to do more and more.
For now, don't worry about how to feed downlights or surge protection. That will come in time.

thanks for the advice..i was jsut wondering about the downlighters because i dont think ill ever do domestic wiring while the house is actually finished and not being ripped out.

 

[GMES]

Adam, glad to see you made it in, Regarding Trev's advice listen to everything he said because it is spot on the money.
The thing is like he said yes chopping in is boring but also part of the job. but the way to approach the trade is take everything in your stride , learn to get good and quick at it then approach your mentor and ask for a more responsible task.
All these tasks are like parts of a jigsaw, once you have mastered them all then you see the full picture.
And remember that this is the fun part, learning all the different aspects, so embrace them and don't be in too much of a rush to win the race.
And finally remember we are here to help you along the way.

 

[assegayer]

Adam, glad to see you made it in, Regarding Trev's advice listen to everything he said because it is spot on the money.
The thing is like he said yes chopping in is boring but also part of the job. but the way to approach the trade is take everything in your stride , learn to get good and quick at it then approach your mentor and ask for a more responsible task.
All these tasks are like parts of a jigsaw, once you have mastered them all then you see the full picture.
And remember that this is the fun part, learning all the different aspects, so embrace them and don't be in too much of a rush to win the race.
And finally remember we are here to help you along the way.

Agreed, tbh I still enjoy cutting out boxes and chases trying to get them 100% plumb etc. Your right though it will come sooner or later, again thanks everyone