AM2 Exam in a week time any tips or advice?

[RyanF]

Hi all sparkies/apprentices,

A quick introduction I am currently a electrician apprentice with a domestic contractor just a small business. I have now complete my NVQ side of my qualification now sitting the dreaded AM2 Exam on the 12th Febuary until the 14th. However, I do have the refresher course booked on the 8th and 9th.

So any tips or advice on the AM2 exam as I am most worrie about the fault finding unit.

Any tips or advice or links to website would be massively appreciated!

Cheers!

 

[RyanF]

Motor DOL CCT - DB feeds isolator - isolator to DOL - DOL to motor.

TPN socket in SWA and 6491x. SWA from DB to TPN socket isolator - 6491x from isolator to socket outlet.

You should isolate there circuits at the DB following the safe isolation procedure.

You will have safely isolated the installation as a whole at the start.
You will also be asked to safely isolate 2 final circuits at some stage after you have installed and tested. isolate from the DB following safe isolation procedure.

This is how i did mine last year. If you are unsure ask the assessor. They are normally as helpful as they are allowed to be.

Good luck by the way.

Motor DOL CCT - DB feeds isolator - isolator to DOL - DOL to motor.

TPN socket in SWA and 6491x. SWA from DB to TPN socket isolator - 6491x from isolator to socket outlet.

You should isolate there circuits at the DB following the safe isolation procedure.

You will have safely isolated the installation as a whole at the start.
You will also be asked to safely isolate 2 final circuits at some stage after you have installed and tested. isolate from the DB following safe isolation procedure.

This is how i did mine last year. If you are unsure ask the assessor. They are normally as helpful as they are allowed to be.

Good luck by the way.

Thanks for replying. So I would lock off the isolator first then isolate the board as well or simply turn off the isolator for the swa socket then isolate the 3 phase mcb?

Also, did you only install a 32amp RCBO type B on the ring circuit. I keep getting the feeling I should install a rcd or rcbo on the swa socket outlet im confused ...

Another thing how did you get on with the fault finding part as in the heating system element? I feel like I might struggle on this part.

Sorry to be a pain

 

[RyanF]

Also make sure you operate the switches if you have to isolate the lighting circuit.

As in operate all intermediate and two way switching sequences? Testing all strappers.

Also forgot to ask how did you set your thermal overload for your motor circuit?

I got told you get all the working out etc in a specification booklet?

 

[MJPD29]

Main thing is don' panic and don't rush. There is more than enough time to get it completed and at the end use spare time to make sure you got everything right. Don' give them any excuse not to pass you. The thought of doing it is worse than actually doing it once you get an hour into it and tour in your normal rhythm you'l be fine

 

[Simonslimline]

Thanks for replying. So I would lock off the isolator first then isolate the board as well or simply turn off the isolator for the swa socket then isolate the 3 phase mcb?

Also, did you only install a 32amp RCBO type B on the ring circuit. I keep getting the feeling I should install a rcd or rcbo on the swa socket outlet im confused ...

Another thing how did you get on with the fault finding part as in the heating system element? I feel like I might struggle on this part.

Sorry to be a pain

I would switch off the isolator but only lock off at the DB.

The RFC had a 32a type b 61009.

The TPN socket just has an MCB (60898)

The spec will show you which protective devices to use and which position in the DB the DB they go. Pay very close attention to the detail of the spec. Assume nothing.

The fault finding was easy enough. You will be given information about a particular circuit and you will have to explain what the fault is (using correct terminology), where the fault exists, and what you would do to rectify it.

7 faults in total. Just remember, terminology.

Earth leakage fault
Short circuit
open circuit

Etc etc....

My heating system fault was an open circuit on the switched Line conductor from the stat to the wiring centre.


Just study how the heating system works and work in a logical sequence until you identify the fault.

 

[Simonslimline]

As in operate all intermediate and two way switching sequences? Testing all strappers.

Also forgot to ask how did you set your thermal overload for your motor circuit?

I got told you get all the working out etc in a specification booklet?

Yes i would operate the switches with my probes on the conductors/(all combinations) at the light. There is no feed at the light, just a switched line, neutral and cpc.

The motor overload calculation is worked out using the motors Kw rating, voltage, power factor and efficiency.

There will be a sheet with the information on your particular motor, where the spec is etc.

I didnt have to set mine, instead just showed how to work it out and wrote it on the testing paperwork on the back.

 

[RyanF]

Thatsgre

I would switch off the isolator but only lock off at the DB.

The RFC had a 32a type b 61009.

The TPN socket just has an MCB (60898)

The spec will show you which protective devices to use and which position in the DB the DB they go. Pay very close attention to the detail of the spec. Assume nothing.

The fault finding was easy enough. You will be given information about a particular circuit and you will have to explain what the fault is (using correct terminology), where the fault exists, and what you would do to rectify it.

7 faults in total. Just remember, terminology.

Earth leakage fault
Short circuit
open circuit

Etc etc....

My heating system fault was an open circuit on the switched Line conductor from the stat to the wiring centre.


Just study how the heating system works and work in a logical sequence until you identify the fault.

Thats great thanks for replying im most nervous about the fault finding on the heating system. Just cant wrap my head around the S plan.

How did you do on the inspection and process part? I got told the assessor doesnt watch over you the whole time but, watched you do a R1+R2 reading and a global IR test on the 3 phase board.

Im hoping to pass first time. Feel like im sitting my driving test all over again

 

[ruston]

@RyanF .
Just download this link of animated diagrams it will help you to understand what is happening . To understand is to know lol.
Good luck and try not to worry.
Honeywell Y-Plan Explanation - http://octaveblue.co.uk/c_heating/index.htm

 

[Simonslimline]

Thatsgre


Thats great thanks for replying im most nervous about the fault finding on the heating system. Just cant wrap my head around the S plan.

How did you do on the inspection and process part? I got told the assessor doesnt watch over you the whole time but, watched you do a R1+R2 reading and a global IR test on the 3 phase board.

Im hoping to pass first time. Feel like im sitting my driving test all over again

The assessor did not really watch me or the other guy much at all. I was left to get on with it, except for the safe isolation procedure.
Some people will say they watch 100% of the testing on initial verification, but they certainly did not on mine. We were both older candidates who hold the 2391, and myself the 2394/5 which may have had something to do with it (possibly).

With the fault finding, once you have identified the fault you then write down what-where, and how to rectify. Tell the assessor and he will switch in the next one and so on.

 

[RyanF]

@RyanF .
Just download this link of animated diagrams it will help you to understand what is happening . To understand is to know lol.
Good luck and try not to worry.
Honeywell Y-Plan Explanation - http://octaveblue.co.uk/c_heating/index.htm

Thats great thanks alot! Just hope the faults I get on the heating system are easy and not to complicated! Still cant believe my exam is a week on Monday .

 

[Simonslimline]

Thats great thanks alot! Just hope the faults I get on the heating system are easy and not to complicated! Still cant believe my exam is a week on Monday .

Where are you taking it just out of interest?

You should be fine, just keep a good head on you and dont panic.

 

[RyanF]

The assessor did not really watch me or the other guy much at all. I was left to get on with it, except for the safe isolation procedure.
Some people will say they watch 100% of the testing on initial verification, but they certainly did not on mine. We were both older candidates who hold the 2391, and myself the 2394/5 which may have had something to do with it (possibly).

With the fault finding, once you have identified the fault you then write down what-where, and how to rectify. Tell the assessor and he will switch in the next one and so on.

I understand they watch over the safe isolation procedure totally understandable as its very cruical. Ive currently got the 2365 level 2 and level 3 diploma just need this am2 to achieve my nvq/2357. So hoping I pass first time.

 

[RyanF]

Where are you taking it just out of interest?

You should be fine, just keep a good head on you and dont panic.

Im taking mine at Newcastle Upon Tyne at the Energy Academy (am2 centre) which is part of the college.

 

[Simonslimline]

Im taking mine at Newcastle Upon Tyne at the Energy Academy (am2 centre) which is part of the college.

let us know how you get on with it.

 

[RyanF]

let us know how you get on with it.

Ill deffo let you know how I get on can't believe its a week on monday!

 

[RyanF]

I know this might sound like a silly question. But, does anyone know how you label the circuits in the 3 phase and neutral consumer unit as in 3L3 or 1L3 etc and how do you terminate the conductors to there terminals? I have never worked on a three phase board so if anyone has any links for that it would be greatly appreciated! Also would you have to write the phases they are on on the schedule of test results for the am2 as in next to the circuit description? I.e 32 amp ring main rcbo type B on 2L3?