AM2 exam Section C1 (Fault diagnosis and safe isolation of circuits)

[robert560]

Hi there,

I have my AM2 exam coming up soon and i last time failed on section C1, That is the section where you are required to isolate a single circuit (3x) and prove it is dead and safe to work on.

I know to turn off the circuit breaker and lock off and follow safe isolation, but when i am trying to prove it is dead do i do my tests in the consumer unit or do i say open up the socket or light i am trying to prove is dead and check isolation there?
To sum up, should i do my isolation for this section at the consumer unit or in the specific circuit i am to prove is dead?

Many thanks

 

[markc123]

do the '10 tests' at the consumer unit / distribution board.

 

[marcusone]

Hi Robert. I would say you test for safe isolation on the circuit you think you have isolated. Never assume an mcb or isolator is labelled or wired correctly. They are looking to see you have safely isolated and proved dead before you stick your paws in there.

 

[robert560]

Not the part i am after, It is part of the fault diagnosis. There are 3 single circuits they asked me to isolate without turning off the consumer unit. So i had to locate and isolate a single circuit and then confirm it was dead. Once the circuit is turned off and locked off ect do i open up the socket and check it is dead in the back of that or do i only test in the consumer unit?

 

[CTID]

I would of said to test the circuit you are to be working on, as not all circuits are labelled correctly and some have a dual supply.

 

[robert560]

And thanks Marcus but they did say for this part you can assume all circuits are labelled correctly. I testes in the consumer unit before and failed which made me think they would want me to check in the back of the socket more?

 

[CTID]

Not the part i am after, It is part of the fault diagnosis. There are 3 single circuits they asked me to isolate without turning off the consumer unit. So i had to locate and isolate a single circuit and then confirm it was dead. Once the circuit is turned off and locked off ect do i open up the socket and check it is dead in the back of that or do i only test in the consumer unit?

Check at the socket outlet as well

 

[markc123]

Surely they'll be one if them plug in testers that you can get your probes in to test that the socket is dead without opening the thing up?

Im guessing you won't be able to take the covers off anyway, because then you'll more than likley be able too see the fault. Test and isolate at the consumer unit, and use the plug in testers to make sure the socket is dead.

 

[robert560]

yeah possibly but i am not sure if your allowed them for this purpose. Many thanks anyway.

 

[markc123]

Those plug in testers do the exact same job as taking the socket off and testing at the actual terminals, they were designed to save the sparkies time during inspection and testing. Cant see why you wouldn't be allowed to use them.

Good luck for the exam.

 

[shagbite]

And thanks Marcus but they did say for this part you can assume all circuits are labelled correctly. I

testes in the consumer unit

before and failed which made me think they would want me to check in the back of the socket more?

just a word of warning to any youngsters doing their am2 - do not follow the example given in the quote above, or this might happen................

 

[markc123]

Hahahaha shag what the F did you type into google to get that picture to come up? hahaha.

That could happen shag, true, or...the examiner might be abit fond of the young pupils testes and give him an instant pass without having to install/test/diagnose anything :38:

Like the question me and my mates always used to ask each other when we were growing up...

If your driving instructor asked you to use his manhood as the gearstick for an instant pass? Would you? Haha.

 

[nathh212]

Test at theindividual circuit requested. For example, if asked to isolate the motor circuit, turn off rotary isolator, lock off, and test at the adaptable box. Pretty sure that's what I did

 

[Johnuk]

when you do the am2 don't they show you what to do????

 

[markc123]

Take a bunch of flowers for the examiner when you go...may go down well, may not.

:38: