AM2 near...

hornby · Jan 24, 2009

Hi there, my name is Marcus.

I have my AM2 refresher course on the 5th and 6th of February. I then have my AM2 on the following Monday, which of course, is the 9th of February.

I feel resonably confident although I am generally not a very confident person overall which of course is a down fall and must be worked upon.

But basically... I am here to ask for some advice, top tips as you could put it.

Do you folks have any 'top tips', which are relevant to the work I will be expected to carry out?

Cheers, Marcus.

Anyone?

42 views and no reply, thats one thing i hate about the building industry. Everyone for themself It seems, and that's not an attitude problem it seems to be a fact.

regards and good bye.

bahco · Jan 24, 2009

maybe the reason nobody has replied is because nobody has done the am2.

no reason to slag the industry off

hornby · Jan 25, 2009

,,,,,,,,,,

Tiger · Jan 25, 2009

hornby said:
Hi there, my name is Marcus.

I have my AM2 refresher course on the 5th and 6th of February. I then have my AM2 on the following Monday, which of course, is the 9th of February.

I feel resonably confident although I am generally not a very confident person overall which of course is a down fall and must be worked upon.

But basically... I am here to ask for some advice, top tips as you could put it.

Do you folks have any 'top tips', which are relevant to the work I will be expected to carry out?

Cheers, Marcus.

Anyone?

42 views and no reply, thats one thing i hate about the building industry. Everyone for themself It seems, and that's not an attitude problem it seems to be a fact.

Maybe because most don't speak english

regards and good bye.

Hi marcus,

If you say you are reasonably confident then i'am sure after a two day refreasher course you will be fine.

I hate exams and find my mind goes blank in exams, make plenty of notes and highlight key phrases in your text books ??

good luck

TPES · Jan 25, 2009

"42 views and no reply, thats one thing i hate about the building industry. Everyone for themself It seems, and that's not an attitude problem it seems to be a fact.

regards and good bye"

This is very over the top!!

as said, prob not many people have taken the AM2 or have any intention of.

No need to be so hasty with your remarks

hornby · Jan 27, 2009

I'm sorry, not usually like this

Feeling the pressure a tad, as im near my AM2 and a few other things but hey thanks for your comments anyhow.

Few of the electricians I have worked with over the course of my training scheme have not been very helpful, more of a hindrense infact.

I'm sure after my refresher I will be more than prepared, yet again sorry for the snappy remarks.

Marcus

WarrenG · Jan 27, 2009

hornby,

Why not post some questions that you want to find some answers to and maybe we can help?

There could be many of use on here that have never done an AM2 but could probably guide you in the right directions?

Guest123 · Jan 27, 2009

Hey Marcus, I have done the AM2 and also the AM1 (no longer in existance). You need to be confident in pyro, swa, galv conduit, 3phase systems, trunking and tray. Also there are sections on testing, fault finding and various job cards. My AM2 lasted 3 days and is definitely not to be scoffed at. There is a really good site on the AM2 I'll post the link when I find it.

Here it is,

NET-WORKS.ORG.UK - AM2

The download even shows you the layout of what you have to do.

Cheers.

Nicola · Jan 28, 2009

Ok - I have taken the AM 2.
Here is my advice - On the installation section.
Start the installation by doing your pyro, SWA and conduit first. The reason for doing this is that you are allowed half an hour at the end of your time to check over your own installation - if at this point you only have a few cables to run, you will be given this time in whch to do so (at the expense of your checking time though!). This is at the examiners descretion and if at the end of your time you are missing one of the 'major' components that they feel will take you longer than half an hour they will not give you the half an hour to try!

The installtion is marked on a points based system - failing to debur conduit, tighten glands and even having a short between the conductors of your pyro will only result in a loss of points - so make sure you do all these correctly but most importantly dont loose your head if you think you have totally messed up. The most important thing is that the installation is complete - its almost impossible to pass if not!

Little things to watch for - time - passes much faster than you think - sounds patronising but if you smoke wait till dinner time instead of potentially wasting 20mins on breaks.
Fuses - you are given two lots of fuses for your isolator that feeds a 16A socket, make sure you put in 16A rather than the 20A. Same with the tubular heater.

Motor overload - make sure you set the overload to the same number as the full load amps displayed on the motor plate. It is easily overlooked when your pushing for time or just under pressure!

hornby · Jan 28, 2009

Thanks very much everyone.

hornby · Feb 11, 2009

Just a small update;

I have completed my AM2 course. Started on Monday and finished today.

I feel I have done very well, although I de-faulted on my conduit so they gave me a pre-made piece to fit.

Although I lose 7 points for that, I feel I couldnt lose many more anywhere else.

One question though! I tie wrapped my main earthing conductor and my main neutral together at the main isolater (before the consumer unit), this was to simply make it look neater within the unit

Would this cause an issue for me passing? Is there anything to say there should be a set difference between them etc.

Cheers, Marcus.

bcm_spark · Feb 13, 2009

Nah you should be alright there mate I think. When do you find out if you have passed?

electro · Feb 13, 2009

Hi

sorry im too late, i didnt see the second page doh

Remember isolation locking off and putting the lock key in your pocket sounds silly but very important. Its good to see your doing the recognised achievement measured test. I did mine thirteen years ago. As some one said earlier time passes so quick, my only fault was my MICC was a bit short and went across the distribution board like a guitar string just about reached the neutral bar (they give you just enough materials). Keep your head and install the bits you find the hardest first.

Good luck

hornby · Feb 16, 2009

I should find out soon, everything went really well.

But I do have a worried feeling, really, really cant remember re verifying my voltage testers after testing across all phases, earths etc etc, before my installation. Cannot remember doing this or not doing this.

Has me a little worried, would really hate to fail over such a thing. Key was always in my pocket i know that for sure.

Also after you complete the installation you energize it to see if it works, then you re-isolate to remove all sockets and switches etc, so the inspector can mark it. I really am sure I never re-tested to ensure it was isolated at the very end.

I knew I had done well with the installation and my head was in the clouds

Oh dear... prehaps you dont get marked at the end. I hope not.

emb111 · Feb 20, 2009

Nicola said:
Ok - I have taken the AM 2.
Here is my advice - On the installation section.
Start the installation by doing your pyro, SWA and conduit first. The reason for doing this is that you are allowed half an hour at the end of your time to check over your own installation - if at this point you only have a few cables to run, you will be given this time in whch to do so (at the expense of your checking time though!). This is at the examiners descretion and if at the end of your time you are missing one of the 'major' components that they feel will take you longer than half an hour they will not give you the half an hour to try!

The installtion is marked on a points based system - failing to debur conduit, tighten glands and even having a short between the conductors of your pyro will only result in a loss of points - so make sure you do all these correctly but most importantly dont loose your head if you think you have totally messed up. The most important thing is that the installation is complete - its almost impossible to pass if not!

Little things to watch for - time - passes much faster than you think - sounds patronising but if you smoke wait till dinner time instead of potentially wasting 20mins on breaks.
Fuses - you are given two lots of fuses for your isolator that feeds a 16A socket, make sure you put in 16A rather than the 20A. Same with the tubular heater.

Motor overload - make sure you set the overload to the same number as the full load amps displayed on the motor plate. It is easily overlooked when your pushing for time or just under pressure!