AM2 - Sparky facts errors?

[Hectorhill]

Hi All

Revising for my up and coming AM2 exam. I have been using the sparky facts site as my kind of bible. When I have been flicking through this forum though some people have commented that there are plenty of errors on the sparky facts website. Has anybody else heard this & if so what are the errors.

Also know its a long shot but…..

any one know anywhere I can get my hand on (or at least view) a copy of the job description they give out when you begin the AM2?

any help much appreciated !

thanks

 

[Richard Burns]

It is difficult to say what you have been asked to do without actually seeing it, if you could scan the wiring diagram to the forum or draw it out and post then assessment would be easier.

In general the conversion method is using twin and earth and 3 core and earth cables as shown in sparky facts to wire a three way light switching arrangement.
This is an acceptable method for AM2 so long as that is what you have been asked to do.
If you have been given a different cable type to use then the layout may be different.

 

[Hilldog]

not sure if this is going to open but this is a scan of what the college provided us

 

[Richard Burns]

That is exactly the same as the wiring in sparky facts except that the AM2 version is not using a three plate connection it is wiring the cabling direct to the switch/light fitting, in the same way that I have drawn my diagram.
As it is a very simple diagram they have not taken the neutral to the switch but direct to the fitting and they have not shown the cable going through the intermediate switch but bypassing it.
I would normally expect that method to employ singles in conduit to get the neutral and switched line to the fitting but if you have been given a wiring method then use the given method and if twin and earth, take the neutral to the first switch as well.

 

[Hilldog]

deleted

 

[Hilldog]

This is my attempt anyway. Is this correct do you think? (2nd scanned image)

 

[Richard Burns]

You have connected together line and neutral at L2 in the first switch even though you have labelled it switch wire.
You have your permanent line connected direct to the light fitting.
This is your diagram modified.


This is how I would draw it for practical wiring using T&E to switch and light fitting and using 3&E for between switches.

 

[Hilldog]

i think its the neutral thats really throwing me. I understand the circuit now and how it flows. Just in terms of turning it into a visual its hard to see how the neutral will look. It seems to make more sense to wire this neutral in singles but I know this isn't the case as we use T&E and 3 core. I'll have another play with it today and see if I can get my head round it.

That 2nd diagram you have just drawn is very useful !!

Again thanks so much for your help !! its really appreciated !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Hilldog]

Hi just one more quick question if ok? I reckon I have cracked this circuit now thankfully. That diagram you drew really did it. I have just had a play around with some switches and a ceiling rose at home and am pretty comfortable with it. Only issue I have is the earths. As no diagrams really detail them I just wanted to confirm a few things

1). in switch 1 I have 3 wires going into it (from db, from lamp & strappers). This means I also 3 earths. Do I just stick all 3 into the same connector block? (We are wiring plastic sockets in to compartmental plastic trunking for the exam).

2) what happens with the earth at the last socket which only has L1, L2 & common? If I just terminate this in a connector block the earth loop will be broken surely

 

[DPG]

Regarding point 2) The earth is not a loop - it's a connection to each point/accessory. It doesn't have to loop back. Daz

 

[Hilldog]

I know we screw cpc on to metal back boxes but what do we do with plastic ones? I know the other sockets earths in this 2 way are linked to each other by connector blocks. Does this 3rd sockets earth just get terminated by a connector block too (on its own). Or am I looking to screw this last cpc to something?

hope this makes sense??

(thanks for the reply too)

 

[telectrix]

what he said^^^^. if the accessory is metal, it will have an earthing terminal for the cpc. for plastic switches, use the terminal in the back bx/pattress if there is one. otherwise use a wago or connector block. the important thing is that the cpc is continuous and present at all accessories.

 

[shanky887614]

why are you using connector for cpc on sockets? unless there a poly phase jobby then they have an earth terminal

 

[Hilldog]

Look this is what they had at college. They are linking the cpc together using connector blocks. Just wondering if the 3rd one just sits on its own in a connector block or whether it needs to be screwed on. Just seems weird sitting there.

Also anyone know if the I connect all 3 earths together in the 1st socket? Can't see how else I'd do it really

 

[Simonslimline]

You mean switches i guess?

 

[2na]

I just have to ask, and I promise that I mean no offence in any way, but who do you/have you worked for in the past?