Any Smart Meter Installers out there? Need help with example questions

[moosemaster]

I am applying for a Smart Meter Installer position and I've managed to get a hold of some example questions for an assessment that is part of the application process.

A lot of them are straight forward enough but some of them have me pretty stumped. I'm not sure how you are supposed to know certain answers unless you've actually been doing the job for a while! I have put these questions to a sparks who have been in the job for over a decade - they're not sure either.

For instance - no one I ask seems to know what a "polarity indicator" is. It comes up a lot in the questions and is different to a plug-in polarity tester. Google doesn't help either.

There's 60 questions attached here - if anyone is up for a challenge in helping me crack this I would be eternally indebted!

 

[moosemaster]

Polarity indicator, PDF pages 3 and 4.

http://www.enwl.co.uk/docs/default-source/g81/cp411-part-1-lv---mod43.pdf?sfvrsn=0

So here they list test lamps, voltage indicators and voltmeters as polarity indicators.

The questions just confuse me - some are as follows:

"What instrument do you use to test for polarity in a customer’s installation?

* Polarity indicator
* Polarity check plug
* Voltmeter
* Test lamp"

"When starting work on a meter exchange you notice your polarity indicator and polarity check plug are missing. Can you continue with the exchange?

* Yes, use test lamps to complete current meter change before retracing steps, if not found arrange to pick up spares from depot next day
* Yes, use test lamps to complete current meter change before retracing steps, if not found contact manager and arrange for replacements to be delivered to your next appointment
* No, return to your last job as they could be there, contact manager if not and seek replacements before carrying out any further meter change work
* No, stop work and contact manager to report loss, install an isolator switch and isolate supply, issue an advisory notice inform customer that they will need an electrician to connect their tails, return to depot to get new equipment"

It sounds as if they are looking for a specific piece of equipment to be used as a polarity indicator. By means of elimination - maybe it's the voltage indicator?

 

[7029 dave]

The questions just confuse me - some are as follows:

"What instrument do you use to test for polarity in a customer’s installation?

* Polarity indicator
* Polarity check plug YES
* Voltmeter
* Test lamp"

"When starting work on a meter exchange you notice your polarity indicator and polarity check plug are missing. Can you continue with the exchange? NO

* Yes, use test lamps to complete current meter change before retracing steps, if not found arrange to pick up spares from depot next day
* Yes, use test lamps to complete current meter change before retracing steps, if not found contact manager and arrange for replacements to be delivered to your next appointment
* No, return to your last job as they could be there, contact manager if not and seek replacements before carrying out any further meter change work
* No, stop work and contact manager to report loss, install an isolator switch and isolate supply, issue an advisory notice inform customer that they will need an electrician to connect their tails, return to depot to get new equipment"

It sounds as if they are looking for a specific piece of equipment to be used as a polarity indicator. By means of elimination - maybe it's the voltage indicator?[/QUOTE]

 

[moosemaster]

Cheers Dave! 2 down, 58 to go

 

[s7t7e7v7e7]

Martindale is your socket tester and drummond lamps will be you voltage tester. as for polarity we also use a tech100 and a VT7.

 

[s7t7e7v7e7]

basically these are voltage sticks but used to confirm polarity at cut out and meter plus any isolators or blocks

 

[Pete999]

basically these are voltage sticks but used to confirm polarity at cut out and meter plus any isolators or blocks

Martindale VT7 Single Pole Voltage Indicator - http://martindale-electric.co.uk/martindale-vt7-single-pole-voltage-indicator-p-1834.html

You should not use these testers as part of a safe isolation procedure

 

[snowhead]

You should not use these testers as part of a safe isolation procedure

He seems to be saying for Polarity checking, so not for safe isolation checking prior to working.

 

[Pete999]

He seems to be saying for Polarity checking, so not for safe isolation checking prior to working.

I know I was just mentioning it that was all, for info only.

 

[moosemaster]

Ta! Good to see the mighty Dave Austin championing Martindale voltage testers. A veritable behemoth of the electrical world.

A few questions relate to plug-in testers and what lighting combinations refer to. This seems to differ with different brands and I've no idea what equipment SSE uses! Anyone any idea?

 

[s7t7e7v7e7]

The VT7 martindale socket tester and Tech 100 is what siemens use to check polarity when instaling smart meters.
Isolation is a different topic

 

[jamsey]

Just a thought from a old meter installer.. we were always told never!! Use a customers plug as your responsibility is upto the meter/isolator anything after that belongs to the property owner. A polarity tester can range from a simple voltage checker to test lamps (2 leads with a lamp or light in between and also has a lead tester attached.)

 

[telectrix]

Just a thought from a old meter installer.. we were always told never!! Use a customers plug as your responsibility is upto the meter/isolator anything after that belongs to the property owner. A polarity tester can range from a simple voltage checker to test lamps (2 leads with a lamp or light in between and also has a lead tester attached.)

or a wet finger.

 

[jamsey]

or a wet finger.

I was just about to put that up as well