Best advice for learning inspecting and testing.

[ezzzekiel]

IMO Test rigs unfortunatly dont mirror the real world and the tests you carry out on it will always be perfect

agree totally, but its the best way to learn how to use your test equipment and carry out testing procedures, the real world throws up a whole different kettle of fish

 

[ihatevubuzelas]

Thanks Des, I am aware that this is a long process, and I'm by no means trying to fast track myself into this. However, apprenticeships aren't open to me, so I'm having to find the next best thing, I am against the short courses, unless I can do those on top of having studied a lot for myself, and also had done a lot of time with sparkys already.

For what I want to achieve in electrics, and that is becoming a domestic electrical installer, and one day (years from now) being self employed, and become a trustworthy, loyal, well mannered local installer, that I can do whilst juggling home life and looking after children (my wife is the mega money maker, and I'll never be able to earn 100k a year plus. I just want to learn a good skill, and this is something I'm very interested in.

I do wish I had known I wanted this at 16 or 17, or had a parent who forced me into it, but I've heard about people older than 24 re-training and doing this, so I'm confident I can.

But thanks again Des for your opinion, which is 100% correct, and that's the struggle I'm going to face, getting the hands on, practical expierience, and that will of course take years, and I'll likely never stop learning. But now at the beginning, the best I can do is study and learn as much as I can book wise, and then get as much practical expierience as possible.

 

[ezzzekiel]

mmm where to start?
according to paperwork im a fully qualified electrician - do i class myself as one - no. I started late in life at about 33. I tend to cover domestic work which im fully capable of and do a lot of 3phase small commercial also. A lot of the practical side was self taught due to not been given a chance although once i was up to speed i found getting work with ther sparks relatively easy.
My opinion is its down to the individual (while at college there was some great theory guys, but i dont think they could knock a nail in)
The main thing is to know your limitations, any work you not sure on either dont do or get some help from another spark (you will become accquainted with these during your career) Spent best part of ten years now working and studying but you wont catch me messing on with motors etc.. as its not my field and dont suppose i will ever go ino it however completing full training gives you the teory and understanding to work things out and have an understanding of exactly whats happenin where short courses will simply drill bare baone basics into you and not provide any real knowledge.

 

[blackiel]

Go for it mate,Totally understand your way of thinking,set up a rig,put some faults on,after doing the perfect scenario stuff first,having done the perfect way will give you an idea what to expect with a fault on,draw a floor plan of your house,then work out what way youd rewire it,cable routes etc,all best done with a bit of classical in the background,later include phones,satellite,tv,etc....Be Lucky!!