C&G 2365 Level 3 Principles of Electrical Science Exam

[m8thy87]

Hi everyone,
Quick background. 37, Employed Full Time working offshore in a mechanical role (zero electrical skills needed). Self funded and completed 2365 L2 with Total Skills in Nottingham doing hybrid learning (online for theory, visit centre for practical). Reason for this is I work offshore on adhoc basis so cannot attend college as per their requirements. Wanting to get away from working away from home for the rest of my life before it really is too late. I'm working with a NICEIC fully qualified domestic electrician on a labour for knowledge, FOC basis. Performing mostly EICR's, board changes, additions to circuits etc. He's 70 (fit as a fiddle) but says he's not interested in full rewires anymore, so I may need to branch out to get a full picture of the job.

I'm currently studying for my principles of electrical science exam. This is killing me. I can do the individual maths and understand the science. But there's just so much in this one exam. In the time working domestic it has (and I doubt ever will) come up about needing to know about shunt motor windings, fleming's rules, power factor correction etc. I appreciate it is really good to know the foundations of electricity, but I'm not in a position where I'm using it in a practical sense, so it is hard to lock into my brain.

Anyone else struggled on this section and have any tips for just getting through it?

I could probably blag a pass, but I don't want to do myself a disservice if it turns out I'll need it in future.
Cheers

 

[Yuksel2003]

Hi everyone,
Quick background. 37, Employed Full Time working offshore in a mechanical role (zero electrical skills needed). Self funded and completed 2365 L2 with Total Skills in Nottingham doing hybrid learning (online for theory, visit centre for practical). Reason for this is I work offshore on adhoc basis so cannot attend college as per their requirements. Wanting to get away from working away from home for the rest of my life before it really is too late. I'm working with a NICEIC fully qualified domestic electrician on a labour for knowledge, FOC basis. Performing mostly EICR's, board changes, additions to circuits etc. He's 70 (fit as a fiddle) but says he's not interested in full rewires anymore, so I may need to branch out to get a full picture of the job.

I'm currently studying for my principles of electrical science exam. This is killing me. I can do the individual maths and understand the science. But there's just so much in this one exam. In the time working domestic it has (and I doubt ever will) come up about needing to know about shunt motor windings, fleming's rules, power factor correction etc. I appreciate it is really good to know the foundations of electricity, but I'm not in a position where I'm using it in a practical sense, so it is hard to lock into my brain.

Anyone else struggled on this section and have any tips for just getting through it?

I could probably blag a pass, but I don't want to do myself a disservice if it turns out I'll need it in future.
Cheers

I’m also doing electrical installation level 3 and working on the science unit:302 . I my self is also struggling on this unit. If your struggling a lot like me, the only way to pass is to either have a chat with your tutor and Persuad him to help you out or something or otherwise it’s impossible to pass but just figure something out if you know what I mean

 

[Tom256]

I’m also doing electrical installation level 3 and working on the science unit:302 . I my self is also struggling on this unit. If your struggling a lot like me, the only way to pass is to either have a chat with your tutor and Persuad him to help you out or something or otherwise it’s impossible to pass but just figure something out if you know what I mean

Can you offer up an example [of a question type] that you are finding difficult to understand?

From the example questions I have seen on-line this exam takes the multiple choice format, is that correct?

 

[Yuksel2003]

Can you offer up an example [of a question type] that you are finding difficult to understand?

From the example questions I have seen on-line this exam takes the multiple choice format, is that correct?

Questions sometime like the photo I send. It can also be even worse and ask you to draw a shape. A little hint: my tutor said that their is one exam question where it will ask to you draw a picture and must be in the exact measurements and also must give the degrees and to answer your second question I don’t know if it follows the multiple choice format to be honest because it’s a 2 hour written paper exam. I don’t know if to be honest.

 

[Tom256]

Short Answer = It is important - do it

Long Answer =
First, I certainly had to do this back in the 1980's and I have no doubt such has been so before that time and ever since. I am sure many do not see the point when what they want to do is wire up... stuff.

Times change, sure, when I did it it was log tables in a book, now it is a scientific calculator. I was not great at maths. I am able to retain knowledge once I understand the under pinning reasons for it and that is what I focused on.
I set aside the 'remembering' and went off the path to understand the terms and what was happening. Which made me a pain in the classroom, for once I had it locked in I switched off for the rest of the lesson often to the instructors dismay - yet distinctions followed so they coped!
As to it being a lot, yes but it all comes together as one just as any puzzle does.

Perhaps, and I may be wrong in saying this, perhaps some of the issue here is not seeing how the detail of the subject is relevant to what you wish the trade to be?
As the opening poster wrote "not in a position where I'm using it in a practical sense, so it is hard to lock into my brain". I can really relate to that. Use it or lose it indeed yet at some point you have to be exposed to it and understand it otherwise should you need to 'use it' there is nothing there to click into gear.

If all this is just seen as something 'really good to know' BUT why do I need it then please consider that at this stage of your career you don't have or are aware of the full scope of the 'why'.
In the example given above you have a nice question that helps the student apply principles that may be used often in their daily work.

Example: You need to convert to base units and know those base units, what do the symbols mean - such is a huge part of the Electricians role.
Simple examples that will be used throughout your career: Volt drop calculation - mV/A/m - to do this calculation you need to know what those base units are and how to sum them. To convert mili Volts to Volts. Same principles.

Another example: 30mA - How would you use this figure to calculate the maximum resistance of the TT earthing? would you divide 50/30? As an Electrician you will need to know this be it in a domestic, commercial or industrial role.

You need to know how to calculate the effect of inductance and resistance and how to total them. In the example given you have the unit of Inductance (Henry) that needs to be added to a unit of resistance (Ohm) and to do so you need to convert. Is that important?
Is it important to understand what 'impedes' the flow of electricity and the effects that will have on circuit design?
Could this be important in your role as an Electrician going forward ? If Yes then these base principles are vital to your understanding.

If it is important then next step; how do you add the Reactance element to the Resistive element and what is that total then defined as - by name and standard symbol - in the regulations you will be required to interpret?
Is this important?
How would you calculate the fault current on a cable/conductor where reactance is a factor . Look at the BS 7671 tables in appendix 4 - the concept required is required in the example shown above.

How would large fault currents affect conductors [and not just thermally] becomes important yet if you do not know such is even possible how do you know to allow for such?

A barrier to learning is often not understanding why it is important.
There must be tutorial videos on-line that can help the reason and the 'under-pinning' that is the knowledge as to what is happening - that is the key to this and may require extra study until it clicks and it must because it is important.
There are not many base units and not many formula but even though if you try and remember them it could be difficult, however, if you understand what you are 'building' with each step applied that 'recalling' becomes easier.
Oh, and Continuous Personal Development, going over old stuff years later - it never stops. Another reason why developing the mind-set to study as required now is important = This is a SKILLED career path with new developments all the time BUT the basics remain.

We are all different and no one way will work for all yet if you want to be an Electrician this is required - even if you do not understand why at this point in your career. Keep at it and like driving a car it will eventually click in. It is worth the effort.

Know what you want to do in your career, this is the Electricans path well set out over decades. Some may go a different path depending on what they want to do, what they are more drawn towards and can relate to.
Perhaps what is wanted from a career is to run in cables, chop walls and perhaps 2nd fix under qualified supervision with no consideration for much more and that really is fine. All the EAWR 1989 requires is competent to do the task and be able to show such.
I am not sure how the qualifcations requirements differ but you could do well and find work as an Electricians mate, it is a valuable role that can be very satisfying.

 

[Tom256]

I don’t know if it follows the multiple choice format to be honest because it’s a 2 hour written paper exam. I don’t know if to be honest.

Good. Much better that it is a written paper. 'Show your workings out' do people still say that?

The diagram, yes, practice - decide scale you will use, show scale , mark units after all it needs to be understood by those reading it.

Basic principle for any drawing you will need to use on site when installing.

Likewise, these forms of drawings are needed - 3 phase work systems to determine current in the neutral can be done with this form of diagram. Practice.