Cheeky Request - North East

[hightower]

I'm wanting to build a little test board - little consumer unit, rfc, maybe a radial with an fcu, couple lighting battens/switches - so I can practice testing at home. Now, I've had a look and the cheapest consumer unit I can find is around £30 for a 4 module enclosure. I've seen an MK sentry 6-way for ~£45 which would be the perfect size for this little project, but before parting with my cash I wondered whether anyone might have an old plastic consumer unit lying around that they could donate to a good cause? You might have something that's been long lying in your garage, perhaps something that you've taken out of an old install, and has no chance of ever being used again, but is in good enough working order for me to utilise?

So, the cheeky request is, if you're in the north east (Durham/Gateshead area) and can help me out, I'm willing to come and collect.

 

[PEG]

A good request,with some good natured feed-back:sunny:

Once you get "comfy" with your layout,start building up a supply of old cable and accessories. Skip dive for em' if you have to.

Also,cadge the "faulty" components,from your jobs,so you can confirm their fault,and introduce them to your test board,thus familiarising yourself,with the results that arise from such situations.

This was bread and butter stuff,when i was in my early teens,with "torture" being applied,to both wiring and accessories,using water,blowlamps,acid,etc,to see what effect these had on standard testing results.

Interesting results can be found,such as how some intentional damage,instigates operation of the OCPD,when you would put money on the RCD letting go first. These "larking about" sessions,albeit with live supply,can teach you one of the most important parts,of the testing job.

That is,in my view,to NEVER assume anything...regardless of common issues,other sparks opinions and results,and especially,a customers explanation of what has or has not ,occurred.

Good luck,Hightower,and safety accepted...have some fun! :lips2:

 

[pennychew]

Ive got a lovely old crabtree metal 16th edition board that i did my test rig in the shed with, i'll chuck in a few offcuts of SY, YY and some 3c and 5c armoured you can have mate, got a couple of used but working contactors there if you want a play with them as well

I'm only in Newcastle but I'm up and down the A1 a couple of times a week so a meet up on the way past wouldn't be a problem, this is the board..

 

[hightower]

Ive got a lovely old crabtree metal 16th edition board that i did my test rig in the shed with, i'll chuck in a few offcuts of SY, YY and some 3c and 5c armoured you can have mate, got a couple of used but working contactors there if you want a play with them as well

I'm only in Newcastle but I'm up and down the A1 a couple of times a week so a meet up on the way past wouldn't be a problem, this is the board..
View attachment 31862

That's awesome mate - Lee, is it okay if I take penny chew up on this offer? Just would save you having to post etc.

 

[pennychew]

That's awesome mate - Lee, is it okay if I take penny chew up on this offer? Just would save you having to post etc.

Ive just bumped my test rig thread in the trainee forum for you mate

 

[markc123]

Glad you've received a positive outcome from this thread. I also have old odd's and ends, including boards (I'm glad I'm not the only one that keeps old crap that really should go in the bin)

I've got to the party too late, you could of definitely had some of my gear but you've had some fantastic offers above which i can't beat.

All the best. Mark.

 

[ruston]

Ive got a lovely old crabtree metal 16th edition board that i did my test rig in the shed with, i'll chuck in a few offcuts of SY, YY and some 3c and 5c armoured you can have mate, got a couple of used but working contactors there if you want a play with them as well

I'm only in Newcastle but I'm up and down the A1 a couple of times a week so a meet up on the way past wouldn't be a problem, this is the board..
View attachment 31862

This thread restores the faith . Well done.

PS. Drop the TIG off when you are up this end.

 

[pennychew]

This thread restores the faith . Well done.

PS. Drop the TIG off when you are up this end.

My ma's getting married in Morpeth today, I'll chuck in the back of the wedding car [emoji1]

 

[ruston]

My ma's getting married in Morpeth today, I'll chuck in the back of the wedding car [emoji1]

I'm going there now , I will wait for you.

I hope you have a nice day.:smiley2:

 

[pennychew]

Thanks mate, sure we will

 

[Jay Sparks]

@ OP, when you build your test rig, try and put some resisters on the circuits, or coils of cable. This can be concealed at the back of the board/rig and will give you more realistic results. This will then allow you to null your leads and still get a reading. Alternatively, if you have a garage and you feel confident enough, or have the help of an electrician, you could do a small install in there and test at your pleasure. I think adding the faulty accessories is a good idea because as others have said, some faults will baffle you by doing a totally different thing than you would expect.

I had a fault on a rewire I did a few years back. When the outside light was switch OFF! the RCD would trip and not reset. but it was fine when the light was on. Turns out to be the little tiny L2 screw in the switch plate had come loose and made contact with the back box lug at the bottom. Now this was my fault because I didn't flick the switch during the IR test but it baffled me for a few minutes.

 

[PEG]

My ma's getting married in Morpeth today, I'll chuck in the back of the wedding car [emoji1]

I have an old college associate used to live there,surname Ostle...who knows...we might all be family:yesnod: