Could anybody help a beginner out please

[mdibb2009]

Hi all, only been an apprentice for 3 weeks and trying to learn myself as much as poss in my spare time.

Today we were at a job fitting 9 downlights in a kitchen, aswell as a conservatory light, which were both powered from a 2 gang switch in the kitchen.

If anybody has time I would really appreciate it if you could draw me a basic diagram on how this all wires up, including coming from the CU, to the downlights, switch, and conservatory light etc...

The guys at work did explain it to me but as im tring to learn so many different things, some things just dont stick at the minute.
I also seem to take things in better when at home and studying drawings and explanations etc.. rather than when put on the spot on site.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[VoltzElectrical]

i had a great teacher who had a 'learning it backwards' approach. Basically you start with 2nd fix, the learn where the wires go in the accessory, but soon it's not enough. You want to learn where they come from, what do they do and why? Then you move onto 1st fix, supplying the accessories with the feeds you know they need.

Lighting circuit. What do I need to make the light work? = live and neutral.

How do I control the light? = Switch

How do I protect the circuit? = Earth.

Lets look at two way switching

Intermediate switching

Double pole switching

Contactors.

Etc....

Building blocks mate. You'll get there. Learn the one way, one gang first. If you understand the PRINCIPLE you will be able to apply that to different situations rather than just playing colour games with cables.

cheers.

 

[mdibb2009]

Thats exactly how im thinking at the minute mate.
Ok, I can wire up fuse spurs, switches, sockets etc... but what i really want to know is why does that wire go there ? Where does that wire go to and from ? What is its purpose etc...

As you say im sure it will all come, think I need to take a bit of a step back rather than confusing myself.

Really appreciate your input.

 

[VoltzElectrical]

feel free to click my 'thanks button' dude, and continue to feel free to ask any questions. Most of us remember what it's like to 'begin at the beginning'. Brownie points for getting the quote.

Booyakka.

 

[High Tower]

Mdibb2009, fair play, a commendable attitude, your eagerness and dedication will take you a long way, and even the most complicated circuits will eventually make sense!

Good luck.

Ps,

Ask the lads to keep you and old fixtures that they remove from re wires so you can take them home, use a sheet of ply and create your own training boards, that way you can have hours of practice in your shed in your own time. but never energise it!

 

[raithrovers1]

Good on you Mdibb2009. Never feel like any question is not worth asking. Be aware that it will take a while before it all starts to sink in and become second nature. You will go through times when your head hurts and you think you will never get it! But believe me, you seem to have the right stuff to make a good spark and it will all click eventually. Don't be too hard on yourself. There are alot of third year apprentices that still don't have the nouse to ask questions and try and learn.
Keep it up and keep asking questions!

 

[mdibb2009]

High tower- thanks very much for the comments.
Im allready on the case and just the other day took home some SWA to practice stripping

Thanks again for your input and advice, its always appreciated.

 

[telectrix]

Mdibb2009, fair play, a commendable attitude, your eagerness and dedication will take you a long way, and even the most complicated circuits will eventually make sense!

Good luck.

Ps,

Ask the lads to keep you and old fixtures that they remove from re wires so you can take them home, use a sheet of ply and create your own training boards, that way you can have hours of practice in your shed in your own time. but never energise it!

if he wants to practice with circuits, esp. lighting. yes. don't energise is good advice BUT no harm in wiring up using say a 12volt car lamp and a battery for supply. the principals the same, but nbot lethal

 

[mdibb2009]

Raithrovers1- thanks very much mate.
As said ive only been doing it 3 weeks and as you say Im sure my head will be hurting with things I will be trying to take in.
The way I see it is if im unsure, I ask, if I dont ask then I wont know, im not scared of asking 10 times if I need to, I dont think im doing too bad for 3 weeks though, but as you say im sure it will all click eventually.

 

[High Tower]

if he wants to practice with circuits, esp. lighting. yes. don't energise is good advice BUT no harm in wiring up using say a 12volt car lamp and a battery for supply. the principals the same, but nbot lethal

Very true!!, i diddnt wanna go into too much detail, just wanted to make sure he wasnt going to juice up a install made of skanky old fittings, but i have to agree with you!!

High tower- thanks very much for the comments.
Im allready on the case and just the other day took home some SWA to practice stripping

Thanks again for your input and advice, its always appreciated.

Any time fella!

Dont just practice stripping the swa, get the ply out, cleats and glands and practice making it off into a adaptable box or patress either end and cleat it to the ply. Being able to strip it is one thing but fitting a job out in swa, making it off and cleating it, all NEATLY, well thats where the skill is.

Enjoy!!

 

[telectrix]

High tower- thanks very much for the comments.
Im allready on the case and just the other day took home some SWA to practice stripping

Thanks again for your input and advice, its always appreciated.

a quick tip for stripping SWA. fit a jubilee clip around the cable, not too tight, and use that as a guide to cut half way into the armour. that way, you'll get a nice even cut. then practice with a couple of glands till it's 2nd nature.

 

[mdibb2009]

Thanks again mate.
Another question if you dont mind.
Say i have 2 double sockets in my living room, and I want to add a third, how would I go about this ?

Am i right in thinking, I would connect up some 2.5mm t&e to one of the existing sockets, which then goes direct to the new socket ? Surely its not that simple ?

Thanks again

 

[VoltzElectrical]

it is that simple. It becomes a 'spur'.

 

[SirKit Breaker]

Hi all, only been an apprentice for 3 weeks and trying to learn myself as much as poss in my spare time.

Today we were at a job fitting 9 downlights in a kitchen, aswell as a conservatory light, which were both powered from a 2 gang switch in the kitchen.

If anybody has time I would really appreciate it if you could draw me a basic diagram on how this all wires up, including coming from the CU, to the downlights, switch, and conservatory light etc...

The guys at work did explain it to me but as im tring to learn so many different things, some things just dont stick at the minute.
I also seem to take things in better when at home and studying drawings and explanations etc.. rather than when put on the spot on site.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks

I wont try to add to the posts, i may fog the issue. But good luck in your chosen profession, and keep asking. And don't be afraid to ask anything and everything, there are NO stupid questions, so have no fear, we have all been where you are now.

Cheers.........Howard

 

[mdibb2009]

telectrix thats exactly what i was doing, I find its just getting used to how far to cut throuh so that the steel wire comes off easily and nice and neat as you say.

 

[luke]

I have quite a few installation, testing and inspection and design books on Pdf if you want copies send me your email address and i will send them over, they have wiring diagrams and testing procedures for all types of circuit. They are quite big files so it will be one email per book. My work email is [email protected] im there from 8 tomorrow