Day 1 of course completed and I'm already confused...maybe I'm just stupid?

[BarryJ90]

Hey guys would love your opinion on this one.

Last night I started a City & Guilds level 1 diploma in Electrical Installations at my local college.

Upon arriving at the lesson at 6 o'clock the tutor took the register and then put up a diagram on the board of two switches controlling 4 fluorescent bulbs and then said "right guys I want you to follow this diagram, draw it up and then create it yourself on this board (plywood) using the wires, switch plates and bulbs provided, you have 1 hour 30 to finish it"

On the diagram it showed common, L1, L2, Neutral and Earth which of course is normal however I was a little confused as I thought with this course being the level 1 the whole theory side of it would be explained first, for example this is the beginner course yet everyone was expected to know the wiring colours already and what L1, L2, common etc is?

I feel a bit thick after this first session! , I mean I have done general tasks for my dads firm such as dragging cables under floorboards, puting on sockets etc but never actually anything like this.

I did speak to my dad about it after the lesson and he was very confused as to why everyone was thrown into the deep end straight away and why the theory of it all wasn't covered first. All I can think is that because a lot of the guys on the course are already electricians mates etc the tutor thought he would start us off with more advanced stuff?

I have a picture of the drawn diagram but I'm unsure how to post it up.

Anyhow let me know if I'm just being stupid and that it is normal to just jump straight into wiring stuff without actually knowing what all the wires are and why the go where

 

[BarryJ90]

This is the diagram

 

[telectrix]

if you consider a switch ( lighting for example) there are basiacally 2 types. 1 way and 2 way.

the 1 way is simple. Lin to Common, Lout from L1 (but there will be a L2 hole with no terminal in it)
a 2 way switch is also Lin to Common, and it toggles from C to L1 or L2.

just to confuse, some manufacturers will use different labels. i.e. L1 instead if C, and L2 and L3 for L1 and L2 respectively.

 

[BarryJ90]

That made more sense in a few sentences than the whole 3 hours did last night!

After speaking with me old man this morning I've decided to try to drop down to part time in my current job and go and work with him a few days every week, I will probably pick it up quicker then.

 

[telectrix]

looking at your diagram, you have 2 x 2 gang switches. each has a 1 way and a 2 way to control the lights as per the connection of the reds. break it down. do each 1 way first, then consider the 2 way. L is going into sw 1 then will connect to sw 2 via 1 of the 2 strappers. dependent on which way each switch is switched, the light/s will be on or off. trace it through.

 

[telectrix]

That made more sense in a few sentences than the whole 3 hours did last night!

After speaking with me old man this morning I've decided to try to drop down to part time in my current job and go and work with him a few days every week, I will probably pick it up quicker then.

that sounds like a plan.

 

[Pete999]

Hey guys would love your opinion on this one.

Last night I started a City & Guilds level 1 diploma in Electrical Installations at my local college.

Upon arriving at the lesson at 6 o'clock the tutor took the register and then put up a diagram on the board of two switches controlling 4 fluorescent bulbs and then said "right guys I want you to follow this diagram, draw it up and then create it yourself on this board (plywood) using the wires, switch plates and bulbs provided, you have 1 hour 30 to finish it"

On the diagram it showed common, L1, L2, Neutral and Earth which of course is normal however I was a little confused as I thought with this course being the level 1 the whole theory side of it would be explained first, for example this is the beginner course yet everyone was expected to know the wiring colours already and what L1, L2, common etc is?

I feel a bit thick after this first session! , I mean I have done general tasks for my dads firm such as dragging cables under floorboards, puting on sockets etc but never actually anything like this.

I did speak to my dad about it after the lesson and he was very confused as to why everyone was thrown into the deep end straight away and why the theory of it all wasn't covered first. All I can think is that because a lot of the guys on the course are already electricians mates etc the tutor thought he would start us off with more advanced stuff?

I have a picture of the drawn diagram but I'm unsure how to post it up.

Anyhow let me know if I'm just being stupid and that it is normal to just jump straight into wiring stuff without actually knowing what all the wires are and why the go where

L1,L2.N & E? Do you mean L SL N & E Which college Barry? if you are concerned you ought to contact the College authorities.

 

[BarryJ90]

looking at your diagram, you have 2 x 2 gang switches. each has a 1 way and a 2 way to control the lights as per the connection of the reds. break it down. do each 1 way first, then consider the 2 way. L is going into sw 1 then will connect to sw 2 via 1 of the 2 strappers. dependent on which way each switch is switched, the light/s will be on or off. trace it through.

Thanks mate that makes sense, I may try to recreate this at home and practice. On a bit of plywood of course

I wonder if all this is covered in detail in the IET on site guide I've got, might be worth doing some homework.

 

[BarryJ90]

L1,L2.N & E? Do you mean L SL N & E Which college Barry? if you are concerned you ought to contact the College authorities.

I don't want to rat on the college just yet as it might just of been a throw you into the deep end to see what level everyone's at kind of thing but if things continue to be confusing I may look into it.

I suppose I expected everything would be explained for a good few lessons first before we started practical stuff?

 

[gazdkw82]

Does seem abit much on day 1

 

[BarryJ90]

Does seem abit much on day 1

When your a bit thick like me mate it defo does, I may need to find an "electrics for dummies" guide

 

[Pete999]

L1,L2.N & E? Do you mean L SL N & E Which college Barry? if you are concerned you ought to contact the College authorities.

Makes sense to go and work for your Dad, Check this vid out there are plenty more on youtube, could be worth your while looking at them, this guy JW is very good, I'll post one up for you but as I said plenty more to look at, good luck

 

[BarryJ90]

Makes sense to go and work for your Dad, Check this vid out there are plenty more on youtube, could be worth your while looking at them, this guy JW is very good, I'll post one up for you but as I said plenty more to look at, good luck

Thanks for this Pete, I'm gonna have a good watch of those tonight!

 

[Pete999]

Thanks for this Pete, I'm gonna have a good watch of those tonight!

You're welcome mate

 

[telectrix]

agree with pete. JW videos and also those by Chris Kitcher are very good.

if you stumble across one by a guy name of Kieran, beware. the guy is a class 1 plonker.

 

[Pete999]

agree with pete. JW videos and also those by Chris Kitcher are very good.

if you stumble across one by a guy name of Kieran, beware. the guy is a class 1 plonker.

Yes avoid that Muppet like the plague.

 

[Pete999]

agree with pete. JW videos and also those by Chris Kitcher are very good.

if you stumble across one by a guy name of Kieran, beware. the guy is a class 1 plonker.

Yes avoid that Muppet like the plague.

 

[telectrix]

and don't bother with anyone that calls a socket a receptacle. their most advanced testing procedure is known as the Bang Test.

 

[Pete999]

and don't bother with anyone that calls a socket a receptacle. their most advanced testing procedure is known as the Bang Test.

Oh I dunno Tel some of the UK's finest conduct the bang test, it's not only those across the pond who do that sort of thing DI's staple that is, now I'm in for some heartache help.

 

[telectrix]

sometimes, when the martindale fails, the bang test is the only way of finding a fuse

 

[Pete999]

sometimes, when the martindale fails, the bang test is the only way of finding a fuse

True very True

 

[The Ghost]

Hope this may help

 

[Rosco]

The reason the tutor may have "dropped everyone in the deep end" on the first day would be to see what sort of a group he has, as everyone would be at different levels, see who needs more/less guidance if there's something where you need to work in a pair or group he would know who to mix together so you help each other as well as his tutoring.

 

[BarryJ90]

The reason the tutor may have "dropped everyone in the deep end" on the first day would be to see what sort of a group he has, as everyone would be at different levels, see who needs more/less guidance if there's something where you need to work in a pair or group he would know who to mix together so you help each other as well as his tutoring.

Yeah defo makes sense, exactly what I was thinking.

 

[The Ghost]

Actually if you wanted to confuse someone new to two and three way switching that diagram is so carp that would be the way to do it. He has marked the rose terminals
L/Loop/N it may have been more helpful to have marked it Sw.L/Loop/N

 

[gazdkw82]

Lighting seems to be a real stickler for some sparks. I know time served sparks who still get bemused by simple lighting circuits. No shame in struggling and not understanding but you will have her your head around it to progress and feel confident

 

[BarryJ90]

Had my second lesson on Thursday which was a theory lesson and it all made far more sense. The tutor has been in the industry for nearly 40 years and his knowledge and the way he explained the circuits was brilliant. Why we didn't do theory before practical I will never know

 

[uksrevivor]

Hi Barryj90 welcome to the forum
If you are doing a night school college course there will be a lot to learn in little time if that makes sense, every college will be different but it sounds a little strange to throw up a 2 way lighting circuit for you to understand and build when he could of asked the class what each individuals experience is. The first thing we did on our first day was a colour blindness test and introduce yourself to the class then went onto the tools we commonly use. I was at college for 2 days a week 1 day theory one day practical. It may just be that the course being run in the evening has to squeeze a lot more into the time.
Good to hear that you are enjoying it though your experience working with your dad will help you no end m8.
Keep at it its all worth it in the end.

 

[BarryJ90]

Hey pal thanks for the reply.

What we have found out since the first lesson is the tutors are teaching us a mix of level 1 & Level 2 so that level 2 will be easier when we come to do it.

We have now started covering everything we need for the level 1 with level 2 stuff thrown in which is decent.

Like you say as it's a night course everything is crammed in to the short sessions so it seems more intense but I'm really enjoying the challenge, at the end of the day this is the career I want to do so all this will be worth it in the end.

I also left my full time office job last week and now work part time in a local hardware shop and part time with me dads firm which is a great step forward for my training.

Are you still at college uksrevivor or have you qualified and working for a firm/yourself?

 

[MJPD29]

I always found It was a lot easier watching someone do it on the job and then having a go than sitting watching some guy draw on a board it makes everything look harder than it is