ELECSA Assessment

[rick]

Hi Guys

I've got my ELECSA assessment coming up and interested to know how others have found it. I've changed the CU in my own home for the assessment.

I've got all the paperwork sorted but wonder what sort of questions I might be asked - do I have to know the OSG off the top of my head or do they let you look things up you're not sure about ? And particularly the building regs - how much of a grilling do you get on that ?

I'll be honest - I'm new to the game but have had a lot of experience doing DIY and working with friends, and have taken the 2382 and am shortly taking the 2391 at my local college.

I've posted here because another forum run by "a popular supplier" seems to have a fair few people who like to put newbies down - and this forum seems much friendlier

Cheers

Rick

 

[acat]

You are not expected to know everything but you are expected to know where to find it in the OSG. Some things like the safe isolation procedure you need to know off by heart questions tend to be site specific. Other questions will be about RCD times a couple of threads by james king recently have covered a lot of questions


good luck


Chris

 

[Spudnik]

You MUST know EVERY page of ALL the books.

















Kidding

One thing you will have to do and not necessarily asked to do is safe isolation.

Muck this up and i think you may fail. Its a fundamental rule of this game.

Also, DO NOT leave the cover off the CU and walk away leaving it unattended, even if it is isolated.

You are tested on your knowledge to some extent, some of which should be second nature.

However, if you dont know the answer, then you should be able to find it in the regs without too much fuss.

Common questions are RCD trip times, Max Ze's, purpose of end to end testing, loop testing etc. and some testing.

All pretty basic stuff really.

Just make sure you have LOTS of tea bags and biccies

 

[acat]

Hope you know where he lives u just gave him a heart attack


Chris

 

[Spudnik]

Sorry

Im in a good mood for some reason.

 

[roukel01]

Hi Rik

I've been with ELECSA for a few years now and I find them spot on. From what people have said, it all depends on who your assesor is. Mine, who has been the same one every year is great. They are very keen on your paper work (insurance, calibration, test certs etc) and whilst he's going through all of that, he usually asks questions of jobs that you have done in the past etc. To me, I think they try and get an impression of how experienced you are before you take them to your jobs. On my first assesment the only Tests I ended up doing was an earth loop and RCD test on a socket circuit, however, I think it is also important for you to ask questions also, they are there to help, and if you're unsure, ask, they seem happy to discuss things with you.

They will ask questions on regs etc, and so it is important to have a good understanding on all aspects of the regs and of testing. You don;t need to know the answer to everything, but you need to be able to show you know the regs well enough to look things up when they ask you questions you are unsure of.

I took my assesor to a full re-wire, there was plenty for him to look at, and of course, if they are happy with what they see, it seems, they don't ask as many questions, and so every year, I always try and make sure I have a good big job to show.

I hope this helps.

Good luck, relax, get things organised, and remember, most of the lads who do the assesments also are Sparks, so make him a brew when he turns up!

 

[Spudnik]

One more thing..

You usually have to show them 2 jobs.

One major and one minor or sometimes, one complete and one in progress, although the latter is normally on your first assessment.

Good luck and remember, just relax.

He will come across at first as being all official, but as the time goes, he will ease up.

They have to show some sort of authority

 

[deanovilla]

Where you live rick . lv been with elecsa nearly 5years now and they are good , l v only ever had to show one job . but make sure they are proper installs and not just an extra light on a circuit , its relaxed as said in other messages, they are old sparks and do understand you will be anxious , they wont try and trip you up .just have everything ready . my tests over the years have been 1 earth loop , 2nd yr external earth, 3rd R1+R2 on light circuit . ect never anything massive , if you done it to regs no problem , if you have come across any problems ? explain it to them and how you sorted it (brownie point) , . all the best mate .

 

[rick]

Thanks to all for your replies, I am in North London and have changed the CU in my flat to show him. Fingers crossed!! Cheers

 

[rick]

I passed!!

The chap who did the assessment was really friendly and not at all officious. He checked the paperwork and asked some questions, and then I did a few tests. Was far less worrying than I thought it would be.

Thanks for all for your advice.

 

[David.]

well done

what were the questions and test you performed just out of interest?

thanks

D.

 

[acat]

Well done Rick


Chris

 

[Graeme Harrold]

Well done, will be signing with them in the next couple of weeks.......

 

[D80]

Well done Rick

 

[romani]

well done mate, I follow your steps, just about to change D/B in my place, also want to install new lighting circuit (hope that will be enough) . Drop some more details how You got through assessment.