Elecsa Expectations

ste_miller21 · Jun 14, 2011

hi all, i don't know what to be expecting with Elecsa.

to start with I've gone through the worse way (most electricians seem to see it as worse way) to qualify I've studied at college (3years) and come out with C&G 2330 level 2, level 3 and 17th edition. since i had no real on site experience its impossible to get any sort of job in the trade! so what i did was once i had all the above I've been working for any electrician for free to gain experience (18month working for free). still this doesn't seem enough to get paid.

I've now decided to try self employment, I've looked at Elecsa, and I'm confident with my skills and what i know i can and cant do. I'm happy with my tester and that i know how to use it. but im worried about when time comes what to expect. what sort of questions are asked? what sections of regs is favored by assessor? im worred that id fail assessment on lack of knowledge.....i just dont know where to start when it comes to revising! its alot of money to waist (£444 membership fee)

i want to try join Elecsa but like i said i know what is needed to join Elecsa its the fear of questions that's holding me back.

i hope someone can help!

Liamsparks · Jun 14, 2011

Worry is the worst thing you can do! Heres a thread with lots of questions in. All the assessors across all the bodies are normally pretty good and kind. You'll be fine! Just offer them a drink and a biscuit

http://www.electriciansforums.net/i...l-installations/12349-testing-assessment.html

malcolmsanford · Jun 14, 2011

What you have to remember is that to ELECSA and any of the schemes your a cash cow and they are not looking to fail you, they are looking to pass you.

He will most likely sit down and have a chat with you and ask you a few questions on the regs, could be something like reg 522.6.6 about cables buried in a partion and wall or earthing and bonding. All the while he will be assessing your knowledge. If you don't know the answer to a question don't bluff it, tell him straight your not sure and look it up in the regs.

On how you do here will be his guide to the rest of the assement, he will want to know how you would provide safe isolation and how you would do a DEAD test such as an IR test and a LIVE test such as a Ze test. The important part is the isolation part, he will want to know that you realise the importance of it.

mattmoo1974 · Jun 14, 2011

Chill winston!
Had mine a few months back, Measure Ze Do some RCD tests and he fires a few questions at you, Just look in the OSG and find the answer.
SIMPLES

raustin · Jun 17, 2011

Relax and don't stress is the best advice I think most will give you. O and make tea/coffee and have biscuits.

I had my assessment with ELECSA on Monday and the guy was nice and friendly. The questions from the OSG where mainly about testing, so by the sounds of it you will be fine on this. Then there were quiet a few questions on the building regs, not just part P, so read the other parts. You can refer to all your books, so if there is something you're not sure about or don't know, you can look it up.

They ask the questions in a nice way so that its really like two people having a chat about electrics. He's not there to catch you out and will help guide you through the assessment.

He'll then have a look at the install you're shwoing him and get you to do a couple of tests. Mine was a CU install. He check all the labels where on and the screws all done up. He then asked for a Zs, PSC at the board and then the Zs of the cooker and ring circuits.

Safe isolation and safe working is the main thing to remember.

SirKit Breaker · Jun 17, 2011

ste_miller21 said:
hi all, i don't know what to be expecting with Elecsa.

to start with I've gone through the worse way (most electricians seem to see it as worse way) to qualify I've studied at college (3years) and come out with C&G 2330 level 2, level 3 and 17th edition. since i had no real on site experience its impossible to get any sort of job in the trade! so what i did was once i had all the above I've been working for any electrician for free to gain experience (18month working for free). still this doesn't seem enough to get paid.

I've now decided to try self employment, I've looked at Elecsa, and I'm confident with my skills and what i know i can and cant do. I'm happy with my tester and that i know how to use it. but im worried about when time comes what to expect. what sort of questions are asked? what sections of regs is favored by assessor? im worred that id fail assessment on lack of knowledge.....i just dont know where to start when it comes to revising! its alot of money to waist (£444 membership fee)

i want to try join Elecsa but like i said i know what is needed to join Elecsa its the fear of questions that's holding me back.

i hope someone can help!

Have no fear mate. I have had 5 or 6 Elecsa assessments now, and they all went well, even my first one. The Elecsa assessors are all Electricians just like us, and so they are sympathetic to our cause. You wont be asked questions which you dont understand, but you will get a couple you may not know, so look in the books for the answer if you need to. All you need to do after paying your £500 is prove to the assessor that you can work safely, are competent, and have all the relevant books, kit, insurances etc. A large part of your assessment will include plenty of tea, coffee, and biscuits, and chit chat about anything and everything. He will put you at ease, you will have no problems mate, go for it. You dont need to revise, this is not a closed book exam, it is an assessment, and you can use all the things that would be at your disposal when you are on site. If you hold the 17th edition then finding out any answers will be easy, and you are not being timed either.

Cheers..........Howard

Conmeister · Jun 17, 2011

ste_miller21 said:
I've been working for any electrician for free to gain experience (18month working for free). still this doesn't seem enough to get paid.

Please tell me you had another job and you were only helping out part time?

ste_miller21 · Jun 17, 2011

Conmeister said:
Please tell me you had another job and you were only helping out part time?

no, at the moment im unemployed, ive tried to get jobs thats unemployment was the reason i went back to college part time. ive worked for free in hopes to get to where i want to be (in the industry off the dole). but all you get is used....but on the other hand ive got more hands on experience. this is the hole reason im trying self employment. everyone thinks people on the dole dont want to work. but its so hard to get off it and people in the job center dont want to help. i worked for free borrowing and beggin family for tools etc. to try get to where i want to be to be able to provide for my kids. ++++rant over+++++ sorry!!!

rodney12 · Jun 17, 2011

You'll be fine, never heard of anyone failing an assessment, ever!!!

Conmeister · Jun 18, 2011

ste_miller21 said:
no, at the moment im unemployed, ive tried to get jobs thats unemployment was the reason i went back to college part time. ive worked for free in hopes to get to where i want to be (in the industry off the dole). but all you get is used....but on the other hand ive got more hands on experience. this is the hole reason im trying self employment. everyone thinks people on the dole dont want to work. but its so hard to get off it and people in the job center dont want to help. i worked for free borrowing and beggin family for tools etc. to try get to where i want to be to be able to provide for my kids. ++++rant over+++++ sorry!!!

Don't apologise mate!! You sound like an awesome guy. I get angry that somone would exploit free labour for so long. I sincerely hope everything turns out well for you. The Elecsa assessment will be a breeze mate. As the other guys have said, they're not there to trip you up. If nothing else, just make sure you are working safely.

All the best!