Get 18th, Get testing and inspection, go to work?

[BiddeldyBwah]

Sat contemplating life as normal and started thinking about this.

Anyone can do the 18th and the testing and inspection qualifications.

So is it not theoretically possible to do those and simply specialise in testing and inspection? I mean why go through installation courses etc if you can just get a job doing testing with two paid-for courses?

Or am i missing the mark here? Do you need other specific quals to be able to do the certs? Of course i know that you won't be able to do a CPS without experience first but you could work under someone else acting as QS at a company and do testing all day long, no? I know at our company the boss acts as QS and all the NAPIT etc stuff is under him but the other qualified lads (the ones with 2391 and the 18th edition) do the testing.

 

[Lister1987]

I'm probably missing something as we're only just getting to the basics now where i'm learning, but how complicated can it be to simply carry out tests and record the numbers? What am i missing?

Any idiot can press a button and write down a number, however it takes SKATE to correctly interpret the results and communicate them in a meaningful way

 

[BiddeldyBwah]

Any idiot can press a button and write down a number, however it takes SKATE to correctly interpret the results and communicate them in a meaningful way

I guess Tony Hawk would be good at it then.

 

[Dustydazzler]

I'm probably missing something as we're only just getting to the basics now where i'm learning, but how complicated can it be to simply carry out tests and record the numbers? What am i missing?

Testing is all fine if you get perfect results on a faultless install , I could probably teach someone to test a brand new rewire within 1 long day day and show them how to log the results on a test sheet.
But the second they encounter a fault , or a test result that is iffy or get 'funny' readings then what....

It takes months of experience to fully understand stuff and to be able to troubleshoot a job and rectify faults etc

 

[Julie.]

I'm probably missing something as we're only just getting to the basics now where i'm learning, but how complicated can it be to simply carry out tests and record the numbers? What am i missing?

Simple question then, you measure end to end on a ring, the cpc measures 1.2ohm, the line 0.9ohm, and the neutral 0.7ohm.

Are these numbers valid?

It's all in 2.5mm2 and is a typical kitchen in a semi-detached house.

If you copy these numbers into your electrical installation certificate with a measured Ze (utility impedance) of 0.12ohm is this installation safe and suitable for energisation?


And, this is the easy side of the testing and inspection known as "initial verification ", something you should be competent in at the end of your initial training.

The real experience and knowledge is developed later for periodic inspections, but the above is a very basic question which will be something of an almost daily event.

 

[loz2754]

the best way to gain competence with EICRs is to shadow someone who does for two or three years on various types and age of installation, it is the best way. It doesn't drop into place once you get a piece of paper.

I agree with this 100 percent

 

[loz2754]

I'm probably missing something as we're only just getting to the basics now where i'm learning, but how complicated can it be to simply carry out tests and record the numbers? What am i missing?

You refer here to just the testing part of things, whereas the true measure of competence in doing EICRs is in the inspection part.
Guidance Note 3 Inspection and Testing lists pages and pages of things to look out for when doing an inspection of an existing installation, and it says that this list is not exhaustive, as there are many other things an inspector may come across. These are the things that cannot be taught in class and verified by passing an exam. I believe personally that anyone doing EICRs on existing installations, and signing their name on these EICRs, MUST have several years experience under the belt to be able to confidently declare the whole installation as safe/unsafe, based on their judgement of all the items inspected. And the best way to gain this experience, is under the guidance of someone who has this experience.

Sadly, in real life, this is not the case. Hence the plethora of EICRs posted on this forum that are not worth a cubic centimetre of liquefied poo...

 

[ruston]

And a like too if I was able

 

[Zerax]

the best way to gain competence with EICRs is to shadow someone who does for two or three years on various types and age of installation

But be careful that you don't shadow a dozen or more different people... then you'll be totally confuzzled as to what to code things !!

 

[Dustydazzler]

Coding is extremely ambiguous , you could shadow 40 different sparks and all 40 would code things differently

I know some sparks who code missing brown sleeve as Code 2 , some as Code 3 and some don't bother coding it

 

[DPG]

Coding is extremely ambiguous , you could shadow 40 different sparks and all 40 would code things differently

I know some sparks who code missing brown sleeve as Code 2 , some as Code 3 and some don't bother coding it

Code 2 for missing sleeving?!

 

[Dustydazzler]

Code 2 for missing sleeving?!

Yep so they can charge the landlord £150 to remove switches to put sleeve on

Nice earner

 

[BiddeldyBwah]

Needing several years of shadowing someone after being qualified and certified seems a bit much to be honest.

 

[Julie.]

Needing several years of shadowing someone after being qualified and certified seems a bit much to be honest.

It is for normal installation work (issuing of installation certificates etc), but there is no way you can learn everything needed to carry out periodic inspections without it.

My only issue is that just because you do have years of experience and being mentored, does not mean you are actually up to standard.

We have all seen many drivers who passed their driving test successfully years ago, and have considerable driving experience since -- who are absolutely NOT competent on the road!

I believe that you need the experience and then are tested to show they are at the correct standard in order to do periodics.

 

[westward10]

It is for normal installation work (issuing of installation certificates etc), but there is no way you can learn everything needed to carry out periodic inspections without it.

My only issue is that just because you do have years of experience and being mentored, does not mean you are actually up to standard.

We have all seen many drivers who passed their driving test successfully years ago, and have considerable driving experience since -- who are absolutely NOT competent on the road!

I believe that you need the experience and then are tested to show they are at the correct standard in order to do periodics.

I agree I have had many people shadowing me and some just don't make the grade.

 

[LastManOnline]

Coding is extremely ambiguous , you could shadow 40 different sparks and all 40 would code things differently

I never really saw the need for EICR,s. I regard them as the softest money I will ever make. I also regard them as poor value for the homeowner.The average homeowner does not abuse his house. If its wired/rewired by a professional it is basically maintenance free electrically and a simple visual check combined with the testing of his safety devices every 10 years or so would in my view be more than sufficient. It's different with rented accomodation obviously.
. I can appreciate though that in the UK there is a greater need for electrical checks due to the prevalence of DIY electrical work