Getting back into the world of sparking...

[Steve2381]

Hi all. Newbie alert

Trained as a sparkie - 16th edition right back in 1992 and did it for 10 years. Now decided to go back to the sparking.
So... looking at doing the following and any advice would be greatly received.

C&G 17th edition course (2381-12) - 3 day course.
Logic Part P - 6 day course
C&G 2391 Level 3 Inspection and Testing - 5 day course

Do you reckon I will be OK with the 3 day 17th edition course? Still know my sparking stuff, just a bit rusty on looking up values and the maths side of it all.
As a note... why is the Part P course 6 days when the 17th update is only 3 days? (Probably doing the course through City & Guilds Electrical Training Courses incl 17th Edition, Solar, Thermography and PAT Testing).

Any recommended reading to help kick me in the right direction would be great.

Thanks
Steve

 

[malcolmsanford]

Hi Steve welcome to the forum

Yes you will definitely need your 17th mate, and it would be good to get the 2391-10 or whatever it's new name is now ...................as for the 6 day part P course (they are having a laugh), if your paying ditch it, if someone is paying take it .................

Can I ask are you taking individual courses or is this a lump sum?

 

[Paul.M]

Welcome Steve. Forget the part p course, don't waste your cash on it. Buy the part p book and that will do.

Normally I advise against doing/paying for the 17th course but seen as you've been out of it for a while it may be a good idea and refresh your skills. Mind you, you only need the up date if you have the 16th or is there a time limit?

 

[Steve2381]

Yea - I thought the Part P was a bit long winded!

I 'think'... but not sure that the time limit was 2001. I have certainly been out of the loop for a while.
Most of the courses I have read about say you can do the 1.5 day update to 17th if you obtained your 16th after 2001.

To be honest, I think I may struggle to get up to speed in a 1.5 day course. I don't mind going over old ground.

Testing and inspection is mainly due to the fact that I never did really understand it all properly!

So the Part P book... is that all you require to say you are Part P Qualified? Thought you needed the certificate.

Nothing paid for yet - had so many different courses thrown at me I want to make sure.
They are 3 individual courses.. not cheap either.

Thanks Guys

 

[Paul.M]

No such thing as "part p qualified" mate. (big issue on here, don't get us started on that one again).

It's a building reg that we have to follow, its like saying you've got a green cross code qual for crossing the street. Buy the book, read the book, understand what you need to do to satisfy the building code and save hundreds of pounds.

Any part p cert you obtain may ad well be signed off by micky mouse and goofy.

 

[malcolmsanford]

Part P isn't a qualification Steve, it part of the buildings Regs, just like doing footings for an extension you are expected to know it, if you buy a book such as

Electrician's Guide to the Building Regulations: Pt. P (Wiring Regulations): Pt. P (Wiring Regulations): Amazon.co.uk: Paul Cook: 9780863418624: Books


It will be more than enough. If you are going along the domestic route and want to self certificate your work that requires it under Part P then you will need to join a scheme. Whichever one you choose will insist that you have the 17th edition as a minimum and that is all you need mate.

 

[Steve2381]

Ahh the minefield of electrical regulations.... I remember those NICEIC days well....

Yep.. kinda gathered that the Part P was poo.
Any recommended schemes?

Sounds stupid.... but I assume this is the latest Regs book:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Requirement...ions/dp/1849192693/ref=pd_luc_bxgy_01_01_t_lh

 

[Paul.M]

Elecsa is the most helpful and understanding going by what people on here talk about.

Ps, do the 2391 and give it all of your attention. It's not easy but we can help you out.

BTW Steve, its brown & blue now and not red & black lol. Welcome to the electricians mad house .

 

[Des 56]

I am surprised and supportive, someone posting about taking a short course has done so with the proper use being made of them in mind

These courses are probably ideal for the likes of Steve and will no doubt shake out the cobwebs that being out of the trade may have caused

A short course having a desired and welcome place in the training in this industry

That is in contrast to them being abusive of the trade, and perhaps folly and very expensive for the participants in most circumstances


Good luck + welcome Steve

 

[Steve2381]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

I have several places to go and do these courses... The local one (that I mention in my first post) don't quite seem to know what they are doing.
Therefore, I have another one - which is much further away from me - Tradeskills4u. Any experience of these guys? Search on here brings up reasonable reviews.
To be honest, there are so many places to go (tradeskills4u, u4skill, skills4skills, skills'n'skills4u etc) is hard to know where the hell to go!

Also - any recommended pre-course reading?
I am thinking of getting the 17th edition course on disc and running through that anyway before doing the 3 day course. Can't hurt

 

[Rob190]

Steve, in the same position as you and recently done the 3 day 17th course which did bring a lot back that the shorter course may have not! I did mine with PASS training Stockton which I can recommend.

I viewed the 17th course in two ways - a welcome refresher for those with previous training or teaching the 'technique' for looking up regulations when you don't know the subject matter.

The course takes you through the regulations and I just read the onsite guide beforehand to jog the old memory! Be prepared that the first practice paper will knock your confidence but by the real exam you will be up to speed!

 

[Steve2381]

OK... Update on the plan

Booked on the 3 day C&G 17th Edition 2382-12 course.
Not doing the Part P course. Further investigation and advice has made me aware that its pointless.

Booked on the C&G 2391 Level 3 Testing and Inspection course - I know it difficult, but I have left myself several months to get up to speed with some home studies first.

Bashed the credit card on Amazon - new green regs book and several other recommended site guides etc

Spank out 1k on a new Testing kit. My poor old Mega is all thats left of my old test equipment and its seen better days.

Will register with Elecsa once 17th is completed. However not sure how initial registration will work as I don't have any installations for them to check yet.
Part P compliance can then be signed off through them.

Register for a CSCS card.

Find some bloody work!

Any issues with the above list... let me know!
Thanks
Steve