hELPLINK ELECTRICIAN

[tanglewood]

Has anybody on here ever worked for or know of anybody who has worked for Helplink(based in Leeds, but nationwide workforce. Main work doing boiler wiring. Any info appreciated.

 

[tanglewood]

Forgot to say, work from home, van, fuel card, phone, ipad, job n knock

Thanks for reply. Probably just about to start with them, did you have to go to Leeds to pick up van etc.. Did you have a meeting with anybody before you started. I have just had conversation with area manager, he asked a couple of simple questions (what does grey wire on 3 port valve do) one about equipotential bonding and that was it. Any more info on selection process would be appreciated.

Cheers

 

[tanglewood]

Hi Rizla

very helpful reply. Pretty much the same here about filling gap. Just wanted to know a bit more about selection process really. Upto know i have had conversation on phone with area manager, he asked a couple of simple questions, and he basically said when can you start? surely there must be a bit more of a selection process.

Cheers

 

[Steve65]

When I had my induction course, I think I did a simple 10 question paper exam. For example, it showed a pictures of different earthing arrangements and you had to put down which was which.

It's not even a course. I did mine when the manager came round to my house. It took half an hour maybe and most of that was spent going through paperwork making sure you understood what was required. I didn't go to Leeds to pick up my van as there was one more local but I did go to Leeds to pick up my PPE, and work tops etc. and meet the Senior manager but it was very informal.

They are short of Sparks, especially in the South but basically, if the Area Manager says yes, then head office aren't going to argue. If you can wire up different boilers then there's no reason why you won't get the job. Even if you struggle with them, get a copy of the Honeywell Wiring guide (version 16) and that has every heating system that you are going to be doing. As I've said before, you'll be doing mainly combi and Y plans. Very few S plans.

Most of the boilers are Worcester Bosch with Vaillant, Ideal Logic and the odd Baxi thrown into the mix. Controls are normally Honeywell but it depends what the Surveyor recommends. Most stats are wireless and you just have to go through the controls with the client at the end of the job.

Hope this helps.

 

[tanglewood]

Hi Rizla

Very helpful thanks. I was doing sub contract work for 2 years for a different company installing solar PV electrics, including mounting inverters etc etc.. 2 in a day was rarely possible, and as part of the package i was installing AHC controls as well ! Got fingers burnt a bit so weary about subbing work. As you know we have a duty of care as electricians to ensure that the installation is safe(bonding etc) Hence my questions.
If you dont mind me asking, how often is there not an existing fused supply locally to boiler/wiring centre and correct bonding. I do understand that the boiler installs are replacement units so there should be a fused spur there, but just curious. Many thanks for your replies so far

 

[Steve65]

Alot of the time there is a fused spur there or the old boiler was run off a plug top, so you'd need to convert a single socket or add a fused spur from the exisitng socket.

They also want the fused spur next to the boiler, so when you had an existing one upstairs in the airing cupboard next to the wiring centre, you had to install one downstairs instead where the boiler was, typically in the kitchen.

It just adds more time to the job and is a pain but I guess 1 in 3 jobs might need some additional works carried out from my experience anyway.

Bonding was probably the biggest hinderence if it wasn't there or needed to be upgraded as that could add a couple of hours to the job if routing it was difficult which of course meant it put you behind for your second job. A word with your Electrical Planner and he/she would either tell you to complete the first job or re book you to go back if it meant not getting to the second job.

Most of the time bonding is in place but they will want it in 10mm even if you say you could prove otherwise using the adiabatic equation but that was what we were told here in the South. If you're working up North your Area Manager might have a different take on things but ask him these questions and see what he says.