Learning how to inspect and test

robjgriff · Oct 15, 2012

Hi

First many thanks to the guys who advised me on the best route to retrain and get my part P. Will be doing some time with some local sparks to get back up to speed.

I understand the need to test installations during and after a job but it is really nothing that I have actually done in practice before.
I understand some of the theory but really want to read up on the whole process and begin by practice checking some of the jobs I've done in the past and had to pay to be checked and signed off by another spark.

Does anyone know of some good basic literature to get me started and perhaps can suggest what sort of kit is needed.

Apologies for the very basic nature of the request. I'm just starting out again after 20 years so be kind!

Cheers in advance
Rob

Jay Sparks · Oct 15, 2012

GN 3, BS7671 and this forum. I prefer an MFT tester but some people like the single ones. Its personal choice but a nice cheap MFT is the Mertrel easi test, cost around £140-250.
Good luck with the testing stuff because its hard to get your head around at first and you will need lots of hands on experiance aswell as the literichure part.

Jay

KFH · Oct 15, 2012

Guidance Note 3 is good and is the the standard we should be working to. There are other good books that go through the more practical aspects but I cannot remember names at moment, have a look at the reviews on Amazon

Baker1988 · Oct 15, 2012

gn 3 also it is in the onsite guide for domestic testing and i have got the metrel mi3100 it is a good tester and easy to use

polo1 · Oct 15, 2012

As the others have said BS7671, Guidance Note 3 and the On Site Guide, with the first two being the key ones to get to grips with. There are various good books on I&T - NICEIC have issued their 6th Edition to include Amnd 1.

The key to I&T, particularly for EICRs, is not just knowing what tests to do and in which order, but knowing what results to expect and what the ones you do get, mean. Remember too that testing is only a small part, the visual inspection is just as important. Initial verification & testing for a domestic should be a walk in the park.

Good luck

Regards.

trev · Oct 15, 2012

Why not build your own test rig to practice on

SirKit Breaker · Oct 15, 2012

I wouldnt argue with any of the above but, get GN3, and find a mate who will let you have a go. Its the old riding the bike bit, you wobble a bit when you get back on. In my case i wobble a lot cos i'm a fat**** (with the bike not the testing).

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