NICEIC PV MCS Next Week! Help!!

[cjiruk]

Hi

has anyone been asessed by the NICEIC? Or Similar? I am going through my MCS next week and still have loads of paperwork to do. The install at my own property is only a 600W system, they say they are going to be here all day!!! Getting a bit worried now.

What commissioning checks need to be done? I still have to get my testing equipment calibrated which i am doing tomorrow. Testing equipment i am getting calibrated are ALPHATEK METREL SMARTEC MI210 AND MI2123, do i also need to get a Digital Volt Meter Calibrated?

Thanks

Jim

 

[Markc]

Hi

We went through NIC a little while ago. 1 day visit but two installs. They have now changed to one! typical cost us two but there you go!

One day visit, half day on paper work and 10 minutes for each install. Forget testing anything while on your visit they just look at it. Didn't even go up on roof.

The paper work is the thing. if its not up to scratch they will void the visit. They read EVERYTHING!

Follow their guidance sheets and get everything together in one place. Write your quality control manual and show every step of your procedures, step by step.

It is hard work but worth it in the end. If your with the NICEIC as an approved contractor then you are used to annual inspections etc, well forget that its nothing like it. The MCS is 90% paperwork and 10% installation.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

 

[cjiruk]

Mark

Thanks for the quick reply what instruments did you need calibration Certs for ?

Jim

 

[poheZ]

HI

goog luck and let me know how it goes. I have mine next month so any feedback would be well recieved.

 

[cjiruk]

Hi

anyone know what instruments i need cal certs for Solar PV

Thanks

Jim

 

[harry@forthspor]

ye..thanks, i'm goin for my assements shortly, it's good to have an insight like this..good luck

 

[kablue2000]

Hi

anyone know what instruments i need cal certs for Solar PV

Thanks

Jim

just your multi function tester for calibration

 

[cjiruk]

just your multi function tester for calibration

Don't i need an Earth Loop Impedance meter for recording results?

What are all the results i need?

Thanks

Jim

 

[Mark.W]

You will need a Zs reading, this is for notifying the job to NICEIC for installing a new circuit.
You will fill out an EIC as per usual because of you are installing a new circuit.

 

[Mark.W]

Don't i need an Earth Loop Impedance meter for recording results?

What are all the results i need?

Thanks

Jim

PS a Multifunction Tester does EFLI.

 

[Markc]

If you have a multifunction meter then it needs to be calibrated. If you have individual Continuity, Insulation resistance, Earth loop and RCD testers then all these should be calibrated.
My TRMS Voltage meter is calibrated but my day to day multi meter is not. I use the voltage tester on numerous voltages and in HV also so I need it to be correct. For PV this is not required.

A simple multimeter is sufficant. You can self calibrate your own simple multimeter against a calibrated multifunction or combinations meter etc. You only need a couple of resisters form RS or Maplin of a known value. Test them on the continuity tester and then on the multimeter. Voltage can be done with the loop tester or multifunction meter again and then with the multimeter and compare results.

As always make a sheet up and record your own calibrations......They like the paperwork!

Hope this is clearer than how it reads

M

 

[harry@forthspor]

Hi, reading the above; if u are accredited by niceic, can then be accredited by MCS,I looked at the MCS websit; is there a subtancial process in this, thx in advance

 

[harry@forthspor]

..em ' is the City & Guilds 2372 eqiv to the NICEIC for accreditation to MCS, as for the 2372 is states it's more for experianced sparks..how experianced though cheers

 

[Markc]

Qualifications are recognised the same. C&G and NICEIC there are also others.

As for experienced sparks it is a requirement you hold current qualifications (In my day it was part I and part II but its NVQ's now!) and be experienced in electrical installations. Part P also for domestic.

 

[harry@forthspor]

cheers for that Mark.. I assume that goin down the NICEIC route and becoming an accreded member; it's then possible to be member of the MCS subject to further qulification e.g part p, but what happens then if u havn't done an NVQ as explained above

I've done L3 2330 , and planing to do the Part P and 17th ed, and with subsequent accedition from NICEIC want to go onto PV as soon as; have I still got a gap here cheers