Questions about TESTING on the Elecsa assesment day

[TPES]

Just a few questions I have for the big day.

The assessor wants to see I can complete a" Minor works cert" and "Electrical installation cert" and what ever jobs i have to complete these to certs are up to me.. correct?

...Meaning the Electrical installation cert doesn’t have to be a "Major" job Like some people would first think.. So initially sparks thinking it would have to be major, like a re-wire or consumer unit change this is not always the case.. It could just be installing a single circuit like a radial or RFC. along as you can complete an EIC. is this correct ?

The jobs I have in mind are.. (MWC) an outdoor socket on my own house, directly onto the back of my kitchen wall, spurring off the RCD protected RFC... So I will need to record the supply details and do relevant tests on the RFC that feeds the outdoor socket, and this circuit alone. Wont be expected to touch any other circuits. Is this correct ?

Major Job is a Mains change on a TT Earthed system property, On this I will obviously have to test every circuit going back to the board and record results. Is the assessor going to expect me to drop every socket and FCU on ring final circuits getting a reading from every point, I know its easy enough getting readings from sockets but do i have to drop FCU's that are on the ring to also get readings?

..The same for lights. If you wasn’t to know which is the last light on the circuit will i be expected to drop every big fancy light fitting and switches no matter how long winded it is to take down the big fancy metal chandelier to then find out this isn’t the last fitting? the same with outside lights on the lighting circuits, will i need to go outside and go up ladders to drop outdoor fittings to get readings, will he want to watch me go around and do all this?

I know the assessor is only planning to be with me for half a day but if you've got a right nightmare of a job, your 2 jobs could easily take a full day if there’s a lot of work required for the tests.

Sorry if I’ve gone on I just wanted to get it all in one topic rather that loads of different topics.

If I have more questions or anyone else does I hope people don’t mind them being added to this topic

 

[robsparx]

i showed him a cu change on a tt system, and an outside socket i had wired as a radial into the new cu. just filled out 1 full installation cert for the 2 jobs.

the only testing he got me to do was earth loop and rcd tests on the outside socket, and a ze and pfc at the cu. that was it. and he also checked the water/gas bonds.

 

[TPES]

i showed him a cu change on a tt system, and an outside socket i had wired as a radial into the new cu. just filled out 1 full installation cert for the 2 jobs.

the only testing he got me to do was earth loop and rcd tests on the outside socket, and a ze and pfc at the cu. that was it. and he also checked the water/gas bonds.

Oh right ok, sounds good to me.

So lets say he says "Do a Ze and Ring continuity tests at CU. on the ring do you think he will expect me to do all what ive said above? taking readings at every socket and FCU on the ring?

And will he expect as said above on lighting circuit tests if this was one of the test he picked out for me to do?

thanks

 

[Spudnik]

Sid,

You need to calm down a tad as its not a grilling

The assessor will decide on the day what he wants you to do. It could be anything.

The normal requests are as rob says.

If he asks for cont tests on a RFC, be prepared to do them all including cross over test.

You will probably be asked to drop a switch and socket off so he can have a look and might even ask you a couple of questions.

Remember they want your money and they are not trying to catch you out.

They will ask questions that you should know the answer too, and if its a value, you can look it up in the regs.

 

[TPES]

Ha ha ha, I'm laughing now.. I think i am getting worked up about it!
I do keep thinking there going to try there hardest to catch me out.

 

[Spudnik]

Just make sure that you can interpret the test results, and reasons for testing etc.

You'll be fine, if not, i take no responsibility

 

[Modernelectric]

Id say it would be highly unlikely for him to ask you to do any ring final circuit tests. He might ask you how to get r1+r2 but woint expect you to do the whole test sequence as this can take a while!

be prepared to do a ze test, and maybe the rcd tests as these normally take about 5 minutes. Make sure you have your onsite guide handy as you will need to reference some of the trickier questions he might ask.

"Whats the maximum permissable hole diameter in a joist", "what are your 'safe zones' for running cables in" and be aware that under part p every 5th light you install must be energy efficient. This 1 almost caught me out but luckily i had put in an energy efficient security light.
good luck bud.