tips and tricks ?

[spsparks]

I find myself testing a lot of place that have no info on the DB. I use a fuse finder, isolating other circuits and leg work to identify each point on the circuit. This is a pain when other trades are around as they keep grumbling about me turning off power.
I recently did one that took 6hrs, and had 2dbs with 6 lighting circuits with 2 points on each, 5 rings each about 5m long, 4 outdoor circuits and others ????....... new dist boards no bonding .....unbelievable.
So needless to say not happy with this really, but luckily it has led to more work.

So my question is do any of you have tips or tricks to speed up this process ?

 

[Guest123]

Not really no, it's just part of the joys of PIR'ing.

The leg work has to be done and if there are no schedules present, it's even worse.

 

[IQ Electrical]

I find myself testing a lot of place that have no info on the DB. I use a fuse finder, isolating other circuits and leg work to identify each point on the circuit. This is a pain when other trades are around as they keep grumbling about me turning off power.
I recently did one that took 6hrs, and had 2dbs with 6 lighting circuits with 2 points on each, 5 rings each about 5m long, 4 outdoor circuits and others ????....... new dist boards no bonding .....unbelievable.
So needless to say not happy with this really, but luckily it has led to more work.

So my question is do any of you have tips or tricks to speed up this process ?

A 'voltstick' and a plug-in socket tester that buzzes can save hours on PIR's with unmarked boards.

As Lenny said, you really do put in the leg-work!

Experience helps a lot too, you really get a feel for circuits from the cable sizes and device types.

 

[millwall ken]

I find myself testing a lot of place that have no info on the DB. I use a fuse finder, isolating other circuits and leg work to identify each point on the circuit. This is a pain when other trades are around as they keep grumbling about me turning off power.
I recently did one that took 6hrs, and had 2dbs with 6 lighting circuits with 2 points on each, 5 rings each about 5m long, 4 outdoor circuits and others ????....... new dist boards no bonding .....unbelievable.
So needless to say not happy with this really, but luckily it has led to more work.

So my question is do any of you have tips or tricks to speed up this process ?

If you're testing buddy, then you shouldn't be looking to cut corners mate.

 

[IQ Electrical]

If you're testing buddy, then you shouldn't be looking to cut corners mate.

Don't confuse asking for advice with 'cutting corners', where did that come from?

 

[eskimo39]

I don't think he is talking about cutting corners, rather just asking for any easier info to help identify circuits etc.

 

[Amp David]

Its sometimes easier to have someone with you to do the running around whilst you isolate circuits etc. Its times like these whan the walkie talkies come into there own.

 

[Des 56]

It is sometimes just as easy (or is that difficult) to work in reverse to finding whats on
especiall with lighting circuits its easier to identify whats has gone off

If they are a multiple of light circuits,all lights swiched on,identifying and counting the darksuckers (I liked that word after I heard it on this forum )instead of what has energised seems to be my chosen method

In the end though, reducing the leg work is the sparks bug bear that wont go away

 

[IQ Electrical]

I agree, that's why I prefer testing at night, it's so much easier to see lights, neons etc. Also, it's amazing how many items beep or make a mechanical noise on startup and that's easier to hear on nights in quiet buildings.

 

[glynnis]

In the end though, reducing the leg work is the sparks bug bear that wont go away

The sparks bug-bear is circuits not marked-up but people, especially on large factory installs, continue to throw the cables in, connect it up, switch it on then walk off without spending 30 seconds marking up the circuit, WHY?
Are people really that lazy, or is it not that important?
Only when you spend hours trying to trace circuits, then it becomes important, but it still goes on!

 

[millwall ken]

Don't confuse asking for advice with 'cutting corners', where did that come from?

Sorry mate, beer googles.