Trainee Info For Mentors Benefit

[ElectroChem]

I'll throw my bit in, even though you may need to kick me out of here shortly
I'm 33, doing an adult apprenticeship in Australia as a career change. I finished the coursework component at the end of last year, now I'm working towards having my time served and hopefully signed off by this time next year.

As to your client with the unreliable supply, I would also lean down the UPS+genset route. Specifics would depend on the load and sensitivity of the installation, and if you'd have any warning of dropouts. My father's company had a similar situation with a plant in South Africa, they had a multi-MVA generator with phase synchronised changeover as there were frequent brownouts. Actually got a discounted rate on their supply because they could be asked to go off grid on 30 minutes notice if the utility needed to shed load.

 

[GMES]

I'll throw my bit in, even though you may need to kick me out of here shortly
.

Did nobody tell you!!!!!!

You can check out any time you like
But you can never leave!

You get a point if you can tell me where that line comes from without Google, I would imagine most Mentors could tell me without looking, It's a favourite of mine.

 

[Pete999]

Electrochem well done, 15 mins early but nevere mind.

DNOs supply feeding a DB which in turn feeds a bank of UPs which feed a DB supplying the building circuits. The UPs will be the "on line type"which means they are on line supplying the building circuits. There is also a Gen Set standing by.
The power goes off and the UPs are, as on line types supplying the load to the circuits, meanwhile the Gen Set has sensed a power loss, starts up and feeds the UPs via a changeover switch arrangement. So now we have a Gen Set feeding the UPs instead of the DNO supply, no loss of supply to the building circuits, in effect a no break set up.
Power returns Gen Set senses a voltage shuts down the C/O switch switches back to mains, Gen Set shuts down, all back to normal. Quite a simple arrangement really, but if you have little or no experience it can be a little daunting, you were all thinking on the right lines, thanks for taking part.

 

[GMES]

Cheers for that Pete, see all it takes is a couple of people engaged and away it goes, I thought you might have had a pop at my teaser in post 17 more for the youngsters lol and nothing to do with electrics lol.

Overload of lols sorry lol

 

[Karin]

..we're all just prisoners here..

 

[hightower]

Eagles are probably my favourite bird too

 

[GMES]

Bring your alibis

 

[GMES]

Karin you would look great with a nice Avatar

 

[Paul.M]

Hi my name is Paul. Stated at the age of 17 for a one man band house basher as a laborer. Learnt a lot about how to run cables in awful complicated houses but nothing about circuitry/methods/regs etc etc.

Time moved on and so did I. Went away from the industry due to falling in love and buying our first home which needed a regular income. This came via the means of many different forms of employment for many of years. One day I said "I want to follow my ambitions....I'm going to get some qualifications and become an Electrician".

Early 30's attending full time college whilst holding a full time job is not easy (hence the reason why I have a lot of respect for any Trainee walking the same path).

Passed ever exam, got the certs and card and then the recession hit Not easy work wise from 2008. Kept on going, kept on trying and now I can say I've become a bloody good sparky.

You have to build yourself up after becoming qualified, learn everything you can from each job and take that experience to the next job.

At this moment in time I'm working away (2 months now and getting restless) on a theater power/lighting/audio/camera & microphone install. Never in a million years 10 years ago as a house basher would I think I could do it BUT with the tuition, experience and true gut determination it is within my scope and abilities. (finding it easy now and running these kind of jobs).

This is just a little example

A few cables for a single box containing 48 plug sockets.

This is some form of controlling unit... I dont care, it is Cat5e that the technician 2nd fix. It is installed to the spec.... move on.

Now this little beauty took some time to install. Testing it is another issue lol.

Just goes to show that if I can do it, so can you. The above,,,, not bad for a ruff lad from a council estate with no education.

Push yourself, work hard, learn as much as you can. It will work out for you in the long run.

 

[gazdkw82]

abit late on this but here goes.

I’m 33, based in Leicetershire. I left school with bad grades and decided to follow my passion in music so I did 2 years at college and then decided I wanted to go to uni. I did a year at Demontfort and hated it so left. Music (drums) has been pretty much my focus in life up till late 20’s when I started to look at other options. I still do a lot of music but I wanted to have a solid backup doing something I enjoy, plus having a wife and 2 young children pretty much puts things in to perspective, so music has taken a back step.


I enrolled on one of those self-study home course last Dec. I know these type courses have a bad rep but tbh its suited me really well as I could work it around my family, full time job and music. I can study when I want (pretty much all the time) but with the family, work and music I have the choice to take 3-4 weeks out if need be. So as it stands I’m over half way through the course, I’ll have level 2 once I’m finished which I hope to be middle of next year. Then I hope to take level 3 part time at my local college which should take another year if my calculations are correct. The end goal is to become fully qualified and gain some experience before deciding if I want to go it alone or continue with employment.


I’ve really fell into learning quite well considering how disinterested I was with education at school. Im really into electrics generally and find it really enjoyable. I’ve done a few little jobs for family’s are friends that are within my boundaries (sockets, lights etc) I’ve also had the chance to do some larger jobs with the help and guidance from a fully qualified electrician (consumer unit upgrade, shower circuit etc)


This forum has been invaluable for me. I’ve spoken to few outside the forum and gained some outstanding advice and some serious warnings! Ha


Gaz

 

[Tim01]

I'm 29, live not far from Lakeside
passed BTEC National construction when I finished school, circumstances didn't match carrying it on and I lost a lot of interest in it,
went back to college 2 years ago finished Level 2 2365 in June, should be starting Level 3 September,
no real experience since getting into that isn't as easy as they told us it would be (no surprises really)

Hi I know it's been a long time since you posted this. Just out of curiosity where are you training now for level 2&3. I live near Romford and am trying to find somewhere that won't rip me off. As I will be studying around work