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any sparkys on here
Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 10:53 am
by shadrack
just wondered if theres any sparkys on here, i have , my 17th edition exam next week and wondered if anyone had done it?
Re: any sparkys on here
Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 3:55 pm
by X5Sport
Exam? WTF! If it doesn't go bang or get too warm then it's fine.......well according the the 'sparky' who did this place anyway!! The wiring here is as cheap as you can get.....needs a few more circuit breakers, but probably 'technically' ok.
Seriously though, no, sorry.
Good luck with it though......
any sparkys on here
Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 4:05 pm
by psychosis
Did mine a while ago. To be honest it just tests your ability to read and understand the regulations. Exam itself is easy enough. Being the age I am the strangest thing was doing the exam on a computer rather than the traditional exam paper.
Re: any sparkys on here
Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 4:49 pm
by pvr
I do all the wiring and circuits myself in my place and outbuildings, but to Dutch standards (so no ring main concepts etc).
At least if a light bulb goes in my place, it does not trigger the entire circuit and I am not left in the dark like in my previous place. Drove me mad ...
Re: any sparkys on here
Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 4:58 pm
by X5Sport
[quote="pvr"]
At least if a light bulb goes in my place, it does not trigger the entire circuit and I am not left in the dark like in my previous place. Drove me mad ...
[/quote]
It does me too....... >:(
Re: any sparkys on here
Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 5:05 pm
by pvr
Who designed that method though? I can't believe anyone can think that it is a good or clever way of wiring.
I think the entire electrical design still goes back to when copper was expensive and you have to use the least amount of wiring to enable the highest currency by doing a ring main. Surely that can be superseded now in a method that is used in all other countries ....
Re: any sparkys on here
Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 5:38 pm
by shadrack
[quote="psychosis"]
Did mine a while ago. To be honest it just tests your ability to read and understand the regulations. Exam itself is easy enough. Being the age I am the strangest thing was doing the exam on a computer rather than the traditional exam paper.
[/quote]
do you know what the % is for a pass? ive not done the course just booked exam only as ive worked to 16th then 17th for 10 years and you take all the answers in with you anyway! just finding the buggers in the regs book! is it mulitchoice? thanks
any sparkys on here
Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2012 6:07 pm
by psychosis
Sorry missed this but replied to your PM's. Pass mark I think is about 60% which is quite frightening. It's a multiple choice and the book is in front of you.
Re: any sparkys on here
Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 9:25 am
by shadrack
All done and passed
Re: any sparkys on here
Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:09 am
by pvr
Well done.
Now - what was the grade? >:D
Re: any sparkys on here
Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 11:49 am
by shadrack
It had I think 8 sections 100% in first 3, 1 66%, 1 at 75% last 3 at 100%, remember though self taught and saved £440 by doing so, over all mark pass!
Oh and as for your meathod of wiring, I and many other sparkys can see the logic, I did a job in that way bout 5 years ago, problem is to rcd protect everything to meet regs the fuse board needs to have all rcbo's in which takes the cost from around £70 to £500, it will also require slighly more time and cable, but it does seem pretty logical to me, with the 17th edition style fuse board now you don't loose the whole house just half at a go and if circuits are correctly installed you would loose say downstairs lights but keep on downstairs socket etc to minimise the hassle caused by a fault.
Re: any sparkys on here
Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 12:05 pm
by pvr
Yes, I have a massive fuse board
Was not worried about the small increase in cost compared to the irritations.
Same approach done with plumbing, so no frying / freezing in the shower when someone flushes the loo somewhere
Bit of extra copper piping and convince a plumber that yes, I really want to that, and I was happy
Well done on the course though.