Electrician training

[reb78]

I'm a farm vet by trade, but i have been looking lately at doing some other things with life.

The potential has come up recently to buy a place with some holiday cottages to turn into a business. I do most/nearly all of my own building and DIY, but I'm aware that there are regulations when it comes to electrics and gas that need to be adhered to.

If i were to look at training to get the relevant qualifications to do my own electrical work, what should i be looking for in terms of courses, certificates, levels to achieve etc?

Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks

 

[dobbslc]

It's probably a 3 year part time course to do a modern apprenticeship nowadays. You will really also need some on site practical experience to be able to go about it properly. Any work you do will obviously then need to be tested and certificated.
To do it right is not as easy as you might think.
Maybe less hassle to do the basic wiring yourself then see if you can find someone to terminate and test for you.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

To be classed as competent in the eyes of the law the minimum you need is City and Guilds 2382-15 which can be done in a 3 day course with a pass/fail* open book exam at the end.
You can do the course online or though a local college, you will need a copy of the yellow book.

https://electropassltd.co.uk/index....AILjDBGG5x8fTRuLidFcnJ8wLylvNEks3MaAvSN8P8HAQ
Just one provider picked at random.

*I'm not an electrician but a telecoms engineer and I got 99% in the exam!

 

[Robotstar5]

You can become an "Electrician" in 3 weeks! example wish I'd known about that before I did a 4 year apprenticeship. The time/cost of becoming a Sparky are probably not worth it just to cover running some holiday cottages. Some interweb research will give you the basics and find a decent local sparky when you need one. If you're determined to learn I've got copies of the current C&G course books if you want them.

 

[Kayos]

Learn to be a sparky?

1. Don't sweep up
2. Complain about working hard despite only having to carry a screwdriver
3. Make sure to tell everyone how awesome and qualified you are (usually after the plumber explains for the millionth time how to wire a 3 port valve)

Of course I'm joking, it must be difficult really

 

[brightspark]

I wouldn't let a novice loose for at least 2 years supervision having just done his 3 week wonder coarse they haven't a clue. just wave a piece of paper and your qualified

 

[dobbslc]

I wouldn't bother.
I've just found out that the "push fit plumber" on my firm that's not even qualified is on 6K more than me!
Makes me wonder why I bothered.

 

[sparkysy]

That always gets me, how plumbers manage to get higher rate than us sparks! I do wonder the same thing some days!
Other thing that gets me is people! Quote from customer who rents out flats.( I do a bit of plumbing and electric but I won't touch gas as it's dangerous) mmm not as dangerous as something you can't see or smell and the only time you hear it is when it's too late and you've let all the magic smoke out!!

 

[dobbslc]

I was going to go into the argument of what's the worst a leaking pipe can do compared to bad wiring but I can't be arsed anymore.
Pub tonight = skinful = bad mood when I'm in the office tomorrow = could be after a new job.
CV's just been updated.

 

[brightspark]

on the subject of someone doing there own wiring and your friendly electrician comes along tests it and has to put his name on it would u realy want to . if I had to id want to take 10 percent of the light fittings switches and sockets off to check the quality and want to see the 1st fix before its covered up . most people are under the impression u just come along a quick look over so called sign it off and away u go and dish the cert out

 

[dobbslc]

Maybe less hassle to do the basic wiring yourself then see if you can find someone to terminate and test for you.
That's why I put "see if" you can find someone to test it.
I personally hate testing others people's work in house's as you just can't see most of it.
To the OP please have a go and find a course, it's interesting but can be hard work with all the formulas and calcs, it was for me anyway.
I'm having a moan up due to all the part P / kitchen fitter type lash ups I've seen and the imported "elextrixians" on site these days....

 

[brightspark]

kitchen fitters went to replace 6 downlighters from previous kitchen fit . no earths at lights all cut out and the neutral was switched leaving permanent live at the lights when turned off and back feeding through the bulbs

 

[dobbslc]

Fark!

 

[BrokenBiker]

kitchen fitters went to replace 6 downlighters from previous kitchen fit . no earths at lights all cut out and the neutral was switched leaving permanent live at the lights when turned off and back feeding through the bulbs

yeah, i had similar job on just before i stoped doing domestic work, except the chimp that had done the instal had used speaker wire...no earth's, no sheathing to mark live conductor and most of the insulation was melted...owner turned main switch off after smelling plastic burning and lights were flickering...best bit, it was on a 40A MCB, no RCD and the switch was in a non earthed metal back box

 

[sparkysy]

on the subject of someone doing there own wiring and your friendly electrician comes along tests it and has to put his name on it would u realy want to . if I had to id want to take 10 percent of the light fittings switches and sockets off to check the quality and want to see the 1st fix before its covered up . most people are under the impression u just come along a quick look over so called sign it off and away u go and dish the cert out

And nowadays how happy would the likes of Elecsa nic or Stroma be with you doing that. I won't do it simple as! If you want a proper job get a proper spark to do it. If you want it cheap then labour for me and save there and learn something as well!

 

[brightspark]

And nowadays how happy would the likes of Elecsa nic or Stroma be with you doing that. I won't do it simple as! If you want a proper job get a proper spark to do it. If you want it cheap then labour for me and save there and learn something as well!

they were supposed to be setting it up where certain members could test other peoples work but in reality it hasn't happened

 

[reb78]

Seems like I opened a can of worms. I only wanted to learn!

 

[brightspark]

Seems like I opened a can of worms. I only wanted to learn!

not a problem with that go for it its only when kitchen fitters ect suddenly become instant electricians after 3 weeks training and do a bit of wiring on a board and they put a few simple faults on that a monkey could find

 

[sparkysy]

^^^^^totally agree if you want to learn go for it! I love being a sparky it's great get to work in some amazing places! And yes just because you can pass the course doesn't mean you are an electrician that is just the start of a great adventure with many different paths! Good luck
Sy

 

[MattH]

Haha. Bring in Part P to stop any Tom Dick or Harry doing electrical work and then bring in a 3 day course so anyone can do the work.