Quite. However, given that the real world includes a lot of people who are less competent than they think they are, whatever we can de-skill is a benefit. My mention of screwless terminals was in response to BAS' comment about poorly designed terminals.
Sponsored Links
Yes, I understand the reason you commented and, as I said, there would be a reasonable argument for doing it (give or take my "IF..."!).
The problem as I see it is that there is a definite limit to how many of the tasks required of an electrician can be appreciably 'de-skilled', so even if one 'de-skills' what one can, that still leaves a lot of skills which might be lacking. It can also 'get worse'. For example, I don't know if you watch "Air Crash Investigation" TV programmes but, if you do, you will know that a frequently-voiced concern is that there has been such a degree of automation ('de-skilling') built into modern aircraft that most commercial pilots, particularly younger ones, now have very limited experience of "actually flying an aircraft" (manually) which leaves them in a far less-prepared position than earlier generations of pilots if/when the automation doesn't do quite what it says on the box!
Needless to say, I'm not in favour of restricting DIY electrical work, but I do think there is a case for much greater degree of (i.e. some!) regulation of people who describe themselves as 'electricians' and do paid electrical work for the public. I'm not talking about excessive or draconian regulation [indeed, not anything which would trouble any of the (many) competent electricians around] but at least some control over the competence of people who offer their paid services as electricians.
Kind Regards, John
The recent happenings clearly demonstrate that the reverse is the case.
K
kai
The dead obvious answer is to resurrect Dual Screw Terminals in the connections, just like in the bygone era of Wylex Standard Range boards. Simple.
Wylex have just re-launched a stand-alone isolator with Dual Screw Terminals for the meter tails. Ideally it should be extended to their consumer boards too.
Wylex have just re-launched a stand-alone isolator with Dual Screw Terminals for the meter tails. Ideally it should be extended to their consumer boards too.
Sponsored Links
Here is another instance of ESF not flattening their redactions. I didn't even do anything this time, just opened the damn thing in Preview on my mac.
You must have been able to identify them all anyway, they are all common!
K
kai
Numbers One (MK), Three (Wylex NN), and Six (Crabtree/New Wylex) were the most common.
Well 1, 3, 4 & 6 yes. 2 could have been one of a few, and number 5, still don't know who that is. Hager was super obvious, but we fit a lot of Hager.
It's the principle though!
Many of us have made similar comments (but maybe somewhat larger terminals and screws than Wylex used to use) - redundancy is always a good idea (unless it breeds complacency). I think it's always been quite common in 'heavier' switchgear. However, even when Wylex did it, they were (AFAIAA) the only manufacturer who did, so it would be a lot more than mere 'resurrecting'.
Maybe IR imaging of CUs/DBs (and other things) as a requirement of testing will be with us one day. That, in itself, won't make the terminations any better in the first place, but it may help to identify the dodgy ones, which could then be rectified.
Kind Regards, John
Crabtree did it for a while on their oldish boards, as did MK.
The reduction of notifiable work.
Last edited:
And MEM.
But that's not really anything to do with what I was talking about. I wasn't talking about regulation of electrical work, per se, but, rather, regulation of those who offer undertake electrical work for customers in return for payment. I wrote ....
In other words, I feel that (as in so many trades and professions) a person should probably only be able to offer paid electrical services to the public if they are 'registered' in some fashion, and that registration should require some 'serious' qualifications and/or other evidence of competence. Indeed, in many trades and professions, one not only has to satisfy the requirements for initial registration but also has to undergo some sort of periodic 'reassessment' every few years.JohnW2 said:
Kind Regards, John
DIYnot Local
Staff member
If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.
Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.
Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local
Sponsored Links
