ADVICE - Qualifications to TEST house wiring ?

[bilabonic]

Hi All

I've been an industrial spark/Engineer for 25 years, i have wired many properties over the years to the old 17th Ed Regs..

I am aware of the new 18th Ed and am awaiting a copy (inc amendments).

What what be the quickest or easiest course so i can issue EICR's ?

The last time i used Zs was in my apprenticeship....and it it never used when dealing with PLC's, Device net, 415v/3.3Kv/11Kv... So hardly anything is hard wired..

Any advice much appreciated, i have tried through my company and can get ANY fluke meter, BUT if another is easier than i am willing to pay.

Look forward to your replies.

Cheers

 

[EFLImpudence]

You don't actually need any course or qualifications to carry out EICRs. Such is the electrical trade in Britain.

The only thing really necessary for EICRs is many years of experience, but most don't bother with that either.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Personally, I would exxpect that you should have City and Guilds qualifications in Installation 2394 and Inspection & Testing 2395.
That will teach you how to test an intial installation, and how to test and report on an existing one.
As EFLI has said, plus some years of experience so you know what you are looking at and what to expect/look out for.

You won't get any of that by reading a regs book.

 

[bilabonic]

Cheers guy's, Fault Finding on a MASSIVE scale is my area...

BUT i would not know where to start with regards Household testing...I understand there is no FORMAL qualification needed.

Are C&G still going, if so what course ? I presumed NVQ's have superseded them ? (i am a level 3 NVQ assessor as part of my job/apprentices).

I'm 'aware' of the process...BUT want something formal..

Thanks for advice.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Are C&G still going, if so what course ?

I did tell you that

City and Guilds qualifications in Installation 2394 and Inspection & Testing 2395.

i would not know where to start with regards Household testing.

And that's a large part of the issue. Testing an installation that is in its virgin state, after a few years is easy peasy.
But take a 40 year old house that has had two generations of DIYers, kitchen fitters, plumbers and electricians messing around and you need to know your onions. You get that by experience "on the tools"..

 

[JohnW2]

Are C&G still going, if so what course ? I presumed NVQ's have superseded them ?

The C&G courses/qualifications which TTC mentioned are the current relevant ones. They have not been superseded by anything.

Kind Regards, John

 

[EFLImpudence]

What what be the quickest or easiest course so i can issue EICR's ?

Is it your intention to only do EICRs?

If so, then by your own admission, you should not.

If not, and it is just an addition to normal house bashing, then I would advise you to not bother with EICRs until you have the necessary experience.



Ther are many instances on forums of people asking "I'm doing an EICR and have come across XYZ, what code is this?".
The answer is "It's up to you".
Clearly these people should not be carrying out EICRs.

Also, a lot of letting agents want an EICR for forty quid. What they really, and only, want is a signature on a piece of paper from someone who they can blame if anything goes wrong.

 

[Risteard]

I am aware of the new 18th Ed and am awaiting a copy (inc amendments).

It hasn't even been published yet, let alone amended.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

The first amendment won't be long after.

 

[chivers67]

18th is Due to go live July this year I believe.

 

[JohnW2]

It hasn't even been published yet, let alone amended.

Indeed. Amendments usually come about 2 years apart - the required consultation process (and consequential actions) alone takes a few months.

Kind Regards, John

 

[muffking]

Location permitting, there's an EAL course on Inspection & Testing starts in April http://vimartechtraining.co.uk/course-dates-and-times/

 

[JohnW2]

18th is Due to go live July this year I believe.

The best 'pre-order price I can find at present is £85.50, but that might change. In recent times, TLC have been one of the cheapest sources, but they are not yet listing it.

It will apparently be light blue (if so, 'BBB' or 'BLBB', I wonder ).

Kind Regards, John

 

[chivers67]

I'm hoping to get mine for free through my Company.

 

[securespark]

It will apparently be light blue

That's odd. Since the 15th, they have always followed a colour sequence AFAIR.

The first copy of the 15th was red, the first 16th was red and the first 17th was red.

The sequence is Red, Green, Yellow, Blue and Brown.