Learning electrics

[jackecole]

Hi

I would like to learn electrics and possibly do a college course to learn more. I only know some basics at the moment as such as radial and ring circuits, wiring a plug, ceiling roses, spurs etc. Is there any good way I can start to learn more such as books, courses I can go on, etc?

Thanks for any advice offered

 

[ColJack]

wiring and electrics are two different things..
do you just want to learn how to wire a house or do you want a more in depth understanding?

there's a lot of maths in the theory that your every day average house basher will probably never use such as vector sums and reactive and capacitive inductances and so on..

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

You need to contact your local colleges/learning centers.
There are a number different routes in to becoming technically qualified.
The best tutorial books are by Trevor Linsley these usually coinside with the course work for the fundemental knowledge.
The current city & guilds course that will be suitable to you is likely to be level 2 2330, this can be done part-time two evenings a week or one day a week, but this changing to C&G 2357, so all the publication will be going through an update.

http://www.electricalqualifications.co.uk/cityandguilds2357.php

The books you will find most important during you studies are
The OSG
http://www.amazon.co.uk/IEE--site-G...8546/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1293717525&sr=8-1
The Requirements
http://www.amazon.co.uk/IEE-Wiring-...8449/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1293717525&sr=8-6
Building Regs
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Electrician...8627/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1293717525&sr=8-7

Inspection and Testing
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Practical-I...607X/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1293717525&sr=8-8
to name a few.

Also to help you with some of the calculations and formulas
this series of books will help
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Electrical-...=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1293717836&sr=1-4

 

[jackecole]

Thanks for your replies

I want to be able to fix domestic wiring/electrical faults and possibly be able to be able to issue electrical safety certificates?
Electrical fault finding of circuits/componenets interests me.

There seem to be a lot of courses available and all different!

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

To be able to sign off work and issue EIC (electrical installation cert)
You will need to progress to a standard that will allow you to become a member of a competent person scheme
http://www.competentperson.co.uk/
This will involve progression from 2330/2357 C&G to taking your 2380 [17th Edition Wiring Regulations exams)
Then you may also need 2391 or 2392, which involves inspection and testing. Some scheme providers ask for these and some don't, one or two of them will allow you a probation period without the 2391/2392 but expect you to gain that qualification within a certain time period.

 

[jackecole]

Ok thanks for all of your help

So to start with, the best course for me would be City & Guilds Level 2? 1 year 2 evenings a week?

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

As it seems the 2357 course is a level 3 course
and the 2330 Level 2 course is not as yet being replaced.

2330 Level 2 two evenings a week, would be your best starting point if you are currently working full-time during the day or evenings are more suitable.
You don't need to be in the trade at this point, but it is advisable.
As the following level 3 now seems to be an NVQ, I expect that when you reach that level, you may need to submit vocational work evidence.

 

[jackecole]

thanks again

what does the LEVEL 2 cover roughly?

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Roughly!
Were do we start?
You will cover the following.
Working effectively and safely
Health and Safety applications
Principles of Elecrotechnology
Installations of building and structures
Lighting
The above covers quite a lot, from formulas, to electrical measuring, motors, cable calcs it is a long list.
If wiil try find a link to the course work.

 

[jackecole]

thanks for the list! so it covers ring mains etc and spurs etc?

does it involve any practical work/learning?

 

[ericmark]

If you want to buy the books consider becoming a student member of the IET as when a member you can get books cheaper plus you get all the technical publications that are posted to members.

I will agree many of my E&T remain unopened not really interested in "The real History of Tractors in Ukrainian" but there are also some good articles as well.

As to the maths yes we are taught imaginary numbers which is A2 maths before taught at school and we are told it is really important to work out power factor correction. But in 45 years in the trade I have never use J at work.

The PDA with excel has in real terms mean that most the maths can be auto done for us. However we still need to understand how things effect each other even if we don't need to remember the formula.

There is however no short cut. The learning curve is steep and hard and unless you are prepared to work then don't aim for being an electrician. Many failed electricians become plumbers.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

You will cover
Ring Final Circuits, Radials and Spurs.
There will be some practical work in your first year but it will be mainly therory in the second year.
Even though, as it stood up until last year, you did have an eight hour installation to do as part of an exam in the second year.

 

[jackecole]

how do failed electricians become plumbers - why do you say that? different ball game isn';t it??

 

[planemad]

Take a look here for the modules of the 2330, we use this as a revision guide and from this you can gauge how the course is structured.

http://www.swindon-massive.co.uk/electrical/revision/2360pt1/assessment_choices.html

I'm currently on the 2330 L2 and L3 programme (just finished L2).

I will be suplementing my 2330 with 17th and 2391.

This seems to be the preferred route but I believe that the new qualification due soon are requiring candidates to work in the field already.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

how do failed electricians become plumbers - why do you say that? different ball game isn';t it??

I would take that with a pinch of salt.
But at the end of the day, if you chose to be an electrician you will need to stick hard at the learning process, it can be hard, stressful and sometimes boring, there is a lot to learn, at what seems to be in a very little time.
The most important thing is that you want to be an electricain because your interested and have a passion to learn about it. The skill will come with the hard work you put in.