Professional Electrician Magazine

[sparkwright]

Why is it in PE magazine so many of the people featured turn out either rubbish work or look like they haven't got a clue?

All too often the pros are shown carrying out bad practices, such as cutting wires too short.

And I'm NOT talking about the Caught on Camera section.

In the May 2015 issue, page 45, we see some bloke replacing a consumer unit. Although it would appear the consumers tails haven't been connected to the meter, he's using an uninsulated screwdriver.

In the same picture, if you look closely, there must be a temporary supply - consisting of a length of 2.5 mm2 twin and earth connected directly to the meter.

Hardly a textbook example of a good picture, is it?

Turn to page 46. The latest Wylex RCBOs. I'm really sticking my neck out here. I could be completely wrong. But are the red and black the wrong way in the RCBO?

 

[securespark]

Have not got sight of this copy I'm afraid.

 

[sparkwright]

I expect someone clever could help me and get some images up...

 

[333rocky333]

Most is online

http://professional-electrician.com/category/features/

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

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• PrenticeBoyofDerry
• 30 May 2015
• 1

Untitled

• PrenticeBoyofDerry
• 30 May 2015
• 1

Not sure if these are the images you are looking at in May 2015 edition, as I have not had the pleasure. But are from the PE website, as you can see the use of uninsulated screwdrivers, but wylex RCBO looks correct to me,

 

[ericmark]

There is a gap between real life and theoretical life and your question seems to be should the media show how it's really done or how it should be done.

Be it Jeremy Clarkson driving a car non stop for 24 hours on BBC TV or using non insulated screw drivers.

Although made I have never been issued with insulated Allen keys or 17 mm spanners and since we should not work live the question is are they required?

The HSE are very plain that before working on a panel it should be isolated elsewhere. I realise this would mean drawing the DNO fuse with many domestic premises where the DNO isolator is omitted so in the real world we don't do that but it's hard to criticise a working practice which if ALL the rules are obeyed would be safe.

 

[sparkwright]

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• PrenticeBoyofDerry
• 30 May 2015
• 1

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• PrenticeBoyofDerry
• 30 May 2015
• 1

Not sure if these are the images you are looking at in May 2015 edition, as I have not had the pleasure. But are from the PE website, as you can see the use of uninsulated screwdrivers, but wylex RCBO looks correct to me,[/quote

The bottom picture is the RCBO picture I refer to.

This particular picture was used in earlier edition as well as the May issue.

That is the current Wylex RCBO. The earlier Wylex ones appear to have their L and N terminals reversed, if Google is anything to go by.

 

[sparkwright]

Now I could be very wrong about this, but is the terminal with screwdriver in it the 'deep' terminal which is the 'back' terminal?

Usually the bottom terminal does the 'back' terminal; the one where the wire has to drop deep down to the bottom.

The screwdriver looks like it goes in a way. The bottom terminal is marked L, and a black wire goes in the 'back' terminal.

I could be talking rubbish of course.

 

[GarethW]

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• GarethW
• 30 May 2015
• 1

Yep, L & N the wrong why around

 

[sparkwright]

Thought so. Maybe Michael Cash wants to take a 'closer' look.

 

[JohnW2]

Now I could be very wrong about this, but is the terminal with screwdriver in it the 'deep' terminal which is the 'back' terminal? ... Usually the bottom terminal does the 'back' terminal; the one where the wire has to drop deep down to the bottom.

I don't know about "usually" - it surely always has got to be like that, doesn't it? - otherwise a screwdriver put into the top hole would have to go through the front conductor to get to the back terminal, wouldn't it?!

The screwdriver looks like it goes in a way. The bottom terminal is marked L, and a black wire goes in the 'back' terminal.

As above, I certainly agree that the bottom screwdriver hole corresponds to the black conductor - but I cannot confidently convince myself of the "L" marking in the photo.
Edit: new piccie obviously clinches it - as everyone is saying, definitely reversed polarity!

Kind Regards, John

 

[RF Lighting]

It's 100% reverse polarity. There's something wrong every month it that magazine. As long as it's stuffed with adverts they don't seem to care about the content.

 

[JohnW2]

It's 100% reverse polarity. There's something wrong every month it that magazine. As long as it's stuffed with adverts they don't seem to care about the content.

That sadly seems to be true of many 'trade magazines' - they seem to exist only as a platform for adverts, with so-called 'articles' seemingly just there as 'fillers' between the adverts, and with little concern about their accuracy.

Kind Regards, John

 

[sparkwright]

I agree with the last two comments.

i like the magazine, but there can be some total nonsense in it.

I can't get excited about buying new snips or screwdrivers every month.

And I don't want the workwear advertised by that unshaven chap.

I see each photo in the excellent Caught on Camera section now gets commented on by an 'inspector' who I don't think really knows what he's talking about half the time.

 

[securespark]

I can't get excited about buying new snips or screwdrivers every month.

Phwoar!! Tool Porn!

I see each photo in the excellent Caught on Camera section now gets commented on by an 'inspector' who I don't think really knows what he's talking about half the time.

And make themselves look right tits in the process.

Like the one commenting on the intake under the sink which he gave a code 1 for.....