Take the 17th or not ... ?

[Paulsad]

Hello chaps - after a bit of advice - I was a sparks back in the 70's (Mud, Showadywaddy, french flares, crombies, penny rounds etc etc boy did we all look like dicks!) then went into the print business to make my millions ... er well that didn't work out too well. I am now doing some odd jobbing professionally as a bit of an all rounder including electricals which of course over the years I've always done for myself, family & friends ... sorry to ramble but do you lads think It'd be worthwhile doing the 17th Edition exam? I am pretty well up to speed on current regs. - I don't think I'd be doing enough electrics to warrant joining a certifying body as money's too tight as it is!
Any advice appreciated.

 

[martinxxxxxx]

No point.

Unless there is something you are not telling us?

 

[Paulsad]

Cheers Martin, thought not - No nothin exciting, not murdered anyone although been tempted. Only thing I have realised is that when you've worked for yourself for 35 yrs and someone says it'll be hard going back to "cards in" - they are talking sense!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I don't think I'd be doing enough electrics to warrant joining a certifying body as money's too tight as it is!

How will you be competitive on price if the work is notifiable?

 

[BigJon]

If you have the finances to do it then I'd be tempted to do it, another string to your bow and all that.

 

[Paulsad]

Cheers for the feedback boys - I think I will go for it when finances allow.
- Back to college then!

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Paulsad,
If you are trying to sell your services as an electrician, I would think it wise to have completed the 17th eds exam successfully.
It maybe that you never need to produce evidence that you have the qualification, but I would consider it a must!

 

[333rocky333]

Many sites and companys now demand ECS cards to work on there premises and I was told if you dont have your 17th you cannot get a card that verifies your a maintenance electrician.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Cheers for the feedback boys - I think I will go for it when finances allow.

Is 'it' 2382, or registration with a Competent Person scheme?

 

[Paulsad]

Already got C&G's ABC, (1,2,3) so not a complete novice, and still very aware of safety or I wouldn't have survived the 70's where my oppos used to give you a small "belt" just for the hell of it (I'd imagine h&s would take a dim view of that nowadays!).

 

[ban-all-sheds]

So you did say you wouldn't register, you ducked the question about how you would be competitive on price for notifiable work and you ducked the question on whether "I think I will go for it when finances allow" meant you would register.

You plan to break the law, don't you.

 

[Chri5]

So you did say you wouldn't register, you ducked the question about how you would be competitive on price for notifiable work and you ducked the question on whether "I think I will go for it when finances allow" meant you would register.

You plan to break the law, don't you.

Ban, how have you notified all the work you have done at home?

That external junction box, the circuits in conduit, and all the other items I can't think to remember?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I think you'll find there's a bit of a difference between not notifying your own DIY and not notifying work you do on a professional basis for paying customers.

 

[MySparky]

I think you'll find there's a bit of a difference between not notifying your own DIY and not notifying work you do on a professional basis for paying customers.

Building control make no distinction between a sparky working on his own home and doing a job for a customer - if it's notifiable, it's notifiable. Electricians do move house the same as the rest of society so how will BC know what's in a particular house just because a sparky did it to his own house and then sold it?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I'm not talking about whether LABC draw a distinction.

The issue is one of professionalism, of professional standards, of duty of care.

People who are employed as professionals to provide a service should not break the law.