Thermostat cut-out with a twist

[JohnW2]

The same applies with co-workers, some better than me, and some you do wonder how they passed their exams. ... I remember watching some pipe fitters, working for GEC Large Steam Turbines, working out how to grind 36" pipes so when on the crane they fitted first time. A skill I simply don't have. Then watched another pipe fitted installing a 10 mm pipe on tray work, and thinking oh dear, I am sure he will get the sack.

Indeed, but it's not really 'different', since one man's co-worker is another man's (customer's) tradesman.

However, exams and skills are often/usually two different things, since, in many walks of life, the 'exams' are purely theoretical/'academic and do not test skills (or even 'common sense'!). I would like to think that in relation to a good few trades I have at least as much 'knowledge' (of 'theory', regs etc.) as many/most 'pros' in the filed - but where I am undoubtedly often very deficient is in relation to ('practical') 'skills' - which can often only be acquired during long periods of practical experience.

 

[ericmark]

Indeed, but it's not really 'different', since one man's co-worker is another man's (customer's) tradesman.

However, exams and skills are often/usually two different things, since, in many walks of life, the 'exams' are purely theoretical/'academic and do not test skills (or even 'common sense'!). I would like to think that in relation to a good few trades I have at least as much 'knowledge' (of 'theory', regs etc.) as many/most 'pros' in the filed - but where I am undoubtedly often very deficient is in relation to ('practical') 'skills' - which can often only be acquired during long periods of practical experience.

I often wonder why I had to lean Thevenin’s theorem, don't think I have ever used it at work. But an electrician covers such a huge range and if one has been trained with blinkers on, it is so easy to find one's self out of one's depth. It happened to me in 1980, I moved to a new job in Algeria which required a rather steep learning curve.

The other was around 2000, when I was confronted with PLC control systems. And inverter motor controls.

When I moved into this house, I had PLC's left over from other jobs, and I considered using them. But I thought if my wife survives me, who could fix them? My son could, but not the run-of-the-mill domestic electrician, not even sure they could fix a fault with the off the shelf smart stuff I have in my house.

My son when he started was proud of his house bashing skills, but once he has a taste of industrial electrics with the remuneration he was getting, there was no way he was going to return to house bashing, and this is the problem, keeping good electricians working on domestic when moving over to industrial they are at least doubling their wages.

However, had I stayed with domestic, unlikely my hand would have been recycled. I am an integral part of Heathrow T5.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I often wonder why I had to lean Thevenin’s theorem, don't think I have ever used it at work.

I've sat through it a few times, as well as a few times having made good use of it. Sometimes, without the background, you just don't know, what you don't know.

 

[JohnW2]

I often wonder why I had to lean Thevenin’s theorem ...

It's always struck me as being somewhat of a 'statement of the obvious', given that any network, no matter how complex, can be regarded as a 2-terminal 'black box'.

When I moved into this house, I had PLC's left over from other jobs, and I considered using them. But I thought if my wife survives me, who could fix them? My son could, but not the run-of-the-mill domestic electrician, not even sure they could fix a fault with the off the shelf smart stuff I have in my house.

That is indeed an issue, and one which bernard and myself, and probably many others, have. I have documented things as well as I can, but I still doubt that (m)any 'third parties' would want to try to work on some of the (many) 'unconventional' things in my house. However, for better or worse, I have taken the somewhat selfish attitude that that is (will be) "someone else's problem"

 

[ericmark]

My problem is that someone else, may be my wife, so don't want to install anything which may be more than a local electrician can repair.

 

[JohnW2]

My problem is that someone else, may be my wife, so don't want to install anything which may be more than a local electrician can repair.

Yes, I understand that -which is why I said my approach is a bit selfish. Mind you, in reality, I'm pretty sure that my wife would not attempt to organise any necessary repairs but, rather, would probably turn to our offspring (and/or their partners/spouses) for assistance!

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

My problem is that someone else, may be my wife, so don't want to install anything which may be more than a local electrician can repair.

That would be extremely limiting, in the case of most local electricians! I try to teach Av, how to at least operate the basics in the house, like the heating system and when things do fail, try to involve her in diagnosing, and fixing the problems.

 

[ericmark]

would probably turn to our offspring

Yes, he has a better degree as myself, and also an electrical engineer, who works with SCADA and PLC's all the time.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

When I moved into this house, I had PLC's left over from other jobs, and I considered using them. But I thought if my wife survives me, who could fix them? My son could, but not the run-of-the-mill domestic electrician, not even sure they could fix a fault with the off the shelf smart stuff I have in my house.

Likewise, I had a few PLC's stashed away, on a shelf, the knowledge, and briefly considered employing them in the house. The only useful purpose I could think of for them, was to run the heating system, but I had already designed a much more capable custom unit for that, so it seemed a bit of a pointless exercise.

What did you have in mind, to use them for?

 

[ericmark]

Same as you, central heating system. But decided units designed for the job were a better option, as it turned out, wrong, Nest Gen 3 was a failure, had to add Drayton Wiser I still have a relay box, so I can select which pump runs with the boiler.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Same as you, central heating system. But decided units designed for the job were a better option, as it turned out, wrong, Nest Gen 3 was a failure, had to add Drayton Wiser I still have a relay box, so I can select which pump runs with the boiler.

I also had in mind, something like Alexa, but controlled from the PC, then along came the much more capable Alexa.

 

[ericmark]

I also had in mind, something like Alexa, but controlled from the PC, then along came the much more capable Alexa.

I use Google Nest mini's, sometimes they can behave like mysterious little boys, claiming the function has not been programmed in. Not sure I want to trust it with the heating? It seems to have found the heating, and hey google turn living room to 22°C will result in both the TRV heads and the wall thermostat all changing to 22°C even when all three are different makes. Manual control even using phones google home app, I have to set each device on its own. Lights can be grouped as to the room, but not heating. Only with voice commands are they grouped. But we have gone off subject somewhat, hope his thermostat is now OK.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I use Google Nest mini's, sometimes they can behave like mysterious little boys, claiming the function has not been programmed in.

Earlier this morning, I asked Alexa to turn the TV off, she responded with 'I cannot do that at the moment, please try later'. Perhaps she was watching something, on the TV

 

[JohnW2]

Yes, he has a better degree as myself, and also an electrical engineer, who works with SCADA and PLC's all the time.

None of my offspring or ther "other halves" have any relevant training, qualifications or experience, but all are used to bureaucracy and the practicalities of life, and I'm sure they would be able to eventually arrange for an 'unconventional' electrical installation to be repaired (or replaced).