inspection testing tips

[darren bergin]

Just starting out in inspection testing can anybody offer any useful hints and tips... leads to make up make the job esassier etc etc
thanks

 

[TopTrumper]

dont blow yourself up

 

[RobFurn]

You will defenately need a wander lead for testing bonding. And a proving unit and of course a 16th edition tester unless you prefer singles.

 

[dingbat]

Just starting out in inspection testing can anybody offer any useful hints and tips...

Yes. Never stop learning.

Keep reading GN3 until you can recite whole chunks of it. Do the same with the regs... get a copy of the 17th Edition as soon as published and do it yet again.

Read Paul Cook's "Commentary on the Wiring Regulations" cover to cover.

If you haven't passed the C & G 2391 then do it. Now.

Get yourself some proper insurance cover (PII)

And, most importantly, question every piece of advice you receive and don't act on it until you thoroughly understand it - take nothing at face value (including this post) especially any input from clients; carry out your inspections impartially.

Oh and - very important commercially - get paid before you hand over 'Unsatisfactory' reports!

 

[CallEdsFirst]

If you haven't passed the C & G 2391 then do it. Now.

Right this instant!

Oh and - very important commercially - get paid before you hand over 'Unsatisfactory' reports!

That is actually really good advice. Nobody likes paying for a fail! Used to hate calling contractors to tell them that their meter in for calibration was dead but that will be £35 carriage please! Funny how that invoice always got disputed!

 

[viewer]

Make certain you make notes as you go along - not just those required for the report - it helps you later on. Try and have a first meeting to explain what you're doing and a final meeting if possible. At this you can explain issues and answer questions. It avoids people feeling that that have paid you for costing them even more expense.
HTH

 

[darren bergin]

thanks
just to clarify
experienced + qualified
but not that much hands on experience on the testing side
i have read books--- lots of them
yes i do have 2391
yes multifunctional megger mft
yes ppi
about to apply to one of the body's
jus wanted some tips and any handy shortcuts to help me on my way
thanks

 

[darren bergin]

any more tips off the wisest
or is everyone witholding info for the inexperienceds amongst us ??

 

[ricicle]

If you have the 2391 then you should have pretty much most of the technical building blocks to help you on your way.
Perhaps do a few trial runs as favours for family and friends to get you familiar with procedures.
As you gain experience you will become more 'au fait' with what you are looking at/for and so be able to carry out PIRs more efficiently.

 

[Paul Barker]

I haven't got the formula right yet. I find that everything you go to test is in such a bad way you are laying yourself open to being asked to put it right. You might have just managed to squezze a days testing (which in itslef can grow to 2 days) into your hektick schedule, but you certainly can't manage the ripping out of kitchens to put in a ring with satisfactory IR results, take the house apart to find the stop cock ect etc.

I've gone off the whole thing big time and try to avoid IT at all cost. I just IT my own work, it's a lot simpler.

The problems are compounded by the fact that some complete idiots are doing it far too cheap to compete with whome you couldn't do a safe job.