To go testing..

[ChrisR]

I'm a corgi. I'm going to have to do a course and buy the kit for Part P, which is not really cost-effective for the number of installations I do.

I do Landlords Gas Safety certs, and am getting asked if I can "Do the electrical". Usually it's for councils, housing assocn, etc.
After the Part P stuff , is this "just" a matter of doing a 1 week course on testing ?

And would it make me theoretically qualified, but floundering on the first average botch job I come across?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

After the Part P stuff , is this "just" a matter of doing a 1 week course on testing ?

1) You don't need to be a registered installer in order to carry out testing.

2) If you do want to be a registered installer, you'll need to demonstrate competence at testing anyway, and a good understanding of what's going on, i.e. why you are seeing the readings, what they mean, what it would mean if... etc.

Some schemes require formal testing qualifications, others don't, but all of them need more than just testing ability to join. See these for details of some of them:

http://www.napit.org.uk/html/membership_requirements.html

http://www.eca.co.uk/files/et/ECA_Part P Qualified Supervisor Qualifications.pdf

http://www.niceic.org.uk/partp/partprequire.html

http://www.bsi-global.com/Electrica...lectricalInstallationWorkInformationSheet.pdf

http://www.elecsa.org.uk/Reqs_Costs.asp

And would it make me theoretically qualified, but floundering on the first average botch job I come across

Yes and probably...

 

[ChrisR]

Thanks bas.
I feel I'm missing something here. I'm like, old, now.
When I was young keen and stupid I wired new flat conversions etc, a milking parlour and irrigation set in a farm once (3ph).

I've got/can get the books, so when I read:
(NICEIC)"If you are currently an experienced installer and you undertake a wide range of electrical installation work (for example, you do 'new builds' or rewires) you should attend the 4 day training course and then undergo the full scheme (Level A) assessment. "

It looks like I can do all "domestic" in a week. Level B&C are defined scopes, Adding a circuit and Altering a circuit, but

I can't find what Level A means exactly - could I eg change CU's?
Surely not!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Level A is full scope - rewires, new CU, new builds, the works.

That course you mention is for experienced people without formal qualifications. Whether it's any good or not, and how much you have to know before you go in it, who knows, but it doesn't appear to be aimed at numpties.

Don't forget - NICEIC are only in this for the money.

 

[ChrisR]

Yeah all right, I do remember you saying:
"how to work to plumbers' standards, not electricians' ones that he would naturally find impossibly high..."

Probably am a numpty but that farm's still working and I've done quizzes before - electronics bsc wasn't the last one.

Sounds good, I'd better get some advice from a college or two. Thanks for your help bas.

 

[baldelectrician]

chrisr

i would stick to your own job, as you will be good at it

that's why i don't do plumbing, only maybe replace an existing shower with a bit of kicking and screaming.

begs the question when customers ask - what if ....

if the question is your trade you will be able to answer it, you may be caught short if it's not your trade.

the job will also take you longer- time that could be spent earning more efficiently.