Help needed am2 exam coming

[Dardis84]

Hi all,

Just wondering if anybody has any infomation that could be helpful as i am taking my am2 in the next couple of months.

Many thanks

Simon

 

[MJPD29]

What part in particular are you needing help with?

 

[Dardis84]

I know most of it. Just wondering if anybody had any tips.

 

[Strima]

The AM2 and what to expect.pdf

 

[Dardis84]

Thats great thanks

 

[ThatCompexDude]

10000000% make sure you do the pre-AM2. Its basically 2 days of them giving you EVERYTHING you need to pass the AM2. I literally don't know why people don't do it...for an extra few quid they are giving you the info needed to pass. All the best with it bud.

 

[CableTies]

Things I can remember off the top of my head...

For installation - On the day you'll get given a folder called 'Candidate Guidance' - read it carefully as it spells out everything for you: what cables to use for which circuits, what protective devices to use, how to mount accessories etc. It is your bible, refer to it constantly. They don't try to trick you, only to ensure you can work safely and follow a specification.

For inspection and testing - they want to see you understand the process and will ask you to write out calculations on the back of your test schedule, so be familiar with your continuity of ring final circuit calcs, and also the motor thermal cutoff calcs. Add notes for how you know values are acceptable - ie max permissible Zs values checked for compliance against table A4 in GN3.

Fault finding can be tricky but you have diagrams to illustrate the circuits to be tested so break them down into sections and work along the circuit methodically. Unfortunately fault finding is one of those things that mostly benefits from experience but in principle you can just apply the same test procedures you used earlier and this should get you most of the way. You have to state the type of fault, exactly where the fault is on the circuit, and how you would fix it. Don't forget the final step for each fix is to retest to prove the fault is cleared and the circuit is compliant.

The grading system is similar to a driving test, with some minor errors being acceptable, but anything that could be interpreted as dangerous will be marked more severely, so pay extra attention to anything involving earthing and protective devices.

You'll have to do 2 sets of safe isolation, both of a whole installation and for individual circuits - and also a short online test which is very straightforward (open book, they provide all the reference materials).

That's a lot of words I just wrote... I'll add some more specifics if they come to mind.

Good luck, the time goes quickly!

 

[Dardis84]

Thanks this is very helpful

 

[Shane Mullan]

0 your leads. remember your bridge

 

[GE1971]

Hi Simon,

Not sure if you have sat your AM2 yet? If not I sat mine 2 weeks ago and luckily managed to pass 1st time. I have quite a bit of info on it if your interested (or anyone else).

Let me know and I either post or PM me and I will email you the info.

However the most stressful bits was the fault finding, there are 7 faults (you have to get 5). Mine were

1. RCBO keeps tripping. Ring Main - Short circuit between Neutral & Earth. You have to tell them between what two points, how you would rectify, and the tests you would perform to ensure the fix.

2. Light circuit not working - No continuity on neutral, again between what points, fix and test(s).

3. Motor not working - No continuity on neutral from CU to starter. Again fix and test(s).

4. Data fault short between pins 7 & 8. in your pack you will have the user guide to the test meter. This will show a list of all the faults the unit can detect with what lights up for each fault. Again fix and test(s).

5. Gas bonding - reading was 2.58 ohms. Not within the 0.05 ohms expected. Again fix and test(s).

6. 16A 3 phase socket had low IR reading, from socket back to isolator. Between all phases and Earth, also between All phases & neutral. Again fix and test(s).

7. CH not working although programmer calling for heat and room thermostat calling for heat. I had no continuity from Room thermostat L2 to pin 14 (i think) on DIN rail. Again fix and test(s).

Follow the spec in the pack and you should be ok. If during Test and Inspection you find any problems, you are allowed to fix.

Don't panic with the S plan. It is the easiest part of the install. Point to point and lots of it is pre-wired allow at least an hour. They do require you to use ferrules on the flex cables as easier to push into the DIN rail.

Good luck hope this helps.

 

[Simonslimline]

Remember to use the correct terminology when doing the fault finding.

Short circuit (between live conductors only)

Earth leakage fault. ( Line Earth/Neutral Earth)

High resistance Joint.

etc....

Good luck.

 

[Dardis84]

Thats great thanks. Please could you send the info over mate. That would help a lot. I havent sat mine yet as the place where i was to sit it the guys have left so got to wait now.

 

[Dardis84]

Hi mate please could you send it over to [email protected]

Hi Simon,

Not sure if you have sat your AM2 yet? If not I sat mine 2 weeks ago and luckily managed to pass 1st time. I have quite a bit of info on it if your interested (or anyone else).

Let me know and I either post or PM me and I will email you the info.

However the most stressful bits was the fault finding, there are 7 faults (you have to get 5). Mine were

1. RCBO keeps tripping. Ring Main - Short circuit between Neutral & Earth. You have to tell them between what two points, how you would rectify, and the tests you would perform to ensure the fix.

2. Light circuit not working - No continuity on neutral, again between what points, fix and test(s).

3. Motor not working - No continuity on neutral from CU to starter. Again fix and test(s).

4. Data fault short between pins 7 & 8. in your pack you will have the user guide to the test meter. This will show a list of all the faults the unit can detect with what lights up for each fault. Again fix and test(s).

5. Gas bonding - reading was 2.58 ohms. Not within the 0.05 ohms expected. Again fix and test(s).

6. 16A 3 phase socket had low IR reading, from socket back to isolator. Between all phases and Earth, also between All phases & neutral. Again fix and test(s).

7. CH not working although programmer calling for heat and room thermostat calling for heat. I had no continuity from Room thermostat L2 to pin 14 (i think) on DIN rail. Again fix and test(s).

Follow the spec in the pack and you should be ok. If during Test and Inspection you find any problems, you are allowed to fix.

Don't panic with the S plan. It is the easiest part of the install. Point to point and lots of it is pre-wired allow at least an hour. They do require you to use ferrules on the flex cables as easier to push into the DIN rail.

Good luck hope this helps.

 

[Shane Mullan]

Hi Simon,

Not sure if you have sat your AM2 yet? If not I sat mine 2 weeks ago and luckily managed to pass 1st time. I have quite a bit of info on it if your interested (or anyone else).

Let me know and I either post or PM me and I will email you the info.

GE1971, it isn't possible to PM you (privacy settings) however I'd be very interested in any more info. Thank you for your post

 

[GE1971]

Hi Shane,

If you send me your email I will forward what I have across to you. I have also changed my personal settings (I think).

 

[davetd]

Hi

I passed my AM2 last weekend and the biggest piece of advice I can give is try not to panic, even if the assessor notices you've made a minor mistake. I actually felt that the two assessors were very helpful and sometimes even gave you a nudge in the right direction. If you know your stuff you relax into it after the first hour or so.

Read the specs carefully, they give mcb types and conductor sizes. The single core CPCs are usually smaller than the line conductors.

When doing the S plan just follow the wiring diagram. Also remember to install any link cables such as in the programmer (again, its all in the diagram)

Dont attempt to rush the whole installation as you will forget to do the basic things properly, but also bear in mind that there is a countdown timer over your head and believe me that time really flies by, so try to be focused and organised.

As for the fault finding I actually found this quite easy and stress free as long as you know your stuff and follow the methodical testing process.

For each fault start at the DB and work towards the fault using a continuity tester until you get something unexpected. Jackpot.
For example with the intermediate lighting start at the mcb then to first switch then to intermediate then to last switch then to light, all the while conducting continuity tests which will show up as shorts (if there is one) or high resistances (poor terminations, corroded, damaged cable) Insulation resistance testing at the DB also is a big indicator if the circuit is healthy.
If your centre is busy the assessors will not be watching you the whole time they will just put the fault on and leave you to it, so theres not the added pressure of him looking over your shoulder.

Good Luck Mate.

 

[jballaci]

Hi.

I have video and pictures from AM2.
If anyone need i can send me a PM

 

[Robsears]

Hi Simon,

Not sure if you have sat your AM2 yet? If not I sat mine 2 weeks ago and luckily managed to pass 1st time. I have quite a bit of info on it if your interested (or anyone else).

Let me know and I either post or PM me and I will email you the info.

However the most stressful bits was the fault finding, there are 7 faults (you have to get 5). Mine were

1. RCBO keeps tripping. Ring Main - Short circuit between Neutral & Earth. You have to tell them between what two points, how you would rectify, and the tests you would perform to ensure the fix.

2. Light circuit not working - No continuity on neutral, again between what points, fix and test(s).

3. Motor not working - No continuity on neutral from CU to starter. Again fix and test(s).

4. Data fault short between pins 7 & 8. in your pack you will have the user guide to the test meter. This will show a list of all the faults the unit can detect with what lights up for each fault. Again fix and test(s).

5. Gas bonding - reading was 2.58 ohms. Not within the 0.05 ohms expected. Again fix and test(s).

6. 16A 3 phase socket had low IR reading, from socket back to isolator. Between all phases and Earth, also between All phases & neutral. Again fix and test(s).

7. CH not working although programmer calling for heat and room thermostat calling for heat. I had no continuity from Room thermostat L2 to pin 14 (i think) on DIN rail. Again fix and test(s).

Follow the spec in the pack and you should be ok. If during Test and Inspection you find any problems, you are allowed to fix.

Don't panic with the S plan. It is the easiest part of the install. Point to point and lots of it is pre-wired allow at least an hour. They do require you to use ferrules on the flex cables as easier to push into the DIN rail.

Good luck hope this helps.

Hi just read your details... I’m due to take my AM2. I would be great full for any information you may have ..kind Regards Rob!

 

[Robsears]

Hi.

I have video and pictures from AM2.
If anyone need i can send me a PM

Hi is it possible for you to share the information please?

 

[Robsears]

Hi is it possible for you to share the information please?

Hi I would be great full if you could send them to me