How To Better Yourself As An Electrician

[harrison2987]

Hi Guys,

Just wanted to find out what people's views are on how to better yourself as a spark, improving knowledge and workmanship etc.

I know we can read cover to cover the regs on how to do things properly, but is there any other literature - books, websites etc. out there for electricians to read to gain a better knowledge and understanding of the trade?

What have people found that has helped them in the past, either with understanding the theory behind electrics, or better practices working on site in general.

Hopefully this post will help people who might not know where to look for good, soild, useful infomation.

Look forward to your input chaps and chapesses!!

 

[steve.b]

Work with an Oldtimer ( improving knowledge and workmanship)

 

[ged noden]

The best way to improve yourself in knowledge and in skill, is to get hands on out there and get your hands dirty. All the mistakes and mishaps and all the foremen screaming and shouting will give you thee biggest learning curve of your life.Reading books is only the first step in a life times career.

 

[Octopus]

When costing jobs add on 30 or 60 minutes so you are not rushing. Poor preparation is also a good way to fail too.

I never do CU changes on Fridays unless I have too and try, and keep the morning free after the change to cover the unexpected "additional work".

 

[7029 dave]

Get yourself the book, JF Whitfield Electrical craft principles, had these books decades back in my college days, still used for the syllabus on C&G courses ,plenty of pictures etc,and very well explained,still got volumes 1 and 2,just googled and he is now up to volume 5 lol.

 

[Dipzy]

T.Linsley's & Chris Kitcher's books are good for C&G courses.
Try Swindon massive website. HTH

 

[Welchyboy1]

Dont shy away from things you dont already know how to do, just make sure you research it thoroughly first (but also know when your completely out of your depth), invest in the required tools , learn from all your mistakes and get stuck in!

Some things that have got me alot more work and customers, because some sparks(or maybe just Electrical Trainee) dont know how to or have refused to take the job on cause its not a bit of twin and earth

Most of these require a relatively low outlay for the tools needed and expand your skillset which in turn will get you more business and opportunities

pyro
steel conduit
cat 5 data/hdmi distribution
aerial/satellite installation (freeview/sky/freesat etc)
central heating systems (s plan y plan etc)
intruder alarms
cctv
door entry systems

the first two you should already know if youve been properly trained but im still amazed at the amount of sparks who dont know how to make off a pyro gland, or pull a bubble set in a bit of 20mm galv

 

[7029 dave]

Dont shy away from things you dont already know how to do, just make sure you research it thoroughly first (but also know when your completely out of your depth), invest in the required tools , learn from all your mistakes and get stuck in!

Some things that have got me alot more work and customers, because some sparks(or maybe just Electrical Trainee) dont know how to or have refused to take the job on cause its not a bit of twin and earth

Most of these require a relatively low outlay for the tools needed and expand your skillset which in turn will get you more business and opportunities

pyro
steel conduit
cat 5 data/hdmi distribution
aerial/satellite installation (freeview/sky/freesat etc)
central heating systems (s plan y plan etc)
intruder alarms
cctv
door entry systems

the first two you should already know if youve been properly trained but im still amazed at the amount of sparks who dont know how to make off a pyro gland, or pull a bubble set in a bit of 20mm galv

Bubble set don't you mean over saddle!!

 

[Welchyboy1]

Bubble set don't you mean over saddle!!

Nah i meant bubble set!

 

[stuartcourt]

I think being part of this forum, I really have learnt **** loads

 

[7029 dave]

Nah i meant bubble set!

Its over saddle!!

 

[Welchyboy1]

Its over saddle!!

Must be a regional thing, down here its bubble lol

 

[ged noden]

In the chester area , it's a bubble set.

 

[Englishman]

Dont shy away from things you dont already know how to do, just make sure you research it thoroughly first (but also know when your completely out of your depth), invest in the required tools , learn from all your mistakes and get stuck in!

Some things that have got me alot more work and customers, because some sparks(or maybe just Electrical Trainee) dont know how to or have refused to take the job on cause its not a bit of twin and earth

Most of these require a relatively low outlay for the tools needed and expand your skillset which in turn will get you more business and opportunities

pyro
steel conduit
cat 5 data/hdmi distribution
aerial/satellite installation (freeview/sky/freesat etc)
central heating systems (s plan y plan etc)
intruder alarms
cctv
door entry systems

the first two you should already know if youve been properly trained but im still amazed at the amount of sparks who dont know how to make off a pyro gland, or pull a bubble set in a bit of 20mm galv

To be honest, I've never used pyro in my life (trained up from 2008) and haven't touched still conduit since 2010. Still have the notes from that practical so I could do the bubble and double set but it would take me a while and a lot of note reading haha.

This forum does help in the fact that it gives you stories of weird faults or wiring etc but there is nothing better than experiencing things for yourself.

 

[shanky887614]

Dont shy away from things you dont already know how to do, just make sure you research it thoroughly first (but also know when your completely out of your depth), invest in the required tools , learn from all your mistakes and get stuck in!

Some things that have got me alot more work and customers, because some sparks(or maybe just Electrical Trainee) dont know how to or have refused to take the job on cause its not a bit of twin and earth

Most of these require a relatively low outlay for the tools needed and expand your skillset which in turn will get you more business and opportunities

pyro
steel conduit
cat 5 data/hdmi distribution
aerial/satellite installation (freeview/sky/freesat etc)
central heating systems (s plan y plan etc)
intruder alarms
cctv
door entry systems

the first two you should already know if youve been properly trained but im still amazed at the amount of sparks who dont know how to make off a pyro gland, or pull a bubble set in a bit of 20mm galv

Done about 2 bubble sets in the last year in galv, couple in plastic.

But a lot of swan necks in college.

Ill usually wing it but if there on show ill actually measure it to make sure its symetrical.

I like working with trunking and conduit as its satisfying to know it looks good and will be there in 20+ years

 

[Deleted member 72666]

To be honest, I've never used pyro in my life (trained up from 2008) and haven't touched still conduit since 2010. Still have the notes from that practical so I could do the bubble and double set but it would take me a while and a lot of note reading haha.

This forum does help in the fact that it gives you stories of weird faults or wiring etc but there is nothing better than experiencing things for yourself.

..... And a s*** load of conduit!

 

[Deleted member 72666]

I find by enjoying what you do makes the learning process a lot easier, and the very fact you spend all day at work then end up on here talking shop for the rest of the evening shows you're committed.

 

[Englishman]

..... And a s*** load of conduit!

Probably!

 

[Mr Hehound]

In the chester area , it's a bubble set.

I was taught a bubble is a set without a straight edge on top and a saddle has a straight bit on top. I'm pretty sure 'straight bit on top' is the technical term.

 

[markc123]

When costing jobs add on 30 or 60 minutes so you are not rushing. Poor preparation is also a good way to fail too.

I never do CU changes on Fridays unless I have too and try, and keep the morning free after the change to cover the unexpected "additional work".

Murdoch, i think the saying your after is...

"failing to prepare is preparing to fail"

Used to hear that lots as an apprentice.

 

[Dean Williams]

bubble set in Flintshire too

 

[longboat]

It must be 15 year's since i used a bit of pyro, would like to see if i remember how to do them.
Can everyone send me all their off cut's and scrag end's to experiment on.
When i've used them they will be recycled with the other crimbo scrap stock.:wink_smile:

 

[i=p/u]

So I take it you have the pyro tools tugboat

 

[longboat]

So I take it you have the pyro tools tugboat

Can you send me some spare one's in the post? :53:

 

[i=p/u]

I use pair if snips and a bic biro

 

[longboat]

Are you a paramedic on the side?

 

[i=p/u]

Saving lives or giving light hmmm

 

[longboat]

would be hard to save lives in the the dark, so let there be light.

 

[Engineer54]

Hi Guys,

Just wanted to find out what people's views are on how to better yourself as a spark, improving knowledge and workmanship etc.

I know we can read cover to cover the regs on how to do things properly, but is there any other literature - books, websites etc. out there for electricians to read to gain a better knowledge and understanding of the trade?

What have people found that has helped them in the past, either with understanding the theory behind electrics, or better practices working on site in general.

Hopefully this post will help people who might not know where to look for good, soild, useful infomation.

Look forward to your input chaps and chapesses!!

It's not ''Either'' it's going to be ''Both'', they always go hand in hand!! And you're never going to achieve bettering yourself as an electrician by solely working in the domestic sector of this industry.

No idea what it's like now in the UK, but i would say if you're just out of your time with limited experience, then finding a small to medium sized company that takes on all manner of installation work across all the industries sectors. This would be a good place to start to gain the all important experience aspect. Hopefully the company would also have an ongoing training policy, though these companies seem to be few and far between these days!!

 

[Knobhead]

As E54 said, learning is two part. You can read theory for ever and a day, without the experience it’s useless.

I’ve had problems where I’ve had to get the text books out. I know the theory, but then it comes to, “why the hells it’s done that?” At times you have to think out of the box. Theory and experience work together.

 

[ged noden]

There is no problem with Pyro, it takes 10 minutes to learn and round about 15 minutes to make an end off. It,s as easy as eating a piece of cake.

 

[stumoores]

Expand your boundaries. Think 4-20mA and 11kV. Master control loop and understand protection relay settings. Look after your hands and take pride in your craftwork

 

[Knobhead]

Prefer listening to Kraftwerk that reading waffle in an old thread.

 

[Engineer54]

There is no problem with Pyro, it takes 10 minutes to learn and round about 15 minutes to make an end off. It,s as easy as eating a piece of cake.

So, are there any MICC experienced electricians here that agree with this assessment of working with MICC cables, ...10 minutes training and your up, up and away??

Heard all that bravado S**t before, normally by those that have never made an end off, let alone installed any MICC installations!! Just watched a video on Youtube and thought, ...That's Easy i can do that, but never have!!

So beware this is a complete ''Dipstick'' talking!! lol!!

 

[cossie400]

So, are there any MICC experienced electricians here that agree with this assessment of working with MICC cables, ...10 minutes training and your up, up and away??

Heard all that bravado S**t before, normally by those that have never made an end off, let alone installed any MICC installations!! Just watched a video on Youtube and thought, ...That's Easy i can do that, but never have!!

So beware this is a complete ''Dipstick'' talking!! lol!!

Do you know him personally? If not why give it the "bravado s**t" yourself and slag him off?...

 

[stumoores]

Jean Michael jare is better than kraftwerk

 

[Engineer54]

Do you know him personally? If not why give it the "bravado s**t" yourself and slag him off?...

No i don't know him personally, what i do know however, is that his post is about as far away from being anywhere near to reality, as beliving that Father Christmas is real!!

I call it as i see it, ....So what's you're problem then??

 

[Lucien Nunes]

10 mins training, 15 mins per termination, 2 days with the megger trying to work out why it leaks like a sieve and 3 weeks doing it again when you finally work out what those giant sticks of chewing gum were supposed to be for.