Testing problems need a little help.

[kes123]

I am based close to Nottinghamshire and would love the chance to go out with an experienced person. I am cheap (well free).
I will try and get hold of "the part p doctor"
thanks for the advice

 

[Electricalserv]

This raises the issue that anybody can go out and buy this equipment and start testing away at home....doing this whilst not fully understanding the installation and apparatus. In GN3 I'm sure it says before any testing you must understand your instrument.

Kes lay off the testing, you are not comfortable doing it!

 

[tony mc]

Good advice you need someone to take you through the practical side of testing especially Live testing as your getting a bit confused.

Re your meter you need to know it inside out prior to this so have a look at this its in 2 parts on You Tube along with a few others hope it helps.



YouTube - Megger MFT1552 & MFT1553 Demo Part 1

 

[Bradzz]

Some photos for your reference.

 

[flukey]

dont forget the op has successfully completed the 2392

 

[Amp David]

dont forget the op has successfully completed the 2392

Oh yeah thats right!

Using probably the simplest tester to do the simplest tect and still having issues.

Plenty of post here saying exactly how to do it properly.

Troll alert LOL

 

[nikmet]

Please dont underestimate the advice you are getting here Kes, it is possible to seriously injure yourself or worse carrying out live testing until you are confident (skilled confident, rather than positive thinking confident), im sure somebody local may be able to help you out.

 

[flukey]

Oh yeah thats right!

Using probably the simplest tester to do the simplest tect and still having issues.

Plenty of post here saying exactly how to do it properly.

Troll alert LOL

very true, doesnt matter what tester you choose to use, if you have successfully completed a course like the 2392 you should definitely know where to put the probes and what sort of readings to expect for a given system

 

[kes123]

Passing a 2392 does give you a certain amount of knowledge and where to stick the probes, or more importantly where not to stick the probes. I will avoid live testing as much as possible, but even when isolating it contains a test done live, but because of how you do it, it is quite safe. so its like I said I am making alot of mistakes, its all a learning process. But i am making the mistakes safely and thats what counts.

I appreciate the advice that I am being given, but i do feel that some of the advice is maybe aimed at me as if I was a stupid child or something.

I can read a million books, infact I have but its only by actually doing it that any of it starts to make any sence.

 

[nikmet]

not sure if it is possible to make mistakes safely?? seems a contradiction??, as its a mistake , if your lucky it will turn out safely and if your unlucky you get injured............

 

[kes123]

Thats why we isolate first and if it is live we have testers that highlight the fact that we are doing something wrong with the readings.
No more dangerous than plugging something in. you are protected by insulation.

I joined this forum to learn off people who have the knowledge that I need to gain. But half the time instead of getting advice and explanations to help me do things right, all I get is comments that really serve no purpose.

Its like the earthing systems. I do know that a TT system is a TNS and a TNCS is and the differences. and I do know how to test but unfortunately you learn on a board and then when you see things in the real world its totally different.
so everyone out there. All I am trying to do is learn, and I still stick by that you can test in the wrong way and still stay safe

 

[DaveyD]

Fair comment, but the ZE test is not a dead test as you know - even though you have practiced safe isolation, its dangerous, you are using a live line arn't you. Plugging something in - you are protected. I think if you were asking them about a real dead test you may get more advise that you feel constructive.
What about the idea I mentioned of posting a picture up here?
Or can you email your instructor?
Kind Regards, David

 

[kes123]

Thankyou for your reply. Cant really put up picture as no camera.
But to explain there are two cables that enter the house.
one goes into the top of the 100amp isolator owned by distribution network. The other cable goes int a small black box which is made by henley and its a series 7

 

[flukey]

im sorry to hear you feel some comments are not constructive, but had we been commenting on this post prior to you passing the 2392 you may have had a different outcome.
you are classed as competent to test an installation by successfully completing the 2392 so i would suggest you read through your original post and answers to see if you feel you come across as competent.
good luck with your future testing

 

[Electricalserv]

im sorry to hear you feel some comments are not constructive, but had we been commenting on this post prior to you passing the 2392 you may have had a different outcome.
you are classed as competent to test an installation by successfully completing the 2392 so i would suggest you read through your original post and answers to see if you feel you come across as competent.
good luck with your future testing

2392 is a very watered down version of the 2391 and is only single phase (so I understand). Surely he must have done a practical and passed, so it just shows you how good are these institutions at eliminating people who just aren't confident testing???

 

[kes123]

That is a little unfair. There is an old saying if you don't use it, you soon loose it.
Hence the reason I am on this forum because like I said before there is one thing when your testing on a nicely laid out board, and then testing on a real system.
It seems like some of the people on this forum just make snide comments, and probably because they don't know the answers.

 

[flukey]

That is a little unfair. There is an old saying if you don't use it, you soon loose it.
Hence the reason I am on this forum because like I said before there is one thing when your testing on a nicely laid out board, and then testing on a real system.
It seems like some of the people on this forum just make snide comments, and probably because they don't know the answers.

now that is very unfair. your nicely laid out board would still have had tails coming from the supply, same as your house and knowing which side of a main switch is live and which side is not is basic stuff.
sorry if you feel thats a snide comment but i am not the only one that has told you to swot up on the basics before performing tests you are clearly not comfortable with

 

[Electricalserv]

That is a little unfair. There is an old saying if you don't use it, you soon loose it.
Hence the reason I am on this forum because like I said before there is one thing when your testing on a nicely laid out board, and then testing on a real system.
It seems like some of the people on this forum just make snide comments, and probably because they don't know the answers.

Mate we where all in your boat at some stage and I feel for you. You sound really really keen like you want to learn. Try ringin a few sparks up and ask them if you can shadow them whilst they are doing some testing (free of charge). They'll probly let you join in...

Are you based in the North West?

 

[kes123]

I resolved the issues regarding the Ze readings with the actual help of this thread along time ago.

What have I learned since. well its not to ask questions on this forum again. there is to much destructive critisism and not enough constructive stuff.

 

[flukey]

shame to hear that, perhaps if you had paid attention on your 2392 course you could have answered your op.
good luck searching for a more helpful forum.

 

[Bradzz]

I resolved the issues regarding the Ze readings with the actual help of this thread along time ago.

What have I learned since. well its not to ask questions on this forum again. there is to much destructive critisism and not enough constructive stuff.

well well what can i say but relax people and watch

YouTube - Ultimate Dog Tease

 

[kes123]

Snide to the end!

 

[kes123]

And just for the record Competent Person (A person who possesses sufficient technical knowledge, relevant practical skills, and experience for the nature of the electrical work undertaken and is able at all times to prevent danger and, where appropriate, injury to him/herself and others.)
passing a 2392 course in my mind does not make a person competent unless they have experience to back it up.

I never classed myself as competent because I lack this experience. So instead of doing as some so called competent electricians do. i.e just filling in the little boxes, or just driving by and filling in the boxes. I try to learn so oneday when I am competent I do the job right.

 

[topquark]

Stick with it, try to analyse for yourself what each test is doing in electrical terms and you will gain both confidence and, hopefully, a deeper understanding of the tests

 

[Sintra]

Kes fair play to you for wanting to learn and to learn properly and the only way you can do that is as you quite rightly say is practice.

Have a read of this thread as it might help. http://www.electriciansforums.net/i...allations/16621-basic-testing-procedures.html

 

[flukey]

Kes fair play to you for wanting to learn and to learn properly and the only way you can do that is as you quite rightly say is practice.

Have a read of this thread as it might help. http://www.electriciansforums.net/i...allations/16621-basic-testing-procedures.html

this thread has gone full circle. nearly everyone that has replied has advised more revision is obviously necessary before undertaking live testing and op thinks we are being snide?? lol

 

[Des 56]

I resolved the issues regarding the Ze readings with the actual help of this thread along time ago.

What have I learned since. well its not to ask questions on this forum again. there is to much destructive critisism and not enough constructive stuff.

I am sorry you feel that way kes

If that is your opinion,so be it,the forum is a talking shop with many differing characters and your opinion is as valid as any

Stick with us and fight your corner,critisism or advise,(whichever you describe)is thrown at us all at times

Level of testing skill is not the be all and end all of this game

You may very well do a first class installation and have experience and knowledge above and behond some of us who have contributed
The community here is for views and opinions from all,dont throw in the towel
and we will look forward to further contributions

 

[kes123]

I will stick with it. because I did get some good info from the earlier part of this thread.

I look at it like this. If everyone always tested and never made any mistakes then there would be no point in designing meters that you can't break when you stick the probes in the wrong holes.

 

[Electricalserv]

I will stick with it. because I did get some good info from the earlier part of this thread.

I look at it like this. If everyone always tested and never made any mistakes then there would be no point in designing meters that you can't break when you stick the probes in the wrong holes.

Calm down, Calm down

 

[telectrix]

kes. you have to learn to take the rough with the smooth. having read most of the posts on this thread, i can see you have had some very good advice, albeit, some of it seeming negative. whilst we all admire your determination to progress, we also have regard for your own personal safety, and that is why some of the posts seem a bit harsh. the best thing, IMO, is if you could arrange to get some work , even part time, with an experienced spark, as it's far, far better to be shown how to do things than instructed eitehr in college or by this or any other forum. keep at it, observe safety issues, and always come here for advice. we've all taken knock backs. it's part of the learnig curve.

 

[mart8235]

hi kes, I can tell you feel very beaten down by some of the posts here. don't be.
many of the probing questions put to you have been to try and make you think a bit about what you are doing and provide more info so you can be helped.
there is a point of confidence and competence, don't confuse the two and never let your confidence leap too far ahead of your competence! I'm not having a go or owt, just passing on the advise given to me years ago!

 

[mozzo]

if you have set your megger to Hi (loop), disconnected the suppliers earth lead from the MET, turned the supply to the CU off then it should be impossible to trip anything within the CU. 2 lead test, use the + and - sockets on the side of the megger. connect probe from - socket to earth and probe from + socket to live before the main switch in the CU.

 

[kes123]

Appreciate that Mart. just one of those days when you take things personel, instead of how they were actually meant.
Sorry to all, i know you were trying to help me, and stop me from killing myself.

 

[mozzo]

wow! this post has been going faster than I can keep up. Kes, if you are practising on your own installation at home then that's probably the best place to start and use it as a proving ground to gain experience of testing given you have passed 2392. I would say however from your post, that you should either wait until you are more up to speed before installing or testing at a clients site or shadow someone with experience before going alone. I would comment that the advise from others should be taken with broad shoulers as everyone providing comment are doing so to help prevent injury or damage to persons or property. It fantastic that you aim to do things the correct way and learn and if everyone out there was like you we would have fewer issues in the industry. The bodge jobs I have seen out there were done by confident people with years of experience who know how to lift floor boards, chase cables and do various building work but they probably knew nothing about R1+R2 and 2392. The vast majority of households do not know about the need for electrical certificates so I support you being upfront and honest. Keep it up and become one of the professionals that do things correct.