Virtual wiring practice

[mjtefc9]

Morning all,

I have been looking for an online tool or site that I can practice my wiring .. does one exist - I can't find it ??

I am starting my level 3 after a year out and want to get my practice in..

Alternatively could anyone point me in the direction of a mock set up I could do at home?

Mark

 

[DPG]

A mock up board at home would be more use I reckon. Get an old consumer unit and some sockets, 2 way light switches, focus etc. Screw to a bit of MDF, wire up, test, test again. More testing. Etc.

Maybe start with one way switching for the light, then convert to two way. Then maybe go for an intermediate also.

If you want to get fancy you could add resistors to simulate realistic cable lengths. And also to simulate faults - so that you can see how your MFT would show them.

 

[mjtefc9]

Sounds like a plan ! Could I get juice from a battery ? Or just do it with out and test ?

 

[DPG]

Sounds like a plan ! Could I get juice from a battery ? Or just do it with out and test ?

You can start off without power and get comfortable doing the dead tests. Then, assuming you feel competent, you could energise the board and do some live tests. Obviously work at a pace you are comfortable with.

I personally wouldn't use a battery for testing as you will get unrealistic results. Nothing to stop you using a battery to investigate switching etc though. But you would need 12V lamps obviously.

 

[mjtefc9]

You can start off without power and get comfortable doing the dead tests. Then, assuming you feel competent, you could energise the board and do some live tests. Obviously work at a pace you are comfortable with.

I personally wouldn't use a battery for testing as you will get unrealistic results. Nothing to stop you using a battery to investigate switching etc though. But you would need 12V lamps obviously.

Brilliant.. I will get started this weekend I think

 

[James]

pretty sure @Lister has a board setup at home that is just as described.

if you are going to energise it from the mains, i would recommend powering it from a plug and flex.
Ensure the circuit it is plugged into is protected by an rcd (if it is not, buy a plug in rcd).

Put a lockable isolator on the board and run the supply through it before it goes to anything. ensure it isolates both the live and neutral.

There are 3 reasons for this.

1. it will get you used to isolating, checking and locking off supply before working.
2. we all make mistakes, especially when learning or practicing, so it could improve your life expectancy.

3. some sockets only isolate the live (when switched off), not the neutral. when you cut a cable or touch neutral to earth, it is likely to trip the rcd that supply's the house or the socket circuits.

(this can pee off the wife, kids, parents, lodgers, housemates, etc. when it stops tv recordings, dinner cooking, phones charging, pc / x box games, lights going out, alarm clocks needing resetting, wifi going off, ---- download being interrupted.

 

[mjtefc9]

pretty sure @Lister has a board setup at home that is just as described.

if you are going to energise it from the mains, i would recommend powering it from a plug and flex.
Ensure the circuit it is plugged into is protected by an rcd (if it is not, buy a plug in rcd).

Put a lockable isolator on the board and run the supply through it before it goes to anything. ensure it isolates both the live and neutral.

There are 3 reasons for this.

1. it will get you used to isolating, checking and locking off supply before working.
2. we all make mistakes, especially when learning or practicing, so it could improve your life expectancy.

3. some sockets only isolate the live (when switched off), not the neutral. when you cut a cable or touch neutral to earth, it is likely to trip the rcd that supply's the house or the socket circuits.

(this can pee off the wife, kids, parents, lodgers, housemates, etc. when it stops tv recordings, dinner cooking, phones charging, pc / x box games, lights going out, alarm clocks needing resetting, wifi going off, ---- download being interrupted.

That's great advice thank you!

Yes if @Lister could help me with his set up that would be amazing!

 

[James]

https://www.electriciansforums.net/threads/test-rig-best-use-of-space.181954/

 

[mjtefc9]

https://www.electriciansforums.net/threads/test-rig-best-use-of-space.181954/

Thank you !

 

[mjtefc9]

Just found this in stores, so this is fine for me to use? I'll just get my ceiling roses, sockets and switches and come from this board and start with dead testing. I need to get my head around the wiring and testing as I have done none since early last year during my level 2.

 

[James]

Good place to start, 2 rcbo’s to test as well.

 

[mjtefc9]

Good place to start, 2 rcbo’s to test as well.

Thanks pal
..

I'm going to do my Level 3 & 18th.. then my site supervisor course.. I'm already an electrical buyer and estimator, just want more knowledge and move into contract management.

With this in mind is there any midrange testers anyone could suggest that won't cost a fortune as I won't be regularly using it.. ?

 

[Vortigern]

You could use a 110v supply on normal wiring so make it realistic while keeping safe. You have to buy appropriate bulbs though to make it really realistic.

 

[mjtefc9]

You could use a 110v supply on normal wiring so make it realistic while keeping safe. You have to buy appropriate bulbs though to make it really realistic.

How would I do that ? With a transformer?

 

[Vortigern]

Yes indeed, you know the big yellow thing they use on site.

 

[mjtefc9]

Yes indeed, you know the big yellow thing they use on site.

Oh yes.. got a few of them over the road aswell..

I just need to get confident wiring lighting and testing and the rest will come.. with out sounding stupid.. how would I get the juice to the board from the transformer?

 

[Vortigern]

If you are really clever, you can use a separate switching box to put switched resistors in to produce "faults" into the circuit. You know get a box and put resistors in, with a switch into your wiring with two way switch you can turn the fault on and off.

 

[Pete999]

Morning all,

I have been looking for an online tool or site that I can practice my wiring .. does one exist - I can't find it ??

I am starting my level 3 after a year out and want to get my practice in..

Alternatively could anyone point me in the direction of a mock set up I could do at home?

Mark

I could build one for you. providing you supply all materials and transport the finished item to the place you want it, are you wanting a testing rig? or something to clip cables to and make connections, I built several for my work place your move.

 

[Pete999]

Thanks pal
..

I'm going to do my Level 3 & 18th.. then my site supervisor course.. I'm already an electrical buyer and estimator, just want more knowledge and move into contract management.

With this in mind is there any midrange testers anyone could suggest that won't cost a fortune as I won't be regularly using it.. ?

Flex and a socket can I suggest in your Garage or shed if you have something like that, PM me if interested.

 

[mjtefc9]

I could build one for you. providing you supply all materials and transport the finished item to the place you want it, are you wanting a testing rig? or something to clip cables to and make connections, I built several for my work place your move.

Thanks Pete.. Let me look and see what I can get together and knock up. But if I'm stuck I will take you up on it.. Where are you based?

 

[Pete999]

Thanks Pete.. Let me look and see what I can get together and knock up. But if I'm stuck I will take you up on it.. Where are you based?

NN3 5LL

 

[James]

@Pete999 good call, isolating transformer stops you wiping out house electrics when doing rcd testing!

 

[Lister1987]

@mjtefc9 , my thread (previously linked is s good starting point, I'm working on revision 3 of it. My all means drop me a PM if you need any help.

Where you based?

Isolating transformer, good idea @Pete999 may have to source one and incorporate it

 

[Vortigern]

I get the juice to the board from the transformer?

Just get a plug with a flex to a board

@Pete999 good call, isolating transformer

Really?

Isolating transformer, good idea @Pete999

When>?

 

[mjtefc9]

Just get a plug with a flex to a board

Really?

When>?

Where do I put the flex too? I have a board with a CU.. and a number of sockets and light switches with ceiling roses.

 

[Vortigern]

Now I am getting a bit worried about you doing this.... You know on the site transformer it has an outlet, so you plug in to that, then wire into say a garage unit. Or would that be a problem?

 

[mjtefc9]

Now I am getting a bit worried about you doing this.... You know on the site transformer it has an outlet, so you plug in to that, then wire into say a garage unit. Or would that be a problem?

Nooo that's why I was confused.. I thought you said ignore the transformer... and just use some flex and a plug! That's fine wiring from the CU then to a plug.. understand now mate

 

[Lister1987]

If you are really clever, you can use a separate switching box to put switched resistors in to produce "faults" into the circuit. You know get a box and put resistors in, with a switch into your wiring with two way switch you can turn the fault on and off.

Got any suggest values @Vortigern ?

 

[JAWS]

To the OP just read your opening post & it says your'e starting on a level 3, can I ask what level 3 course it is?

 

[Vortigern]

Well I did say if you are really clever... I think if you are starting out practicing circuits, working out how to wire in a fault might be more confusing than doing a three way switching arrangement. I guess it would be best to just do standard circuits and test to start. You could do a dead short that would be nice and easy. I was thinking to get a box of resistors that you buy from fire alarm panel distributors. Also switching from wiring parallel into series on a lighting circuit. If you think about the faults you are likely to encounter and work out how that would read on your meter you can then think of what resistor to use where.

 

[mjtefc9]

To the OP just read your opening post & it says your'e starting on a level 3, can I ask what level 3 course it is?

2365 Level 3.. I have very little on hands on experience and I am at an age an Apprenticeship won't work for me.. so I need to make sure I am practising at home all the time, or it is pointless doing any of this.

This is what I'll mock up this weekend.. will be fine for testing and practising wiring for now do you think gents? And I'll also be able to have power to it to make sure my wiring is correct.

 

[SJD]

You could even install a few accessories with real faults (if you can get hold of some). From this past week's jobs, mine included:
- A ceiling rose with burnt out plastic, arcing from L to switched L (so light remained on flickering).
- An FCU with welded L switch contacts, so it only turned off N.
- A badly overheated shower isolator with a significant resistance between N terminals.

 

[mjtefc9]

You could even install a few accessories with real faults (if you can get hold of some). From this past week's jobs, mine included:
- A ceiling rose with burnt out plastic, arcing from L to switched L (so light remained on flickering).
- An FCU with welded L switch contacts, so it only turned off N.
- A badly overheated shower isolator with a significant resistance between N terminals.

Brilliant thanks mate ... I will over time I think.. going to spend a few weeks on this and build it up so I can constantly go back to it

 

[JAWS]

2365 Level 3.. I have very little on hands on experience and I am at an age an Apprenticeship won't work for me.. so I need to make sure I am practising at home all the time, or it is pointless doing any of this.

This is what I'll mock up this weekend.. will be fine for testing and practising wiring for now do you think gents? And I'll also be able to have power to it to make sure my wiring is correct.

That's why I asked what course you were doing because the level 3 2365 will not teach you any practical workshop at all, the fundamentals including wiring up 2 way, 3 way, intermediate, testing, terminating SWA, conduit bending, trunking, cable calcs etc etc is all done on the level 2 and the level 3 course feeds off what you learned on the level 2.

 

[Vortigern]

I find that doing those rigs for trainees is good up to a point. When they are on site however and not doing those standard circuits (although a good place to start) their head gets completely messed up when there is a junction box to do, which may have the same wiring as a ceiling rose. So maybe stick a jb in your picture with a simple switch arrangement in it. Try to wire in an emergency light an a fan do a maintained configuration and non maintained, try it in a jb not just terminated in the accessory. Use three core and do those and a three way switching arrangement. Do some in trunking and some in conduit. Clipping is easy.

 

[mjtefc9]

I find that doing those rigs for trainees is good up to a point. When they are on site however and not doing those standard circuits (although a good place to start) their head gets completely messed up when there is a junction box to do, which may have the same wiring as a ceiling rose. So maybe stick a jb in your picture with a simple switch arrangement in it. Try to wire in an emergency light an a fan do a maintained configuration and non maintained, try it in a jb not just terminated in the accessory. Use three core and do those and a three way switching arrangement. Do some in trunking and some in conduit. Clipping is easy.

Thank you pal

 

[mjtefc9]

I find that doing those rigs for trainees is good up to a point. When they are on site however and not doing those standard circuits (although a good place to start) their head gets completely messed up when there is a junction box to do, which may have the same wiring as a ceiling rose. So maybe stick a jb in your picture with a simple switch arrangement in it. Try to wire in an emergency light an a fan do a maintained configuration and non maintained, try it in a jb not just terminated in the accessory. Use three core and do those and a three way switching arrangement. Do some in trunking and some in conduit. Clipping is easy.

I'm going to pick up a 8x4 board later and start working on it in the garage. The spark here said just wire flex from the main incomer on my old consumer unit and stick a plug top on it and that will be fine for what I need.

 

[JAWS]

I'm going to pick up a 8x4 board later and start working on it in the garage. The spark here said just wire flex from the main incomer on my old consumer unit and stick a plug top on it and that will be fine for what I need.

Yes, just be very careful. safe working practices is paramount, understand the risks, quite easy to leave the plug switched on, buy a lock off kit that will limit the risk.

 

[mjtefc9]

Yes, just be very careful. safe working practices is paramount, understand the risks, quite easy to leave the plug switched on, buy a lock off kit that will limit the risk.

Brilliant advice.. thank you !

 

[Vortigern]

If you think you wont make a mistake, that is your first big mistake. Being an electrician means that without a doubt at some point you will experience an electric shock. Safe isolation is just part of the strategy to staying alive. We wear thick rubber soled boots and use fibre glass ladders to increase resistance to a point that if or should I say when we get a shock it is sufficiently high to mitigate the fatal aspect of that shock. We never come in out of the rain and start on electrics 'til we are dried out. Working on a rig at 230v imho is an invitation to get a shock. Your strategy then would be to use a xformer to limit the voltage to 55v (it is centre tapped!) in the event of a shock. If you are not thinking like this (being OCD safe!) you would not be working with me for a start, you must take safety very seriously. Further you may well be working on your own if you do come to grief (God forbid) there will be no one there to assist or remove you with a large lump of wood by hitting you with it, so safety first I would say, but that may be a bit over the top for some. For me, I aint taking no chances neither should you. Oh and if you do need help with a large lump of wood in case of shock, happy to help