YouTube electricians

[co00okie]

OK, I'm still as green as a baby's nappy with all of this. I decided to change career and took a part-time night course (More on this later if your interested.) I'm no where near as good as someone who has done a full apprenticeship. Took my 17th edition and ran with it. Admittedly to the wrong industry (gates and security/access control etc.) BUT I have found my way back to house bashing and nothing prepared me for this....

After watching numerous electricians on YouTube I find myself trawling the regs to see what they call shocking! Or shody workmanship to see if its against the regs and find them quite minor to what I've landed myself in.

First House - fault find upstairs sockets not working
Easy right, straight to the consumer unit. Burnt out busbar on mcb. Loose connection. Whilst there though, Tennant complained about 2 downstairs lights, when turning them on at the switch lights pop and trip on cu. Belled out every cable and rewired what looked like 18 different electricians who had come and patched and patched and patched work. Changed light fittings and all seems OK.

This one screwed me.... No idea not a clue. Sent to fit x3 smoke alarms (X2 smokes and a heat alarm in the kitchen to be exact.) wireless so should be a walk in the park. No! So I fit smokes and turn the power back on. Lights work fine, but smokes are not illuminating the led to show power... On all 3. I used existing cabling on hallway and landing smokes. And wired to permenant live on kitchen light fitting for heat alarm. I'm stumped because I'm testing power at smokes and it's there. Tested continuity across live and neutral and bing there's a short somewhere. My issue is why hasn't the rcd tripped? I mean wtf?

So my question is why isn't this classed as "shocking" or "shoddy" to the YouTube electricians. I know I shouldn't be trying to learn this stuff on YouTube but, why is a loose switch face the worst thing these guys have seen when the ---- I've come across in the passed 2 days really worry me?

P.s. Sorry if your a vlogger. Its not really aimed at you. Just shitty landlords that probably do there own eicrs.

 

[Dartlec]

I might go on YouTube and do an absolutely shoddy installation with loads of carp practices like tape joints and cables outside zones etc

just for the laughs I get from the comments

A slight twist on the well known rule - the quickest way to find out how to do something correctly is not to ask, but to put up a video doing it wrongly....

 

[nicebutdim]

A slight twist on the well known rule - the quickest way to find out how to do something correctly is not to ask, but to put up a video doing it wrongly....

A bit like Kieran with his outdoor socket install?

Most of the issues raised about Youtube electricians are openly discussed and generally seem to improve awarness and (hopefully) standards. While many viewers will quickly point out these problems, there are probably countless electricians out there making exactly the same mistakes - those who don't care will continue not caring, but hopefully those that don't know will learn and adpat.

I see the whole Youtube issue as a double edged sword for this industry (and probably for many others). On one hand there will be those who decide to undertake tasks they really shouldn't be involved in, but on the other it has opened up debate on many issues that would otherwise go unnoticed and video comments demonstrate that a lot of electricians have learned about some of their own less than ideal practices.

I've commented previously about which of these youtubers (is that now accepted terminology?) I like and which I dont, but that's mostly based on presentation and content, rather than knowledge and ability. Poor Nick Bundy seems like a salt of the earth chap, who takes pride in his work and is stung when mistakes are highlighted, but my criticism is because recent videos seem to feature a lot of irrelevant chat, promotions and in jokes, with much less focus on the electrical work being undertaken.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Once that start banging on about promo codes and online deals for companies I skip to the next video

but I appreciate they have to make money from the vids and they get paid for doing advertising, so it feels a necessary evil

 

[ipf]

I might go on YouTube and do an absolutely shoddy installation with loads of carp practices like tape joints and cables outside zones etc

just for the laughs I get from the comments

I'll come with you and do the filming.....just to make the carp look even worse.

 

[Mike Johnson]

The same when I take photographs they are always upside down. ?

 

[Electrics]

Maybe so, but I would suggest that anyone who puts their work on show deliberately for all to see, needs to be exceptionally careful to make sure they follow the rules and produce work to a high standard. Otherwise they get what they deserve in the way of criticism.

But as i said people criticise and downthumb even those who do an exceptional job. Go and look up a joiner called Paul Sellers who does some of the most fantastic work you will ever see - people literally criticise him and he often gets downthumbed over some of his work and the guy has forgotten more than anyone watching him even knows.

It comes with the territory - you literally can't please people who sit behind screens criticising.

I still don't know, except for that one SWA thing, where his work has actually been shoddy. As far as i see, he always uses wago boxes, always grommets stuff, always does neat CU's etc, seems to be clued up on testing and inspection. I think the problem is people being massively over critical, like most tradesmen are.

Unless there is actual proof of him and others doing really shoddy work? I've never seen a video where there has except for maybe style issues, ie, Bundy putting rigid conduit right down the middle of a wall when i'd have put it down the corner and out of sight. I've certainly never seen any of them do anything outright dangerous unless you can point me there.

 

[nicebutdim]

Unless there is actual proof of him and others doing really shoddy work? I've never seen a video where there has except for maybe style issues, ie, Bundy putting rigid conduit right down the middle of a wall when i'd have put it down the corner and out of sight. I've certainly never seen any of them do anything outright dangerous unless you can point me there.

The worst electrical work I've seen has been in real life.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Nick Bundy recently did a decent ‘how to’ on plumbing in a new shower and even Chris the plumber did a vid on putting in Quinetic switches which was actually quite informative...for a plumber

 

[murpad]

Once that start banging on about promo codes and online deals for companies I skip to the next video

but I appreciate they have to make money from the vids and they get paid for doing advertising, so it feels a necessary evil

Ye, a lot of good websites, forums nd youtubers been spoiled, overrun with advertisements

 

[OnlQQker]

I might go on YouTube and do an absolutely shoddy installation with loads of carp practices like tape joints and cables outside zones etc

just for the laughs I get from the comments

That would be the way to get tons of views ?, and it's the views that get you rich. How Much Do YouTubers Make In 2021 (And How) (bloggingocean.com)

 

[Lister1987]

2 I've started following recently; Adrian Davey (similar background to GSH I believe - education) - good few videos on AM2, Safe Isolation etc and Mark Allison (EGTE Podcast and creator of A1-2-1 (Apprentice 1-2-1 - Simple concept; find apprentices needing apprenticeships, find businesses needing apprentices, marry the two together.) - Mark has a fair bit of content focused on Apprenticeships, Apprentices and the likes.

 

[telectrix]

I might go on YouTube and do an absolutely shoddy installation with loads of carp practices like tape joints and cables outside zones etc

just for the laughs I get from the comments

yeah. why change your usual working practices just for youtube? ???

 

[OnlQQker]

Been watching this chaps videos recently.
He seems pretty good!

 

[nicebutdim]

Not sure why Youtube algorithms don't promote this channel, but well worth watching. No drama, no pretence of celebrity, no free stuff to promote and nothing to sell - just a guy doing some interesting work.

 

[westward10]

These YouTube monkeys would wet their pants and curl up in the corner if they were asked to work on that.

 

[nicebutdim]

These YouTube monkeys would wet their pants and curl up in the corner if they were asked to work on that.

It's a brilliant channel. Only watched a couple of videos so far, but already picked up some ideas for avoiding a hernia.

 

[westward10]

These are the exact people you need to work alongside, no side to them or verbal diarrhoea just knowledge and experience.

 

[Mike Johnson]

These are the exact people you need to work alongside, no side to them or verbal diarrhoea just knowledge and experience.

And a really good beard.

 

[westward10]

You don't realise how immovable that size if conductor is unless you are confronted with it, are you going to sweat yes you are.

 

[Moley]

I'm dissapointed that there was no mention of joint paste (or as we call it, baby sh*t) or ductoring the connections. All joints should be 10 micro ohm or less. Good facial furniture though.

 

[westward10]

I'm dissapointed that there was no mention of joint paste (or as we call it, baby sh*t) or ductoring the connections. All joints should be 10 micro ohm or less. Good facial furniture though.

240.0 probably a small cable for you.

 

[Moley]

It is a bit smaller than a nice 400kv joint Still a good beard though. You could hide snacks in there for weeks

 

[westward10]

Never shake hands with a cable jointer forearms like tree trunks and fingers of iron.

 

[ipf]

Never shake hands with a cable jointer forearms like tree trunks and fingers of iron.

Just knee him in the rocks at the same time.......especially if the trunks are speedos, he deserves it!!!

 

[7029 dave]

Not sure why Youtube algorithms don't promote this channel, but well worth watching. No drama, no pretence of celebrity, no free stuff to promote and nothing to sell - just a guy doing some interesting work.

And the crying shame and joke is, he may not be able to replace a poxy CU is somebody's house.
That is the laughable situation.

 

[nicebutdim]

And the crying shame and joke is, he may not be able to replace a poxy CU is somebody's house.
That is the laughable situation.

Well his work is certainly specialised, but that's part of the attraction. I also like the fact that he gets on with it and doesn't need to continually point out how great he is or promote stuff that nobody needs.

 

[7029 dave]

Well his work is certainly specialised, but that's part of the attraction. I also like the fact that he gets on with it and doesn't need to continually point out how great he is or promote stuff that nobody needs.

Handling that size cable on his own is amazing, picked up some great tips with the mech aids.

 

[westward10]

You get companies that solely specialise in pulling large cables and making them off, he clearly is a skilled individual with plenty of thought going into the process because errors with cables of that size are not easy to correct.

 

[Dustydazzler]

I spent some time on site from time to time with a company who did big cable installs.
Loved it and it was a really good, I remember being about 18 or 19 and being handed a set of these for the very first time to cut the cores...

RS PRO Ratchet Cable Cutters | RS

uk.rs-online.com

 

[nicebutdim]

I spent some time on site from time to time with a company who did big cable installs.
Loved it and it was a really good, I remember being about 18 or 19 and being handed a set of these for the very first time to cut the cores...

RS PRO Ratchet Cable Cutters | RS

uk.rs-online.com

I have a cheap set of ratchet cutters, which are reasonably decent (not suitable for steel), but noticed in one of his videos the use of an exhaust cutter for armour.

 

[7029 dave]

Done a big SWA when was an apprentice two of us the spark used an hydraulic crimper for the lugs.
The cable was as heavy as F

 

[nicebutdim]

Done a big SWA when was an apprentice two of us the spark used an hydraulic crimper for the lugs.
The cable was as heavy as F

We do some fairly big cables from time to time, but my part involves pulling in and swinging on them. Not sure anyone is going to chance leaving the apprentice to terminate eye-wateringly expensive cables

 

[James]

That stuff he is working with is about 30kg per meter if i remember right.
I was impressed with his work and his planning and his patience.

I don’t think I would ask him to arm wrestle if I met him!!

 

[westward10]

I spent some time on site from time to time with a company who did big cable installs.
Loved it and it was a really good, I remember being about 18 or 19 and being handed a set of these for the very first time to cut the cores...

RS PRO Ratchet Cable Cutters | RS

uk.rs-online.com

Proper jointers use their teeth.

 

[Dustydazzler]

That stuff he is working with is about 30kg per meter if i remember right.
I was impressed with his work and his planning and his patience.

I don’t think I would ask him to arm wrestle if I met him!!

Some of the cable I helped pull in were literally 4 or 5 man teams to get the cable laid out then up on the tray

 

[Dustydazzler]

I remember one the sites we did was where they counted and stored cash. We had to sign stuff to say we wouldn't reveal the location to anyone etc etc

There were people with big carts on trollies wheeling big bags full of cash about to be sorted , and counted / wrapped etc

Think something like £5,000,000 in notes passed through the site every day

 

[7029 dave]

That stuff he is working with is about 30kg per meter if i remember right.
I was impressed with his work and his planning and his patience.

I don’t think I would ask him to arm wrestle if I met him!!

Hate to think how much that cable is per meter.

 

[Petej999]

And the crying shame and joke is, he may not be able to replace a poxy CU is somebody's house.
That is the laughable situation.

Same as Delroy the spark

 

[Dustydazzler]

And the crying shame and joke is, he may not be able to replace a poxy CU is somebody's house.
That is the laughable situation.

He can , he just couldn't notify the job to BC

Part Pee is all backwards as it penalises the hard working electrician, the onus should actually be on the homeowner to notify the council and pay the relevant fee (not the spark)

 

[Lister1987]

Not sure why Youtube algorithms don't promote this channel, but well worth watching. No drama, no pretence of celebrity, no free stuff to promote and nothing to sell - just a guy doing some interesting work.

I do like his stuff, watch ìt regularly, mostly with beard envy. "Jointech Cabling" as tht company name "Horse cock handlers" wouldn't drive up tht same amount of business. Some of the tips are belters; using swa armouring as tie-wraps; I wouldn't have thought or that!