by ericmark »
Wed May 21, 2008 5:43 pm
Much depends on what area you want to return too.
House bashing you will need C&G2382 and C&G2392/1
Maintainance needs you to be good and not so interested in the qualifications.
The same with industrial installation. To fit tray and to terminate SWA cable needs the ability to follow plans. As does maintainance the latter requires a lot of logic. Nearly every inverter is different and no one knows all the different systems, and the same with PLC's so its just ability to learn i.e. ability to read and use and logic. Most the regulations are done by the electrical engineers in design stage electricians do as they are told in a neat professional manor. This has not changed in years. The only new bit is doing the PIR and then a 2391 will be required but your normally one of a team and as long as some one in team has it all is OK.
House bashing has changed though and now is full of rules and regulations which you are expected to know. Unlike industrial where you may need to check up on a regulation a few times a week house bashing requires it many times a day and often you are on your own with very few other electricians to ask questions of. Years ago the house basher was lowest of the low and all he needed was speed and brawn but those days have gone and you need your maths like every other branch. Maybe you don't need imagery numbers with I (J) for power factor correction but you do need to work out volt drop and earth loop impedance. Guessing and if you get it wrong crossing your fingers that no one will find out no longer works with all test sheets being sent to clearing houses to be checked.
To my mind it is a lot better, but there are a few of the old school hanging on who think making a dog leg in conduit is where the real skill is and he has wired it this way for last 30 years and doesn't see why he should change now but glad to say they are a dieing breed.
