Questions from a 4th year Apprentice

[Martin]

Re: Questions from a 4th year Apprentice

Newbiegoeasy wrote:I spoke to my boss and I was told that everything I need is on my multimeter and also that we don’t do PAT testing anymore.

We now know why your “boss” doesn’t answer any of your questions or assist in your continued learning. He simple hasn’t a clue, not one iota.

Newbiegoeasy wrote:There are some circumstances where we would test for reaistance but they are few and far between.

The insulation test is THE most important tool in your toolkit and should be used always, on every job. Unless you test the earth potential of all appliances you repair you will never establish it as being safe for use. All earthed appliances have to be tested in this way. It takes seconds to perform. Your boss didn’t teach you that, I did. Do it as a matter of course, meanwhile ask nothing of him except for more money.

[Andy jones]

Re: Questions from a 4th year Apprentice

Hard I know but I’d refuse to do any repair without a megger.
I’d be absolutely lost without mine, in fact I wouldn’t attempt any repair without it.
I have no idea how many regs he’s breaking

[SAMURI]

Re: Questions from a 4th year Apprentice

It’s a good job most houses are fitted with an RCD if an earth test is not carried out as I am sure his Boss would be held to account if someone had a shock or worse.

It also puts his engineers at risk.

A few years ago I am sure I went to a set up maybe buy a TV company as I repaired a fault on a relay on a compressor that was loose.

I then tested it with a megger and found an earth fault.

I traced it to the earth wire to the stat was off and shorting on the live on the stat.

It’s a good job I tested it before turning it on as the appliance was turned off and unplugged when I arrived and the customer an old lady was saying it tripped the mains and was asking questions all the time.

She was asking more questions than you would expect an old lady to know and made me think it was a set up with the faults on the fridge as an earth wire and a relay do not just fall off.

Bob

[Newbiegoeasy]

Re: Questions from a 4th year Apprentice

My boss would probably just tell me ”that’s what PAT tests are for, it’s already been done.” I definitely wouldn’t be allowed to buy a megger never mind actively use one because “that’s not how we’ve been trained”.

This is an awkward situation. I want to do thing’s right and want to keep learning too. But I do not want to leave this job.

[Martin]

Re: Questions from a 4th year Apprentice

Newbiegoeasy wrote:My boss would probably just tell me ”that’s what PAT tests are for, it’s already been done.”

But you said that your ‘firm’ doesn’t do PAT tests any more?

Newbiegoeasy wrote: I definitely wouldn’t be allowed to buy a megger never mind actively use one because “that’s not how we’ve been trained”.

You can’t buy and use your own tools? Unbelievable! Four years, four years you’ve worked for this outfit where ‘the boss’ insists a multimeter is the only tester you need, has scrapped PAT testing and is so awkwardly unapproachable you can’t ask basic questions that should have been taught within the first six months of starting the job.

Newbiegoeasy wrote:This is an awkward situation. I want to do thing’s right and want to keep learning too. But I do not want to leave this job.

I quite agree but I would seriously suggest you look around for another job. Meanwhile take heed of all we have answered from the questions you’ve put to us. Any buy yourself and use an insulation tester.:wink:

[Newbiegoeasy]

Re: Questions from a 4th year Apprentice

Sorry, i mean to say that if an appliance has already been PAT tested (most have as per the sticker attached to the front), my boss will take that as an indication that it is safe. Unless, of course, the fault we are there to see is (or we spot something obvious) dangerous and in need of repair/replacement.

I can’t just buy and start using an insualtion tester though. I will be shown the door lol

So it really comes down to wether the companies practices sit well with me or not. I really don’t want to leave but don’t want to be ‘on the wrong side’ either.

[Martin]

Re: Questions from a 4th year Apprentice

Newbiegoeasy wrote:I can’t just buy and start using an insualtion tester though. I will be shown the door lol

Well I’ve flogged this issue to death that’s for sure. I just find the facts about this firm you work for so bloody unbelievable I really do. One thing about this trade is that we never stop learning. You’ve been in the job just four years whereas I’ve notched up over 50 and I’m still learning. Sometimes things I really should be less concerned over especially like in this case when it is beyond my control. But I’d love to have words with your boss, oh yes. I guess he got into this business after an unsuccessful career in communications?

Enough already 😉

Any further questions you have do feel free to fire away as we’d love to help you further. 😀

[Newbiegoeasy]

Re: Questions from a 4th year Apprentice

I might buy one for the house anyway just to play around with and help get my head around some electrical theory.

I guess he got into this business after an unsuccessful career in communications?

Haha you are actually right.

Any further questions you have do feel free to fire away as we’d love to help you further. 😀

Thank you very much! That really does mean a lot. I’ve finally gotten a good grasp on some basic electrical theory since joining this forum and – i will keep learning. I don’t want to overburden myself with information that i end up never needing (as i have a tendency to do. I started off reading electrical theory …ended up reading about space.) So how important is it I’m able to follow and understand electrical diagrams? I feel this is something i should know but I’ve never had to use it.

Thanks again for your willingness to help I’ll be sure to post questions as they come up :snig:

[Author]

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