timisfunky

That sums it up perfectly... Living in the suburbs is exactly like early retirement....

hope this helps mate.... a lovely woman by the name of louise sent me it the other day... let me know how you get on in your test hi all my husband did the practical yesterday in London and we found lots of helpful info on here and from some individual posters so thought I would post his experience so that it may help others!! the day started in the main hall about 40-50 people all different trades, then we were sent off with different assessors. started in the classroom checking passports and paperwork. we were first given some risk assessments to fill in nothing too complicated things like task- use of hand tools risk involved- cuts and bruises to persons using tools method to reduce risk- person to be competent in using such equipment. you are asked to complete 3 or 4 of the tasks so have a few ready to put down. quite basic stuff though. we were then given the multiple choice questions. you need to get 4 out of 5 questions right in each section 4 sections in total. plenty of time to complete them but if like me you left college 20+ years ago you want to put some revision in , there were lots of circuit calculations, resistors in parallel + series so revise OHMS law u = 1 x R revise the formulas for parallel & series and practice examples there were a few power questions RMS values power (watts) = voltage (volts) x current (ampres) P = U x I power factor etc inductance in a circuit would hold back current (lagging circuit) capacitance would hold back voltage ( leading circuit) transformer ratios one or two on 3 phase power . from there we went to the workshop just the same as in college your own work area to begin the practical. all materials laid out on table and you just take what you need consumer unit rcd mcbs screws conduit etc... as your getting on with that she calls you to do other part disconnection reconnection process or the DOL starter once you have done that you return to your work station and carry on . now the tricky part ( for me anyway) DOL STARTER you have to draw a circuit for the DOL starter get to know the symbols for each part etc then will then ask you to connect it altogether with push in leads and you can put 1 lead into another for the self hold contact in parallel on 11 connected 13 and 12 to 14 as the diagram shows. you then have to go away and she puts a fault on it. so its just a matter of checking each lead to the diagram or just pull them all out and start again. having the diagram i was emailed will help you make sense of this part please pm if you would like a copy i can email it to you ( big thanks to stephen derby for this :biggrin:) I was really stressed about this part as I dont work with DOL starters but having now done it and also having a diagram emailed to by another poster on here it was very basic stuff there is also another diagram for the layout of the practical task which can be emailed aswell .when carrying out the practical there are set dimensions you have to stick to such as distance between switches , socket heights and lamp holder positioning check your dimensions draw it in pencil on the wall. you have to carry out continuity test and insulation resistance with a megger and record results and if they pass or fail. They then connect a power lead up to the consumer unit to check it all works. Get to know the disconnection and reconnection process by heart they are very strict on this. you have to talk them through what you are doing and you cant miss anything out just remember check voltage tester at known source first and then again after each time you use it. she was helpful and prompted you but would not tell you what to do They do have tools there but looks better if you have your own, only used safety boots and took overalls hat gloves and goggles but didn't need them . was finished by 4pm then they rang me to say I hadn't completed some paperwork so i rushed back and it was just a questionaire !!! so just have to sit and wait for the results, in the next 10 days. if you have any questions please feel free to ask and I will pass on to my husband good luck all Louise

hi there was wondering if anyone had done the oz sparks vetasses recently as a lot of the posts im reading are from a few yrs ago. i just want to know if the exam has changed much or if at all. im pretty nervous about the whole thing so any information would be much appreciated.. cheers guys. 21/5/2012 Tim

thanks for that derren very helpful.... although im still brickin it with the exam.....

hi there im a spark in the uk just about to start my application to move to oz. ive been told i need to score 8 points in all modules of my IELTS english exam, does anyone out there know how hard or easy this is to do. i will study for the exam but is it do-able??? also i know i have to sit a trades recognition exam, VETESSES i think its called, can anyone shed any light on this as im a bit worried about certain aspects of it since i finished college almost 10yrs ago and a lot of things, as all us sparks know, we rarely use.... calculations etc. naturally im very nervous of all this but i hope someone on this forum could please throw some light on one of my questions for me.... thanks for your time guys........