AM2

[ParkySparky]

Just reading through some old posts and the am2 was mentioned.

Wiring the 2 way lighting circuit.

Am I right in thinking this is done in t&e now?

We had to use metal conduit, kicking back to walk out of trunking, then it had 2x90 bends in it! Only just enough conduit to do it and only 3 couplers, one to bush in light, one for trunking and one to split tube between the two 90 bends if you couldn't manage it in one piece!

It was then wired in singles, it was a 2 way and intermediate circuit with landlords over ride, also incorporating a em fitting with neon indicators on the switches!

Is the motor start/stop/inch still in the test?

MI cable to 3 phase and neutral socket?

Surley not changed much has it?

 

[steptoe]

from what I get of it parky there is no pyro now,

I have no idea about the rest though. :|

 

[karlb]

I passed the new am2 about 2 months ago. All the lighting is in as you say t+e. There are 10 circuits in total. An heating system with solar thermal. 2 way and intermediate lighting. Ring main. Motor. Commando socket. Smoke alarm wired in fp200. bonding to gas and water. And err can't remember the rest. My dad used to be an am2 assessor and he said that the exam hasn't necessarily gotten easier as the assessing has become strict.

He also said that a lot things were taken out of the am2 as it was felt that some of the things were very specialist. Such as pyro and metal conduit

 

[ParkySparky]

Yeah pyro is rarely used these days apart from as you say in locations where it is really needed. Wouldn't really say metal conduit is specialist though! Very common I would of thought!!

 

[Sidewinder]

It's catch 22, standards fell very badly, due to inadequate training, the "BIG" design consultancies had too many snags with installers not able to terminate SWA, (i.e. armour as cpc), Pyro, & metal conduit. so they stopped specifying it, to minimise the issues.

Thus it became less used in the industry because the competence to install it was not there, thus there is no longer a need to install it, to the extent, some people believe that it is not "illegal" to use ANY SWA as a cpc!

Which is NOT true, with some SWA cables the SWA is not suitable for a cpc, but NOT all.

Thus it is no longer in the AM2.

Pyro, metal conduit, and SWA, with SWA as a cpc are very important, however, there are so many "electricians" out there who cannot complete this work correctly, it is avoided where ever possible by the designers.

 

[ParkySparky]

All I've got to say is that's pootash! If you can't do the basics as I see them to be then go be a postman or summat!!!

 

[wicksy]

Most of the sparks I follow round here were posty's or failed IT geeks

 

[karlb]

The swa terminations use the armour as the cpc in the am2

 

[steptoe]

But its not always permitted to use the armour, and most of the numpties dont realise that.

 

[ParkySparky]

Yeah try using the armourings on a 300mm 4 core and see if you get a good enough Zs!!!!

 

[karlb]

I was just saying lol. I would always use a core as the earth as i dont really like the idea of using the armour as the main cpc even tho it's perfectly acceptable in some cases

 

[ParkySparky]

I think it's pure hassle using the armourings, especially if your using 2 core on a radial to a metal clad spur or socket.

Trying to get the banjo on and drilled, bolted etc.

Although the new earthing/locknuts are quite good to use!

 

[steptoe]

I think it's pure hassle using the armourings, especially if your using 2 core on a radial to a metal clad spur or socket.Trying to get the banjo on and drilled, bolted etc.

Although the new earthing/locknuts are quite good to use!

why would you need to drill and banjo it?

 

[ParkySparky]

How else do you use the armouring's as the cpc? Banjo, bolt, lug a piece of earth from there to earth terminal?

 

[steptoe]

you only need to banjo and bolt if the armour is glanded onto a removable plate.

 

[ParkySparky]

you only need to banjo and bolt if the armour is glanded onto a removable plate.

So if the swa was glanded into metal back box would you just stick a link between earth terminal in back box to terminal on socket front?

If terminating swa into trunking below db would you not link from banjo to earth terminal in db?

 

[karlb]

^^ thats how I believed it to be done. But I'm relatively new in the industry ad learning all the time

 

[hxsarge]

thought you could get away without a monical if you scrapped all paint etc away from gland entry before you do it? never done it myself, it strikes me as being a bit lazy, but if you get a good earth loop whats the difference?

 

[karlb]

Would that not leave the bear metal open to oxidation and corrosion? Leading to a decreased efli later on in the installs life span?

 

[steptoe]

So if the swa was glanded into metal back box would you just stick a link between earth terminal in back box to terminal on socket front? If terminating swa into trunking below db would you not link from banjo to earth terminal in db?

If the SWA is glanded directly to the enclosure no banjo required,

If it is not glanded directly then banjo and tail required, ie, removable plate,trunking etc.