Any Smart Meter Installers out there? Need help with example questions

[moosemaster]

I am applying for a Smart Meter Installer position and I've managed to get a hold of some example questions for an assessment that is part of the application process.

A lot of them are straight forward enough but some of them have me pretty stumped. I'm not sure how you are supposed to know certain answers unless you've actually been doing the job for a while! I have put these questions to a sparks who have been in the job for over a decade - they're not sure either.

For instance - no one I ask seems to know what a "polarity indicator" is. It comes up a lot in the questions and is different to a plug-in polarity tester. Google doesn't help either.

There's 60 questions attached here - if anyone is up for a challenge in helping me crack this I would be eternally indebted!

 

[7029 dave]

Still on heritage metering,as regards to polarity we use an approved check plug.(don't laugh everything has to be called approved)

 

[moosemaster]

Heritage metering, I like it. I'm waiting for vintage meters to make a come back... nice bit of Bakelite...

One such question is...

"When starting work on a meter exchange you notice your polarity indicator and polarity check plug are missing. Can you continue with the exchange?"

I've no idea what a polarity indicator is! My understanding is that the (approved) test plug will only be confirming polarity at the point being tested; not necessarily at the cut-out.

 

[snowhead]

That looks like an assessment to determine the applicant's level of knowledge.

If you could get all the answers correct you'd already be installing meters.

There is a document available from MOCOPA (last question on the sheet) with "what to do if" answers, I've linked to it before.
I doubt you'd be expected to know all of that before training.

 

[moosemaster]

That looks like an assessment to determine the applicant's level of knowledge.

If you could get all the answers correct you'd already be installing meters.

There is a document available from MOCOPA (last question on the sheet) with "what to do if" answers, I've linked to it before.
I doubt you'd be expected to know all of that before training.

Ta! Yep, I should have mentioned - I found the MOCOPA document and have it printed off here in front of me. Some of the questions don't seem to match up to the guide which is frustrating - confusing emergency codes, etc,.

 

[snowhead]

The emergency codes on your sheet may only be relevant to Company you are applying to.

Some different codes here;
https://www.energy-uk.org.uk/files/...dGasMeterInstallationCustomerFacingIssues.pdf

 

[moosemaster]

The emergency codes on your sheet may only be relevant to Company you are applying to.

Some different codes here;
https://www.energy-uk.org.uk/files/...dGasMeterInstallationCustomerFacingIssues.pdf

Ah, I see. Thanks for the link, great help.

 

[PEG]

...and don't forget to tell your customers about the real-time telemetry,which sends their information to whoever,for dissemination and distribution/storage to whoever...

Merely putting the word "smart",in front of a noun,does not guarantee it is a good idea...as anyone knows,at the receiving end of a"smart-bomb" or "smart-alec"

 

[telectrix]

if you are missing your polarity indicator, use a voltage tester. L-N, L-E, N-E. this will determine polarity.

 

[Pete999]

if you are missing your polarity indicator, use a voltage tester. L-N, L-E, N-E. this will determine polarity.

LIKE

 

[westward10]

Delete

 

[moosemaster]

...and don't forget to tell your customers about the real-time telemetry,which sends their information to whoever,for dissemination and distribution/storage to whoever...

Merely putting the word "smart",in front of a noun,does not guarantee it is a good idea...as anyone knows,at the receiving end of a"smart-bomb" or "smart-alec"

Ah yes, I'll be sure to inform them. I agree with you wholeheartedly.

if you are missing your polarity indicator, use a voltage tester. L-N, L-E, N-E. this will determine polarity.

This was my thinking! What on earth is a polarity indicator??

 

[snowhead]

Polarity indicator, PDF pages 3 and 4.

http://www.enwl.co.uk/docs/default-source/g81/cp411-part-1-lv---mod43.pdf?sfvrsn=0

 

[Pete999]

Polarity indicator, PDF pages 3 and 4.

http://www.enwl.co.uk/docs/default-source/g81/cp411-part-1-lv---mod43.pdf?sfvrsn=0

Yes that will be a polarity tester???????????????????????????

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

The polarity indicator will probably just be a lamp, like the old school voltage testers. It goes half brightness between L&N 230V Full brightness L&L 400V.

 

[moosemaster]

Polarity indicator, PDF pages 3 and 4.

http://www.enwl.co.uk/docs/default-source/g81/cp411-part-1-lv---mod43.pdf?sfvrsn=0

So here they list test lamps, voltage indicators and voltmeters as polarity indicators.

The questions just confuse me - some are as follows:

"What instrument do you use to test for polarity in a customer’s installation?

* Polarity indicator
* Polarity check plug
* Voltmeter
* Test lamp"

"When starting work on a meter exchange you notice your polarity indicator and polarity check plug are missing. Can you continue with the exchange?

* Yes, use test lamps to complete current meter change before retracing steps, if not found arrange to pick up spares from depot next day
* Yes, use test lamps to complete current meter change before retracing steps, if not found contact manager and arrange for replacements to be delivered to your next appointment
* No, return to your last job as they could be there, contact manager if not and seek replacements before carrying out any further meter change work
* No, stop work and contact manager to report loss, install an isolator switch and isolate supply, issue an advisory notice inform customer that they will need an electrician to connect their tails, return to depot to get new equipment"

It sounds as if they are looking for a specific piece of equipment to be used as a polarity indicator. By means of elimination - maybe it's the voltage indicator?

 

[7029 dave]

The questions just confuse me - some are as follows:

"What instrument do you use to test for polarity in a customer’s installation?

* Polarity indicator
* Polarity check plug YES
* Voltmeter
* Test lamp"

"When starting work on a meter exchange you notice your polarity indicator and polarity check plug are missing. Can you continue with the exchange? NO

* Yes, use test lamps to complete current meter change before retracing steps, if not found arrange to pick up spares from depot next day
* Yes, use test lamps to complete current meter change before retracing steps, if not found contact manager and arrange for replacements to be delivered to your next appointment
* No, return to your last job as they could be there, contact manager if not and seek replacements before carrying out any further meter change work
* No, stop work and contact manager to report loss, install an isolator switch and isolate supply, issue an advisory notice inform customer that they will need an electrician to connect their tails, return to depot to get new equipment"

It sounds as if they are looking for a specific piece of equipment to be used as a polarity indicator. By means of elimination - maybe it's the voltage indicator?[/QUOTE]

 

[moosemaster]

Cheers Dave! 2 down, 58 to go

 

[s7t7e7v7e7]

Martindale is your socket tester and drummond lamps will be you voltage tester. as for polarity we also use a tech100 and a VT7.

 

[s7t7e7v7e7]

basically these are voltage sticks but used to confirm polarity at cut out and meter plus any isolators or blocks