Do I really need the yellow book for 17th edition exam?

[munty12]

Do I really need the yellow book for the 17th edition exam? I've been in touch with Guildford college, and they say I can sit the exam ONLY for £100. Which is great news. Only I don't fancy forking out £70 for the yellow book (chances are I'll never use it again!) I know it is theoretically possible to take the red or green 17th edition with me, these being much cheaper on eBay, and then attach copies of the amendments to it and then enter the exam (I noticed ITC allows us to download the amendments for free). But I wonder is this actually practically possible? Has anyone ever tried it?

 

[Pete999]

Do I really need the yellow book for the 17th edition exam? I've been in touch with Guildford college, and they say I can sit the exam ONLY for £100. Which is great news. Only I don't fancy forking out £70 for the yellow book (chances are I'll never use it again!) I know it is theoretically possible to take the red or green 17th edition with me, these being much cheaper on eBay, and then attach copies of the amendments to it and then enter the exam (I noticed ITC allows us to download the amendments for free). But I wonder is this actually practically possible? Has anyone ever tried it?

Hi Mate, I have to ask, why are you thing of sitting the 17th exam, when your only other Electrical qualification is the 15th? not knocking just you curious.

 

[Leesparkykent]

Do I really need the yellow book for the 17th edition exam? I've been in touch with Guildford college, and they say I can sit the exam ONLY for £100. Which is great news. Only I don't fancy forking out £70 for the yellow book (chances are I'll never use it again!) I know it is theoretically possible to take the red or green 17th edition with me, these being much cheaper on eBay, and then attach copies of the amendments to it and then enter the exam (I noticed ITC allows us to download the amendments for free). But I wonder is this actually practically possible? Has anyone ever tried it?

when are you sitting the exam? Even though amendment 3 has been published and has been on sale since the 5th of January it doesn't come in to force until the 1st of July with an exemption for the regs about non combustible consumer units that comes in to force January 2016.

Why wouldn't you use the book ever again if you brought it? Surely if you are working in the industry it would be beneficial to have.

 

[Darkwood]

Do I really need the yellow book for the 17th edition exam? I've been in touch with Guildford college, and they say I can sit the exam ONLY for £100. Which is great news. Only I don't fancy forking out £70 for the yellow book (chances are I'll never use it again!) I know it is theoretically possible to take the red or green 17th edition with me, these being much cheaper on eBay, and then attach copies of the amendments to it and then enter the exam (I noticed ITC allows us to download the amendments for free). But I wonder is this actually practically possible? Has anyone ever tried it?

That comment I'm lost with, what exactly do you plan on doing if your pass the exam, there's a vast difference between the 15th and 17th and if you already have the red or green book then no they will not do come July as even the Zs permitted values have changed so how would you expect to test your installs etc ..... your Regs are your wingman and should be refered to regularly to keep you from developing bad habits and getting behind the ever changing regulations.

As for your exam -- ask the examiner, as we are at a change-over point only he can answer whether you could use the green. TBH never heard an Electrician say they would probably never use the Yellow book if they bought it... well not from a competent Electrician anyway unless your job doesn't take you past changing lightbulbs that is.

 

[Octopus]

Just be aware that there are loads of reg number changes between the BRB and the BGB.

So assuming you pass, why don't you think you will need the book again.

Just curious.

 

[munty12]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I've never needed to own a regs book. There's usually been a chap who sat in the office, project manager or supervisor, who kindly sat on his bum and did all that sort of thing for me. This would be the same one guy who would inform me about new regs etc. If I needed to consult the regs, there was always the on-site guide. I always thought of the regs book proper as too delicate for hanging around a van, or building site.

Hi Mate, I have to ask, why are you thing of sitting the 17th exam, when your only other Electrical qualification is the 15th? not knocking just you curious.

As far as I am aware, in theory, any person can walk off the street and do the exam. No need for any electrical experience whatsoever. I assume that's why the industry views it as so important that electrician's show they have practical experience by holding an AM2 (regardless of how many actual years experience that they might have).

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I also think that it is possible to work for a company as an electrician with no qualifications whatsoever, and that I could work under the umbrella of the company's qualification?

There are plenty of online courses available to update to the 17th edition, but I can't see it as really necessary to pay someone to show me the ropes, not when there's a wealth of FREE info online about the regs, and how to revise for the 17th edition. I aim on immersing myself in it for a few weeks before I sit the exam.

 

[LeeH]

Your company's qualification? Come again?

 

[snowhead]

The Correct Regs book is provided for the Test by the Centre /College.

The Pre training is only familiarisation with the Sections in the book and the format of the online test, that's the reason anyone can pass it.

If you have any prior electrical experience and can cope with multiple choice questions, you should be able to pass without any revision.

 

[munty12]

I assume that's why the industry views it as so important that electrician's show they have practical experience by holding an AM2 (regardless of how many actual years experience that they might have).

Whoops!! I should point out that to gain an ECS goldcard, that it is possible to follow the mature candidate route, and that they do take all experience into consideration (though I'm unsure as whether you still need an AM2)

 

[Pete999]

The Correct Regs book is provided for the Test by the Centre /College.

The Pre training is only familiarisation with the Sections in the book and the format of the online test, that's the reason anyone can pass it.

If you have any prior electrical experience and can cope with multiple choice questions, you should be able to pass without any revision.

The center provides the correct Regs book, since when?

 

[Silly Sausage]

The center provides the correct Regs book, since when?

North Trafford College does.
I used a copy from the library for the course and, what is laughingly referred to as, the exam.

 

[munty12]

Your company's qualification? Come again?

By company qualification, I mean something along the lines of PAID membership to NICEIC, or somesuch.

 

[Pete999]

North Trafford College does.
I used a copy from the library for the course and, what is laughingly referred to as, the exam.

Thats not the same as "the center provided the correct regs book" is now come on Archy

 

[snowhead]

The center provides the correct Regs book, since when?

They did when I last went

 

[Silly Sausage]

That's not the same as "the centre provided the correct regs book" is now come on Archy

Oh alright then, it's having the nouse to get one's hands on the ones that are available!

 

[Pete999]

Oh alright then, it's having the nouse to get one's hands on the ones that are available!

I agree, but they aren't supplying it for you, enough already

 

[Silly Sausage]

I agree, but they aren't supplying it for you, enough already

They are, they're in the college library

 

[Barry White]

When I updated my 17th from 16th I paid for the exam only at leeds college £60 to £70 if I remember correctly, but used my own copy of the book (red then) its only provided if you do the full course of a few days at a high cost in time and money.

Its ok relying on others but if they are wrong and you install incorrectly the blame will come your way so I advise you to actually buy and use the book until you become familiar with it.

 

[Loki]

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I also think that it is possible to work for a company as an electrician with no qualifications whatsoever, and that I could work under the umbrella of the company's qualification?

Sorry no disrespect but with no qualifications your not an qualified/proper/full electrician, your just another DIY person with maybe more experience/knowledge than some other DIY bloke down the road.


Michael

 

[munty12]

Sorry no disrespect but with no qualifications your not an qualified/proper/full electrician, your just another DIY person with maybe more experience/knowledge than some other DIY bloke down the road.


Michael

Don't worry. It bothered me too. But I know of instances where this has actually happened.

 

[munty12]

In case this might help the next person looking for answers, the site with the free downloads, is not the itc but IET. To get a printable version of amendment 2, it costs a fiver. Hope to get a green book, pin this 2nd amendment to it, and then push for the exam before July...

The IET have issued a free viewable version of BS 7671 Amendment 2.
It only covers - Electric Vehicle Charging installations.
You can obtain a copy using this link:
IET Wiring Regulations updates - IET Electrical.

 

[Leesparkykent]

In case this might help the next person looking for answers, the site with the free downloads, is not the itc but IET. To get a printable version of amendment 2, it costs a fiver. Hope to get a green book, pin this 2nd amendment to it, and then push for the exam before July...

why don't you just get a Green book that is amendment 2?

 

[munty12]

Okay. I'm building a better understanding now. I thought the 2nd amendment was already being produced in the regs book, but it appears this is only a standalone document that can slot into the existing Wiring Regulations book. This actually restores some of my faith in human nature, as I thought people were being fleeced left, right and centre into buying more books that were only to become out-dated.

The exam to be taken at the moment (until July) apparently only includes amendment 1.

 

[Engineer54]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I've never needed to own a regs book. There's usually been a chap who sat in the office, project manager or supervisor, who kindly sat on his bum and did all that sort of thing for me. This would be the same one guy who would inform me about new regs etc. If I needed to consult the regs, there was always the on-site guide. I always thought of the regs book proper as too delicate for hanging around a van, or building site.



As far as I am aware, in theory, any person can walk off the street and do the exam. No need for any electrical experience whatsoever. I assume that's why the industry views it as so important that electrician's show they have practical experience by holding an AM2 (regardless of how many actual years experience that they might have).

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I also think that it is possible to work for a company as an electrician with no qualifications whatsoever, and that I could work under the umbrella of the company's qualification?

There are plenty of online courses available to update to the 17th edition, but I can't see it as really necessary to pay someone to show me the ropes, not when there's a wealth of FREE info online about the regs, and how to revise for the 17th edition. I aim on immersing myself in it for a few weeks before I sit the exam.

Correct me if i'm wrong, but are you saying that you have no electrical qualifications at all apart from an open book Reg's qualification, and that you are currently employed carrying out electrical installation work for a company??

If so, the company you are working for must be stark raving mad, i hope they have plenty of insurance cover. Never heard anything like it, ...and i thought short course training and Part P providers was a problem...

I hope i've misread/misunderstood something here, i really DO...

 

[Des 56]

Correct me if i'm wrong, but are you saying that you have no electrical qualifications at all apart from an open book Reg's qualification, and that you are currently employed carrying out electrical installation work for a company??

If so, the company you are working for must be stark raving mad, i hope they have plenty of insurance cover. Never heard anything like it, ...and i thought short course training and Part P providers was a problem...

I hope i've misread/misunderstood something here, i really DO...

Yes the company may be stark raving mad, but its a very common standard,it is usually called Niceic registered

 

[Engineer54]

Yes the company may be stark raving mad, but its a very common standard,it is usually called Niceic registered

How the hell can that company be legally trading as an electrical contractor? Nothing much surprises me these days where NICEIC is concerned or has it's fingers in the pie!! ...So much for them flying the Safety Banner!!

 

[Darkwood]

My old company was NICEIC member and they employed sparks of varying levels... all they are required to have is someone to oversee the work who is competent and up to date, so if the Boss stuck to all the updates then his employees need not, as long as he ensures his employees are aware of the changes in the regs then they can operate as a company although half its staff may not be up to date, this doesn't make them incompetent to do there job it just means if they ever leave then they will be well behind on the paperwork and may need to update themselves to get a new job.

If the company wants to employ people who are not fully competent and lack the skills then they can but that would not be in their interest to do so unless its a dodgy firm looking for cheap labour and no system will stop these ruthless companies from appearing....

It can be a large financial burden on a small company to keep sending its staff on update courses when all thats required is they are informed of the changes and their work is overseen to ensure they follow them... cannot see anything wrong with this myself except the costs to anyone who wants to leave as mentioned earlier.