Definitions / Wordy Questions

What are different types of specialist jobs for an electrician?

• Highway electrical systems

• cable jointing

• electrical maintenance

• Electrical machine drive installations

• panel building

• instrumentations

How a design stage works for projects?

The architect, consulting engineer, quantity surveyor and clerks of works are traditionally part of the architect’s design team.

In smaller firms, the client expects the electrician to ensure that the installation is properly designed and carried out.

In larger firms, they might have an internal architect team that makes things simpler and possibly cheaper.

What is a tendering process?

Tendering is the process by which a contractor works with the drawings and specifications issued by the consulting engineer and submits in writing, in competition with others, a total estimated cost for carrying out the work (i.e. materials, tools, equipment and labour).

What does an estimator do?

The estimator’s task is to calculate the total cost that will be given in the tender.

How can all types of information be stored?

• Email (most used way)

• Printers

• Fax machine

• Telephone

• written messages ( hand written notes)

• USB flash memory drives

• Electronic file server

• external flash drives

• optical media (CDs)

• microforms (stores images)

• Printed materials (papers)

What is an assembly drawing?

Assembly drawings are technical drawings that illustrate how multiple components fit together to form a complete product or structure, showing the arrangement and relationship of parts

What is a block diagram?

A block diagram can be used to relate information about a circuit without giving details of components or the manner in which they are connected. In block diagrams, the various items are represented by a simple figure or symbol, such as square or rectangle, labelled to indicate its purpose.

What is a circuit diagram?

Circuit diagrams use symbols to represent all circuit components and shows how these are connected. A circuit diagram should be as clear as possible and follow a logical progression route from supply to output. In all other respects, the circuit diagram cannot be regarded as a direct source of information. This is because it does not represent the physical outline of the circuit

What is a lay out diagram?

They are often based upon architects’ drawings of the building in which the electrical system is to be installed. This type of drawing shows the required position of all equipment, metering and control gear, and they normally show the plan view of the installation.

Why is recording of drawing changes so important?

In an ideal world, every installation would exactly follow the architect’s, designer’s, or consulting engineer’s original plans. In reality, however, everyone knows that problems can occur which will mean that cables must be routed in another way, or conduit must be fixed in a different position. These changes must be recorded so that, in future, when maintenance or alterations are needed, the actual layout of the installation is known.

What is a schematic diagram?

These diagrams do not show precisely how to wire components but they do show how the circuit is intended to work. Schematic diagrams tend to be used for larger, more complicated electrical installations such as control systems for motor starters and heating systems (Like a standard circuit diagram with symbols).

What is a site plan?

A site plan will show the entire area that is being worked upon. In terms of a house, for example, the site plan would not just show a single room or a floor but the whole dwelling, including all the land and gardens up to and including the property boundary.

What is a Wiring diagram?

The physical layout is taken into consideration. The components and connections show a pictorial version of those found in the actual circuit. Wiring diagrams can be used to carry information of a specific nature relating to the connection or wiring of components.

How are manufacturers data and service manuals used?

Almost all equipment will be supplied with manufacturers’ fitting instruction and other technical data or information sheets. These should be read and understood. Occasionally you may need more details about an item. You can get this from the manufacturer’s catalogue or datasheets, website, or by speaking directly to the manufacturer. Once the installation of the item is complete, they should be kept safely in a central file then to be given to the customer once the installation is installed.

What is a Gantt chart used for and how does it work?

A Gantt chart shows jobs or activities (normally in one colour) and when it is due to happen and for how long it will take. Main contractors use this sort of chart as it shows when individual trades are coming into a site. Another line of colour can be added underneath the certain trade to show weather it is on time or behind schedule.

How do scales work when designing?

Layout, assembly and site drawings give information about physical objects, such as the floor layout in a building, or a mechanical object. If the drawing were the same size as the object, the drawings would often be far too big to handle.

To find a measurement on the actual physical object, you measure the distance on the drawing and multiply it by the scale.

1:100 means in reality the object is 100 times bigger than on paper. Where as, 100:1 means the object is magnified 100 times bigger on paper than in reality. Any types of units can be used.

Actual full-size measurements calculated by taking measurements from the drawing and multiplying them by?

100

What is the difference between schematic and circuit diagrams?

• A schematic diagram focuses on the logical function of an electrical circuit, showing how components are connected and how the circuit is supposed to behave.

• A circuit diagram, on the other hand, is a more detailed representation that includes the physical layout of components and wiring, including specific wire colours.

What does maintenance cover in the construction industry?

This covers the repair, refurbishment and restoration of existing buildings and structures.

What does civil engineering cover in the construction industry?

Civil engineering involves the construction and installation of services for large structures such as bridges, roads, motorways, docks, harbours and mines.

What does building and structural engineering cover in the construction industry?

This type of company broadly covers the construction and installation of services for buildings such as factories, offices, shops, leisure centres, hospitals, schools, and of course, houses. Specialist contractors are normally the people who operate in this field.

What is a time sheet?

Timesheets are very important to you and your company. These are the permanent record of the work done on a site and include details of:

• Each job

• Expenses

• Overtime

• Travelling time

The information on the time sheet allows the company to track its costs and to make up your wages. If you work on several sites over the course of a week, you may need to fill in a separate timesheet for each job.

What is the purpose of a job sheet?

Some electrical contracting companies issue job sheets to their electricians. These job sheets provide detailed information about a job to be done. Job sheets frequently require the customer to sign them to indicate that the work has been done. Usually they will include:

• A clear description of the work to be carried out

• Any special instructions or special conditions (e.g. pick up special tools or materials)

• The customer’s name and address

What is the purpose of a variation order (VO)?

The purpose of the VO is to record the agreement of the client for any extra work to be done, as well as any change that this will make to the cost and completion date of the project. A variation order is issued when the work done is different, or varies, from the original work agreed in the contact and listed in the job sheet. This is done so the terms of the previous contract aren’t broken.

What is the purpose of a day worksheet?

Work that is done outside the original scope of the contract, perhaps as a result of a variation order initiated by the architect for example, is known as day work. Day work sheets are usually quoted at a higher price and need to be signed of by the client. It is important that the installation team who are on site record any extra time, plant and materials that may be used when doing day work. Once work is completed, completed day work sheets need to be taken to a office receipt.

What is the purpose of a purchase order?

Before a supplier will send out any materials or equipment, they will require a written purchase order. The purchase order should include details of the material, quantity required, and may (sometimes) specify a particular manufacturer.

The purchase order may also specify a delivery date and address. Purchase orders may be created from phone calls, emails websites etc,. A conformation code will be sent to the client right after.

What is the point of a delivery note?

Materials delivered directly to a site will arrive with a delivery note. The delivery note should contain the following information:

• A list of the type, quantity and description of any materials that are being delivered in this particular load

• The name of the supplier

• The time period allowed for claims for damage

• Who the materials are being sent to

• When materials arrive on site you should make sure you try to do the following:

• Check each item against the delivery note.

• Check for obvious signs of damage.

• Ensure that they are unloaded and stored correctly.

What is the purpose of a site report?

Site reports contain details of work progress, defects, problems and delays and most companies require regular reports about the progress on site. Sometimes additional reports on particular problems or incidents will be made and such reports may enable the company to:

Provide evidence when they make claims for progress payment

Spot problems that keep being repeated and take action to eliminate them

Take prompt action to avoid any difficulties that may be building up

Site report memo is usually short and brief, normally about a single issue such as materials not being delivered on time or a particular safety issue.

How scaled drawings work

Scale drawings are used for planning and preparing an installation. Scaled drawings use fixed ratios, for example 1:150. This would mean that every 100 mm on the drawing is 150 times bigger in reality. Scaled drawings can therefore be used to plan detailed installations in advance.

How to take recording in-site measurements for materials for a job.

When you arrive on a site to take measurements it is always best to carefully record them in a notebook, and keep this safe. If you measure incorrectly or forget the measurement It could mean that you order too much or too little material. That is why its best to write down the measurements and to keep it safe.

If you are required to carry out measurements on site, there are a number of tools that you can use to help, such as long measuring tapes and laser distance measurers.

How to prepare a materials list for a new project.

If you are working for a large contractor you would probably be able to order the materials needed from a central store. If not, then you could order them directly from a local wholesaler. In either case, the process of working out what you need is exactly the same.

The first thing to do is to get a copy of the layout drawing. As it would be a scaled down drawing it is possible to take measurements from the diagram and work out the actual dimensions of the building, so that you can prepare a materials list for the job.

Step 1: Count up all the major pieces of equipment needed

Step 2: Decide the best runs of conduit and trunking

Step 3: Calculate lengths of trunking, conduit and cable required

Step 4: Include accessories, fixings, etc.

Step 5: Consider special access equipment like a ladder.

What should site members do for visitors when they visit a site that don’t have facilities?

• Brief the visitor on site safety

• Check the reason for the visit

• Check the validity of the visitor

• Establish whom they wish to see

• If a request is made that is beyond your authority, contact an authorised person

• Issue an identification badge if necessary

• Issue them with a hard hat and high visibility jacket if necessary

• Log their arrival time and departure time

• Receive visitors in a manner that fosters goodwill

Checks for when using a hire company for equipment

check that any hire company you may use operates a proper system of Preventive Plant Maintenance, as well-maintained plant and equipment is less likely to break down, will emit fewer pollutants, and will help prevent spillage of oil and fuel to the environment site because if it brakes whilst its your responsibility, you will have to pay for the costs.

What are the two types of specifications?

A specification is an explicit set of requirements to be satisfied by a material, product, or service, as detailed by the end user (the client).

Section 1: General specification

This section will give general information about an installation’s circumstances. This could include things like the wiring systems, enclosures and equipment. It may also give generic requirements applicable to any project issued by the consulting engineer.

Section 2: Particular specification

This section is where you would find any specific details about the project being tendered for. For example, Section 2 may say that for this job the installation will be carried out in over braided flexible conduit to provide EMI/RFI shielding. If there are no specific conditions that apply to the project, then the contractor would need to see what the consulting engineer’s general requirements are; this information would be contained.

How Manufacturers’ data sheets and manuals should be used

Almost all equipment will be supplied with some form of fitting and installation instructions and may also have other technical data or information sheets. These instructions and data sheets should be read and understood before attempting to fit the item concerned.

Once an item is installed, any manuals, data sheets, etc., should be kept safely and given to the customer in a handover manual when the project is completed.

Who are the main people reports and schedules are for?

Technical information will need to be communicated to all of the people working on an installation or work site, and there are several key individuals who need to be involved and consulted in the use of such technical information. The correct interpretation and use of technical information is vital for the successful completion of a job.

Operatives (trades people), Supervisors, Contractors, Subcontractors, Site agents, Clients.

What is a report writing for?

Reports usually describe the process of an investigation, or perhaps a problem. The purpose of a report is to inform an individual, or a team, enabling them to make informed decisions by presenting all the relevant facts. A report may also include some recommendations for action. In a construction project, a report may be needed for many reasons, e.g.:

• A description of an equipment installation problem

• An explanation of why there is an attendance problem on site

• An investigation into the different ways of solving a problem (with perhaps recommendation for action)

• Any progress made since the last report

Who writes report writing?

Often a report is requested by someone who needs more information about an issue, while at other times a report may be written by someone who has information to share. It is important that what you are trying to write is clear and straight to the point. Many companies will have a certain structure they must report in.

What are site diaries (like a daily record)?

As a project develops, more labour force, tasks and work areas will increase. This will make it more difficult for the person in charge to control. Circumstances like these are where a site diary as like a daily record is needed. Typically a site diary should be used to record things such as:

• Both official and unofficial meetings, including their dates and times

• The details and dates of any actions that needed to be taken

• Any staffing issues

• Details of any discrepancies in deliveries and action taken

• Agreed variations

What is critical path analysis?

Critical path analysis (CPA) is a way of planning a project so tasks are done in the correct order, because some jobs must be completed before others can begin (for example, walls must be built before the roof). To do this, all tasks are listed along with how long they take and what order they must be done in. These tasks are then linked together to show the sequence of the project. The critical path is the longest sequence of tasks, and it determines how long the whole project will take. Any delay in a task on the critical path will delay the entire project, while tasks not on the critical path have some flexibility.

Who is the person responsible for issuing job sheets and time sheets on site?

The contract supervisor.

What is an induction normally mad up of?

An induction is normally made of these parts:

• structure - who does what in the company, including my self.

• procedure - how the company handles certain events such as injuries, fires and disputes.

• Regulations - how the company conforms to legal requirements such as PPE.

What is company procedures about?

• Wages

• Hours

• Holidays

• Time sheets

• Illness

• Absents reports

What is a safety data sheet (SDS)?

It is a sheet to provide information on the safe handling of hazardous substances

What does ‘CITB’ stand for?

The construction industry training board

What does ‘JIB’ mean?

The joint industry board

What does NVG mean?

National vocational qualification

What does the ‘ECA’ mean?

The electrical contractors association

What does the ‘NICEIC’ mean?

The national inspection council of electrical installation contractors

What does IET mean?

The institution on engineering and technology

What are the minimum amount of holiday days are you allowed to have?

28 days

What cant a company refuse to hire you because of?

What is a permit to work?

A permit to work is a more formal system stating exactly what work is to be carried out and when, and which parts are safe. Usually written down on paper.

How many days off from being sick are you allowed to have statutory sick pay?

Over 4 days

What is the main reason for recording test results?

To provide a reference for future fault finding.

What is the inspection checklist of an installation?

• Integrity of enclosures.

• Insulation of live parts

• Type and rating of fuse

• Identification of conductors

• adequate size tails

What are class 1 and 2 equipment?

• Class I equipment has basic insulation and exposed metal parts, so it must be earthed

• Class II equipment is double insulated and does not require an earth connection

What is maximum demand?

Maximum demand is the highest level of current (or power) expected to be used in an electrical installation at any one time