Can I do 2380 with no previous qualifications?

[darren]

Hello,

I'm a DIYer now looking to pickup appropriate qualifications to call myself a Qualified Electrician and start cross-training into this industry.

I've been researching the local collages and online for courses I can do part-time and came across the 2380 course online at http://www.electacourse.com/electrician-courses.html. This implies it can be done at home and when I'm happy and confident, I can book myself into a local centre to take the exam.

However, I've checked the City & Guilds web site and also a few local collages and they seem to be saying that I need to have existing qualifications before I can take and sit the 2380 course. The C&G page http://www.cityandguilds.com/cps/rde/xchg/SID-8F59D115-C55BD149/cgonline/hs.xsl/21390.html?search_term=2382 says I need these

# City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in the Requirements for Electrical Installations BS 7671: June 2001 (2381), or
# City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Electrotechnical Technology Installation (Building and Structures) (2330-07), or
# City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Electrotechnical Technology Electrical Maintenance (2330-08), or
# City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Electrical Installation Part Two (2360) (from January 1st 2004 onwards only)
# City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Knowledge of Electrical Installation Engineering (2351)

and goes on to say "Failure to hold such records will result in sanctions being applied and approval being removed. "

So, I'm not entirely sure what do to now. Anyone any advice? Has anyone done the electacourse?

Regards
Darren

[Central Scrutinizer]

Hi

the 2380 doesnt exist

the pre-requisites you have listed are to sit the 2382-20 16th edition to 17th edition update exam

Presumably you dont have these, so you would need to sit the 2382-10 exam which is the full 17th edition (or an equivalent such as EAL's)

there are no pre-requisites quals to sit the 2382-10 and there is no requirement to sit any course (if you dont want to) - you can study yourself and just sit the online exam at a C&G approved centre - HOWEVER, holding a 17th edition qual by itself qualifies you to do......absolutely nothing, and certainly wont make you an 'electrician'

[conductor]

Hi Darren,

I studied at home for my 2382 and just booked in to do the exam. I passed with the highest mark and the 6 others sitting the exam had done a 4 day course!

The 2382 is an excellent qualification to get under your belt and you can also do the 2392 in a similar fashion BUT as CS said, this does not make you an electrician.

If you want to become an electrician though, having the 2382 and 2392 (which you can get by studying at home) will give you an excellent start. You then need to gain practical experience (lots!) and can work towards your 2391 etc.

Good luck!

[darren]

Thanks conductor. Can you tell me where you did the exam? I made several enquiries about taking the exam as a self-study person, but many of the places have said no, because I haven't studied with them! Seems like I'm being penalised to doing self-study and am about to give up on this.

Regards

[Central Scrutinizer]

well i know a place you can do it

PM me and i will give you the details

Dont see how you could study for the 2392 at home though.........what do you do, just pitch up at a centre and sit the practical AND online exams?

who's meter would you use? i have seen some experienced people get twitchy when doing the 2392 practical - i certainly dont see how a 'newcomer' could just read a book and then expect to dot the practical!

[conductor]

Hi Darren,

I sat my exam at Lockwell in Tewksbury. They accepted me no problem and were very helpful. I also know someone who sat their exam at downuntertradies dot com in London.

You can do the first part of the 2392 with home study. It's an online test of 50 questions in 100 minutes, but if you're not experienced I don't think you'd pass the practical side which you'd sit at another time in a seperate exam.