Okay I know this site is about jobs and help on different matters of jobs but i thought i would ask this as i would find it very useful, as have a few interviews coming up and I'm sure other people over the Internet may find this useful.

The question is what questions would you ask if you were going to employ someone as an electrician?

e.g., What's the difference between MCB'S and RCD's?

What do you think companies would be looking at asking and tips or links or questions would help so please reply.

Regards

Sparkyuk521

Not sure I understand the question...Are you asking from the point of view of the employer, the employee (potential) or as a house holder looking for an electrician???

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Verwood Handyman
I Know it says I'm On-line, but I might have just left myself logged in, whilst I'm out....

Sorry yes asking from the point of view of the employer, the employee (potential) - I was just wondering if you were the employee what king of questions would you ask !

Last one we chatted about all the people we both knew all around the world and then at the end he asked what were two items shown on a schematic diagram which were a reversing contactor and a star delta contactor.

One before I was shown a PLC program and asked to comment on it.

One before that again a schematic diagram and asked what it showed.

So thinking back the schematic diagram seems to be main tool used to check ability at an interview. The problem is of course English and German schematics are slightly different and with the German showing one knows how to navigate between pages is important.

Although most large contracts use a schematic diagram I have not seen many for a house. The most complex is likely the central heating where one of the Honeywell systems is used. But today with combi-boilers most of the complex wiring is all within the boiler box.

Each foreman is likely to have his own thoughts as to what is important so one can get asked questions like would you except an earth loop impedance of 1.54 ohms with a B32 MCB?

But to ask "What's the difference between MCB'S and RCD's" I would think was a little on the simplistic side.

Some interviews will of course ask questions special to what they are doing. For example if they were wiring Cat I listed buildings they may want you to make off a mineral insulated gland. Main thing is don't lie. If one is given a mineral insulated gland and you say sorry never done one of these but I'll give it a go then you will be better off then just making a mess of it.

As the employee I would ask of course what is the pay and what holidays. And the nature of the work involved.

The one question which I find a problem is to what extent should one follow the regulations? I answer that I use common sense and if for example a cable for a split phase supply was coloured brown and blue instead of brown and black I would not be unduly worried. (i.e. 110v supply)

There's no way to second-guess what questions will be asked. The subject is WIDE and the possibilities are endless.

Anyway, if you know your 'job' you'll know the answers..........

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sparkyuk521
Good question I think, I too am studying for part P and if I get through then its interview time as a begginer...First question could be age and what experience(first hurdle) after that I think is the employer willing to take on a novice with the relevent qualifications. The old catch 22 thing. Will the employer be willing to give you a start with some kind of supervision or throw you in at the deepend at the end of the day it's his company and his reputation at risk. Bet thats cheered you up....sorry
Jim

I went for an interview with Kronospan in Chirk and that included a mini exam. Seems only people given the nod from others and had chance to check one what was required passed.
One question was with a 1/2 horse power motor on a 415v three phase supply what size overload is required on a star/delta starter. Show calculations.

I have never bothered working it out. Always looked it up at the time. Star/delta starters normally come with paperwork to help one select correct overload so why store it in ones head? Even today I would need to look-up as horse power is output so there will be loses to take into account.

But it seems the foreman had a formula and you were expected to use the same one and even if you worked it out correctly unless you used the formula he had you failed.

Most firms just want to view your qualifications in fact not even that if you take them to interview and offer them that's enough. They seldom check them. What is more of a problem is when people lie at the interview and 3 months later the firm asks one to bring in your qualifications so photocopies can be sent to insurers. Mine got stolen from boot of my car after attending an interview and although some were recovered from a hedge row where they had been dumped I only had photocopies of some. City & Guilds wanted £25 each back in 1982 to issue replacements so still don't have originals. However today they seem more interested in 2382 and 2391 so no longer a problem.