How to get Wiremans License?

[Sparks]

Congratulations, maybe there is hope for SA after all

[I need help]

Well done, Mine has been submitted ,thanks for your assistance !

Patience from here onwards by the looks of things.

Congrats that you are eventually licensed.

[Tian van der Walt]

its not that simple...its not a wiremans license anymore.

you can become:

a single phase tester
3 phase installation tester
or a master electrician

there are various requirements for each different catergory.

i would contact the local ECA in your area and find out the correct requirements

what is the requirements to become a master electrician

[Jacques#1]

its in these threads, and there are mail links, just read on and follow the links to the DOL.

[Ray12]

Hi. i'm now trying to do my wireman's licence, and there are 2 papers, does anybody know until where you study for th first paper, and what is the contents of te 2nd paper? also- does anybody know where i could find old exam papers?? please help!!

[Sparks]

I did mine so long ago that I do not recall if it was 1 or 10 papers. What I do know is that you must know everything to be able to do your job correctly. Forget about the minimum requirements to pass. People will be trusting you with their lives. Learn everything with the aim of getting 100%. It has been years now but I still regularly go over my books to keep me on my toes. Do not underestimate the value of the SANS10142 CD which you can buy online, it is cheaper than your local SABS offices. When you register it you can also apply for online notification and subscribe to the ammendments and updates. All the best with your studies.

[Ray12]

Thanks so much, i'm a bit stressed, coz i hear the pass rate is ridiculously low- but i'm studying hard and i'll do my best

[Sparks]

There is no need to stress. That could cause a careless mistake. All you need to do is remember the basics(ohms law etc.) and the rest is logical if you consider the question carefully. If you have a decent journeyman you must pepper him with questions and remember his answers. Make sure you know SANS 10142. Most of it is logical but you must learn the specs. Most of them you should know by now from using them. In the field not much effort is taken to explain to the appie why what is being done. If you want to ensure that you pass, go out of your way to ask questions and if you doubt the answer, look it up or work it out then have someone else check it for you. Remember 40% result means you do not know 60%. I am sure you would not like having a guy work on your car if he does not know more than half of what is going on. Somewhat different though, because you will have the lives of all your clients in your hands. At the end of the day it is worth it though because when you go to bed you know that you have ensured that your installation has saved someone's life because it is as per code. Good luck!
Have faith in the Lord and next time I reply to you will hopefully be to say congratulations.

[JustJohann]

I can add only one thing and that is try try and try again. It took me a total of almost 9 years to get my wiremans complete but i never gave up.

[Sparks]

Good for you. A pity more people don't follow your example and stick to it. Too many are too lazy and rather go illegit. If you keep trying you must get there. A task is only as difficult as the first step.

[SilverNodashi]

ok, here's a slightly different question. I have electrical (Technies Elektries in Afrikaans) & electronics (Technika in Afrikaans) in Technical Highschool but never went to study either of them after school. From what I understand, I got an N3 in Matric.


Nowdays I do a lot of odd electrical work myself, around the house / parent's houses / on the farm etc. Nothing serious though and nothing that requires anything more than a cheap'ish multimeter.

How, and where, would I start if I wanted to get a wireman's license. I seriously doubt I'll ever use it in a business sense, but more a matter of if I need todo some more major work, I'll know it's legal.

[Jacques#1]

Ok, you can become a single phase tester, but for that you would need experience, which as you explain you are not in the business of, so that may be difficult.

Easiest answer: All electricians is "Supposed" to work according to SANS 10142, if it is for yourself, than buy the SANS book, or buy the downloadable book, and work according to that. If an electrician wires a premises, or whatever the case may be, he does it according to the "electricians bible".....SANS 10142. If you have a buddy who is an electrician, double check with him what you are installing and how, he'll give you the right answers. If you don';t have one, post your installation on the forum, I'm sure there are a few guys who will spec it for you quickly, including myself.

However take heed, in theory you are not supposed to do any electrical work without the general supervision of a qualified electrician, so for all purposes of what I have written above....I am under the influence of alcahol and nothing can be allowed in court .

[123]

Actually you can get a master electrician license (DOL Registration Card) for R2500.00
Installation Electrician License(DOL Registration Card) for R1800.00
Single Phase tester (DOL Registration Card) is for free.

Just pm me for details

ps. I cannot reveal my sources.

[Jacques#1]

That sounds great.......except, I've been involved in two cases so far that I was requested to do a COC after one has been issued by another electrician. In both cases I was unaware that there has been a test conducted. In both cases the previous electrician was in and out in 20 minutes, did not even open a single box, and......in both cases the laywers persuing electricians, after I gave the owners a list of faults (all genuine faults)......If I knew I was going to get into the middle of this, I would like I have done for some clients, apologised and said I cannot do the Certificate.

I also did a house 2 weeks ago, where there are a list of faults, took me 8 hours to test the entire house. Serious things like the DB about 50cm above the basin in the kitchen......I did this for the managing agent. The previous owner refuses my bill, and got his own electricians in. Once again 20 minutes later they left. Now the new owner says that he is going to persue as he does not want a dangerous house, and guess what, I am stuck in the middle again. Luckily I listed every clause in the SANS book next to each fault, so there is no arguiing later on.

Point is, people are getting fed up with these guys who lie and cheat, and taking legal action against them. Seeing what I have, I would not want to touch a bought licence, it's gonna get you into trouble eventually. Besides, I am talking about residential applications, imagine you use the Masters licence and sign off a hazardous installation, next thing something goes wrong.....these guys don't fool around, theres no...."you can't prove it was me...", they use forensic experts, commision investigation teams and before you know it you are attacked by 20 corporate laywers with unlimited funds.......

Not for me thanks.......

[Sparks]

Good for you, we need a few more with a conscience and pride in the industry.