CompEx Ex 01-04

Discussion in 'Electricians' Talk' started by Ind spark, Nov 23, 2021.

  1. Ind spark

    Ind spark Screwfix Select

    Doing a 5 day course in December, has anyone done it? Am I in for a tough week?

    Bit nervous :confused:
     
  2. Bazza-spark

    Bazza-spark Screwfix Select

  3. Ind spark

    Ind spark Screwfix Select

    Thanks for the info, anything helps.
     
  4. Bazza-spark

    Bazza-spark Screwfix Select

    Good luck, I don't think it's easy.
     
  5. Ind spark

    Ind spark Screwfix Select

    Thanks, I'll let you know how i get on.
     
  6. Bazza-spark

    Bazza-spark Screwfix Select

    With your experience I'm sure you will be fine, but yes, look forward to hearing.
     
  7. Roys

    Roys Screwfix Select

    Not sure of your oil and gas experience but being an industrial spark is certainaly a good start as you have to do a fair bit of SWA glanding, used to be Hawke 501 Universal glands but don’t know if that is still the case as it is about 15years ago since I last did it although I have done it a few times over the years before that as it only lasts for 3 to 5 years.
    Terms to get familiar with so that your brain doesn’t get too brain overloaded on the week.
    Methods of protection, Exd, Exi, Exe, Exn, Exp just get familiar with the terminology, you will get much more detail on course.
    T1 to T6 learn your temperature classifications before course, only 6 temperatures to remember.
    Gas groups ABC just get familiar with what they mean.
    I can go into bags more detail if you have more questions,
     
  8. Ind spark

    Ind spark Screwfix Select

    Thank you iv got a few weeks before I do it so that gives me an idea of what to research.

    My experience in this is very limited, iv installed/ replaced lots of flameprooef light fittings/isolators etc, using the Ex gland kits and MICC.

    The swa glanding won't be an issue iv been making off SWA cables of all sizes every week for 20 years.

    Thanks again.
     
  9. Vin

    Vin Screwfix Select

    First time I did it it was open book but it isn’t anymore.
    If you’re an experienced industrial spark the practical parts should be ok but the theory is mind numbing.

    Basically you have to remember loads of facts and figures. Last time I took it I failed the theory element 3 times, at the time I worked offshore and got paid overtime to attend courses.

    I built my summerhouse out of the money I earnt in overtime and christened it The Compex Wing kindly sponsored by Centrica Storage.
     
    Ind spark and Teki like this.
  10. Tony Goddard

    Tony Goddard Screwfix Select

    Blimey Ind, what you looking at doing, re-wiring a petrol forecourt or a distillery!!

    Which reminds me of my teenage years, working at a small rural garage, we had the old type clock hands pumps, strictly attended service - I was fixing a mower late one sunday evening, the bosses son and his mates (all about 8) were playing formula 1 on their bikes round the forecourt - I could smell an awful stench of 4 star, and it wasn't from the mower, went round to have a look, the kids had been pretending to refil their "cars", they were soaked, as was the forecourt.

    The kids got an early bath and I decided against a relaxing silk cut in the evening sun!
     
  11. Ind spark

    Ind spark Screwfix Select

    Spot on mate Gin distilary.
    14 weeks of nights, can't wait :confused:
     
  12. Ind spark

    Ind spark Screwfix Select

    Done the course last week, my heads still spinning:confused:.
    You have to do:
    3 inspections
    2 installations
    And a 60 question multiple choice test on the last day.
    Got to wait for my results now, fingers crossed.
     
    Bazza-spark likes this.
  13. Bazza-spark

    Bazza-spark Screwfix Select

    Ind spark likes this.
  14. Offshore

    Offshore Active Member

    I've done this a few times over the last 20 years or so. It is definitely not a formality and I know a few experienced offshore sparkies who have failed elements of it. If I remember rightly, they used to send out pre-course study material, this was very useful and I would recommend familiarising yourself with it if you can. The T groups and gas groups in particular are important information when identifying suitability of equipment for zoned areas. One of the tricky parts of the course is that you are often required to specify the bare minimum standard of equipment for an area i.e. you can't just go OTT and specify the absolutely safest installation, just the minimum requirement for a given application. The workshop element was quite intense as I remember - two full days in an installation bay that has zone 0,1 and 2 areas designated. You are given a load of equipment, lights, glands, JBs etc and tasked with installing them in conformance with Ex rules. Another critical part was making off a barrier gland. When I did it we had to make off two Hawke barrier glands. When we were finished one of the glands had to be installed during your workshop session in the correct zone and the second one was sent of to Hawke to be cross sectioned to ensure the barrier compound had been packed in correctly.
    None of the above is intended to worry you, just to illustrate that it is (quite rightly) a serious business. If you give the study material the respect and attention it deserves you will be fine.
     
  15. Ind spark

    Ind spark Screwfix Select

    To late for worrying now i done the course last week, like you say it's intense and definitely not a guaranteed pass.
    The barrier gland is the only aspect I'd never done before and that gets checked the week after so who knows if I got thay right.

    I didn't get any pre-course matirial just straight into it last Monday.

    I'll let you know how i got on when I get my results in a few weeks.
     
  16. Offshore

    Offshore Active Member

    Ah, sorry. I didn't pick up that you did it last week. Fingers crossed.
     
  17. Ind spark

    Ind spark Screwfix Select

    I passed thankfully.

    Was never in doubt.:confused:
     
    arrow likes this.
  18. Bazza-spark

    Bazza-spark Screwfix Select

    Well done.
     
    Ind spark likes this.
  19. Roys

    Roys Screwfix Select

    Nice one, loads of info to learn 1st time round.
     
  20. Ind spark

    Ind spark Screwfix Select

    Yeah was a lot to take in, glad it's over until 2026.
     

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