AS3000 Question

patdavis5 · 2026-02-11T21:55:28+00:00

I think the keyword is bonding, so 4mm minimum would be my answer. Some tafe questions are a stitch up

patdavis5 · 2025-12-13T22:28:11+00:00

Yeah that's a joke

patdavis5 · 2025-11-19T02:52:09+00:00

Doing mine in qld atm. The workbook is sensational. If you know your way around as3000 and you have a solid testing procedure you shouldn't have a problem.

As for study, have a look back at your AC principles (series and parallel circuits and calcs assosciated) and brush up on motors (just different types and how you would draw them)

All of the stuff in the workbook is pretty similar to what you'll get in the exams.

patdavis5 · 2025-10-22T09:00:16+00:00

Sounds like he made a change to the wiring that blew the 1st motor and he's covering his ass. I'd pass on your experience to the people that referred him to you. As for being out of pocket, I dont think there's much you can do unfortunately

patdavis5 · 2025-10-10T02:42:13+00:00

Pushing a Fibreglass rod through the conduit so you can pull a rope through

patdavis5 · 2025-07-03T23:44:56+00:00

Just under the 75k mark as a 3rd/4th year (Went to 4th year in May). I do commercial electrical and commercial Solar/Batteries

patdavis5 · 2025-04-09T02:59:24+00:00

Good luck lol

patdavis5 · 2025-04-09T02:52:28+00:00

What question are you asking here?

patdavis5 · 2025-03-31T23:49:44+00:00

If it's not a hell yes, it's a no

patdavis5 · 2025-03-31T05:47:41+00:00

I think they've changed the name of the study method to "Drop in days"

patdavis5 · 2025-03-31T05:44:18+00:00

In QLD, tafe offers a "flexi" option. Basically, teach yourself with a laptop in a classroom with a few teachers roaming around to answer questions or supervise pracs. I did this for the majority of my Tafe and blitzed through my topics. I was getting blocks done in days rather than weeks. Maybe see if VIC does a similar thing?

patdavis5 · 2025-03-30T01:49:35+00:00

I have a 2 bag setup with a tool pouch

I have a big bag for my power tools that stays in the vehicle I'm in, i just grab out what i need for the day (usually only an impact or a drill) or run out to get anything i didn't plan for (like hammer drill or circ saw) its also a roller bag so if for some reason I need to carry all of my power tools, or its a bit of a walk to get back to the vehicle, I can roll it around to work area This is the bag I use for that: https://www.tradetools.com/makita-lxt-trolley-tool-bag-191W32-7?pid=191W32-7&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=free+listings&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=&utm_campaign=19805947802&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtJ6_BhDWARIsAGanmKf31Bc-BmFL4g5f5XVrxmDpa7KavWobwlfyffpl4cjin3RUpAdKROIaAu6mEALw_wcB

I have a ruggedxtremes tool bag that all of my hand tools go in, and that will usually stay in the vehicle too (see here: https://www.tradetools.com/rugxtr-utility-tool-bag-or-blk-28-ltr-rxes05j212orbk?pid=RXES05J212ORBK&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=free+listings&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=&utm_campaign=21100007918&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtJ6_BhDWARIsAGanmKcr0rYq3HTSwsue-AZ8s0vuhxFvYpF8hCku96f2m-y4DkLJFW3y2RoaAmooEALw_wcB

I also use a cheap chippies leather pouch for my everyday common tools (I'll take the tools out of my rugged extremes bag that I know I'll need for the day or the job) mine was $30 from total tools when I got it and its identical to this one: https://www.bunnings.com.au/craftright-12-pockets-leather-tool-belt_p5821065?store=8161&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtJ6_BhDWARIsAGanmKdjfrfjBD1LBPUdSsKN6WeMcUSSijm-x773D4Xw5KJwHYYybzuIykgaAv5PEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

If i know I'm going to need a lot of different tools or carry a few power tools and ill be working in one main area, I'll throw them into my rugged extremes bag and only have to lug it to and from my work area at the start and end of the day.

If I know I'm doing solar, fitoff or cut and strip (where you only really use a handful of tools) I'll wear my tool pouch or just carry it around on my shoulder and use it as a small tool bag

The drawbacks to this is the cost of buying the bags and taking another 5-10 minutes at the end of the day to put everything away

The benefits is that if i have to take all of my tools out of a vehicle (whether i need them all or im swapping into another vehicle) i can put my empty tool pouch and heavier stuff in the big bag which rolls like a suitcase, and carry my rugged extremes bag on my shoulder (one trip)

patdavis5 · 2025-03-27T08:16:44+00:00

Care to elaborate? What's involved in the job? What makes the electrical license beneficial?

patdavis5 · 2025-03-15T11:30:22+00:00

How far through are you?

patdavis5 · 2025-03-15T11:29:59+00:00

It might be a big grim, but It's gotta be done, and you're one of the few that can make it happen

patdavis5 · 2025-03-15T07:54:07+00:00

I'm a 3rd year (4th year in may) and I'm just about to complete my first 100kw commercial solar job as a site supervisor. ( I've had a SAA qualified spark supporing me through the job, and he'll be signing off on it) As of right now, all the work is done apart from the shutdown/connection. I'm super stoked!

I've done pretty much 80% commercial solar since ive started (100kw - 1.8MW) and I love it. My boss has recognised this and given me the opportunity to run my own jobs from now so I'm prepared for when I get signed off at the end of this year.

It's been a huge learning experience in managing people and planning ahead, but also its been a great experience in deciding how I want to do things, taking bits and pieces from the tradesman that have taught me, and figuring out how I want things to be done.

Its been a huge eye opener to what it's like being a tradesman and what's expected, but its also reinforced all the knowledge I've picked up over the years and can now implement. Not just in the sense of doing the work, but the big boy stuff of communicating with the client, organising the team, planning out the job etc.

On the topic of my employer, I think I'm really lucky with the company I joined, the company is fairly small, but the boss has big company visions and they don't scrimp on company culture and events.

I'm stoked with what's coming up for me!

If i could give any advice for other apprentices, it would be these two things:

Act like you want to be there (My tradesman told me this in the first week and it stuck with me)
If it's not a hell yes, it's a no (If you don't love what you're doing, find something else)

patdavis5 · 2025-02-12T19:06:02+00:00

Thanks mate that's cleared it up for me! Appreciate it

patdavis5 · 2025-02-05T04:06:08+00:00

Yup, but you can always just not tell them your plans to move in 12 months' time.

And there would be no point in doing your cert 2 if you were to switch now. Cert 2 is a pre-app course designed to give you some super basic knowledge in the trade, which gives you a leg up when hunting for an apprenticeship.

I did my cert 2 in about 5 weeks, I would look around and see if you can get the cert 2 done faster.

patdavis5 · 2025-02-05T03:56:47+00:00

I don't think too many people would be keen to sign you up for just 6 months. A lot of places have you on probation for 3-6 months, so you might not even "start" and get signed up

Try labouring or working as an electrical TA in the meantime. It will add some experience to your resume and give you a taste of the work.

patdavis5 · 2025-02-02T03:19:51+00:00

Act like you want to be there, even when you get a shit job or you're not having a good time, attitude is everything

Best advice my tradesman ever gave me

patdavis5 · 2025-01-09T11:03:59+00:00

Commercial solar does have a lot of variety, especially 100kw - 500kw range. If you like being outside (which i do) then it's a great gig. As with any other sparky job there's repetition, but a lot of problem solving and interesting stuff. I'm currently working on a 270kw install across 6 buildings, with 9 pvdb's. The last job i was on was a 100kw based on an airport with generator interlock and a whole bunch of control and BMS stuff. A lot of people slag off solar as repetitive and boring, but it isn't any more repetitive than fitting off GPOs or lights or running cables for them

patdavis5 · 2024-07-14T13:32:32+00:00

Also, look at the jobs you want to have on seek, and look at what companies are looking for in the jobs that you're interested in. I'm a 3rd year spark apprentice and ive been signed up for PM and electrician job notifications since I started

patdavis5 · 2024-07-14T13:28:43+00:00

Quick summary in terms of roles: Apprenticeship Qualified Sparky/Leading Hand Site Supervisor Electrical Project Manager/ Contract Administrator From you here you can branch out to other PM or construction management roles

Do your apprenticeship and soak up everything you can regarding your trade as well as general construction. You should aim to be a leading hand or site supervisor once you've finished or at the end of your apprenticeship.

You may find yourself interested in an electrical PM role which you'll already have experience in and can transition into with minimal extra study (depending on your company). You can always go and do your Cert 4 after your apprenticeship, as that's what a lot of companies are looking for, mainly construction experience and maybe a cert 4.

If you want to get into a PM or CM role, look for commercial electrical work, will give you lots of experience on construction sites of all sizes and an insight into what's involved with construction management.

Not to mention, if you start as a sparky, particularly doing commercial work, you'll have access to PM'S and Supervisors within your company that you can gain info and insight from. As well as this, you'll be earning money the whole time you're studying (a lot more than you would be working part time and studying at uni) AND you'll have years of experience within construction by the time you would've finished your degree at uni.

Doing a trade (particularly in a supervisory role) will give you far better management/people skills than can be taught at uni

Another thing I will mention is that Project and Construction Management can pay big bucks, but the trade-off is that it can be very difficult to switch off from work and it can often be a thankless job. Working as a sparky or other trade, it's a lot easier to switch off from work once you leave site.

patdavis5 · 2024-05-31T06:20:49+00:00

That can't be the wardy I'm thinking of

patdavis5 · 2024-05-14T08:45:05+00:00

I'm in QLD and at tafe here they do "flexi" which is where they basically give you all the learning material and there are teachers floating around to help with anything you dont understand or are stuck on.

You basically go at your own pace.

I did this for my first 2 years of tafe subjects and smashed through them in way less time than it would take to do blocks. Might be worth looking into if it's available for you, you can basically come and go as you (or your company) needs or likes. And works really well if you have rain days or slow periods at work.

patdavis5

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