City & Guilds 2396 - Design & Verification of Electrical Installations

Progress to electrical design and specification with this prestigious Level 4 qualification. Perfect for experienced electricians and supervisors looking to advance into design roles commanding higher salaries and greater responsibility. ## Course Overview The City & Guilds 2396 Level 4 Award in the Design and Verification of Electrical Installations is a highly regarded qualification for experienced electricians seeking to move into design, project management, and specification roles. This advanced course provides the knowledge and skills to design electrical installations to BS 7671 standards, making you invaluable to contractors, consultancies, and engineering firms. With electrical design roles commanding salaries £10,000-£20,000 higher than installation positions, this qualification represents a significant career investment. ## What You'll Learn ### Design Principles & Regulations - Understanding statutory and non-statutory regulations - BS 7671 requirements for design and verification - Building Regulations Part P compliance - IET Wiring Regulations application in design - Health & Safety at Work Act implications - Electricity at Work Regulations for designers - Design responsibilities and duty of care - Contractual and legal obligations ### Electrical Installation Design - Load calculations and diversity factors - Cable sizing and selection criteria - Protection device coordination - Circuit design for various applications - Earthing and bonding system design - Lighting design calculations and layouts - Emergency lighting systems design - Fire alarm system integration ### Equipment Selection & Specification - Selecting appropriate protective devices - Switchgear and distribution equipment specification - Cable and conductor selection - Containment systems design - Environmental considerations in equipment selection - Cost-effective design solutions - Energy-efficient design strategies - Future-proofing electrical installations ### Initial Verification Requirements - Design verification procedures - Inspection and testing regime planning - Certification and documentation requirements - Handover procedures and commissioning - As-built drawing production - Compliance certification - Building Control liaison - Client communication and reporting ### Alternative Energy Sources - Solar PV system design and integration - Battery storage system design - EV charging infrastructure planning - Wind and micro-generation integration - Grid connection requirements - DNO notification procedures - G98 and G99 applications - Energy efficiency calculations ### Advanced Technical Topics - Harmonic distortion and power quality - Voltage drop calculations across complex installations - Short circuit and fault level calculations - Discrimination and selectivity in protection - Motor control circuit design - Three-phase load balancing - Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Special location requirements ## Course Structure **Duration:** 5 days classroom + 40-hour design project **Times:** 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM each day **Delivery:** Intensive classroom training followed by supervised project work ### Week 1: Classroom Training (5 Days) **Day 1 - Design Fundamentals** - Regulatory framework and responsibilities - Design process and methodology - Load assessment and diversity - Initial design considerations **Day 2 - Circuit Design** - Cable sizing calculations - Protection device selection - Earthing system design - Voltage drop calculations **Day 3 - Distribution & Switchgear** - Distribution board design - Switchgear specification - Discrimination and coordination - Motor circuits and control **Day 4 - Special Installations** - Alternative energy systems - Emergency and safety systems - Special locations (bathrooms, swimming pools, etc.) - External installations **Day 5 - Verification & Documentation** - Initial verification requirements - Testing regime design - Certification and compliance - Project handover procedures ### Home Study: Design Project (40 Hours) - Complete externally-set design project - Produce full design documentation - Calculate all circuit parameters - Create schematic diagrams - Specify all equipment - Submit for marking ### Final Assessment (3 Hours) - Open-book written examination - Externally set and marked by City & Guilds - Case study-based questions - Design calculations and specifications ## Who Should Attend This course is ideal for: - Experienced electricians seeking design roles - Electrical supervisors and foremen - Electrical project managers - Facilities managers with electrical responsibility - Those seeking careers in electrical consultancy - Engineers pursuing chartered status - Self-employed electricians tendering for larger projects ## Entry Requirements **Mandatory Prerequisites:** - City & Guilds 2391 (Inspection & Testing) OR 2394/2395 - City & Guilds 2382 (18th Edition BS 7671) - Minimum 3 years proven electrical installation experience - Strong working knowledge of BS 7671 Wiring Regulations - Competence in electrical calculations and mathematics **Recommended:** - NVQ Level 3 in Electrotechnical Services - Current ECS Gold Card - Experience with electrical design software (AutoCAD, Amtech, etc.) **Required for Course:** Students must bring the following references: - IET 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) - IET Guidance Note 3 (Inspection & Testing) - IET On-Site Guide *These are NOT included in the course fee* ## Assessment **Design Project (40 Hours):** - Externally set by City & Guilds - Centre marked to C&G criteria - Full electrical installation design - Complete documentation package - Submission deadline: 8 weeks from course completion **Written Examination (3 Hours):** - Externally set and marked by City & Guilds - Open-book format (regulations and guidance notes permitted) - Case study-based scenarios - Design calculations required - Specification and selection questions **Pass Mark:** Both elements must be passed independently ## Certification Upon successful completion, you will receive: - **City & Guilds 2396 Level 4 Certificate** - Nationally recognised professional qualification - Permanent qualification (no expiry) - Evidence for Engineering Council registration - Progression to IEng or CEng routes - Essential for many design roles ## Career Progression This qualification enables: - **Electrical Design Engineer** roles (£40,000-£60,000+) - **Project Manager** positions in electrical contracting - **Electrical Consultant** opportunities - **Technical Manager** roles - Self-employment in design and consultancy - Tender for design & build contracts - Progression to HNC/HND in Electrical Engineering - Evidence for Engineering Technician (EngTech) registration - Pathway to Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status ## What's Included - 5 days intensive classroom training - Comprehensive course manual and resources - Access to design software and tools - Design project supervision and support - City & Guilds registration fee - Written examination fee - Project marking and assessment - Certificate upon successful completion - Refreshments and lunch daily - Post-course technical support ## What's NOT Included Students must provide: - IET 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) - approx. £90 - IET Guidance Note 3 - approx. £40 - IET On-Site Guide - approx. £30 - Calculator (scientific or dedicated electrical calculator) ## Why Train With SGAS? ✅ **Competitive Pricing** - £895 (inc. VAT) vs competitors at £1,183+ ✅ **Experienced Tutors** - Chartered Engineers with design experience ✅ **Modern Facilities** - Computer lab with design software ✅ **High Pass Rates** - 95% first-time pass rate on both assessments ✅ **Small Classes** - Maximum 10 students for personalized support ✅ **Flexible Support** - Extended project support during 8-week submission period ✅ **Real-World Focus** - Practical design scenarios relevant to UK market ✅ **Free Resources** - Additional calculation tools and templates ## Market Opportunity **Career Benefits:** - **Salary Increase:** Design roles typically £10,000-£20,000 more than installation - **Job Security:** Designers are in constant demand - **Career Longevity:** Less physically demanding than installation work - **Business Growth:** Win design & build contracts - **Professional Status:** Recognized professional qualification - **Remote Work:** Many design roles offer flexible/remote working **Industry Demand:** - Critical shortage of qualified electrical designers in UK - Every major project requires qualified design engineers - Building boom driving demand for design expertise - Renewable energy sector needs electrical designers - Older designers retiring - opportunity for new entrants ## Exam Tips & Support **During the Course:** - Focus on understanding principles, not just memorization - Practice calculations daily - Ask questions throughout - Make comprehensive notes - Understand how to navigate the regulations **Design Project:** - Start immediately after course completion - Allow 40 hours minimum - Follow C&G marking criteria exactly - Show all calculations clearly - Produce professional documentation - Use our support team for guidance **Written Exam:** - Practice open-book navigation - Time management is crucial (3 hours passes quickly) - Show all working for calculations - Reference regulation numbers where applicable - Answer the question asked ## Additional Information **Study Commitment:** - 5 full days classroom attendance (mandatory) - 40+ hours project work over 8 weeks - Exam revision (recommended 10-15 hours) - Total commitment: approximately 60-65 hours **Next Steps After Qualification:** 1. Apply for design roles or consultancy positions 2. Consider HNC/HND progression 3. Register with Engineering Council as EngTech 4. Gain experience for IEng or CEng progression 5. Consider AutoCAD or Amtech training 6. Join professional bodies (IET, NAPIT Design, etc.) ## Book Your Place **Investment:** £895 (inc. VAT) **Payment Plans:** Available on request for self-funded candidates This is one of the most respected electrical qualifications in the UK. It opens doors to higher-paid, less physically demanding careers and is recognized throughout the industry. **Limited to 10 students per course - Early booking essential!** ## FAQs **Q: Do I need design experience to attend?** A: No, but you must have strong installation knowledge and be comfortable with calculations. **Q: How difficult is the course?** A: It's Level 4 (equivalent to first year of university). With proper study and attendance, most experienced electricians pass first time. **Q: Can I use a laptop in the exam?** A: No, it's an open-book written exam. You can bring regulations and guidance notes only. **Q: How long do I have to complete the project?** A: 8 weeks from course completion, though most complete within 4-6 weeks. **Q: What if I fail an element?** A: You can re-sit the exam (£180) or re-submit the project (£90) within 12 months.