Thread: Connecting fluros to 3pt plugs

I have a Test and Tag Certificate for testing the tools, leads and machines for my old work.

We were told at the course by the government certified trainer that unlicensed people are not allowed to do any work on equipment that is to be connected to a mains supply. We are not even allowed to repair a extension lead if it is damaged. It should be put aside and given to a licensed electrician to be repaired.
The quote you mentioned above only defines what an "electrical installation" is, it says nothing about connecting it to power!

This is section 18 of the QLD Electrical Safety Act 2002, I'm sure that every state has a similar act the will say the same thing

18 Meaning of electrical work
(1) Electrical work is the manufacturing, constructing, installing,
testing, maintaining, repairing, altering, removing, or
replacing of electrical equipment.
Examples of electrical work—
• installing low voltage electrical wiring in a building
• installing electrical equipment into an installation coupler or interconnecter
• replacing a low voltage electrical component of a washing machine
• maintaining an electricity entity’s overhead distribution system
(2) However, the following are not electrical work—
(a) installing or removing electrical equipment by
connecting it to electricity, or disconnecting it from
electricity, by a plug and socket outlet;
(b) repairing or replacing non-electrical components of
electrical equipment;
Examples for paragraph (b)—
• repairing hydraulic components attached to an electric
motor
• replacing a drive belt on a washing machine
(c) replacing a component forming part of electrical
equipment if the electrical equipment has been designed
so that the component is readily and safely able to be
replaced by a person without electrical knowledge or
skill;
Examples for paragraph (c)—
• replacing a fuse
• replacing the bulb in a light fitting

Note that sub-section 2 defines non electrical work (which non-licensed consumers can do) as basically plugging in or unplugging something from a power point or changing a light bulb or fuse. IT IS ILLEGAL to do anything else yourself. If anything happens kiss your insurance goodbye and expect to be held liable for any damages etc that may result.

Originally Posted by doug the slug

...
so why does the business need a license, Cliff?????

Section 56 of the <!-- start of link include -->Electrical Safety Act 2002 (PDF, 788 KB) <!-- end of link include -->states that an electrical contractor licence is required for businesses carrying out electrical work for others.

This costs us an extra $240 a year on top of the license for the bloke who does the work & we also have to have extra insurance under Section 43 of the act including a Consumer Protection Liability & that is a TOTAL waste of our money 'cos we don't ever do that sort of testing & certifying.:mad:

All we do is test & tag & you don't need Consumer Protection Liability for that.

On the bnasis of what you have provided,

Read it again!!!

(1) An
electrical installation is a group of items of electrical
equipment.
(2) However, a group of items of electrical equipment is an
electrical installation only if—
(a) all the items are permanently electrically connected
together; and...
(4) For subsection (2)(a)—
(a) an item of electrical equipment connected to electricity
by a plug and socket outlet is not permanently
electrically connected...
(n) work performed by a person on electrical equipment
if—
(i) the electrical equipment is not energised

(2) However, a group of items of electrical equipment is an
electrical installation only if— all the items are permanently electrically connected together; and an item of electrical equipment connected to electricity by a plug and socket outlet is not permanently electrically connected...

JB

You are not sure about wiring up a pull switch?

I have never wired one either.

Do you know how to wire a normal switch, say light switch?

Would it matter on a normal switch if up is "on" and down is "off" or vice versa? No.

I would suggest the same with a pull switch.

But I have a multimetre to determine when the circuit is open [off] or closed [connected].

To wire a switch you use the "active" wire.

I hope this helps.

However I am NOT a sparkie.

Is the power outlet connected to the RCD? Some insurance.

Cheers

Pulpo

Originally Posted by Wood Butcher

This is section 18 of the QLD Electrical Safety Act 2002, I'm sure that every state has a similar act the will say the same thing


Note that sub-section 2 defines non electrical work (which non-licensed consumers can do) as basically plugging in or unplugging something from a power point or changing a light bulb or fuse. IT IS ILLEGAL to do anything else yourself. If anything happens kiss your insurance goodbye and expect to be held liable for any damages etc that may result.

This is what I was also led to understand. You can buy all of the components, wire, plugs etc but you can't connect them to the 240V. I have built kits [240V] before and run wires but and this is a big BUT before anything was connected to the mains I had it checked out by my sparkie - either I took it to him or he called out to my place. It is great reassurance for my part [haven't got anything wrong yet] and peace of mind, also a great chance for a beer and yarn when we are finished.
To state the bleeding obvious - when it's all connected up you can't see the electrical mistake but you sure as hell can feel it - or worse - someone else can.
Bob

I've looked through AS/NZS 3000:2000 [the wiring rules/legal requirements of an electrical installation for those not in the loop] and as long as it is an appliance [not hard wired and connected by plug and socket] you don't actually seem to be doing anything illegal. highly dangerous, reckless and irresponsible yes, but illegal, no.

I'm from an electrical background and could tell you exactly how to wire these up, but i believe that it should be left to the professionals with training, not someone with enough knowledge to be dangerous.

If you do insist on doing it yourself just follow these points;

earth the bloody thing!! is there is any metal at all on the light fittings, earth it. if it's all plastic fantastic, don't worry.

don't use tps as flex lead. use flex lead as flex lead. get a decent quality and appropriately rated flex lead. ask you're local dick smith or jaycar nerd if you need help selecting it.

follow the instruction on the plug top to the letter. Even better, follow the warning about only licenced electrician's working on electrical equipment.

don't let the cable rub on anything where it exits the back of the light fitting. ask about cable glands.

before you plug it into to use it, at the very least get it tagged. it's about ten dollars a lead [at the most] and will give you some peace of mind if you pass. if you don't... throw it all out and just buy some lamps.

finally... are your house, your belongings and your family worth the money you'll save over getting a licenced sparky to do job or just buying ready made?

Australian Standard only details how to wire it up. It has NOTHING to do with the legality of doing electrical wiring. IT IS ILLEGAL to do any work on electrical goods in Australia unless you are a licensed contractor!

Originally Posted by Wood Butcher

Australian Standard only details how to wire it up. It has NOTHING to do with the legality of doing electrical wiring. IT IS ILLEGAL to do any work on electrical goods in Australia unless you are a licensed contractor!

Now that may be a bit questionable in view of modern regulations.

Someone holding an appliance testing qualification could probably legally repair the appliance as long as the appliance passed all testing requirements

Originally Posted by echnidna

Now that may be a bit questionable in view of modern regulations.

Someone holding an appliance testing qualification could probably legally repair the appliance as long as the appliance passed all testing requirements

Not in QLD if they are not licensed. I can test an appliance and if it is unsafe a licensed person must do the repairs. Once the repairs are done I can retest it and presuming it passes, tag it.

Originally Posted by Wood Butcher

Australian Standard only details how to wire it up. It has NOTHING to do with the legality of doing electrical wiring. IT IS ILLEGAL to do any work on electrical goods in Australia unless you are a licensed contractor!

which is exactly what i thought, thank you for confirming this.

Originally Posted by doug the slug

For items that are hardwired in, that is correct. if it plugs in to a power point you can do it yourself.

how many woodturners have made a standard lamp or bedside light and wired it up themselves? how many of us have replaced the power supply in a PC? If you can post any evidence that you must be licensed to workon a plug-in appliance please do so cos im sure you dont.

With you all the way, Doug. Quite legal. If I could lay my hand on my SAA Wiring Rules, I would quote the reference. Anyone got it handy?

Here it is although it is now known as "AS/NZS 3000:2000 Wiring Rules"
http://www.standards.com.au/PDFTemp/...3000/N3000.pdf

I can't find anywhere in there that mentions about legality of who does the work.

:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:
As a Qualified & Licenced Amatuer Radio Operator i have personally helped and constructed on my own 240 volt equipment ... I am NOT a licenced electrician BUT i am qualified to make my and repair own equipment and i have done so ...


my equipment is plugged into the 240 volt mains but is not hard wired i can do this or is there something that the licencing body here in australia hasnt told me ?????
i have done this for the past 16 years and im sorry im not stopping doing wat i love doing for my hobby and that involves my construction of 240 v equip the only authorisation i need for this is from the ACMA , and this is only because i transmit on the Amateur Bands well so be it , the grumpy people in the world will get over it cheers all jules




ps its good to be back work has settled and life is goood