Thread: Electrical work, US versus Oz

You will find at Bunnings in the electrical section clear notices to the effect that installation of electrical cable and fittings sold at their store must be performed by a licensed electrical worker.

The quick answer to your question is - lobbying from special interest groups.

Can someone go and stick some extra beer in the fridge? I'm'a gunna sit down and watch....

Yeah its a bone of contention with the CHIEF ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS OFFICE here in Vic for a while now
They have been trying to stop Hardware store stocking electrical goods and it will come one day.

The compromise was the sign saying all electrical work must be done by a qualified person

Incidental a bunning store worker in Queensland got sued last year for giving someone advice on wiring in a power point that they bought from Bunnings.
The customer when home and electrocuted himself and then sued bunnings for giving unqualified advice.

most wholesalers these days will give zero advice for the same reason, it only takes one clown to make a mistake and sue.

I guess most people on this forum would understand how dangerous it can be, but heck we all use circular saws and chainsaws without a license.

Originally Posted by Notsquare

I guess most people on this forum would understand how dangerous it can be, but heck we all use circular saws and chainsaws without a license.

However, if we make a mistake with a power tool now, it will only injure those in the vicinity at the time, who knew the risk that they were taking, and had the option to walk off if they felt it was unsafe.

With lectricity, you could make a not immediately fatal mistake in fixed wiring today (say broken earth to a pp), sell the property in five years time to someone who has also made a not imediately fatal mistake in an appliance, and when the mistakes accumulate someone gets fried.

Similar caper with plumbers and drainers, lots of DIY people seem to manage to dump stormwater into sewers. Get some persistant wet weather and there's sewer manhole covers popping and brown and white stuff all over the ground.

No particular barrow to push myself, but its amazing how many people know enough to create a hazard, but not enough to recognise it. As an example, I spent 15 years as the Lab Manager for the media training section of one of Melbournes big uni's. Among duties was inspection and issuing of loan equipment for student radio, film and TV productions.

One production group booked out a big 3 phase panel light array for a weekend and bought it back on the Monday, without the three phase connection. In its place were three lengths of 7 amp figure 8 lamp cord with 240 V sockets fitted, and a group of extension leads with 240V male plugs on both ends. Neither the culprit nor the supervising tutor could understand the problem that they had created.

Remember when you could get piggyback plug/socket combos years ago? Some groups in the community decided that since they were so good on one end of an extension cord, it would be fabulous if they were on both ends, as they could run the cord out without having to get the plug and socket at the right end. Pity about the live pins hanging at the load end.

Originally Posted by Master Splinter

Can someone go and stick some extra beer in the fridge? I'm'a gunna sit down and watch....

And pizza. Don't forget the pizza.

Originally Posted by Notsquare

Does any one know why it appears you can do a large percentage of your own electrical work in the US, or at least that is the impression I get after reading Fine Home Building, and why you can't change a pendant fitting here in Australia. Even though most electrical equipment can be bought from Mitre 10 or an electrical wholesaler, no questions asked?

In some states in the US (not all states), homeowners are permitted to do their own electrical work, provided that they have an appropriate permit.

The US electrical system is somewhat more difficult compared to the IEC system, which Australia uses. The US electrical regs is known as the NEC (National Electrical Code). The NEC can be viewed online at;

http://www.nfpa.org/itemDetail.asp?c...NEC%20Editions

Enjoy .

Originally Posted by Notsquare

Does any one know why it appears you can do a large percentage of your own electrical work in the US, or at least that is the impression I get after reading Fine Home Building, and why you can't change a pendant fitting here in Australia. Even though most electrical equipment can be bought from Mitre 10 or an electrical wholesaler, no questions asked?

In answer to your question, yes and you would as well if you did a search for this question is raised at least every couple of months.


Peter.

Never mind the USA, different voltage and (personal opinion, and with all due respect), lousy system designed to run a few light globes. So how about NZ? Same voltage, same CODE even. One country you're allowed to do a significant amount of electrical work, the other country absolutely nothing. Explain that one

Originally Posted by Pete F

Never mind the USA, different voltage and (personal opinion, and with all due respect), lousy system designed to run a few light globes. So how about NZ? Same voltage, same CODE even. One country you're allowed to do a significant amount of electrical work, the other country absolutely nothing. Explain that one

NZ has the same voltage & code as where? Australia?

Originally Posted by elkangorito

NZ has the same voltage & code as where? Australia?

Sure does, there a few differences such as labelling where cables enter buildings.

Stupid isn't it.. bloody safety rules hidden away in standards australia. It's like hiding the CPR info in medical textbooks just so nobody gets hurt by someone doing it wrong...

Pulse

Originally Posted by Pulse

Sure does, there a few differences such as labelling where cables enter buildings.

Stupid isn't it.. bloody safety rules hidden away in standards australia. It's like hiding the CPR info in medical textbooks just so nobody gets hurt by someone doing it wrong...Pulse

Yes, it is stupid. And BTW, I do know that Aus & NZ regs are similar, thus the standards called AS/NZ blah blah.

The only real differences between Oz & Kiwi regs are ambient temps .

Originally Posted by malb

Remember when you could get piggyback plug/socket combos years ago? Some groups in the community decided that since they were so good on one end of an extension cord, it would be fabulous if they were on both ends, as they could run the cord out without having to get the plug and socket at the right end. Pity about the live pins hanging at the load end.

Yeah it was a sad day when they banded those
I worked in the audio production area before going back to my trade as a Sparkie
Banning the plugs in question made it hard to rig lights and chain amplifiers etc
Banded just because some idiot decided to put the same plug on each end of an extension cord and liven himself up.