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Author Topic: Warning!This could be you!  (Read 12527 times)

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Offline Bubblez

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Re: Warning!This could be you!
« Reply #15 on: August 29, 2010, 12:25:46 PM »
hi guys, i know sparkies that replace the elements after draining the cylinder. myself i don`t mind turning the power off,and diconnecting the wires to the element then after replacing the element i get a sparkie to re-connect, does anyone think that this method is wrong? please let me know,cheers

The disconnection or reconnection of wiring for payment or reward falls under the category of Prescribed Electrical Work. You should be doing this sort of work under the Associated Licence.

Offline Bubblez

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Re: Warning!This could be you!
« Reply #16 on: August 29, 2010, 12:30:01 PM »
I may be wrong but as far as I'm aware, an owner can change the element themselves if they wish. I recommend they call an electrician to do so when I receive inquiries about this, purely because of the risk that someone will do it wrong and electrocute themselves or short something out.  ::)

Quite right. Under ECP 51 the owner/occupier is allowed to do this. See also following from Electrical Safety Regulations 2010:

64 Exemption for domestic electrical wiring work
(1) A person who carries out prescribed electrical work in reliance on the exemption in section 79 of the Act (exemption for domestic electrical wiring) must carry it out, and test the work, in accordance with ECP 51.

(2) For the purposes of section 79(1)(a) of the Act, the domestic electrical wiring work that an owner of premises may do is as follows:

(a) work on a domestic installation that has a maximum demand at or below 80 amperes single phase, or 50 amperes per phase in multi-phase, and is within the work described in any of paragraphs (b) to (f):

(b) installing, extending, and altering subcircuits (including submains), but only if—

(i) the person does not enter (whether directly, or by holding any material or equipment, or otherwise) any enclosure where live conductors are likely to be present; and

(ii) the work is tested and certified in accordance with Part 2 of AS/NZS 3000, before being connected to a power supply, by a person authorised to inspect mains work:

(c) removing and replacing any of the following kinds of fittings, but only if the work does not involve work on any switchboard:

(i) switches, socket-outlets, and light fittings:

(ii) permanent connection units, ceiling roses, cord-grip lampholders, and flexible cords connected to any of them:

(iii) batten holders:

(iv) water heater switches:

(v) thermostats:

(vi) elements:

(d) removing and replacing fuse links:

(e) connecting and disconnecting fixed-wired appliances:

(f) relocating existing switches, socket-outlets, and lighting outlets that are supplied with electricity by tough plastic-sheathed cables

Offline Thunderhead

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Re: Warning!This could be you!
« Reply #17 on: August 31, 2010, 07:02:15 PM »
So am i to understand that the owner can do this(change a water storage element) but we cant unless we hold a limited electrical license?

Offline Bubblez

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Re: Warning!This could be you!
« Reply #18 on: September 01, 2010, 08:52:45 AM »
So am i to understand that the owner can do this(change a water storage element) but we cant unless we hold a limited electrical license?

Absolutely right. The homeowner/occupier may carry out the work listed provided the work has nothing to do with wiring in a switchboard. So in effect they have to a certain extent a bit more freedom than if you were doing the replacement. You are doing it for reward/payment therefore you are required to hold the appropriate licence.

Offline Edbear

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Re: Warning!This could be you!
« Reply #19 on: September 01, 2010, 12:33:02 PM »
So am i to understand that the owner can do this(change a water storage element) but we cant unless we hold a limited electrical license?

Absolutely right. The homeowner/occupier may carry out the work listed provided the work has nothing to do with wiring in a switchboard. So in effect they have to a certain extent a bit more freedom than if you were doing the replacement. You are doing it for reward/payment therefore you are required to hold the appropriate licence.

That actually makes sense. (Although my son-in-law who came out from Germany can't believe the freedom people here have to do their own maintenance on cars and homes!)

As a Tradesman, selling your services, you are covered by either your own or your company's Public Liability insurance, the Fair Trading Act and all associated regulations with carrying out your job, so having relevant qualifications removes the possiblity of being sued as unqualified to carry out your job and negating your insurance. It's protecting you, in the end. As for the homeowner, if he electrocutes himself or blows up his cylinder, he only has himself to blame.
I only know enough to know I don't know enough of what I need to know enough of...

Offline Thunderhead

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Re: Warning!This could be you!
« Reply #20 on: September 02, 2010, 07:32:48 PM »
Thanks very much Bubblez for clearing up that issue i understand very clearly where the boundry is for me now...cheers :D

Offline Thunderhead

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Re: Warning!This could be you!
« Reply #21 on: September 23, 2010, 11:28:57 AM »
i spotted this in the 5261 codes...appendix J...J1 general...Note Electrical work other than low voltage work(below 32 volts) should be undertaken only by suitably qualified persons holding approiate electrical worker licensing...This should indercate a green light to service continous flow water heaters without a license as the voltage is stepped down...im not shure what exact voltage it is lowered to but i think this covers this issue of maintance on these appliances...as long as one dont mess with the main power supply.

Offline jd24hrs

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Re: Warning!This could be you!
« Reply #22 on: September 12, 2011, 09:01:28 AM »
hi guys
in the uk we did a essential electrics  course which allowed us to replace  elements and service boilers (remove and test circuit boards and test for faults) and install all heating controls
because we new what we were looking at, if we felt the wiring was of poor condition or we tested it and found it to be possibly unsafe we just called in a tradesman to repair or replace so we could finish our repair jd

 

Offline robbo

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Re: Warning!This could be you!
« Reply #23 on: September 12, 2011, 01:34:34 PM »
hi guys,as ed says: As for the homeowner, if he electrocutes himself or blows up his cylinder, he only has himself to blame.
 I bet if he caused fire that burnt the house down, his insurance co would say that he should have employed an electrician and would turn down any claim,cheers

Offline Jaxcat

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Re: Warning!This could be you!
« Reply #24 on: September 12, 2011, 01:35:57 PM »
When the certification scheme goes though - how will anyone know if the work was done or not done by a tradesman?
Have you learned lessons only of those who admired you, and were tender with you, and stood aside for you?  Have you not learned great lessons from those who braced themselves against you, and disputed the passage with you?  (Walt Whitman 1819-1891)  American Poet

Offline robbo

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Re: Warning!This could be you!
« Reply #25 on: September 12, 2011, 06:46:05 PM »
hi guys/jax, i hope that consumers can tell the difference between tradesmen and cowboys, also i thought the board were going to educate consumers how to check,cheers

Offline aboutgas

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Re: Warning!This could be you!
« Reply #26 on: September 12, 2011, 09:36:11 PM »
Hi Robbo/Guys

The only time the homeowner/consumer will call anybody a cowboy is when something goes wrong otherwise they think they just got a bargin.

Even when they get a cheep price most of them think they have been overcharged.
The world would be perfect if there were no customers and we just got paid
Unless the moral improves the floggings will continue

Offline roberto

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Re: Warning!This could be you!
« Reply #27 on: September 16, 2011, 07:53:09 PM »
i disconnect the wires from a hot water cylinder, drain it and re-connect it after its full, its not that bloody hard to re-join 3 wires!!! anyone can do that!!!

Offline jd24hrs

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Re: Warning!This could be you!
« Reply #28 on: February 14, 2012, 10:38:34 PM »
hi guys
as a gas engineer and htg engineer i have to test circuit boards and wiring inside boiler cases it would be a waste of time asking a electrian to repair a boiler as they are to technical in time we will all be doing essential electrics as i done in the uk and abroad
jd


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