The Master Electrician Autumn 2011 by Master Electricians Australia

Registered by Australia Post Publications No. PP424022/2346

inside A record year for renewable energy Confidence in electrical testing Cloud power THE INTERVIEW: Robbie Maddison

AUTUMN 11

themaster

table ofcontents renewable energy spotlight confidence in electrical testing state governments get switched on the buzz cloud power weathering the storm meet a master electrician news from the distributors regulator wrap-up letter of the law the interview gadget guide techno biz technical talk workplace relations grid gossip benefit spotlight test drive events calendar your best or worst story last word

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General Enquiries

Editorial Contacts & Contributors

MASTER ELECTRICIANS AUSTRALIA 57 Berwick Street, Fortitude Valley PO Box 2438, Fortitude Valley BC Queensland 4006 PHONE 1300 889 198 FAX 07 3251 2400 EMAIL magazine@masterelectricians.com.au WEB www.masterelectricians.com.au ABN 31 145 178 203

EDITOR Malcolm Richards ASSOCIATE EDITOR Kylie Robinson ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Janelle MacDonald PHONE 07 3252 4860 EMAIL magazine@masterelectricians.com.au DESIGN AND PRINT POMO 07 3844 3873

www.masterelectricians.com.au or call 1300 889 198

Disclaimer: The statements and opinions expressed in this publication are offered solely in pursuance of the objects of the Electrical and Communications Association and Master Electricians Australia to provide an informative service to contractors in the electrical industry on legal, commercial and other issues and problems related to the industry. The Electrical and Communications Association and Master Electricians Australia are not aware that any person intends to act or rely upon such statements and opinions contained in this publication or the manner in which it might be possible to do so. The Electrical and Communications Association and Master Electricians Australia issues no invitation to any member or other persons to act or rely upon such statements or opinions or any of them and it accepts no responsibility for any of them. It intends by this provision to exclude, to the extent permitted by law, all liability for any such statements and opinions. The Master Electrician Magazine can be viewed online at www.masterelectricians.com.au

Average Net Distribution 27 041 CAB Audited as of September 2010

The facts are in. Australiansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; are embracing renewable energy like never before. In a recent report, published by the Clean Energy Council, it was said that the amount of energy generated from renewables in 2010 was equivalent to the power usage of more than three million homes. This edition, we discover the true success of this burgeoning market. What would a $300 million data centre with an in-built natural gas-fired energy plant look like? One of the most environmentally efficient data centres in the world. Turn to page 20 check out this impressive project. If Evel Knievel was king of the stunt riders, Robbie Maddison is emperor. Maddison holds the world record for the longest jump on a motorcycle - almost three times Evel Knievelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best. We spoke to this self confessed dare devil about his early training as an electrician and his amazing journey thus far. Pool equipotential bonding is a perplexing task for most contractors. Our expert technical team has answered the hard questions on page 45. Until next time,

Kylie Robinson Associate Editor

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feature

Renewable Energy Spotlight A RECORD YEAR FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY

www.masterelectricians.com.au

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2010 was a record year for renewable energy in Australia, with hydro electricity leading the way. The devastation caused down Australia’s east coast by the La Niña weather pattern has been well documented. From cyclones in the far north to flooding across three states, the unusual rainfall patterns have been strongly associated with damage and destruction. However, the high rain fall has also had a largely unreported benefit – pushing Australia’s renewable energy production to record levels in 2010, thanks to a surge in hydro-electric power.

“Over the past year more than 100,000 households have made a significant personal investment to take individual action on climate change and protect themselves against rising electricity prices” The annual report produced by the Clean Energy Council (CEC) showed a record 8.67 per cent of Australia’s electricity was generated from renewables last year – a total of 21,751 gigawatt hours. This is the equivalent of the power use from more than three

million households. CEC Chief Executive, Matthew Warren, said good rainfall in key catchments had driven a 15 per cent increase in hydro-electric power, compared with previous years. He also pointed to the boom in domestic solar power, driven by increasing affordability, making roof-top panels the “hills hoist of the 21st century”. “Over the past year more than 100,000 households have made a significant personal investment to take individual action on climate change and protect themselves against rising electricity prices,” Mr Warren said. The 100,000 new solar installations during 2010 compares to just 81,232 for the entire decade between 2000 and 2009. Hydro power now accounts for almost two thirds (63.4 per cent) of Australia’s renewable energy mix with Hydro Tasmania the largest producer of renewable energy in Australia. Bio energy represented 11.5 per cent of the renewable mix, while solar, despite recent increases, contributed just 2.1 per cent of the renewable energy produced during the year. The CEC report estimated the master electrician

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newsflash there were now 8085 direct, full-time jobs associated with the renewable energy industry through construction, installation, maintenance and operations. “They do not include sales, administration, management and other staff associated with the ongoing running of a business,” the report said. In the solar installation sector, the number of accredited installers tripled in just 18 months to around 3000, “but not all of these are full-time solar installers – many will alternate between mainstream electrical contracting and solar installations”. The largest number of employees in the renewable sector is in New South Wales, with the decades-old Snowy Mountains hydroelectric scheme continuing to be a major employer and producer of electricity. Queensland had the second-highest employment in renewables, followed by Victoria. By 2020, the number of full-time workers is tipped to grow to around 55,000.

Australian renewable energy industry at a glance:

Crematorium to heat pool

• 21,751 gigawatt hours of electricity produced using renewable sources in 2010 • Around 8.67 per cent of Australia’s electricity needs are produced from renewable • Hydro electricity is the biggest producer of renewable energy • 8085 direct full-time jobs now associated with the renewable energy sector • Solar installers have tripled in number in 18 months

A plan to re-use energy generated by a crematorium incinerator to heat a public swimming pool in central England has been given the go-ahead. It is hoped the scheme to divert heat from crematorium waste gases into a nearby leisure centre will save the authority around $A22,000 a year. The scheme has previously been criticised by the Unison trade union, which described the proposal as “insulting and insensitive”. www.skynews.com.au/offbeat

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feature

CONFIDENCE IN ELECTRICAL TESTING

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Master Electricians Australia has raised concerns about the quality of some electrical work following multiple prosecutions against West Australian government owned utility Western Power. The West Australian reported in January that the utility was prosecuted five times during 2010 and fined more than $160,000 for conducting work that left homes live. The newspaper said Western Power was facing “several more prosecutions over the issue after homeowners complained of getting electric shocks when touching household fittings such as kitchen and shower taps”.

“As we’ve seen in WA, state electrical safety authorities have the power to prosecute those who don’t do the right thing, but as an industry the initial responsibility rests with us.” Master Electricians CEO Malcolm Richards said the incidents of reverse polarity were “very, very serious”, and there was no excuse for them taking place. “You’re effectively putting the full 240 volts on to the earthing system of the home and most times when this occurs people get a serious electric shock and sometimes even worse,” Mr Richards said. “One of the critical things an electrical

contractor must do is to test to make sure the polarity is correct on connecting the street power to a home. “It goes wrong when someone is lazy or is cutting a corner and doesn’t test. “We know that the vast majority of electrical contractors are careful, responsible and take the time to do the right thing. “But we also know as an industry it only takes a few minor incidents to create concern amongst the public, and that’s why we urge all contractors to be extra vigilant to ensure they get these basic procedures right. “As we’ve seen in WA, state electrical safety authorities have the power to prosecute those who don’t do the right thing, but as an industry the initial responsibility rests with us.” According to the newspaper, Western Power said any instance in which a home had been left live was one too many but admitted it could not rule out the possibility of more cases. A spokesman said the number of cases recorded was relatively small and Western Power was revising its testing procedure, increasing the level and frequency of training and introducing specialist testing equipment to minimise the chances of it happening

again. It was also cracking down on any contractors or employees found to be in breach of its procedures, with loss of accreditation and contracts likely. In advice to its staff and service providers, Energy Australia, one of Australia’s largest electricity retailers, warned that a person who failed to take reasonable care when making a service connection could be prosecuted in the event of an injury or death. “When connecting or reconnecting an underground or overhead service you must positively identify, using an electrical method, both the service mains neutral and the consumers neutral at all connection points (such as where the service is connected to the distribution mains, at overhead points of attachment and private poles where metalwork is bonded to the service neutral conductor, and at the customer’s switchboard), before you energise the installation. “The same requirements apply to special small service connections e.g. bus stop shelters, and street lighting connections. If you cannot gain access to the switchboard the service must be left disconnected.”

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Pigeons could soon clean your car A new development in science could turn pigeon plop into a cleaning product. The project, titled ‘Pigeon D’Or’, has been created to see if it’s possible to modify the metabolism found in pigeons and change the faecal matter into cleaning detergent. When released by the pigeon, the soap would clean cars, buildings, and statues, instead of leaving dirty white spots all over everything. According to the people in charge, it is “as harmless to pigeons as yoghurt is to humans.” www.gadgetguy.com.au

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feature

State Governments get switched on to safety campaign

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Two State Governments have given a major boost to the campaign to increase the use of safety switches across Australia. The positive moves by New South Wales and Western Australia followed the launch of the Switch Thinking report, which highlighted the need for greater use of safety switches in order to reduce preventable electrocutions. The report produced by Master Electricians Australia was released in November and distributed to relevant State and Federal Ministers to mark the launch of Project Safety Switch. On 12 December 2010, the former New South Wales Government announced it would make safety switches compulsory in all workplaces throughout the state, as well as provide public funding of $500 to business to have safety switches installed. These devices have been a major factor in the continuing reduction of electrocutions in Australia and we’re hopeful the new State Government will continue to improve electrical

safety in NSW workplaces. The department said they were determined to take all reasonable steps to prevent unnecessary death and injury at work and that safety switches are one part of the answer. On 16 January 2011, the West Australian Government announced a radio, TV and newspaper awareness campaign to convince people living in pre-2000 homes to have safety switches installed.

Commerce Minister Simon O’Brien said safety switches were critical to preventing deaths in homes, and he urged home owners to retrofit the devices to homes that were not protected. “In the past 17 years, 29 people - including eight children - have been electrocuted in homes in Western Australia,” Mr O’Brien said. “Worst of all, 23 of these deaths could have been prevented had RCDs (safety switches)

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newsflash

NT: WorkSafe Issues Electrical Safety Alert

been fitted.” Master Electricians Australia CEO Malcolm Richards said it was very pleasing that some states had so quickly recognised the need for action in relation to safety switches.

“I am determined that we take all reasonable steps to prevent unnecessary death and injury at work. Safety switches are one part of the answer.” However, he said the organisation would continue the campaign until all governments agreed to a timetable of retrofitting safety switches to every circuit in every home.

“Our ground breaking Switch Thinking report is now in the hands of all State Governments across Australia. “It outlines a five-year timetable to increase the use and awareness of safety switches. “It’s very pleasing to see a couple of the states already moving strongly on this issue. We commend those governments for their foresight, and we call on all states to make increasing the use of safety switches a top priority for 2011.” Master Electricians continues to work with manufacturers, importers and wholesalers of safety switches, as well as other electrical industry organisations, to promote the Safety Switch campaign. More details are available at www.switchthinking.com.au

Northern Territory WorkSafe is investigating the death of a man in Darwin’s rural area who was electrocuted when he touched a damaged wire. The 66-year-old electrician was called to a house in Howard Springs to repair a power line damaged by a storm. Branches had fallen on the line and the man was electrocuted when he tried to reconnect it with a power pole. WorkSafe says the man wasn’t using the right protective equipment and didn’t have the tools to check if the line was damaged. WorkSafe has issued a safety alert, urging all contractors to be extremely careful when working with damaged power lines. www.safetyculture.com.au

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thebuzz Here’s the latest news from the electrotechnology industry across Australia.

Telstra unveils its 4G plan Telstra has unveiled plans to upgrade its Next G network with 4G technology later this year, according to CEO David Thodey, who announced the deal at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Thodey said the company plans to upgrade its existing Next G network with Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology in the central business districts of all Australian capital cities and selected regional centres by the end of 2011. “The technology can provide many Australians with faster data speeds, high-quality video conferencing and faster response times when using mobile applications or accessing the internet,” Thodey said. “It can also help Telstra meet demand for mobile data, which is doubling

Clipsal e-catalogue edition two has arrived! Following the success of edition one, Clipsal Australia has released edition two of its 2011 eCatalogue electronic trade product guide CD. The latest Clipsal eCatalogue contains product descriptions, images and a wealth of helpful, up-to-date product related information, including all the brochures and installation instructions an electrical contractor needs. The Clipsal eCatalogue is the descendant of Clipsal’s Alfred CD-ROM which was first released in 1995 with a run of just 1000 copies. Compared to traditional printed catalogues, the Clipsal eCatalogue is rapidly becoming the contractor’s preferred choice of reference and is regarded as a quick and effective industry tool. “We plan to distribute 40 000 copies of the latest eCatalogue to electrical contractors throughout Australia,” says Sharon Hatswell, Clipsal Australia’s www.masterelectricians.com.au

Application Development & Support Officer. The eCatalogue has always offered contractors a built in quoting facility to present to customers. Improvements to this function now include the ability to create quotes with only the overall total displayed. “This enables contractors to delete items and simplify quotes.” If you are new to the Clipsal eCatalogue and would like a free copy, please visit: http://www.clipsal.com.au/trade/ downloads/software/ecatalogue

every year as customers move to adopt data-hungry smartphones, mobile modems and tablets.” The planned upgrade will use the company’s existing 1800MHz spectrum to bring 4G to areas where traffic demand is most concentrated. It will be integrated with Telstra’s existing HSPA+ service, which uses the 850MHz spectrum range. By the end of 2011 Telstra plans to sell dual mode LTE/HSPA+ mobile broadband devices that operate seamlessly across the 1800MHz and 850MHz spectrum ranges, giving customers the benefits of 4G where it is available. However, there will be no change in the quality or coverage footprint for customers who do not wish to upgrade their devices.

Energy prices to triple, says Origin chief Electricity prices across Australia were likely to triple over the next 10 years, Origin Energy chief executive Grant King has warned. Mr King told the Committee for the Economic Development of Australia that a combination of the Federal Government’s mandatory renewable-energy targets, energy policy uncertainty, higher electricity transmission and distribution costs, and higher fuel costs would drive the increase.”The cost of electricity transmission and distribution has historically been about 50 per cent of the cost of energy to consumers.”He said this would now go up to between 60 and 70 per cent of the total cost. “We think that, by 2020, the cost of electricity will be threefold what it is today, given the current policy of large amounts of renewables being forced into the system, uncosted charges for those renewables given the current policy settings and a substantial increase in transmission and distribution costs.

17 ME

Electrical and lighting manufacturers join forces to give one million in power back to Queensland

Emerging energy markets meet to develop standardisation strategy Renewable energy and low-emission industry players have united as a major step forward for the development of alternative energy markets. For the first time, industry players and stakeholders from the renewable and low emission energy sectors,came together to develop strategic directions for national standards development. Colin Blair, Chief Executive Officer, Standards Australia said this is a major step forward for market participants and industry stakeholders. Standards Australia convened at an invitation only Emerging Markets Energy Sector Advisory Forum in March to determine the terms of reference for the future operation of the group. The high-level forum comprised of market participants, industry groups, environmental bodies and government. The discussion covered the full breadth of renewable and low emission energy sources including - but not limited to - clean-coal, solar, geothermal, wind, and biofuels.

Australia’s top electrical and lighting manufacturers have put aside their competitive differences to join forces in providing unified support of the Queensland Premier’s Disaster Relief Flood Appeal. Through employee donations matched by companies, percentage of sales donations and cash sums, an approximate total of $1,000,000 will be donated by the group, which includes names such as Schneider Electric (including Clipsal & APC brands), Gerard Lighting Group, HPM Legrand, Hager B&R, Thomas & Betts, Olex, Australian Plastics Profiles (Aussie Duct), B&R Enclosures, Thorn Lighting, Zumbotel Lighting and Eaton Corporation. “After discussions with electrical industry business leaders, we believe that a coordinated effort is the best solution and in the best interest of those in flood damaged areas in Queensland and northern parts of New South Wales. We are waiting to see what is required in Victoria as well,” said Damien Cummins, Executive General Manager, Clipsal by Schneider Electric and spokesperson for the group. This coordinated approach is unprecedented in the Australian electrical industry, with funds raised going towards the clean up and repair of more than 30 000 flood affected homes and businesses in the area.

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NSW feed in tariff scheme approaching 300 MW cap Federal Government’s Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme – Solar Hot Water Rebate

The NSW Solar Bonus Scheme commenced on 1 January 2010 and runs until 31 December 2016. The Scheme has an overall connected capacity limit of 300 MW, after which the Minister can close the Scheme. Current reports as at 25 March 2011 show the total capacity of applications to connect to the network is 341 MW. Of this, 236 MW has been connected. Customers who connect to the grid after the Scheme is closed will not be eligible for tariff payments under the Scheme, regardless of the date they purchased panels or applied to be connected to the grid. Given that there are now more than 300 MW in applications, Industry & Investment NSW advises it is inappropriate to take

binding deposits from new customers who want to participate in the Solar Bonus Scheme or to generally represent that new customers will have access to the Scheme. To subscribe for updates on the Scheme capacity, visit www.industry.nsw.gov.au There may still be benefits for NSW customers considering installing solar panels including: • Reduced electricity bills by using net metering • Generous upfront financial assistance with the Commonwealth’s Solar Credits scheme • Separate bonus tariff payments from retailers. For more information on the Solar Bonus Scheme read the FAQs on the Industry & Investment NSW website.

The Prime Minister announced on 27 January 2011 that as part of the response to the flood disaster, the Government will redirect projected surplus funds from the Solar Hot Water Rebate Program. These surplus funds have become available as a result of lower than anticipated levels of demand for the Rebate in 2010. Householders replacing electric storage hot water systems with solar or heat pump water heaters may be eligible to claim a rebate of $1,000 for a solar hot water system or $600 for a heat pump hot water system through the rebate. This rebate applies for systems ordered and purchased from 20 February 2010. IMPORTANT CHANGE: An applicant has up to two months (62 days) after an eligible system is installed to submit an application form.

Communications alliance calls for a national digital economy roadmap Communications Alliance CEO John Stanton opened the organisation’s 2011 Conference, Broadband & Beyond – Driving Australia’s Digital Productivity, with a call for a coordinated digital economy roadmap to ensure Australia achieves full value from its investment in the NBN. “The NBN – although we expect it to be a magnificent enabler and a solid platform for the development of the Australian Digital Economy – cannot be expected to achieve transformation on its own. “There needs to be concerted action at the applications layer, in areas such as e-commerce, e-Government, e-education and regional initiatives to derive full benefit from the NBN,” Mr Stanton said. Mr Stanton said he expected Broadband & Beyond 2011 would “highlight the need for a nationally-coordinated digital economy roadmap connecting all levels of government, industry and the community with the common goal of ensuring we are competitive in the global digital economy”. He called on the Prime Minister’s Digital Productivity Initiative to take the lead in developing a digital ‘master plan’.

www.masterelectricians.com.au

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feature

Cloud power

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A new Sydney data centre with its own power generation source could be the start of a trend With more and more businesses around the world turning to cloud computing as a central element of their IT operations, the demand for data centres is booming. And in the race to meet the energy needs of power-hungry data centres, a new building planned for Sydney will be at the front of the pack. The facility proposed by international data centre provider Global Switch will have an in-built natural gas-fired energy plant, to provide electricity, heating and cooling. The 34,000 square metre centre will be next door to Global Switch’s existing data centre in Sydney, which is already the largest facility of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere with 42,000 square metres of space. According to Global Switch, the $300 million centre will be a leading example of

an environmentally sustainable data centre incorporating innovative design initiatives aimed at achieving long-term energy efficiency. The on-site tri-generation system will provide an average of 1,500 watts per square metre, as well as power for cooling and ancillary systems. The new building will also have facilities to harvest rainwater and recycle it for use in the cooling systems, leading to a potential saving of 220,000 megalitres of water per annum. The data centre will be one of only a handful of buildings in the world to target a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum rating which measures a building’s environmental efficiency. Global Switch Executive Chairman, John Corcoran, said the Sydney2 centre would be

“As part of our commitment to energy efficiency and reducing our carbon emissions, Sydney2 will be one of the most environmentally efficient data centres to be built”

cutting edge in its efficient use of energy. “As part of our commitment to energy efficiency and reducing our carbon emissions, Sydney2 will be one of the most environmentally efficient data centres to be built,” Mr Corcoran said. “By using a trigeneration system we expect to achieve around a 45 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions when compared to using conventional power from the electricity grid. “This feature, together with the overall scale and size of the building will result in the data centre being three to four times more efficient than multiple computer rooms built within other facilities.” Computer industry experts have predicted a rapid increase in the take-up of so-called cloud storage, where businesses keep their data in secure online storage rather than

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paying for in-house servers and network infrastructure. The new boss of Microsoft Australia, Pip Marlaw, recently told The Australian the increase in cloud computing would be one of the major trends in the IT industry during 2011. “Over the last few years we have seen a real openness from CIOs (chief information officers) to embrace the cloud for cost savings and innovation, and I think that momentum is going to be huge.” IBM Australia Managing Director, Andrew Stevens, said 2011 would be “a big year for cloud” in both the public and private sectors. Mr Corcoran said Global Switch had just completed a new data centre in Singapore, with 4MW of power, and was working on opening a second centre in Paris later this year. He said the new centres, including Sydney, had been developed in response to strong growth in demand for data storage in recent years. “We had a record last quarter in Sydney, including new contracts with the Department of Defence and NBN Co,” he said. “Sydney2 will provide a vital new data centre resource in Sydney, attracting new customers and providing a growth path for existing customers in Sydney1. “There are a significant number of new data centre requirements in the market place, including from the NSW Government.” Construction of the new centre is expected to start in the first half of 2011, with completion 18 months later. It will create 400 construction jobs and around 50 full time permanent jobs once operational.

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Weathering the storm

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How you prepare, rather than how you react, is the key to business continuity after a disaster. The early months of this year will long hold a place in the history books as floods, cyclones and bushfires ravaged communities from east to west. Queensland Premier Anna Bligh described it as our “summer of sadness”, and Prime Minister Julia Gillard said Australians would always remember the events of January 2011. However, as well as remembering the challenges faced and overcome by so many communities, we must also remember the lessons that have been learned by business owners. And for many, the most important lesson was the need to have plans in place to pick up the pieces and get businesses up and running again as soon as the danger and devastation had passed. Grant Chisnall, Director of international emergency management firm Dynamiq, said businesses need to have recovery plans in place well before any disaster hits them. “Once the safety of staff and customers has been ensured, businesses need to make sure their operations are up and running again shortly after a disaster, as this is crucial in order for communities to recover,” Mr Chisnall said. His key tips for planning for a disaster are: • Make the safety of your staff and customers your primary concern, and prepare for the worst case scenario • Have a plan in place for how your business is going to get critical staff, supplies and equipment up and running as quickly as possible after a disaster • Position your business to gain from the urgent needs associated with any clean up and recovery effort • Communicate honestly with staff and customers to ensure loyalty and support, especially if your business has been adversely affected by the disaster. The Queensland Government’s business advisory service says while small business owners are often keen to reopen as soon

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as possible after a disaster, it is important to go through the right steps to ensure the business is able to operate properly and meet its obligations to customers. They have outlined four key steps to restarting your operations: 1. Re-establish your premises If the property is structurally sound and your customers, suppliers and staff can reach it safely, you may be able to reopen as soon as you have finished the clean-up. If your premises are not safe, or require repairs, you could investigate other options, including temporary accommodation, working from home or leasing premises. 2. Recover your records Establish what records you still have and what may be missing. Seek professional advice on recovering information from damaged books, papers, photographs and computers. Contact your accountant and service providers to ask for copies of your business records. 3. Evaluate your customers and competitors Get in touch with your customers to ask how they’ve been affected by the disaster. Contact your peak industry body (Master Electricians Australia) for industry-specific information about business recovery. And evaluate your competitors to identify where there might be opportunities to expand into new areas or buy out other businesses.

It’s relaxing to know you’ve made the right choice. When quality, service and product availability are important factors in the success of your business it is comforting to know there is now a better alternative for your data cabinet and electrical enclosure requirements. Jeff Dix and the team at TOTEN Australia have decades of experience in this market and are focused on ensuring premium products and reliable service are provided at a competitive price. Supported by a team of technically experienced sales people through a network of ofﬁces and distributors throughout Australia, TOTEN is quickly becoming a leading brand. Discover a better alternative today by calling us on 02 8539 7333 or via email info@toten.com.au

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4. Analyse how your business was run before the flood Finding cost savings or efficiency gains from your previous operations is a good place to re-start. Talk with your staff and conduct an analysis of your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Develop or review your business plan and your business continuity plan. More information – www.business.qld.gov.au/disaster-recovery

newsflash

Research group criticises NBN The NBN has been ranked among the world’s top 10 highspeed internet policies by a business intelligence group. Australia was placed ninth, behind countries like South Korea and Japan, but ahead of New Zealand, the US and UK, in the Economist Intelligence Unit Report. However the Intelligence Unit - owned by the publisher of business magazine The Economist, a long-time champion of economic liberalism - criticised the plan for its reliance on public funds. The report said the $27 billion of taxpayer funds required for the NBN was the highest of any plan. www.news.com.au/technology

www.masterelectricians.com.au

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meet a masterelectrician Introducing Dave Burgess from Tru Electrical in Tasmania. Hailing from Australia’s most isolated state, Dave Burgess is dedicated to providing an electrical service built on integrity, quality and respect. Having formed Tru Electrical Design over a year ago, Dave now services domestic and commercial customers all over Tasmania. “I help domestic users and commercial businesses to have safer workplaces, including those that are further afield who struggle to get quality workmanship despite their geographic location.” Dave became an electrical contractor after witnessing a lack of quality electrical work and safe practices. He believes there can be a better industry if more electricians had a greater knowledge and a good attitude. “I have seen poor and dangerous installations, deaths and burnt remains of what used to be a home, all due to poor electrical work. “I believe as an electrician we are playing with a potentially life threatening power that can shape or destroy lives. It never takes any longer to build a good installation.” Safety is Dave’s number one business priority with an additional focus on design services. This attention to design allows him

to bridge the gap between the customer and the installer, making a client’s needs and intentions become a reality. “Linking the two means the customer’s requests become a technical reality for the installer.” Dave’s decision to jump on board with Master Electricians was borne from a desire to associate his business with a brand that people can identify with quality, safety and professionalism. “My hope is that Master Electricians Accreditation will say to customers that when I enter their home or business I will deliver on my promise to provide a safer environment for them to live and work.” “I simply needed a means to be identified differently in the crowd of electricians. I can talk all I want but sometimes it’s simple perception that talks louder than words.” Dave believes fellow contractors wanting to build their businesses should maintain their integrity. “Challenge the market and don’t get involved in shady deals. There is no replacement for hard work, respect and inspiring a safe environment for all involved. Don’t walk away from a site wondering ‘could I have done better?.”

Name: Dave Burgess Company: Tru Electrical Design State: Tasmania Status: Accredited

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generalnews Rising star winner ELISE KELLY WAS AWARDED THE 2010 MASTER ELECTRICIANS/ECA ‘APPRENTICE RISING STAR’ AWARD. ELISE SHARES HER STORY ABOUT WHAT LIFE IS LIKE WORKING AS A FEMALE ELECTRICAL APPRENTICE.

Initially, I felt privileged when my bosses asked if they could nominate me for the Apprentice of the Year Award. To have the support of Industrial Electrics and work colleagues from the beginning until now suggests my goal of becoming an electrician has been a success so far. Being rewarded by the daunting panel of judges and acknowledged by others previously unknown to me, resulted in a positive rush of confidence. Winning the Rising Star Award was a wonderful surprise and made all the hard work we have put into my apprenticeship feel like time well spent. In the beginning, no one would take me on because I was a 21 year old female so I did my Prevocational Course at Yeronga Campus at the beginning of 2007 and finished in the top five. Industrial Electrics, Gold Coast, provided me with work experience for five weeks. I then commenced an apprenticeship with Industrial Electrics in May 2007 as their first apprentice. Shortly after this I was signed to the ECA ApprenticeConnect program as their first female apprentice. The staff from ECA have been very supportive over the past few years and provided me with information for my TAFE studies and to further my studies in electrical engineering. My first goal is to finalise my electrical licence, then hopefully work overseas for six to twelve months. After this I hope to obtain my electrical contractors licence and name my own business! Since I have finished my Capstone final exam, I have been looking into electrical engineering and considering how to combine work and study. This path www.masterelectricians.com.au

Rising Star winner Elise Kelly with HPM Legrand’s Warwick Norris and Jim Johnson

looks like a positive choice for the future, as I will also want to start a family and continue working. With the green practices increasingly involved in all facets of construction, I think the electrical trade will prove to be very interesting and important with energy audits already part of the company. I look forward to working and continually learning new efficient technology as this trade requires consistent progressive updating. The electrical trade has been really enjoyable and satisfying from the very beginning of my apprenticeship. There are advantages and disadvantages being a female tradesperson. I’ve had to build up physical strength to do the job and stay fit to keep up with the guys. Sometimes this means finding alternative solutions for tasks requiring strength like holding heavy fittings, ladders and power tools (jack hammers!). A common problem is undoing tight screws which I have now mastered. On the plus side I’m usually able to access difficult work points like narrow openings and fitting my hand in small downlight hole cutouts to find cables and transformers. Working with a variety of clients and different tradesmen has helped me to develop the communication skills sometimes required amongst predominantly male

workers. I have made some great friendships both male and female from studying at TAFE and in the construction industry. I feel that my practical and academic achievements are encouraging to future students as well as their mentors, teachers and prospective bosses. I have received many surprised reactions at TAFE and social encounters when my career has not been anticipated, but I have already noticed more girls are entering the industry since my commencement. On all sites to date, there has been great encouragement and support from bosses, supervisors, tradesmen and fellow workers which I have really appreciated. I would encourage females and males to take part and learn a trade (the electrical trade!) and hope they have an amazing experience like the one I have been lucky to have lived and loved almost every day of my apprenticeship! The Apprentice Rising Star Award is sponsored by HPM Legrand. The Annual Excellence Awards will be held in November and recognise outstanding achievement in the electrotechnology industry. To see how you can get the recognition you or your company deserves visit www.masterelectricians.com.au

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Energy Industry Superannuation Merger Australian energy industry superannuation funds ESI Super and SPEC Super have merged to create a new $3.6 billion fund called Energy Super. It follows the announcement last year that the two funds would merge to create one of the country’s largest energy industry funds. ESI Super and SPEC Super Chairman Bob Henricks said Energy Super was the perfect new name as the merged entity would continue to focus on the nation’s growing and important energy industry. “ESI Super and SPEC Super are both industry super funds with a track record of consistent returns, low fees and strong service to members. As a result, we’ve been looking for a new name which not only embodies ESI Super and SPEC Super’s proud legacy, but also sets a new foundation for the merged fund,” he said. “We feel Energy Super not only reflects our commitment to employees of this sector, but also emphasises our fresh, innovative and engaging approach to superannuation. “And while Energy Super will maintain a focus on employees in the energy industry, it will also be a public offer fund which can accept membership from the general public, particularly the families and friends of energy industry workers.” The structure of Energy Super will see SPEC Super’s streamlined administration model retained, with ESI Super’s existing expert team to assume responsibility for the fund management and financial services of the new merged entity. Mr Henricks said Energy Super would maintain the wide range of investment options, low fee structure, insurances, financial advice and additional products and services members currently enjoyed. Newtagsadvert180x81.pdf 16/04/2009 2:04:04 PM

He said the new fund would also deliver benefits to members as its larger scale would allow for shared service cost savings, greater cash flow, access to more investment opportunities at a lower cost, and opportunities for enhanced member services and benefits. “With 45,000 members, these efficiencies will lead to an improved fund,” he said. “In the meantime, both funds will ensure their focus remains on delivering consistent returns, relevant and cost-effective products and services, and tailored financial advice to our members. “We have a history of serving members of the energy industry and we look forward to continuing this service as Energy Super.” ESI Super is a platinum-rated*, $3.1 billion industry superannuation fund providing complete retirement planning solutions to its 21,000 members across Australia. The fund offers superannuation, income stream, insurance and income protection products and access to financial advice. SPEC Super is a gold-rated* industry super fund which has been operating more than 21 years for people working in the electrotechnology and allied industries. It has more than $500 million in investments and more than 24,000 members. * Ratings provided by SuperRatings Pty Ltd (ABN 95 100 192 283, AFSL 311880) - an independent superannuation assessment and superannuation ratings research organisation.

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news from thedistributors

SA: ETSA Utilities Are you signed up to REX? REX is the ETSA Utilities online system that is available to all Registered Electrical Contractors and Accredited Solar Installers. REX enables you to raise your meter install/ exchange requests, book and cancel appointments, monitor what stage your application is at, confirm scoping information, and verify what fees apply to your customer. If you are not registered for REX you can sign up online or call Builders & Contractors on 1300 650 014.

Booking appointments for your customers

Anytime Day

REX is not just for raising a Form A for a PV meter install, you can also book your customers’ appointments for us to do the meter change-over. Upon booking an appointment, please confirm with your customer that we have access available to the meter and main switch. Then let your customer know when we will be attending.

This option can also be used for customers when there are no access issues to the main switch and meter. At the time of booking the appointment you will be provided with a specific date ETSA Utilities will be attending. No specific time will be given as the customer does not need to be home during our attendance.

PV metering booking options

AM Appointment

We have recently made some changes to the booking options when it comes time to make an appointment for a PV meter connection. There are now four different options when choosing an appointment. Unless there are specific issues that do not allow ETSA Utilities clear unrestricted access to the customer’s meter box and main switch, we would prefer that appointments for PV meter installations are made as an ‘Anytime Week’ appointment. This provides us with more flexibility in our schedule and enables us to service more customers each week. The appointment options are:

Anytime Week This is to be used for customers when they have no access issues to both the meter and main switch. At the time of booking the appointment you will be provided with a five business day date range as an indication of when ETSA Utilities will be attending. No specific time or day will be given initially as the customer does not need to be home during our attendance. If you have made your booking through REX, you will be sent a reminder email or SMS message confirming the appointment date four business days prior to the actual date. www.masterelectricians.com.au

This option is to only be used when there are access issues to the meter and main switch. An exact time will not be given. The appointment window requires someone to be home to allow access from 7.30am till 12.00pm. The option of being notified of the exact time is not available.

PM Appointment This is another option that is to only be used when there are access issues to the meter and main switch. An exact time will not be given. The appointment window requires someone to be home to allow access between the hours of 12.00pm and 4.30pm. The option of being notified of the exact time is not available. Please note if you are booking in an appointment for an alteration of service/meter that requires a Registered Electrical Contractor to be on-site, you still have the ability to receive a SMS message or email four working days prior.

Scoping Summary Tab In REX you will find a tab called ‘Charges’. If you click on this tab you will see the charge that has been applied to your job request. As you are requesting the work on your customer’s behalf, you will need to pass this important information on to them.

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National Energy Networks Association WA: Western Power Pricing Changes to Western Power Services Western Power provides a range of customer initiated services, which are not covered by the tariff arrangements. This means that Western Power is required to recover the costs associated with providing the service from the customer requiring the service. Western Power will be introducing price changes for some of these services as detailed below:

Working near powerlines Since 1 February 2011, working in the vicinity assessments will cost $350 for each of the initial and three month on-site assessments. A surcharge of $150 will apply if the assessment is required in less than 10 days.

Temporary supply Since 1 March 2011, the installation of a temporary standard supply will cost $500. Non-standard supply will remain quotable. All prices associated with temporary supply are available on the Western Power website.

Temporary disconnection Since 1 April 2011, where a disconnection and reconnection can occur within a half-hour appointment, customers will be charged $500. Any extension of the appointment will cost $150 per half hour or part thereof. Where the disconnection and reconnection are split over two separate appointments, each appointment will cost $500. If underground pit work is required, a surcharge of $150 per appointment will apply.

ABARES releases Energy in Australia 2011 report Last month, the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) published the Energy in Australia 2011 report. This report provides a valuable insight into Australia’s energy consumption and production. It is a concise and comprehensive publication and provides a useful reference point for policymakers. Accurate and comprehensive data is provided with the necessary information to assist planning for our energy future and ultimately to maintain Australia’s reliable, accessible and sustainable energy supply. According to the publication, Australia has maintained its position as the world’s ninth largest energy producer. Energy exports accounted for 34 per cent of the value of Australia’s total exports of goods and services in 2009-10. Renewable energy maintained its contribution of around seven per cent to Australian electricity generation. Domestic energy consumption accounted for 32 per cent of Australia’s energy production with net exports accounting for the remaining 68 per cent and expenditure on research and development in energy totaled almost $2.9 billion in 2008-09. The Minister for Resources, Energy and Tourism, the Hon. Martin Ferguson AM MP, welcomed the release of report and noted that: “…Australia needs substantial investment in energy – for energy security, prosperity and in order to make the transition to a lower-carbon economy”. The report is available for download via the ABARES website: www.abares.gov.au.

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NSW: EnergyAustralia/Ausgrid Ausgrid continues to power NSW homes and businesses One of Australia’s most respected and oldest energy companies now has a new name, coinciding with major rebuilding and smart grid programs. The EnergyAustralia electricity network will be renamed Ausgrid and will continue a 100 year tradition in managing a safe and reliable electricity network. Managing Director, George Maltabarow, said the new brand reflected the best of the company’s values and heritage as well as its new direction as a leader in smart grid technology. “The new brand reflects a reliable, safe and secure electricity service,” Mr Maltabarow said. “But it will also showcase a smarter and more efficient electricity network managed by an equally innovative and dedicated workforce.” Ausgrid will still be charged with managing the EnergyAustralia network of more than 200 major substations, 500,000 power poles and 50,000 kilometres of below and above ground electricity cables. Its specialist crews of electricians, cable

newsflash jointers and line workers will continue in their 24 hour service of the electricity network. “It’s a new name, but the same dedication to safety and community services remains,” Mr Maltabarow said. “Our crews are out there working in our streets – rain, hail or shine. They believe in what they do. It’s this commitment to community service that has forged such a strong brand under EnergyAustralia. “I have absolute faith that this dedication will live on in our new brand. “We are delivering one of Australia’s largest infrastructure programs. It’s an $8 billion renewal of the electricity network that will make it smarter, more reliable and more efficient. “We’re also rolling out the nation’s first commercial scale smart grid project on behalf of the Australian Government. “We are at an important turning point for our electricity network so it’s fitting that we embark on this change under a new identity.” Mr Maltabarow said the EnergyAustralia brand had been acquired by the new owners of the company’s electricity retail business, TRUenergy.

QLD: Energex Off peak tariff awareness campaign Over the past few years, ENERGEX has noticed a significant reduction in the number of electric hot water systems connected to off-peak tariffs 31 and 33. ENERGEX has a project underway to promote the connection of suitable hot water systems to an off-peak tariff, both existing and new. In March 2011, ENERGEX commenced an awareness campaign aimed at raising customer awareness about connecting their electric hot water system to an off-peak tariff where it is suitable. As part of this campaign, ENERGEX is offering a rebate of $100 to customers that connect an eligible new or existing hot water system to either tariff 31 or tariff 33. It is available for heat pump hot water systems, solar hot water systems and electric

www.masterelectricians.com.au

Empire State Building to use 100% renewable power New York’s Empire State Building has become the city’s largest commercial purchaser of 100 per cent renewable energy. The 2.85 million square-foot office building is expected to require about 55 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy each year, which will avoid nearly 100 million pounds of carbon dioxide emission each year compared to fossil fuel power. www.brighterenergy.org

storage hot water systems (conditions apply). Customers can claim this rebate by completing and returning the Residential Hot Water Off-Peak Rebate Application Form (Rebate Form). This Rebate Form is available via the ENERGEX website or it can be posted by contacting ENERGEX on 13 12 53. It is important to note that the electrical or plumbing contractor, who installed the system, needs to sign ‘Part B’ of the Rebate Form. Additionally, ENERGEX will reimburse the Meter Configuration Fee where applicable. This will be reviewed when the Rebate Form is received, and so we ask if you could please identify on the Rebate Form whether we need to carry out a change from tariff 31 to tariff 33. The customer will then be notified accordingly. Further information about connecting hot water systems to an off-peak tariff is available on the ENERGEX website www.energex.com.au/offpeak

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regulatorwrap-up the latest state news from regulators NSW

VIC

Energy Safe Victoria Audit of Smart Meter Installation Program

Fair Trading DC Breakers in Renewable (Solar) Energy Installations As part of its corporate responsibilities in the area of electrical enforcement, NSW Fair Trading conducts audits of stand-alone renewable energy installations. In recent times this has extended to grid connected installation audits. On occasions Fair Trading investigators have found that the polarised DC circuit breakers have been incorrectly wired. If the circuit breaker is operated (opened), this may lead to sustained electrical arcing and in a worst case scenario, a fire may start in the circuit breaker. When found the installations have been disconnected and the owner of the installation notified, together with the installing contractor for rectification of the fault. NSW Fair Trading is currently working with the renewable energy industry and Electrical Network Operators to determine if this is a systemic problem within the industry. As DC circuits have different characteristics to AC circuits, Electrical Contractors must ensure that polarised DC circuit breakers are installed correctly. Failure to ensure correct polarity may lead to a failure of the system. Electrical Contractors are reminded that Clause 36 of the Electrical (Consumer Safety) Regulation 2006 makes a requirement to carry out a safety and compliance test to ensure electrical installations comply with AS/NZS 3000. The Electrical (Consumer Safety) Act 2004 provides for substantial penalties for persons who do electrical installation work that does not comply with AS/NZS 3000. Further technical information may be found at this link: www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/cec/newsletters/installerupdate-231110.html www.masterelectricians.com.au

Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) has started auditing the state’s smart meter installation program to ensure that correct and safe procedures are being followed. The decision to audit follows an incident in Highett in January this year in which a woman received an electric shock after a smart meter was incorrectly installed at her home. Victoria’s Director of Energy Safety, Paul Fearon, said the audit would include a review of companies’ installation, testing and commission work procedures, as well as some site inspections. A separate review will also examine installers’ qualifications and training records. Mr Fearon said ESV wrote to the electricity distribution companies early in February to advise that the audit was to take place. “The distribution companies have been asked to provide details of the companies they have contracted to carry out the changeover program, copies of the work instructions to be followed by the contractors, details of training and qualification requirements for technicians, and copies of their quality management system,” he said. “The Highett installation was a very serious incident and ESV is committed to ensuring that installers are suitably qualified and that correct procedures are being followed so that safety is not being compromised.” Mr Fearon said more than 500,000 smart meters had been safely installed across the state prior to the Highett installation.

The audit is expected to take up to two months. In the wake of publicity about the Highett incident, Victoria’s electricity distribution companies moved to reassure home owners that smart meter installation was safe. A press release issued by the Energy Networks Association said the program was being implemented “within strict safety guidelines” and had identified and helped Victorian consumers repair thousands of electricity defects. Shane Breheny, Chairman of the Energy Networks Association, said qualified smart meter installers had so far found about 3500 homes with electrical defects, and more than a third of those had to be immediately disconnected for safety reasons. Mr Breheny emphasised that meter installers only examine the meter board and immediately around it, and that householders wanting a full safety check of their electrical wiring needed to call a registered electrical contractor to undertake a full inspection. “In almost all cases this has been the first indication for customers that they have any problems, and they were only identified because of the smart meter rollout. It’s an extra safety dividend being delivered to the community by the smart meter program.” More than 2.8 million meters will be installed in Victorian homes and businesses by the end of 2013, in line with the mandate of the Victorian Government.

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Office of Energy Phase-out of electric hot water systems Water heating is the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions from the average Australian home and accounts for about a quarter of household energy use. Currently, about 20 per cent of Western Australian households use electric hot water systems. These systems produce up to three times the greenhouse gases of low emission alternatives, which include solar, heat pump and high-efficiency gas. The Australian, state and territory governments are working together to phase-out greenhouse-intensive hot water systems. The phase- out only involves electric resistance instantaneous and storage hot water systems. It is estimated this phaseout will result in a reduction of greenhouse gases of about 30 million tonnes by 2020. This is equivalent to taking 750,000 cars off the road for 10 years. It may also help householders save money on their electricity

bills. Please note operational water heaters do not need to be replaced until they reach the end of their working life. The phase-out will be implemented in two stages.

Stage 1 Electric water heaters will no longer be able to be installed in: • Any new detached, terrace or town house • Any existing detached, terrace or town house where there is access to reticulated natural gas, except where an exemption applies. Stage one has been developed and implemented on a state-by-state basis from 2010. For hot water installations in new homes, requirements are specified in the Building Code of Australia and regulated through state and territory building regulations. Standards for hot water installations in new detached, terrace or town

houses are already in place in Western Australia under the Western Australian Appendix to the Building Code of Australia. For more information on Western Australia’s regulations see the WA Building Commission’s website. Installations in existing homes will be regulated through state and territory plumbing regulations. Western Australia’s Plumber’s Licensing Board, in collaboration with the Western Australian Office of Energy, is working to prepare amendments to the Western Australian Plumbing Regulations to phase out electric water heaters in any existing detached, terrace or town house.

Stage 2 Electric water heaters will no longer be able to be installed in: • Any existing detached, terrace or town house, including those without access to reticulated natural gas • Any new flats and apartments with access to reticulated gas, except where an exemption applies. Stage two is scheduled to be implemented in 2012.

Post 2012 For new apartments without access to reticulated gas, the phase-out of electric resistance hot water systems is proposed to occur between 2012 and 2015, depending on further investigation into the feasibility of low-emission water heating options. There are a limited set of situations where water heater installations will be exempt from requirements identified in the phase-out. These will be communicated to industry and the public as they are determined.

New ProTag Optima System Australia’s Most Compact Appliance Testing and Tag Printing System. The new ProTag Optima System tests portable appliances and RCDs, and prints test tags in a compact system weighing only around 2kg. No interface cables between the tester, printer and scanner provide maximum mobility on construction sites, factories and workshops. Light weight, wireless, battery powered and with logging of visual inspections and risk assessments, the Optima System guarantees greater efficiency, huge time savings and a lower cost per tag. Call EMONA Instruments on tel: 1 800 632 953 email: testinst@emona.com.au or www.protag.com.au the master electrician

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SA QLD

Department of the Technical Regulator New electricity tariffs

Electrical Safety Office New self assessment audit for electrical contractors The Electrical Safety Office has released a second self-assessment audit package for electrical contractors in Queensland. This package is designed to assist electrical contractors identify some of their key electrical safety obligations; and promote awareness and work practices that keep them, their workers, and other people and property, free from electrical risk. The package consists of questions relating to a contractor’s licence, business, risk management, general requirements for electrical work, testing requirements, and apprentices and workers. You can obtain a copy from the Electrical Safety Office on 1300 362 320, or download the electronic version from www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au www.masterelectricians.com.au

New electricity tariffs have come into effect for communities supplied with electricity under the Remote Areas Energy Supplies (RAES) Scheme from 7 March 2011. Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure (DTEI) Energy Division Executive Director, Vince Duffy said the new tariffs follow increased on-grid prices and increased costs of supplying electricity to customers in remote areas of the state. “The RAES scheme subsidises the delivery of safe and reliable electricity supplies to over 2,600 customers across 13 communities in remote areas of the state.” Mr Duffy said key aspects of the revised tariffs include: • Consistent with long standing RAES policy, small and medium domestic customers (up to 8,000 kWh per annum) continue to pay no more than 10 per cent above the on-grid regulated standing contract tariffs. In fact small to medium domestic customers will be charged about 4 per cent higher than equivalent on-grid customers. • As RAES tariffs have not kept pace with recent increases in on-grid prices, small to medium RAES domestic customers are currently paying less than equivalent on-grid customers. An average domestic customer consuming about 5,000 kWh per annum will therefore see an increase of about 18 per cent in their bill. • Larger domestic customers and General Supply customers will face higher increases as they move towards the full cost of supply. • Tariffs for State and Commonwealth Government agencies are set at a rate reflecting the average full cost of supply. • All new tariffs incorporate a $10 per quarter increase in the fixed or supply

charge as it is currently less than the ongrid supply charge. • Tariffs for street lighting have been normalised with respect to equivalent ongrid tariffs and will increase by an average of 19 per cent. “Businesses have been offered energy audits and subsidies for changes to their infrastructure to improve energy efficiency via the Federal Government funded Renewable Remote Power Generation program administered by DTEI,” said Mr Duffy. “Holders of a Pensioner Concession Card, DVA Gold Card or a Centrelink Low Income Health Care Card may be eligible to receive a $150 concession on energy costs.” “The change to tariffs aims to continue to meet the primary objective of the RAES scheme, with the cost of electricity for residents in the 13 remote townships subsidised to maintain tariffs for reasonable levels of consumption by small to medium domestic customers at no more than 10 percent above the on-grid standing contract tariffs.” Details of the new tariffs are available via www.energy.sa.gov.au/raes. For further information about the new tariffs call the DTEI Energy Advisory Line on 1800 671 907.

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letter of thelaw Three reasons why debtors don’t pay… and how you can avoid it There are usually three reasons why debtors do not pay. The following stories show what you need to do to make sure you get paid. Reason one: They will not pay because they are dishonest In reality most people are just like you, honest, hardworking, competent and pay their bills when they are due. There is a very small percentage of dishonest people out there. Past performance is the best predictor of future performance. Carry out background investigations into the viability and status of the other party and make inquiries with others in the industry. Make sure the contract includes the right for progress claims, the right to stop work if you are not paid and the right to withhold certification until the final payment is made (except for retentions). If these conditions are not agreed to, lights should flash and the bells should ring. Why are these conditions objected to? Admittedly, even if these things are not in your contract, you do still have your statutory rights but unfortunately, many contractors just are not aware of them. For example, you can serve a Suspension of Works Notice under the Payment Claims legislation.

Case one In a recent case we had debts of nearly $200,000, on two projects, paid within a matter days once the client gave the proper notice under the Act and stopped work. Of course, if they had not delivered a Payment Claim under that legislation, they would not have had the right to stop work. If the work you are doing is covered by a licence issued by your state’s building industry regulator, you may also have a right to stop work under their provisions. Stopping work is the most underrated way to enforce payment.

Reason two: They should not have to pay Case two An electrician requested we send a letter of demand to a builder who had been a good

client for over three years. The electrician had done lots of jobs for the builder and always been paid. The debt was for several thousand dollars. There was no response to the letter of demand by the builder. “What is the next step?”, we were asked. We rang the debtor. It turns out that the builder had every reason not to pay. The electrician, or more correctly his employees, had used the wrong size cable to feed an air-conditioning unit. The builder had tried a number of times to contact the electrician. Calls had not been returned. The electrician sent a letter of demand - angry and upset. No way was the builder going to pay. A previously good and fruitful relationship had gone very bad. The builder was even going to report the electrician to the industry regulator. We made one phone call to the builder to discover all this. All could have been prevented if the electrician kept his promise, did his job properly, returned calls and valued the relationship with the builder. Debtors and debt were preventable. The lesson? Keep your promise and they are more likely to do so in return.

Reason three: They cannot pay We often find that a very large proportion of debtors, when pressed, are fully prepared to acknowledge and do not in fact dispute the debt but they just cannot pay it. Suing and obtaining judgment does not change this. The courts do not give money to the debtor to pay the debt.

Case three A recent case involving an electrician and a builder who would not pay is a good example of why it is often absolutely critical for you, or your lawyer, to talk to the debtor before you sue. It involved a debt of just under $20,000. The builder would not return the electrician’s calls or respond to any correspondence. The electrician wanted to sue to recover the debt.

Fortunately, this was not necessary. The solicitor first rang the builder and spoke to him in person. It became clear that the builder simply could not pay because of cash flow problems and was avoiding the electrician because he was embarrassed. It turned out however, that he would be able to pay the debt in a couple of months when a current project came to completion. The builder readily agreed to sign a Deed of Acknowledgement of Debt promising to repay the full amount, plus interest, over the next couple of months. Four months later the debt was paid in full. As Doug Skelton of McKays Solicitors, the solicitor involved in this case, recently reported, “The key, the essential factor, the absolute number one priority in resolving a dispute over unpaid money is to first determine the real reason the debtor is not paying.” Here are four simple tips Doug believes you should always try before rushing off to sue a debtor: • Discover the real facts – the vast majority of contract disputes turn on the facts rather than legal issues • Speak to the debtor – empathise and try to understand the debtor’s position • Develop a respectful relationship with the debtor – only once the debtor realises you understand his position is he likely to be willing to listen and try to understand your position • Try to negotiate a resolution – if the above steps have been done well, there is a good chance the matter can be resolved in a way which will also minimise your costs. If you would like any further tips on preventing debt or help retrieving a debt, Doug would be more than happy to have a no obligations chat with you. Doug Skelton can be contacted on 07 3223 5920 or by email at dskelton@mckayslaw.com the master electrician

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theinterview

Robbie Maddison AUSTRALIAN MOTORBIKE STUNT RIDER, ROBBIE MADDISON, HAS BROKEN NUMEROUS WORLD RECORDS (NOT TO MENTION BONES) ON HIS WAY TO BECOMING ONE OF THE GREATEST RIDERS OF ALL TIME. THE MASTER ELECTRICIAN TALKS TO ROBBIE ABOUT HIS EARLY TRAINING AS AN ELECTRICIAN AND HIS AMAZING FEATS.

www.masterelectricians.com.au

41 ME So tell us, how does an electrician from NSW become one of the greatest and most extreme stunt riders in the world? Well growing up I was fortunate to have awesome parents. I raced bikes from age six till I was 16 and that was the footings to support the whole structure I have around me today. My parents raised me in a way that made me have the determination to take on what I do, and after having a life threatening disease through my apprenticeship, I started to take a different perspective on life. As a kid I dreamed of big and spectacular things and the dream became so important to me that I started giving it all I had. You made an incredible jump of 30m onto an Arc de Triomphe replica in Las Vegas - what was going through your head before you jumped? I was aware of the danger but was in an incredible moment. I knew the next few moments could be my last due to the risk I was taking but had total mental stillness -- I had done the training and preparation to be confident. The art of facing such fearful things has a lot to do with your mental state. Being ‘in the moment’, without a thought, and paying extreme attention to your feeling, balance and timing allows you to do things that your mind may deem to be too dangerous. When the mind isn’t present it plays no role. My dream took control and I believed in it. In 2009 you back flipped across London’s Tower Bridge. What was your inspiration for that idea? My wife Amy plays a big role in helping me mould ideas and is continuously a breath of fresh air. She said “you should jump the Tower Bridge in London, cause it would be cool and not so dangerous”.

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the master electrician

AUTUMN 11

ME 42 ADVERTISEMENT

We made a point to spend the day there after an event in Europe. When I watched the bridge open it became apparent what needed to be done. It was still a difficult jump due to the flex in the bridge when it was spanning and not locked down, but getting the permission was the toughest part. I have to thank some individuals at RedBull UK for that amazing opportunity! What does it feel like when you are mid air, is it a feeling of satisfaction? 100% satisfaction! You’re learning all the time and the demand it requires for fitness and flexibility is a limitless thing to consume yourself in. You jumped the biggest canal in the world on your motorbike leaping 85m across the Corinth Canal in Greece, how did you prepare for that? Mentally it was tougher for me than the Arc de Triomphe. The visual that the Corinth Gorge gives you is terrifying, it was three times higher at mid flight than the Arc was from top to bottom and any mechanical malfunction or major misjudging on my part was definitely a death sentence. I measured the distance then jumped a jump the identical length and tried to remember the feeling of that speed. I don’t jump with a speedo because there is no time to check it and to do a jump like that. You have to know within that you have it right and not rely on a measurement. You just have to know the feeling and know the sound of the revolutions of the motor. The problem at the jump site was that I had a tricky run in and was unable to get the speed I needed. I barely made it and bounced from the top of the landing to the ground. Have you ever had a moment after you’ve jumped when you think you’re not going to pull it off? Yeah, I frequently get that doing tricks. I’ve had a few close calls going for records in distance jumps that have made me really take a good hard look at myself and think why are you doing this...but when you stop thinking about it long enough the fear dissipates. www.masterelectricians.com.au

Do you employ any methods from your past life as an electrician when preparing for your jumps? Sure, I don’t physically fill out an ATW but I always need the ok from some land owner to ride and then the JSA is by walking the course or getting to know the jump by studying it. Housekeeping is always needed and plenty of my friends are my apprentices. I need to stop for smoko more often and I’m always doing overtime. Most people would ask how do you do something where you could easily die or be injured for life? What would you say to them? As an electrician I guess a lot of people are in that situation, but those guys know a procedure to follow to ensure they don’t get hurt. I’m very similar in my approach, I have worked out my own methods to keep me safe and I run it. You almost died from viral meningitis and encephalitis when you were young, you have broken about 30 bones, ruptured your scrotum and broken your neck. How do you find the strength to go on? I always look at a situation and see what is needed to rectify it. All of my injuries are lessons learnt or mistakes made. These days I spend a lot of time to overcome hurdles with stretching, correct physical training, a good diet and passion. And just how does a self-confessed extremist relax in the midst of all this jump insanity? I try to relax everyday by doing a little meditation and concentrate on the stillness between breaths and mentally go to each muscle and relax it. You’ve got to be on it otherwise I get so wound up from the pressure I put on myself that I flip out and go crazy. A master at meditation can get a greater release than a sexual orgasm...fact. Any sneak peeks into what jumps you have got up your sleeve for 2011? I have way too much to mention, but some major exciting plans are going to have me pushing the limits and changing the sport.

43 ME

gadgetguide Keeping you in the know

iPad 2

Nintendo’s 3DS

Apple has introduced the next generation of its magical device for browsing the web, reading and sending email, enjoying photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading ebooks and much more. iPad 2 features an entirely new design that is 33 per cent thinner and up to 15 per cent lighter than the original iPad, while maintaining the same stunning 9.7-inch LED-backlit LCD screen. iPad 2 features Apple’s new dual-core A5 processor for blazing fast performance and stunning graphics. It now includes two cameras, a front-facing VGA camera for FaceTime and Photo Booth, and a rearfacing camera that captures 720p HD video, bringing the innovative FaceTime feature to iPad users for the first time. Though it is thinner, lighter, faster and packed with new features, iPad 2 still delivers up to 10 hours of battery life that users have come to expect. iPad 2 is available in black or white and introduces the innovative iPad 2 Smart Cover in a range of vibrant polyurethane and rich leather colours.

Gaming just got a new “in-your-face” factor, literally. Following on from its motion controlled Wii console, Nintendo has launched a new handheld 3D device it hopes will again change the face of gaming. The Nintendo 3DS, moves on from its now diminutive predecessor, the DS, by giving gamers a 3D experience without the need for glasses. The 3D screen is intended to draw users deeper into games, with characters designed to seemingly reach, jump, drive and fire out of the screen. And there will be no need to adopt the faux-shades look on the bus or train, with the familiar handheld console layout, plus an intricate circle pad, now displaying 3D visuals to the naked eye. The console’s most striking aspect is the augmented reality (AR) feature. A drink coaster-sized plastic card with a symbol on it, called an AR card, is placed in front of two cameras in the 3DS that capture the player’s real-life environment.

The ASUS DSL-N10 ADSL2+ modem router is simple to set up and use, and it’s very affordable. For only $79, you’d be forgiven for thinking it might not be a top performer, but it actually performed well in the Good gear Guide.com ADSL2+ and wireless networking tests. The ASUS DSL-N10 is an all-in-one modem/router without audacious styling. It’s relatively small, it looks nice and it only has one antenna for its 802. Getting onto the Internet is simple: all you have to do is click on the Quick Internet Setup wizard on the main page, select your ISP from a dropdown list, punch in your login details and wait about a minute for the modem to do its thing. The next step in the wizard allows you to set up the wireless access point SSID (network name) and security (up to WPA2). It only takes less than five minutes to get online from the time you pull the unit out of the box, to plugging in all the cables and entering your details. How easy is that?

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ASUS DSL-N10 ADSL2+ modem router

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the master electrician

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ME 44

technobiz Master Electricians are giving you the good-oil on the best stuff!

New Solar Inverters from Power Protection

The Powersines LEC A Energy Saver

New HPM legrand apps make light work

Power Protection Pty Ltd now represents an extensive range of solar power inverters including Growatt, Kinglong and CEHE inverters. The Growatt inverters incorporate the latest developments in high energy density solid state components, are transformerless and do not have fans, relying instead on excellent, convection-promoting designs. The CEHE grid-tied solar inverters have outputs ranging from 1800 watts to 1000 kilowatts, meet stringent specifications including VDE and TĂ&#x153;V, have the latest developments in IGBT switching technology and feature highly advanced islanding protection. The Kinglong grid-tied inverters are transformer- and fan-less inverters available in single-phase ratings to 5 kilowatts. They feature RS485 communication, thus allowing the building up of both two- and three-phase systems, utilising two and three inverters respectively.

Hylec are the Australian distributers for the Powersines LEC A energy saving unit. Utilising the latest advancements in voltage control, LEC A lighting uses reverse voltage induction technology and can increase direct energy savings by up to 38 per cent. In addition, it can reduce maintenance costs by up to 50 per cent, without the heat, bulky size and high losses of its competitors. Installation is generally easier and cheaper as well. The Powersines unit also improves power quality, reduces harmonics (Low THD), improves power factor and stabilises fluctuating voltage. Packed with additional features, like astro clock, built in communication and integrated and manual bypass and protection.

Electrical contractors can help clients choose accessories for their new home by using two handy colour selector iPhones and iPads apps. The new HPM Linea and Legrand Arteor apps give contractors a convenient and easy way to match electrical accessories with clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; new rooms. Homeowners can test all the colour and design combinations of the Legrand Arteor and HPM Linea ranges of light switches and powerpoints. Also, by taking photos of walls, benchtops, splashbacks and tiles in their new house, uploading the digital images to the app, and then placing their light switch selection against the surfaces, clients can virtually try the product before they buy.

www.parameters.com.au

www.masterelectricians.com.au

www.hylec.com.au

www.lineacolours.com.au or www.arteor.com.au

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technicaltalk POOL EQUIPOTENTIAL BONDING The equipotential bonding of swimming and spa pools is a complex issue. Our team of technical experts have answered some of the frequently asked questions associated with this slippery task. When do we have to equipotentially bond? You must equipotentially bond if there is any possibility of electric shock being passed through a faulty piece of electrical equipment via a body of water to persons contained within, or exiting the pool. Which means all extraneous conductive parts in Zones 0, 1 and 2 shall be connected together by an equipotential bonding conductor. The requirement for bonding can be removed if all electrical equipment supplying the pool is double insulated and insulated from electrical contact to the water (non-conductive shaft, impellor and constructed with the use of non conductive connections between the pump impellor and motor). This method has future drawbacks. This type of pump is expensive and the temptation to replace a defective pump with a cheaper non-double insulated type could occur. The original intention of fitting a double insulated pump could be lost through time, or a new owner not realising the electrical compliance of the installation. Also the pool technician may not be aware of the consequences involved. What has to be equipotentially bonded? Any exposed conductive material either within the pool zones, or any conductive parts of electrical equipment that are in contact with the water via a water circulation, water heating system or filtration system. This means: • Pool pumps, pool heaters, spa blowers, surrounding pathways, lamp stands, metal pool ladders, diving boards and metallic pipe work • Any fixed conductive material within arm’s reach (1.25m) of the pool edge • Metallic reinforcing of pool or spa shells (one point bonding connection principles in reinforced concrete shells)

ALUMINIUM, ALUMINIUM, GLASS GLASS OR OR METAL METAL POOL POOL FENCE FENCE

125mm 125mm

A A

Refer Refer to to sectional sectional drawing drawing ‘A’ ‘A’

GROUND GROUND LEVEL LEVEL

SECTIONAL SECTIONAL VIEW VIEW OF OF FENCE FENCE POST, POST, EQUIPOTENTIAL EQUIPOTENTIAL BOND BOND ATTACHMENT ATTACHMENT Drill 5mm hole in Drill 5mm hole in aluminium post aluminium post 5mm fluted washers 5mm fluted washers 5mm metal thread screw 5mm metal thread screw

5mm Spring lock washers 5mm Spring lock washers Hex cap nut Hex cap nut

4mm22 Copper Lug 4mm Copper Lug

GROUND GROUND LEVEL LEVEL Minimum 4mm22 earth bond Minimum 4mm earth bond

NOTE: It is recommended that the bolt, nut and lug be protected from the damaging elements with the use of either glue filled heat shrink or a quality paint etc. Please note that the sizes of bolts, washers, lugs etc. are for diagramatic purposes only. It is your responsiblility to assess your individual situation prior to Bonding.

the master electrician

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• Bonding of fixed non-electrical metallic fittings How do I equipotentially bond? The bonding conductor shall be terminated or connected by any means permitted by clause 3.7 of AS3000:2007. For example, this may be done by crimp lug, suitable nut and bolt, earthed terminal block etc. However, if it is subject to a deteriorating effect of the pool water or chemicals it should be covered or encapsulated in a suitable compound. For example, glue filled heat shrink, jelly type compound, zinc style paint etc. Electricians should also remember that two dissimilar metals will require some jointing compound to eliminate the chemical corrosive effect. Where do I take the bonded earth? The equipotential bonding conductor shall be connected between the bonded parts and the earthing conductor associated with each circuit supplying the pool or spa. It can be taken back to the MSB main earth bar providing the circuits originate from that MSB.

www.masterelectricians.com.au

Can the electrical connection to the pool steel bonding point be done by the pool builder? No. It is classed as electrical work and must be done by a qualified electrical worker. When is there bonding required on a pool fence? When it is within arm’s reach (1.25m) of the pool edge and in Zone 1. Do I have to bond diving boards and aluminium ladders? Yes, in accordance with clause 5.6.2.6 (ii). What is arm’s reach? As per clause 1.4.12 and figure 1.1 arm’s reach is 1.25m. Do I have to bond a glass pool fence? Yes, if it has metallic fittings greater than 100mm in any dimension in accordance with clause 5.6.2.6. How do I bond a glass pool fence? With a glass pool fence you must bond each of the aluminium posts which are within arm’s reach, (1.25m) linking the bonding conductor between posts either by trenching, chasing in the tile mortar or with

the use of a suitable aluminium extrusion which will run along the bottom of the glass between the posts providing a cable passage without being obtrusive. How do I bond to an aluminium pool fence? The same way as a glass pool fence, but you must ensure continuity throughout the length of the fence within the pool zone. If I have an aluminium pool fence and the connectors are plastic what should I do? You would bond it the same way as you would a glass pool fence, by using a bonding conductor to link all the fence panels to the poles ensuring continuity throughout the entire fence. Do I have to bond an above-ground pool? If so how? Yes. If the above-ground pool has metal sides which are continuous all the way around, you can use a suitable type nut and bolt to secure the bonding conductor to the pool. If it is a fibreglass pool with a metal rim you will have to bond the rim. In both situations you may have to also bond the metal ladder if applicable.

47 ME

workplacerelations How to manage generation y Generation Y (Gen Y) are those born between 1980 to 2001. This generation makes up a large proportion of our workforce and brings a new dynamic to any work environment. The way in which Gen Y employees need to be managed is important as they have different characteristics, values and opinions about work than other generations. This unique diversity in the workplace can sometimes create conflict and changes to productivity levels. This is why it is important to understand the characteristics of the ‘general’ Gen Y so you can best manage this generation. What personality characteristics does a Gen Y generally exhibit? • Driven by personal satisfaction • Intensive enthusiasm or passion for their chosen career • Values social connection and opportunities • Opinionative and expresses thoughts • Values are important and expected to be met • Not as influenced by authority and role models • Has own goals and objectives • Interactive and hands-on learners It is important to have these characteristics in mind when managing this age group to motivate and retain valued employees.

CIRT HELPS YOU TO REDUCE THE DRAIN ON YOUR COMPANY’S CASH FLOW CIRT was established in 1990 to provide redundancy benefits to the electrical industry. CIRT allows employers to contribute money each month on behalf of their employees. That way if a redundancy occurs, the CIRT contributions form either part or all of any redundancy payment and the employer can include the money already contributed as part of the redundancy payment. CIRT provides benefits for the following situations: redundancy, retirement, leaving the industry, severe financial hardship, total and permanent disability, death. Contact CIRT now for all your industry redundancy needs. Administered by Malcolm V. Leeke & Co. Chartered Accountants

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the master electrician

AUTUMN 11

ME 48

newsflash UNSW solar car smashes world record

The University of New South Wales’ Sunswift team has broken the world speed record for a solar car. The Sunswift team broke the longstanding land speed record for solar vehicles – 78 kilometres per hour (km/h) – with a Guinness-verified speed of 88 km/h. The car, which was running on 1.2 kilowatt of solar energy, has been the product of five years of planning, development and construction.

What motivates Gen Y? Gen Y employees look for fun, challenging and interesting workplaces that satisfy their needs and desires. They generally don’t believe in the ‘boss’ concept, instead they value a manager as a mentor and one who provides hands-on training. If a Gen Y employee is not satisfied with their job they will leave immediately and will generally not stay if more money is offered as they value career fulfillment more.

hours to create a better work/life balance, while older generations have different needs and desires. Older generations expect younger generations to have respect for them, while Gen Y is not afraid to question authority if they feel it is not correct. This can cause conflict between the generations and requires guidance and patience from management and immediate supervisors.

How do Gen Y interact with other generations? Most Gen Y employees prefer to use a range of ‘modern’ technology to carry out their functions in the workplace. In comparison, older generations prefer to have a face to face conversation. However, Gen Y prefers to use email or a mobile phone to communicate. This can present some communication problems. One solution is to have regular team meetings to ensure all team members interact. Gen Y generally prefers flexible working

What employers should consider Employers need to take the time to understand Gen Y to identify the behavioral barriers that may be encountered within a work environment. This can be achieved by creating a diverse workplace that caters for all generations. For example, incorporating work/life balance, work flexibility, social and interactive environments and non financial rewards. Employers might also want to consider providing Gen Y employees with the opportunity to learn new skills by offering training in different aspects of the job.

Kyoritsu 4140 loop impedance tester no tripping of RCDs during loop testing

anti-trip technology

• Anti-Trip Technology for trip free Loop testing on all RCDs rated 30mA and above. • Dual Display allows simultaneous measurements like Loop & PFC/PSC.

• Two wire connection for Loop L-L, L-N and PSC testing. • Phase rotation, Voltage and Frequency. • Lock-down test button for ‘hands free’ testing with auto-start operation.

• Display and front panel keyboard with backlight for visibility in low light. • Water and Dust proof (IP54) • Comes complete with soft carry bag & all test leads.

For further Information:

1300 332 866

www.masterelectricians.com.au

49 ME

gridgossip Legal solutions for ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS Advice on contracts Contractual and payment disputes Business structures Asset protection Buying and selling businesses Wills and Estates Leasing and commercial contracts Debt collection services Conveyancing Workplace Health & Safety Call Michael Cope today on (07) 3223 5939 or Ian Heathwood on (07) 3223 5942 or 0418 199 416

www.mckayslaw.com

simPRO/Master Electricians Racing Kicks Off for 2011 February 17 saw the new simPRO/Master Electricians Racing Falcon kick off their campaign to secure the 2011 Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series. Sporting striking fluoro-yellow war paint, the simPRO/Master Electricians Racing Falcons are piloted by V8 Supercar rookies Chaz Mostert and former A1GP Team Australia driver Ash Walsh. Both are contesting all seven rounds of the Fujitsu series. The cars made their debut at the recent Clipsal 500 race in Adelaide which saw Walsh and Mostert showing traits of future champions. Mostert in his #10 simPRO Software Racing Falcon stormed home to finish sixth. Team mate Walsh, in the #90 simPRO Software Racing Falcon, finished fifteenth after having to serve a controversial drive-through penalty on the second last lap

for kerb-hopping. Mostert, who started the 24-lap race from ninth place on the grid once again drove with tenacity but struggled to maintain the pace against the factory-backed cars of Nick Percat, Andrew Thompson and Scott McLaughlin. Walsh also blitzed the field in the opening laps, making up an incredible 17 places in just six laps – moving from last on the grid up into tenth place. But his hot run ended prematurely after his costly penalty and he crossed the line in 15th place. Walsh now sits 22nd on the Series points ladder. The MILES Racing simPRO Falcons will return to the track in Perth for round two on April 29.

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AUTUMN 11

ME 50

Benefit spotlight – Commercial Partnerships As the leading body in the electrotechnology industry, Master Electricians Australia has developed key commercial partnerships to assist electrical contractors to take advantage of a range of discounted products and services. Legal Assistance It is important to get common-sense, practical legal advice from someone who understands your industry. Our strategic alliance with McKays Solicitors provides access to a team of professionals who specialise in providing legal services to members of the electrical contracting industry. Specialist services including contractual and payment claim disputes, advice on contracts and agreements, and more.

Working Capital Management and Equipment Finance InvoiceSelect and EquipmentSelect are cash and finance products exclusively provided by bpworkingcapital to Master Electricians and ECA members. InvoiceSelect enables contractors to raise immediate cash against selected invoices or progress claims for goods and services provided. EquipmentSelect combines competitive finance for vehicles, plant and equipment with a national buyer group to source the best price for new and second hand vehicles.

Insurance Cover Master Electricians Australia has access to a range of insurance products specifically designed for the electrotechnology industry. Through our partnerships with Comsure Insurance Brokers and Concept Benefit Planning, we can provide comprehensive and competitive insurance cover to protect your business and personal needs. These unique alliances allow our partners a deeper understanding of the cover you need.

Health Cover MBF is Australia’s largest privately managed health insurer. With that experience you can be assured access to a www.masterelectricians.com.au

range of products and services specifically designed with Master Electricians in mind. You and your staff can join MBF Health and receive all the benefits of private health insurance through a specially negotiated corporate plan.

Salary Packaging/Novated Leasing Electrical contractors can provide salary sacrifice arrangements as a benefit to their employees through our partnership with Statewide Novated Leasing. A novated lease is the simplest way to maximise an employee’s wage, budget car costs and simplify car ownership. In addition, Master Electricians and ECA members receive significant discounts on salary packaging fees.

Fleet Program The fleet discount program offers great savings when purchasing new vehicles. Through our relationship with AP Eagers Group, Master Electricians and ECA Members can access the best deal to suit their businesses from a range of vehicles across most major brands.

Fuel Cards Our fuel plan is a convenient way to manage and reduce your fuel bills. Through using your BP or Caltex fuel card you can receive discounted rates on one simple monthly bill. All of your business and private vehicles are eligible to participate in the fuel scheme. You can even extend the privilege to staff as an extra benefit of employment.

Merchant Services Enjoy special discount rates on merchant services from the Commonwealth Bank including EFTPOS and eCommerce facilities. Benefits include a dedicated technical support team, plus a 24-hour priority support line.

51 ME

all aboutME Dreaming of a blue sky holiday? For a limited time only you can secure your spot to this year’s quintessential electrical industry conference. Held in tropical Fiji from 23-27 September, the Master Electricians/ECA Annual Conference is a valuable experience for all electrical industry professionals. Practical business sessions, led by experts in their field, include: • Practical marketing and branding advice • Technical updates from industry leaders • Financial advice tailored for contractors • Special guest celebrity speakers It’s not all work though, leisure activities give you a chance to unwind without having to plan a thing. Enjoy a traditional welcoming ceremony, a private nightclub every night, deep sea fishing and golf on an award winning course. Children are well catered for with a full kids program available. To book your place contact 1300 889 198 or visit www.masterelectricians.com.au

Industry welcomes end to Green Loans scheme The energy efficiency sector hopes the scrapping of the flawed Federal Government Green Loans and Green Start scheme will begin to restore consumer confidence in the market. Welcoming the closure of the programs, Master Electricians Australia Chief Executive, Malcolm Richards, said genuine energy efficiency auditors had found it almost impossible to win jobs while the flawed government-backed scheme was in the market. “The perceived lack of proper qualifications of the Green Loan auditors was always a fundamental flaw in the scheme,” Mr Richards said. “The issues this created for the energy efficiency sector were two-fold. On the one hand, consumers were being offered incentives to use taxpayer-funded auditors, while on the other the inferior nature of the service undermined confidence in the broader industry.” Mr Richards said it was now important for state governments to also scrap all similar programs to allow genuine operators in the energy efficiency sector to rebuild the collapsed market. “State government programs suffer from the same flaws as the federal program because there was also a large element of

‘greenwash’ built into the design. “For the market to recover these substandard green schemes must also be scrapped, otherwise they will continue to taint genuine energy efficiency operators,” he said. Mr Richards said Master Electricians Australia - a not-for-profit industry group – had established the Energy Management Institute to train and accredit energy auditors and raise standards across the sector. “The Energy Management Institute trains qualified Master Electricians to become accredited energy auditors, who can identify the best energy saving measures for households. “By raising the standards of accreditation throughout the sector, and providing consumers with a service that they can trust, we can begin to repair the damage done to the market by the flawed government programs. “This is very important because there are real cost savings that can be achieved in households through energy reduction, and that is good for consumers, industry and the environment,” Mr Richards said. Visit www.emi.org.au for more information

New Equipment Finance Product Announced Through our strategic relationship with bpworkingcapital, Accredited Master Electricians can now gain access to an equipment finance product called EquipmentSelect. EquipmentSelect allows electrical contractors to finance motor vehicles, tools and plant equipment. Vehicles include utes, vans and trucks as well as trailers and ‘yellow goods’ including excavators, backhoes, trenching machines etc. In addition, computers and software can be financed if purchased at the same time. This product allows most equipment to be considered for financing as long as it is business related. All enquiries, finance arrangements and equipment delivery is arranged through Moody Kiddell Partners (MKP), one of Australia’s leading specialist equipment finance brokers and one of the largest providers of finance in the country. MKP has been providing equipment finance to small and medium enterprises for nearly 30 years, guaranteeing the best possible loans / finance that can be structured to fit in with the tax advice of your accountant. Their personal service and understanding of the business was a major consideration in their involvement, having the people to handle any job, no matter how big or how small.

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Master Electricians backs WA safety switch campaign Master Electricians Australia has endorsed the West Australian Government’s campaign to promote electrical safety switches in all homes throughout the state. Chief Executive Malcolm Richards said safety switches could detect the loss of power from a circuit associated with a person suffering an electric shock, and cut the flow of electricity in less than 40 milliseconds. “A safety switch is a relatively inexpensive device that saves lives across Australia every day,” Mr Richards said. “We know from recent research that around 15 Australians are killed each year in electrical accidents in Australian homes, where a safety switch could have saved a

life if fitted. We also know that around 300 people are hospitalised with severe injuries.” Mr Richards said recent research by Master Electricians Australia showed Western Australia was leading the way in terms of requiring homes to have safety switches installed when they were built or when they were sold. But he urged the State Government to go further and implement long term goals for retro fitting safety switches to every circuit in every home, to ensure maximum possible protection from electrical injury and death. “We welcome the fact that Western Australia, along with Queensland, has led the way in legislating for safety switches in homes. Without question, dozens of lives

have been saved as a result. “We also welcome the State Government’s campaign to encourage owners of older homes to retrofit safety switches. “However, in order to achieve maximum protection, West Australians need a safety switch on every circuit of every home. This means hot water, lighting, air conditioning and oven and stove – not just power points. “That will only be achieved through legislation. Master Electricians challenges Western Australia to take the next step, in order to stay at the forefront of electrical safety in homes.” More information is available at www.switchthinking.com.au

ph 3277 1333 or visit www.energyskillsqld.com.au

Get Your Workforce’s Skills & Experience Recognised Free Training and Skills Development Advice Gain access to subsidised training Skill up your workforce for future opportunities Energy Skills Solutions is a free service available for Queensland residents only.

www.masterelectricians.com.au

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testdrive

Hyundai i30 In this issue our resident test drive expert, Andre Borell, puts the Hyundai i30 through its paces.

awaiting images

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the new Watt Hour Meter Slim, efficient, accurate with easy installation!

Also Available.... THE NEW 65A SINGLE PHASE & 3 PHASE KILOWATT HOUR METERS

Advantages at a glance • Sets a totally new standard • Immediate measurement up to 32 A • Replaces the classic single phase a.c. watt hour meter • Quick, space-saving installation only 35 mm in width • An extremely compact product • Class 1 Accuracy • Suitable for verification • SO - interface for connection to energy management systems

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Who else would you trust!

Ampere Electrical Manufacturing Co. Pty. Ltd. 168-176 High St Prahran Victoria, 3181. Tel (03) 9510 4333, 9510 2428 Fax (03) 9510 5940 Toll Free: 1800 AMPERE (1800 267 373) www.ampere.com.au

www.masterelectricians.com.au

I’ve always thought the Hyundai i30 looked a little too much like the BMW 130i for my liking – even the naming is very similar. I can’t stand car companies that copy another’s product, so I went into this review a little negative minded towards Hyundai’s little buzz box. It did redeem itself by turning out to be a tidy little package, but it certainly isn’t on par with the BMW it so badly wants to be seen as. We decided to test the middle of the range SLX model of the i30. The bottom of the range is the SX and the top is the SR. In case you were wondering, I can’t seem to find if these acronyms actually stood for anything, Hyundai’s marketing folk must have just thought they sounded good. We tested the petrol and the diesel, and very quickly learned that you would be better off shelling out the extra dosh for the diesel. The driveability and fuel consumption is markedly better, and the premium in price for the diesel will soon pay for itself with

savings at the bowser. The diesel only uses 4.7l/100km – ultra impressive. The i30 has more features than you might expect from a small car at this price point, but nothing game changing. Electric everything, iPod connectivity, CD/MP3 player, climate control, cruise control and a few other neat little features mean you get what you expect and a bit more. Safety is impressive too with 6 airbags, ABS and a maximum achievable 5-star ANCAP safety rating. The interior is minimalistic but clean, tidy and overall quite nice. It won’t win any style awards but it certainly is not ugly. At night it turns it up a notch with sexy blue lighting that does look very smart indeed. Handling and drive are quite good. The suspension is firm and the car is well balanced. This is no doubt helped by the 16” rims on the SLX, so expect a drop down in road holding performance if you go for the SX model which does not feature alloy rims. The power of the petrol is not too bad,

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LEC A Energy Saving Unit

LEC –Lighting Energy Controller Smart Electricity for Effective Lighting

• Up to 38% direct savings in electricity and up to 50% savings in maintenance • The best voltage optimizer and regulator • Multi-function controllability • The smallest footprint • Quick and Easy Installation

but is well and truly pounded into the ground by the torque of the diesel. Once again, it’s worth the extra two-and-a-half big ones to go diesel. All in all, the i30 holds its own, even leads its class in some areas. This is of course assuming that its ‘class’ is small car, not medium as it claims to be. It also assumes its class only includes similarly priced vehicles, say below $30,000. It can’t hold a candle to the top end of the small car class including the VW Golf or BMW130i, which are out of its league in price, performance and quality.

Engine

i30 SLX Petrol

i30 SLX Diesel

2.0l, CVVT, 4-cyl

1.6l, CRDi, 4cyl

Economy

7.2l/100km

4.7l/100km

Emissions

170g/km

125g/km

Power

105kW @ 6000rpm

85kW @ 4000rpm

Torque

186Nm @ 4600rpm

255Nm @ 1900rpm

Gearbox

Manual 5spd or Auto 4spd

$23,490

$25,990

Price (Manual)

• No need to change your existing lighting design and infrastructure • Zero maintenance

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eventscalendar what’s on MAY

JUNE

JULY

11 May 2011 Understanding electrical licence and test and tag requirements Brisbane www.justice.qld.gov.au

2 - 3 June Queensland Safety Show, Brisbane www.safetyevents.com.au

1–10 July 2011 The Australian International Motor Show Melbourne www.biztradeshows.com

24- 27 May 2011 Austronics Melbourne www.biztradeshows.com/trade-events

21 June 2011 Delay. Disruption, Acceleration Claims Seminar Sydney www.hillintl.com.au

1-10 July 2011 Electrical Vehicle and Green Technology Showcase Melbourne www.ausautoweek.com

24–27 May 2011 ELECTRIX Melbourne www.biztradeshows.com/trade-events

21- 24 June Smart Electricity World Australia Melbourne www.biztradeshows.com/trade-events

7 July 2011 ACOMMS 2011 Sydney www.commsalliance.com.au

INFRARED REVOLUTION

60 x 60

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Thermal Sensitivity: NETD 150 mK Easy-to-Use Focus Free Lens Stores up to 5000 JPEG Images 2.8” LCD Color Display Battery Operating Time: 5 hours

Locate electrical problems

Convenient Thumbnail Image Gallery

Check mechanical devices

FLIR i3 revolution is here FLIR’s new i3 thermal imager is so stunning it will change forever the way you think about infrared cameras.

The use of thermal imaging in preventative maintenance can avoid cost-intensive failures, equipment damage and energy leaks.

Three words sum up the i3: Affordable. Simple. Convenient.

FLIR’s i3 measures temperatures from -20° to +250°C and detects temperature differences as small as 0.15° C, displayed on the camera’s bright 2.8” LCD display.

Now you can afford to explore infrared technology at a very affordable price. Infrared cameras detect, spot and measure temperature differences over entire surfaces, which develop in virtually all electrical, mechanical and building applications. * GST inc., ex works Australia)

i3 can see hot spots in equipment before it breaks down i3 can minimize equipment downtime i3 finds hotspot faults faster that can cause fires i3 can even reduce your insurance premiums – ask us how!

FLIR Systems Pty Ltd. 10 Business Park Drive, Notting Hill, Victoria 3168, Australia VIC: 03 9550 2800 NSW: 02 8853 7870 WA: 08 6263 4438 QLD: 07 3861 4862 SA: 08 8274 374 Tel AU: 1300 729 987 NZ: 0800 785 492 Email: info@flir.com.au www.flir.com

www.masterelectricians.com.au

ISO No. FLIR20832

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your best or worststory Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy, send us your favourite story or picture and if we publish it, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll send you $50.

Devastating scenes from a whirlwind summer of disasters The devastation that has wreaked havoc on so much of Australia can be seen clearly in these Ergon Energy photos. Crews worked incredibly hard to restore power in Queensland after the extensive damage sustained to infrastructure. Master Electricians Australia will donate the $50 to the Flood Relief Appeal.

New golf enclosures VS and VF series Before we designed the new golf range, we decided to ask the real experts in enclosures: you. So, professional installers from all over the world gave our Voice Of Customer program their ideas for making enclosure jobs more productive. Then, we applied those ideas in the new golf. A discretely elegant new design that sets the standard for small and medium installations. For more information regarding the new golf, please call 1300 850 253.

Discover how the new golf can make your job easier at designedbyyou.org/au

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lastword Lifeblood of the future Apprenticeships are the life blood of our industry, and the natural regeneration process to sustain a vibrant, skilled and professional workforce. Over the last ten years the electrical industry has ebbed and flowed in and out of a skills shortage, and we have worked closely with all stakeholders to ensure that more and more kids look to the electrical sector as a viable and interesting career path. I was very pleased to receive and read the latest report from the Federal Government on apprenticeships titled A Shared responsibility – Apprenticeships for the 21st Century. The report, compiled by leading experts in the VET sector and Chaired by Mr Jim McDowell, CEO, of BAE Systems Australia, investigated the state of apprenticeships across all industries throughout Australia, and made fourteen recommendations to the Government. I was extremely happy to note that Recommendation Four states: “Establish structured support for

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employers to provide high quality employment and workforce development experiences for eligible apprentices and trainees. The focus of Australian Government support should be on assisting employers to provide high quality on the job and off the job training through support services such as mentoring and pastoral care” Four years ago our organisation realised that for a person to be successful in completing their apprenticeship (whatever their chosen trade), their employer needs to be assisted along the way. That’s why we developed ApprenticeConnect and now assist over 220 apprentices and their employers nationally with the apprenticeship process. The ApprenticeConnect system is not a group scheme it is a support system for the employer to ensure the apprenticeship runs smoothly. It also assists in finding all the government rebates applicable which in most cases pays for the entire service. After three years of operation the dropout

rate of ApprenticeConnect-supported apprenticeships is only 26 per cent compared to over 52 per cent nationally. ECA and Master Electricians Australia welcomes the report and we are pleased to see the Government will be adopting most of the recommendations (including Recommendation Four). We will also be offering the Government our expert advice and assistance on how they can transfer the ApprenticeConnect model across all trades.

Follow Master Electricians Australia on Twitter: @MasterElecAust Facebook: www.facebook.com/ masterelectricians

MALCOLM RICHARDS Chief Executive Officer

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