Contents 05
The 12 Main Changes to AS 3000
14
NESMA Big Blow Up Day
17
6 Healthy Tips To Stay Hydrated
20
Conference Winners
26
Epic Fails
30
Big Batteries Creating A New Era Of Energy For Australia
05
30 14
17
26
20
Advertising Enquiries: ALL RIGHTS RESERVED READ PUBLISHING Reference to any specific commercial product, process, or services by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by READ PUBLISHING.Links outside of this publication are provided for user convenience and do not constitute Published By: or imply endorsement, recommendation, or favouring by READ PUBLISHING. READ PUBLISHING The publisher or any of the editors, writers or contributors will not accept responsibility or liability for the correctness of information or opinions expressed in the publication. All material submitted is at the Distributed By: owners risk and while every care will be taken the publisher does not accept liability for loss or damage. READ PUBLISHING No person, organization or party can copy or re-produce the content on this site and or magazine or any part of this publication without a written consent from the editors’ panel and the author if the content, as applicable. The publisher, authors and contributors reserve their rights with regards to copyright of their Designed By: work. READ PUBLISHING
Hi guys! In this issue of Today’s Electrician Magazine, it can only be about one thing – the biggest news in the industry for a decade –
AS 3000 becomes mandatory on 1st January, 2019! This is an awesome opportunity to upskill and stand out from the crowd! Put in the time and effort to become the best electrician you can be, and become the best electrician that your customers could hire! Use this as an opportunity to let your customers know that you are an electrician who stays up to the minute and updated with cutting edge information, who is on top of your industry and on top of your skills, and that they are safe in your very capable and skilled hands. Take advantage of this once in a decade event! Take the time to learn all about the changes, look out for yourself in the heat and get that good information to your customers so they can get the very best electrical work from the best electrician out there! We’ve put together some fantastic information for you to be able to be on top of the changes, apply those changes to the way you do your business, increase your business skills and be able to help your customers even more! We’re doing everything we can to provide you with everything you need to increase your skills increase your profit stand out from the crowd, and stay up to the minute with cutting edge information! Hope you enjoy reading our magazine! Keep checking inin toto find out our Hope you enjoy reading our magazine! Keep checking find out new information, and and ourand newupdated and updated information, Have Haveaagreat greatChristmas Christmasand andaagreat greatNew NewYear! Year! AsAs always, onon toto better paying jobs and more money inin your pocket! always, better paying jobs and more money your pocket!
THE
12 MAIN CHANGES TO
AS 3000 Developed by
ALAN WILLIAMS
THE 12 MAIN CHANGES TO AS 3000 DEVELOPED BY ALAN WILLIAMS
T
he Wiring Rules have been substantially changed, and understanding these changes and how they affect you and your business is integral to being a Professional Electrical Contractor. These are THE 12 MAIN CHANGES that will affect your business, developed by Alan Williams, Electrical Inspector and Head Trainer of Electrical Training Online, to give you a comprehensive overview to help your workers comply with new rules. I have over 24 hours of online training going in depth about THE 12 MAIN CHANGES, plus overviews, ebooks, worksheets and more check out my Changes Super Pack Course for more info
C L I C K HER E
IP RATING & MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS Maintaining the IP rating of devices has become an issue in recent years (eg DC isolators). Where IP rated devices have not been installed as per manufacturer’s instructions or have been inappropriately drilled, they have been deemed to have lost their IP rating as a result. The changes brought in are addressing this issue, particularly in regard to the orientation and installation of IP rated devices. As an example, drilling weep holes to let out condensation, and/ or mounting a device in an incorrect orientation is not in accordance with manufacturers instructions and the new AS 3000 Wiring Rules.
ALTERATIONS AND REPAIRS Clauses have been updated in the new wiring rules to clarify the differing interpretations of what an alteration, addition or repair is. The term “addition” has been removed completely, with the only options being either “repair” or “alteration”. A repair is the minimum required to bring an electrical installation back to a safe and functional state, whereas anything beyond that (an alteration) is classed as a new installation. An example of an alteration is installing an additional length of cable to supply new or relocated equipment.
RCDS ON ALL FINAL SUB-CIRCUITS The industry has been moving towards having RCDs on all final subcircuits since the 2007 Wiring Rules came out. With the 2018 edition of AS 3000,
SWITCHBOARD ACCESSIBILITY The biggest change around switchboard accessibility is that clearance is to be a minimum of 1m from all accessible faces of a closed switchboard.
DOMESTIC
The other change that will affect your quoting and installation is that a switch room now requires a minimum of two exit paths, which have to be spaced well apart.
All final sub-circuits in a domestic situation are now required to be protected by 30mA RCD. This includes Ovens, Cooktops, Hot Water Systems and Air-Conditioners.
This is different to what we have been used to previously, where the two doors were able to be adjacent to each other, forming a double door exit.
NON-DOMESTIC
Doors and switchroom heights are now required to be at least 2.2m high, changing the construction requirements.
RCDs on all final subcircuits are now mandatory with one exception in nondomestic installations.
All Lighting and Socket outlet final sub-circuits not greater than 32Amp in a non-domestic situation are now required to be protected by a 30mA RCD. All fixed equipment shall be protected unless a risk assessment determines that the protection is not required (eg Traffic Lights). The decision to not protect fixed wired equipment should not be made lightly.
THERMAL INSULATION AND CABLING The new wiring rules clarify some of the issues surrounding running cables through thermal insulation. In domestic installations, if there is no thermal insulation at the time of install, it must be assumed that there will be in the future. The clause stipulates the length of cable running through thermal insulation and the derating factor you’ll be required to use from AS 3008 to determine voltage drop, current carrying capacity and in turn, the size of the breaker.
WIRING SYSTEMS NEAR BUILDING SURFACES Regarding wiring systems near the surface of walls, floors, ceilings and roofs, the clause used to talk about being 150 mm away from internal wall to wall or wall to ceiling corners. This has now been changed to within 50 mm of the surface of the wall, floor, ceiling or roof. Cables within these distances now require extra mechanical protection in the form of Steel Wire armoring or steel conduit with the only exception being if those cables are protected by a 30ma RCD. Mechanical protection is required for cables likely to be disturbed, for instance cables in ceiling spaces within 2m of the access hole and where ceiling access is greater than 0.6m.
SOCKET OUTLETS Rules have been added about socket outlets, clarifying the point that devices for telecommunications, data, television and radio are not allowed to be incorporated in the faceplate of a socket outlet. A USB charging outlet on a faceplate is acceptable. A new clause has been added, stating that a socket outlet shall not be installed within 150mm of a cooking surface.
RECESSED LUMINAIRES Manufacturers of recessed luminaires are now required to mark all light fittings with their appropriate classification. All light fittings marked with a classification shall be installed as per the manufacturer’s instructions. My suggestion regarding unmarked light fittings is as per Table 4.3: Don’t install any unmarked light fittings.
COOKTOPS, HOT WATER AND AIR CON ISOLATORS Cooktops are required to have a lockable isolation switch adjacent to the cooktop and cannot be mounted where the user must reach across the cooktop. Fixed hot water systems are required to have a lockable isolation switch adjacent to but not on the hot water system. Air conditioners and heat pump electric hot water systems are required to have a lockable isolation switch adjacent to but not on the condenser unit. Where the air conditioner head unit is supplied from a different circuit than the condenser, a sign is required to be permanently fixed on or adjacent to the compressor warning that the isolator does not isolate all of the equipment.
LIFTS All devices that are designed to carry people vertically are classed as lifts. A major change in the new Wiring Rules is that not all lifts are classed as emergency lifts. Only emergency lifts as specified in the National Construction Code are required to be compliant to Section 7 - Special Electrical Installations. Lifts classed as non-emergency lifts have now been added to Section 4 and are treated as general equipment with specific requirements.
EARTHING OF OUTBUILDINGS Individual outbuildings (separate buildings ie. not joined by continuous slab or roofing) must be earthed using either sub main earthing or a separate MEN. Combined outbuildings shall have their own individual bonding connection to the conductive frames within the building. Combined outbuildings are NOT to have a separate MEN installation and must be earthed using sub main (carried) earthing.
POOLS AND SPAS AND EQUIPMENT Conductive pools and spas will be required to have an earthing connection point that will be bonded to all conductive parts of the pool or spa. The earthing connection point shall also be bonded to the installation earthing system and conductors of each Circuit supplying the pool or spa. Conductive pool ladders, diving boards, fences and pipework that are installed within arms reach, now defined as 1.25m, are all required to be bonded.
I have over 24 hours of training on these 12 Main Changes, plus overviews, ebooks, worksheets and more - check out our Changes Super Pack for more info
C L IC K HERE
here’s my MEGA MEMBER’S video
NESMA Blow Up Day! Haven’t heard of it? It’s a small, exclusive event run by the National Electrical Switchboard Manufacturer’s Association every 2 years in Victoria, to show the damage caused by Fault Current.
and Bolted Shorts, to see how high the current needs to go and how long it takes before the gear fails and blows up.
THEY LITERALLY BLOW UP CB’S, SWITCHES AND ENTIRE SWITCHBOARDS, ALL DAY!
2,500 Amp switch with a bolted short on the load side.
They have their own SubStation and High Voltage switchyard to test Maximum Fault Current through various electrical devices, and all day there are different pieces of switchgear being subjected to Arc Flashes
2 years ago, after around 10 progressively larger explosions, they blew up a 30 year old,
I was around 10m away behind a perspex screen when this went off and the heat and the impact of the explosion was so strong that I was pushed 3 steps backwards. The screen bowed in and hit me and the wrench holding together the 8 foot high pieces of perspex
blew right off the screen and bounced around like a ball.
I have more videos up on my website, including some awesome slow mo ones, so click over to my NESMA Blow Up Day page and have a look!
C LI C K HE RE www.electricaltrainingonline.com.au/ nesma-blow-up-day/
Alan Williams
Blow Up Day!
So this year, I really wanted to share it with our Mega Members! The whole event is by invitation only, and we took along 25 guys, who loved it almost as much as I did!
NESMA
IT WAS AWESOME!!
Smart Switch Technology. The Smartest Lighting Solution.
S-CLICK TIME SWITCHES & PRESENCE DETECTORS Introducing our new range of German manufactured Digital and Analogue Time Switches featuring large screw terminals, better suited for stranded conductors over DUO FIX spring terminals. A complete range of Presence Detectors are also available. Choose from; Ceiling recessed flush mount PIR in either one or two channel variants, two channel surface mount PIR, high performance PIR with a 30 meter detection range, or a dual tech sensor featuring ultrasonic and PIR combination. They are also available in black. In support of our policy of continuous product improvement we reserve the right to change materials and specifications without notice. Drawings, where shown, may not be to scale. Dimensions are metric and size maybe approximate. Where possible data sheets including MSDS are made available on our website and APPs. All products should be installed and used in accordance to manufacturer’s instruction provided. Warning: products may be subject of registered designs and patents. Refer to our website or APPs for terms and conditions on warranty. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of content. However no liability will be met by Legend Corporation or its suppliers for any errors or omissions. Product data and information is no binding. All brands and logos are registered trademarks and are subject to copyright laws. No part of this catalogue can be reproduced without the consent of Legend Corporation.
www.sclick.com.au
6 Healthy
Tips
to up your Hydration
this
Summer
S
ummer’s in full swing, which means the bikinis are out, the sun is shining and it’s officially beach weather. But, hand in hand with the hot weather comes a higher risk of dehydration. And with dehydration comes nasty things like a negative effect on our mood, energy levels and ability to think clearly. So, while Summer can be a really enjoyable time of year, there are certainly a lot of good reasons to keep an eye on our water intake. Here’s a few practical tips that will see you reaching for another glass of H20 without even realising it.
S
SIP FROM A HIGH TECH WATER BOTTLE
If you’re ga-ga for gadgets like us, then you need to get your hands on a high tech water bottle. One brand that stands out is the Make One prime Vessyl Intelligent Cup, which is actually sold at the Apple store. With this cup you input data like your age, weight, height and gender, and it will work out how much water you should be drinking. You can pair your iPhone or Apple watch to it and it will send you reminders through the day of how much you should be drinking and keeps track of how much you’ve drunk through the day. Pretty freaking cool if you ask us.
U
USE A WATER TRACKER APP
In this day and age, it can be easy to be too busy to actually remember how much water you’ve drunk. So, let an app do the hard work. Daily Water is a free app (with the option of upgrade) and after entering some basic stats, it will work out how much water you should be consuming for your size. You can easily input data about each time you drink some water, and it will send you reminders throughout the day to drink more. The best part? Every time you log a drink the app has a little celebration party for you!
M
RAMP UP THE FLAVOUR!
Lets face it, water isn’t exactly the most exciting drink in the world. So, rather than turning to dehydrating and sugar packed beverages like soft drink, try a healthy and a more tasty spin on water by adding natural fruits! Simply slice up a range of fruits and pop them in a big jug of water and leave it to infuse overnight. By morning time, your boring water will taste fantastic!
M
MATCH EACH GLASS OF ALCOHOL WITH ONE OF WATER
You’ve probably heard of the hangover fighting technique of drinking a glass of water after every time you drink an alcoholic beverage, but this can be a great method to increase H20 intake too. We all know about the negative effects alcohol can have on our health, and most bars will serve you a glass of ice cold water between drinks - so you have no excuses!
E
EAT WATER RICH FOOD
R
REACHABLE BIG JUGS
Contrary to popular belief, water doesn’t actually need to be drunk to be ingested. There are plenty of water rich foods like Watermelon, Oranges, Cucumber, Celery, Lettuce and Spinach that will help hydrate your body without having to actually drink anything! With our busy lifestyles, it’s important to make drinking water convenient for you. So, pack a big jug and keep it on you at all times so that you can sip on throughout the day. Pack a big, cold 1.25L bottle in an insulated bag in your car, and reach for it every time you drive to your next job, or even set a few reminders on your phone to remember to have a drink while you’re working. Better yet, invest in an insulated water bottle for your toolbox so your water stays with you and stays cool - much more enjoyable!
Conference Prize Winners Here are the Prize winners from the Annual Electrical Training Online Conference
MING Ming from MX Building Electrical won the TS1800 insulation resistance tester donated with thanks to Cabac.
Allan Potter Allan from Sky Sign Electrical won the Kyoritsu KEW 1030 digital multimeter donated by Electrical Training Online.
Damien Vink Damien from Evenflow Electrical Contractors won the screw drivers donated with thanks to Cabac.
Sayed Sayed from Coldmaker Aircon won the spirit level donated with thanks by Cabac.
Healthy and Hydrating Summer Recipes
W
hile a tall glass of cool water loaded with ice cubes is a surefire way to help dehydration, you may be surprised to know that your daily H20 intake doesn’t actually come from liquid alone. Plenty of foods that are water rich can contribute significantly towards raising your hydration levels. And, with the summer heat hitting peak levels, it’s
more important than ever, to make sure you keep your body healthy and hydrated in a range of different ways. While making sure you consume an adequate amount of water is of utmost importance, try incorporating these hydrating recipes into your routine to help your body stay hydrated through summer.
Feta, Watermelon and Mint Popsicles. If you’re short of time and not a whiz in the kitchen, then these simple popsicles can be an easy way for you to whip up a hydrating snack. Ingredients: 1 watermelon 100g of danish feta cheese A bunch of mint Popsicles sticks Method: 1. Cut the watermelon in one inch slices through the middle where the largest part is. 2. Cut this round slice in to quarters 3. Cover with crumbled danish feta and mint leaves. 4. Insert a popsicle stick in the base of each triangular slice.
Grapefruit and Avocado Salad Are you a sucker for avocado like 99% of the population? If so, you must try it paired with grapefruit, the citrus taste compliments the avocado for a refreshing treat. Plus, grapefruits are made up almost entirely of water, so your dehydrated body will thank you! Ingredients:
1 ripe avocado 1 medium sized grapfruit 100g of rocket 2 tbsp of olive oil Method: 1. Lay down a bed of rocket onto a serving plate 2. Cut up the grapefruit and avocado and place it on the bed of rocket 3. Garnish with a small amount of olive oil.
Eggplant Pizza Who doesn’t love pizza? While it’s delicious, unfortunately it’s not the most hydrating meal. However, make a simple switch of eggplant for dough and you’ll maintain the delicious taste of pizza and up your hydration intake at the same time. Ingredients: 2 large eggplant, sliced 1 inch thick 375g jar tomato sauce 250g grated mozzarella 1 punnet of fresh cherry tomatoes 1 cup fresh spinach
Method: 1. preheat oven to 175 degrees 2. Arrange the sliced eggplant on a baking tray and bake for 15-20 minutes. 3. Remove from oven 4. Spread a teaspoon of tomato paste on the eggplant and top with a handful of grated cheese. 5. Arrange some spinach and cherry tomatoes on top 6. Grill for 3-4 minutes at medium heat. 7. Enjoy while still hot
Couscous Stuffed Beef Peppers With a water content of 92% capsicums are a seriously hydrating vegetable. Try this delicious couscous stuffed capsicum recipe for a delicious dose of H20. Ingredients: 4 large capsicums 300g of minced beef 1/2 cup of couscous 1 cup of crumbed feta 1/2 cup of chopped, dried apricots. Method: 1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. 2. Brown the the minced beef. 3. Cook 1/2 cup of couscous according to the packet directions 4. Mix the beef, couscous, 1 cup of crumbed feta, 1/2 cup of chopped dried apricots together and season with salt and pepper. 5. Stuff the mixture inside 4 capsicums that have been cut in half and hollowed out. 6. Bake at 180 degrees for 40-45 minutes.
CHECK OUT THESE
EPIC FAILS EPIC FAIL 1 Really screwed that up
EPIC FAIL 2 A braided earth?
EPIC FAIL 3 Why put them all in when one will do?
EPIC FAIL 4 Thanks for digging up my mains
EPIC FAIL 5 The old water pipe in the fuse holder trick
EPIC FAIL 6 Home made solar
EPIC FAIL 7 An air con or a trampoline for birds?
EPIC FAIL 8 Modern day charging station
Join Us On Facebook @failelectrical
Big Batteries Creating a new Era of Energy for Australia By Alan Wiliiams
With energy demand at dizzying heights during summer month’s, it’s Victoria’s newly released grid-scale battery that is going to keep the lights on in the state this season. The Ballarat power station is working towards cleaner energy, and has announced the introduction of this second big battery not long after US tech giant, Tesla, confirmed it’s release of the first big battery recently. This battery - the Ballarat Energy Storage System (BESS) is a 30-megawatt lithium-ion battery is capable of powering more than 200 homes and is operated by Energy Australia . “The BESS will be able to respond to changing grid needs within milliseconds and will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week to support critical peak demand,” the Victorian government said. EnergyAustralia chief executive Cath Tanna explains how the large-scale batteries work; “That’s where utilityscale batteries come into their own by storing wind and solar energy for quick release, keeping the lights on and costs down,” she shares. The second big battery installation for the state is set to belong to the Gannawarra Solar Farm, and will provide 25 megawatt of storage capacity. A benefit of using big batteries to power homes is that the batteries can keep energy close to the home and keep it
running efficiently, making it much less costly than other means of power. Though, while it may cut costs in the long run, big batteries don’t come at a cheap price. The state’s first big battery which is now in the final stage of testing, has cost a massive 35 million dollars. In an effort to stabilise the grid the battery will also store low-cost renewable energy generation that otherwise may not have been used. Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said: “This is part of our plan to transition to a more affordable, reliable and clean energy system.” “We’re modernising our electricity grid, strengthening our energy security and delivering real action on climate change.” Victoria seems to be taking inspiration from it’s neighbouring state, South Australia, who installed a 100 megawatt Telsa battery at Neoen’s Hornsdale wind farm last year. The successful installation of this has helped balance their grid and allowed for an increase of variable energy generation in the supple system. And, if all goes well with Victoria it’s likely that the rest of Australia will follow in theirs and South Australias footsteps. The Clean Energy Finance Corporation has signed off on debt finance which allow these to flourish, meaning that companies can get the required liquidity than can help see Australia have more modern methods of energy and rise renewable energy in the future.
for all your test equipment requirements
FLIR E8 320 x 240 RESOLUTION
PLUS BONUS wiha TOOLS
melbourne-sydney-brisbane
FLIR DM91
BLUETOOTH DMM
PLUS BONUS
KYORITSU 6205 APPLIANCE TESTER
3 PHASE IP65 LOGGER
PLUS BONUS 2056R CLAMPMETER
valid until 31 Jan 2019
MAGNETIC HANGER
valid until 31 Jan 2019
or until stocks last
valid until 31 Jan 2019
or until stocks last
freecall: 1800 358 531
HT ITALIA PQA820
www.rapid-tech.com.au
PLUS BONUS IP67
CAT-IV FLASHMETER valid until 31 Jan 2019
sales@rapid-tech.com.au