multiplugs

[bergie]

whats your views on multiplugs that are secured to the wall. is it regarded as part of the installation? a customer wants his house made compliant for insurance purposes. multiplugs are usually dodgy and can be fire hazards.

[Blurock]

So how do you know which ones are safe?

[Dave A]

whats your views on multiplugs that are secured to the wall. is it regarded as part of the installation?

My understanding is if it is plugged in into a plug outlet, it's not part of the installation.

If it is wired in (something we do come across from time to time) it is part of the installation. In this situation we normally just put them onto a plugtop to get the installation up to compliance...

[murdock]

low cost housing is a good example of this type of issue...only the ready board and the plugs mounted in the ready board are regarded as part of the electrical installation...everything plugged into the sockets are "not" part of the elctrical installation.

i found a multi plug connected directly to the stove isolator...when i listed the multi plug on my inspection report...i was told that it has a thrermal cut out...so i advised them that the wire to the multi plug did not conform and the muti plug had no sabs certificate.

[Just Gone]

Correct, but an exception is for eg a gate motor - new regulation states that it must be isolated either via a circuit breaker or a plug within one metre of the gate motor. The motor is still regarded as part of the installation tho.

[bergie]

ok so if the multiplug is plugged in and screwed to the wall, i am covered ,but will the insurance co. moan if the multiplug causes the fire. i would only use sabs approved with thermal cut out.

[Just Gone]

Insurance company will moan anyway ........... Multiplugs dont last that long so shouldnt become a "permanent" fixture anyway.

[Missnancyalex]

I think discussion is going worthwhile but I suggest you to ask this question from some insurance company they will brief you.

[Adam Mashinini]

??

Correct, but an exception is for eg a gate motor - new regulation states that it must be isolated either via a circuit breaker or a plug within one metre of the gate motor. The motor is still regarded as part of the installation tho.

6.16.5.1.5 Each motor shall be supplied by a manually operated
disconnector or any other manually operated disconnecting arrangement
such as a withdrawable circuit-breaker, a removable link, a fuse or by the
removal of a plug from a socket-outlet, which provides at least the same
isolating distance, for the sake of safety, as a disconnector that is
Amdt 3
a) readily accessible and mounted on or next to the motor, or
b) visible from the motor, or
c) lockable in the open position, or
d) housed in a lockable enclosure other than a distribution board.

pse point me to the reg that specify "one meter"

tnx, adam

[Just Gone]

As per what I said.
We as installers have been on courses and have been told that it has to be within one metre of the motor by electricians and municipal people. Perhaps they are taking the "visible from the motor" clause and just saying one metre. I had an electrician around the other day doing a coc at someones house and he told me the same thing.

If you look at a and b above which says readily accessible and mounted on or NEXT to the motor or visible from the motor then perhaps around one metre is taken as NEXT to the motor.

[Sparks]

How about a spanner in the works?
Why is the motor regarded as part of the COC?
Although the COC covers the circuits of appliances such appliances do not form part of the COC.

I have yet to come across a multiplug wired with 2.5mm cable.

As for readyboards, I was hopping mad the beginning of last year about the 1.5mm "plug circuit" in the ready board supplied by a 20Amp CB. SABS stamp and all.

[Just Gone]

I really dont kow sparks ...... I just know that a coupla years ago we could wire a motor to a plugpoint in the garage ie plug it into a plug. Since then when someone want s to sell their house they need a coc and when the guy comes out that is one of the things they insist on changing (plugpont or breaker at the gate) .

[Justloadit]

I really dont kow sparks ...... I just know that a coupla years ago we could wire a motor to a plugpoint in the garage ie plug it into a plug. Since then when someone want s to sell their house they need a coc and when the guy comes out that is one of the things they insist on changing (plugpont or breaker at the gate) .

Ja well the sparkie wants to make a bit more bucks for his trip to do the COC, and this is an easy way.

[Sparks]

Not just a matter of making a few more bucks. The installers a few years ago were, as now, not all qualified electricians and most still do not all know the regs pertaining to fixed appliances.

[Just Gone]

Not just a matter of making a few more bucks. The installers a few years ago were, as now, not all qualified electricians and most still do not all know the regs pertaining to fixed appliances.

Yes I agree with you, but most of us installers that have been around for years have gone on courses etc etc. I would like to add to your statement that you get "qualified" sparkies out there who also do not know what to do - I have seen some of their work and in one or two instances have redone the work because of shoddy workmanship. You certainly learn over the years do do a job right - no shortcuts - do it right the first time and you will benefit from the good job.