Have no idea why they would make that statement of unswitched - you get the module type sockets that are unswitched .Originally Posted by Derlyn
Maybe it is to stop other appliances being plugged in if you say put it in for an undercounter geyser and a wash machine is close by.
I suggest so that you can't have the power off without also disconnecting the neutral. I expect the concern is people might (quite probably would) switch off at the switch and start working on the element or thermostat, but the neutral was still connected. Rather force the user to unplug first.
Makes you think a bit about the classification of socket outlets as an isolating device in general application
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We are discussing water heaters but what does the ommission of Annex M mean ?
May any registered person now issue a coc and test report for any installation irrespective of whether they are single phase tester, IE or MIE ?
No - not quite - What it does mean is that the OHSA definitions now stand for single phase tester which means any installation with a point of control that is single phase may be worked on by a Single phase tester no matter what is after the point of control eg , solar unless it is a " specialised electrical installation " eg hospital , petrol etc
It is a joke - We have gone from an SPT only allowed to do lights and plugs in a dwelling smaller than 100sqm ( i think 100sqm was the cut off ) and no stove , geyser or low voltage lighting to full blown domestic electrician with absolutely no training on the regulations with regards to DC , loading etc
Extract from OHSA EIR
"[I]electrical tester for single phase" means a person who has been registered as an electrical tester for single phase in terms of regulation 11 (2) for the verification and certification of the construction, testing and inspection of electrical installations supplied by a single-phase electricity supply at the point of control, excluding specialised electrical installations;[/I]
That could make sense and as you say , open another can of wormsI suggest so that you can't have the power off without also disconnecting the neutral. I expect the concern is people might (quite probably would) switch off at the switch and start working on the element or thermostat, but the neutral was still connected. Rather force the user to unplug first.
Makes you think a bit about the classification of socket outlets as an isolating device in general application
I'm not sure Annex M helped much in that fight (around SPT's doing/not doing DC and solar on single phase systems) anyway.
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6.9.3.3 b) NOTE 3
"The removal of a plug from a socket outlet is a means of safe disconnection."
It seems, as Dave has suggested, that the motivation of the socket outlet on a water heater circuit, if used, having to be of the non switchable type, is to force the removal of the plug as a means of disconnection as per the above NOTE 3.
It boggles the mind though, as to why the non switchable socket outlet is applicable on water heaters only and not other fixed appliances.
Here I'm thinking aircons, swimming pool pumps etc.
Any confusion could have been avoided by adding the words "non switchable" before socket outlet in the NOTE 3 in 6.2.3.3 which would then have meant that should a socket outlet be used as a disconnecting device on ANY fixed appliance, it must be of the non switchable type.
That, in my humble opinion, would have made more sense, but to single out water heaters makes no sense at all.
Last edited by Derlyn; 14-Aug-24 at 07:40 AM. Reason: Punctuation and spelling
Looks like you were on the money with that logic - Just had sight of a document were it was discussed before implementedI suggest so that you can't have the power off without also disconnecting the neutral. I expect the concern is people might (quite probably would) switch off at the switch and start working on the element or thermostat, but the neutral was still connected. Rather force the user to unplug first.
Makes you think a bit about the classification of socket outlets as an isolating device in general application
also informed that the was a
recommendation to remove a switch on the socket-outlet
next to the geyser and to have an isolator due to safety
reasons which will break the live and neutral. The WG
resolved to modify clause 6.16.2.2 as “ Dedicated circuits
shall be provided for water heaters and there may be more
than one water heater on each circuit. Where a socket-outlet
is used, it shall be unswitched.”
Derlyn (14-Aug-24)
In the foreword of the document there was a statement made referencing the removal of a clause on external light protection
Table of Changes Amdt 2
Amended to update referenced standards and
the requirements for voltage drop, busbars
and earthing, to replace reference to an
association with a reference standard, to
delete the clause on external lightning
protection, and the annex on authority for
issuing a test report and a Certificate of
Compliance.
This is the actual clause that was deleted
From SANS 10142-1 Ed3.1
6.7.7 External lightning protection
NOTE Where external lightning protection is installed, it should be in accordance with
the requirements of SANS 10313.
It would appear that insurance companies were misinterpreting the clause and insisting that Lightening protection must be installed - The removal should sort the problem
Derlyn (14-Aug-24)
During discussion in the workshop this morning the first thing that came up was " surely it is more dangerous unplugging on load" and the 2nd point was " do we need to install with euro" as the small undercounter geysers generally come out with moulded plug tops - Will make Isetech start on a tangent
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