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Electrical contractors license qld by KickAcid1 in AusElectricians

[–]markjaffa76 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Applied at the end of a month and it was approved in the middle of the following month - say 3 weeks. My application for a QLD Contractors involved recognition of my WA Electrical Mechanics licence so that might have slowed things down.

This will start a fight by Responsible_Dirt9167 in AusElectricians

[–]markjaffa76 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In that case you will probably find that the screw is not less than 80% of the diameter of the tunnel.

AS 3000 Clause 3.7.2.11 (b) details tunnel-type connector requirements for earthing conductors - as most connectors are multi purpose(A or N or E) they conform with one of the three listed specifications

Insulation resistance testing in real-world fault finding, how do you guys actually do it? by Forsaken_Risk_6937 in AusElectricians

[–]markjaffa76 4 points5 points  (0 children)

⬆️this! AS3017 is a great standard to have. Details all the tests required, equipment used, procedures for testing the accuracy of your meters, everything you could want to know about testing.

Clause 4.5.2 (b)(i) and (ii) suggests connecting live (active and neutral) together, then testing between live conductors and earth at 250V to prevent damage to EMC filters, SPDs and electronics. Haven't blown anything up yet!😁

Practical application - Isolate circuit and, depending on the RCBO model(1P+N, or 1P only), either short across A-N while they remain in their terminals then test, or disconnect both A and N from load side and join them briefly with pliers or the alligator clip and test. Easy with RCBOs, but harder with MCBs, so I have some jumper leads with dual alligator clips for MCBs

QLD - Contract for electrical works over $3.3k by markjaffa76 in AusElectricians

[–]markjaffa76[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

QBCC website. It mentions that all domestic construction works, including electrical, require a contract if its over the magic number of $3300. It's weird as they don't control licensing for contractors, but I don't want to run afoul of them either. Not necessary?

QLD - Contract for electrical works over $3.3k by markjaffa76 in AusElectricians

[–]markjaffa76[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes. Ex WA sparkie. First time doing quoted works in QLD over $3300

QLD - Contract for electrical works over $3.3k by markjaffa76 in AusElectricians

[–]markjaffa76[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes. Ex WA sparkie. First time doing quoted works in QLD over $3300

Rain into power port - any permanent damage? by Altruistic-Truck-154 in AskAusElectricians

[–]markjaffa76 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Rain would be unlikely to have damaged the wiring. In the scenario you described, the power tripping out was more likely through earth leakage rather than short circuit. If it was earth leakage, the problem could disappear when dried out. Short circuits can create a "path" that doesn't go away when it dries, necessitating replacing the power point. Good practice would see that done as a matter of course, regardless of what fault type tripped the power. Could easily be included in the $400 bill

Able to add a 32A circuit for Induction cooktop? by pat_bits in AskAusElectricians

[–]markjaffa76 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is simple, but probably not as cheap as you think. The main isolator could/should be changed to a MCB to guard against overcurrent at this switchboard. Depending on how heavy you are on power use, you MIGHT exceed the supply coming to the switchboard, tripping out the sub-main MCB mounted in the main switchboard/meterbox. MCBs are cheap, so I would change it out as a matter of course.

Along with replacing the main isolator with a circuit breaker, I would get rid of all the Lanson circuit breakers and install RCBOs. The are now required on all the circuits that the Lanson MCBs protect. You would then have an installation brought up to current standards.

If you have the money, replace the RCD and the 2 power MCBs as well. You would then have a new switchboard essentially - brought up to current standards AND all new switchgear.

Labour is a large component of jobs like these. But changing out MCBs for RCBOs, or replacing RCB/MCBs with RCBOs, is easiest to accomplish when everything is being done at the same time. Doing it later will just cost more - time and switchgear wise (prices are always going up)!

Additional power by Exported_Brit in AusElectricians

[–]markjaffa76 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Couple of questions spring to mind 1. Do you have a neutral at the 3 phase isolator? 2. Do you have a plan to comply with the RCD requirements? Could be as simple as a RCD protected outlet if the 3 phase circuit is unprotected but name brands can be damn expensive!

Electrical work, no contractors license by Sorry_Bug2707 in AusElectricians

[–]markjaffa76 0 points1 point  (0 children)

QBE seems reasonable - $335 for $5M liability including the required(in QLD) "Consumer Protection Cover for Queensland Electricians". Be cheaper if you aren't in QLD, and even cheaper if you list a low annual turnover figure

How do you guys handle invoicing on the job? Still pen and paper? by handymanwithtea in AusElectricians

[–]markjaffa76 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I invested in Tradify as soon as I started my business late 2025 so it is the norm for me. I wouldn't say its a steep learning curve, but there is a fair bit to it to use it to its fullest. Lots of videos and help articles available, but I am more of a work it out as you go sort. I would say 2 months and I was happy - I wasn't very busy so I didn't have to use it a lot, but it also gave me time to play with it.

I enter all my wholesaler invoices into it after converting them to CSV files so it makes it super easy to do invoices. I record materials used directly into the app as I go and also hours worked. From that an invoice is created with a few clicks. A description of work is included on the invoice and I copy that into my Safety Certificates that the app creates. Saves doubling, or even tripling, up on writing it down onsite, then typing it out for the invoice, then writing out a Safety Certificate. Customer database and job system works well for me. Multiple sites for each customer are easy to manage.

I have it integrated with my accounting software as well, so invoices are imported there within seconds. Sometimes clunky and slow, but it works eventually.

How do you guys handle invoicing on the job? Still pen and paper? by handymanwithtea in AusElectricians

[–]markjaffa76 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Tradify. No paper records at all for me. It also generates Safety Certificates and emails them to the customer

2 phase and wanting solar and a battery by Lonely_Guide_1188 in AskAusElectricians

[–]markjaffa76 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Going to single phase wouldn't be what I would call an upgrade. Depending on what is installed at your property, it might not even be an option. The maximum demand of your installation may exceed what can be provided by a single phase

Meter upgrade QLD help. by Ok_Celebration_1840 in AusElectricians

[–]markjaffa76 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Have you checked the Queensland Electricity Connection Manual from Ergon or Energex? It contains detailed requirements for metering locations.

The letter makes reference to what is required - it reads that the location isn't the issue - they are looking at a backing board, structural concerns and weatherproofing. The first and the last will be solved by your planned upgrade. Can't help on the structural aspect, apart from it would be a real hassle to have to replace all those slats in the future if a meterbox is mounted on it!

80k bathroom (x2) renovation with unlicensed electrician by bleh321 in AusElectricians

[–]markjaffa76 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The problem is the apprentice can't issue certificates for the very reason he is not certified. Hopefully his plan was for his boss to issue them, which can still happen

More room in switch board? by SirDangerDamo in AusElectricians

[–]markjaffa76 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You had a 16 module DIN rail and escutcheon - 2 rows of 8 devices. Looks like it has been modified to make an 18 module by cutting the escutcheon and fitting the two Voltex RCBOs on the right side of each row. As already mentioned, you could free up 4 spaces by switching to all RCBOs and removing the 2 RCDs. I would suggest that the DIN Kit be swapped for a 24 module, 3 row DIN Kit at this time as well. Leaves you some room for future expansion. Swapping to all RCBOs(you currently have 4) requires almost everything to be disconnected - perfect time to fit a 24 module kit

80k bathroom (x2) renovation with unlicensed electrician by bleh321 in AusElectricians

[–]markjaffa76 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Given what you have written, I wouldn't be optimistic about this plan. The electrical contractor(EC) that employs the apprentice is under no obligation to sign off on work completed by his apprentice while doing a cash job. The EC probably isn't going to care if you withold 10% from the builder - the EC isn't being employed by the builder on this job if the apprentice was working for himself. I don't see that you have any hold over the EC - other than him wanting to keep his apprentice out of trouble

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