QLD switchboard upgrade

[@mattisfahani6021]

No-one could better elaborate on perplexing contents than Ausie tradesmen . Always watcher-friendly and easy to follow , no wonder Australia is a great nation

[@tyreecenouds6113]

Those joiners are neat as will look at them next time. Keep up the great vids mate.

[@michaelwiseman6055]

Gee that was painful, watching you knock those bricks out with a claw hammer. But everything else was a dream run and beautifully done. Good one Chief!

[@TradieTrev]

Boss didn't supply us with better tools TBH. I own a few sledge hammers myself but wasn't in the tool kit at the time.

[@Cymaphore]

That sidecutter! Poor little thing is longing for some oil and cleaning! Thanks for the video, interesting to watch!

[@TradieTrev]

I like to use Inox MX4 Lanox, she's made from sheep's wool! Can't get everything picture perfect for you lot :P

[@jacobinglis4499]

Wow so much different here in VIC, you have so much freedom to get the job done

[@TradieTrev]

You can blame Jeff Kennett for taking away that freedom; He sold off your grid! I made a whole video about it and I explain my fuck up I did on this board. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6PMZXekaqqDjaM

[@huxelectrical531]

That's actually epic work mate, well done!

[@falseprofit4u]

Nice work, It's always a chore removing the old "wheat bix" backed enclosures with the friable asbestos fireproofed ceramic fuse load centres from 60s-70s brick veneer walls, that RCD enclosure mounted in the bottom isn't uncommon to find and is dodgy work at best. Definitely overdue for the much needed upgrade😊 I had a job recently where past lazy electricians just added a seperate 300mm X 300mm enclosure to one side for the 90s legislated mandatory RCD additions to tenanted residences instead of upgrading to a standard domestic consumer enclosure with hinged panel and seperate load centre, which is basically unchanged from the 80s. I do prefer the new Hager enclosures with the twin 12 pole load centres and a six pack cheaper than the B&R unit old school DIN rail with metal escutcheon panel.

[@TradieTrev]

Out of all my electrical videos people love me ripping out the old gear for new. This is how we modernise old homes to current standards!

[@falseprofit4u]

​@@TradieTrev Amen 🙏 to that, no comprise for quality work.😊

[@mwethereld]

super stoked, and super proud. Im not a fan of Voltex, but each to their own. Nice upgrade there mate.

[@TradieTrev]

If you've got a better job offer that pays over 80K I'm interested, just using what is provided to me as an employee.

[@DeejayManii]

@@TradieTrev can we get your take on voltex? a full teardown would be good

[@TradieTrev]

​@@DeejayManii It's a mixed mash, I guess they employee some young EE's fresh out of uni with no real world experience and us Tradies tell them like it is. There's been many of times I have a whinge, but it's the clients warranty that beats the top dogs everytime and the only reason why I keep using the junk. Latest one for me was the new "Voltex branded" solid mounting blocks with a different thread than we'd use traditional, it seems like they've got some good ideas but poor execution.

[@jjessa]

Thanks for the informative video. Is the meter upgrade then done separately? And is the preferred order first the switchboard, and then (smart) meter upgrade?

[@TradieTrev]

Dependant which state you're in will give you the best outcome. Knowing your local rules is super important, I have an anecdote telling you like it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6PMZXekaqqDjaM

[@crichton269]

Nice job ! I need to get this done on my home in Logan , how much Am i looking to pay just a a rough ball park figure ?

[@TradieTrev]

Logan is a bit far for me. Key points that'll change your price significantly is the location and existing mains conductor size. If the switchboard isn't located within 3mtrs of the property from the front, say in the backyard; You'll need a mains upgrade prior, unless you never want solar. Personally I like to future proof things, at the most with the hardest of tasks I couldn't give a genuine quote without looking at the job at hand. Keep that in mind others will try, but your best person is someone who scopes out the job properly in the first place to give an accurate assessment.

[@Chris-op7yt]

why the heck they make them recessed into walls? they could just make them face mounted sturdy instead. that way you could change over to whatever new size and not have to deal with bricking. does code require recessing?

[@TradieTrev]

What if it was a pathway, which it was! I like keeping things the way it always was. Done plenty where I've slapped a new board on top of another but this one we decided to do our best.

[@Chris-op7yt]

@@TradieTrev : just asking generally. less brickwork necessary.

[@pchobo]

Better than most 'upgrades' mate. No shoving an 8 pole enclosure in the old federal gap and walking away.

[@TradieTrev]

The meter maids would spit mdf chips at any contractor that would do that! They'll just defect it and the person has to pay twice!

[@username22199]

What the p/n for those WAGO lever terminal blocks? I can’t find them.

[@TradieTrev]

Inlines and heat shrink is probably ideal; I did my own testing on these fakeOs but your mileage may vary. If you do get some test for tension & current capacity (I killed a few knowing it's limits, just like the real deal)

[@1Odama]

nice one cheers .... need a bigger hammer and grinder!! Old meter......

[@AnarchyEnsues]

Why wasn't it a modern smart meter?

[@MitchellJackson-ow7ey]

where are the inline connectors from? They look neat!

[@TradieTrev]

Aliexpress, but I always test the crap out of them before I'm confident using them on a job. Typically tug/wank test works. The Chinese have been getting decent making them, but it's a mixed bag.

[@TheLionsDenNews]

I just imagine big ass spiders hiding in those switch boxes.

[@TradieTrev]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jofOfoKAbKZqrpI yeah spiders we get, pointy ends are important!

[@johnlennon1151]

Awesome video mate, so when you're Meggering your ccts at the end of the video have you just got the alligator clip on the earth bar or for each individual cct? Also sounds stupid but when you use the f set to find a cable and it shorts out, does that mean there's a short or a load on it?

[@TradieTrev]

Earth is earth IMHO. So if you zero out your lead and say add a short it doesn't help with your f-set.

[@qwertyui90qwertyui90]

Do you need to have the metering box on the outside of the wall ? can it be inside out of the weather ?

[@TradieTrev]

Yes. Must follow QEMM guide lines.

[@qwertyui90qwertyui90]

@@TradieTrev any chance of a link ? What about if you're 100% off grid not connected, just using solar + batteries

[@milanmakaveli7910]

Nice video! Commercial sparkie here.. 1) I never knew you could re install the metering (I thought the suppliers had to do it) 2) it looks super neat how you extended the cables. I usually use blue points (for existing solid) and inline crimps for stranded.. what did you use? They look like fixed wagos? Also those red wattmaster pliers are amazing..

[@TradieTrev]

1) Joys of being a sparky in QLD with the training! Some may consider me a Level 2 NSW ticket holder. 2) Inlines are dope for neatness, but takes time... Guess at commercial rates that's what you get paid for lol. Domestics are boring I'd love to play with BMS's

[@shanetripley875]

The stupid thing is if you are just swapping the board over we can do that with the meters but if you are moving the board to a new location you have to organise with energex or ergon.

[@TradieTrev]

@@shanetripley875 I don't see how being in Energex or Ergon areas if you're approved to do linework that's an issue. It was part of my apprenticeship relocating metering when subdividing properties.

[@mwethereld]

fitter mechanic here, ive done heaps of metering and just call ergon/energex to reseal the meters, give em my lic number, never been an issue. so i dunno, im not a level 2 sp...

[@Craigy82]

Technically only the metering provider is meant to move meters, Energex previously didn't care much but now there are other players they are cracking down on it.

[@IAmThe_RA]

What are those connectors with orange levers called?

[@TradieTrev]

Fakeos aka China alternative to Wagos. It really tidies up extending the wiring.

[@IAmThe_RA]

@@TradieTrev I won't use them in real installations bro. Are you allowed to use them in Australia? Where I live a product must be certified in order to use them legally.

[@TradieTrev]

​@@IAmThe_RA Why not? I thoroughly test batches prior to installation, also what public indemnity insurance is for. If you want to get picky I've demonstrated my EE skills in the Shed automation series and would design my own electrical products given the chance.

[@IAmThe_RA]

@@TradieTrev Just saying it's against code here. Every product used must be ENEC certified.

[@TradieTrev]

@@IAmThe_RA See I've mitigated the risk by testing the device prior, I've followed the same guidelines SAA use to get Aussie approvals. You'll see some more in depth testing of EMI & RFI on my automation control panel, I may not be an EE but I know the process to obtain approvals here locally.

[@Em-PoweringElectrical]

Hi Trev what brand screwdrivers are them black and white ones mate? That extra long flat head looks sick 👌

[@TradieTrev]

Nash! Local mob made a limited set, but never made money from them.

[@thaddeuspoole1704]

Can you pull pole fuses in qld as a regular sparky, or do you have an endorsement/ higher qualification?

[@TradieTrev]

For sure mate! Done it since I was a first year; I'm a bit pissed why others can't do the same with some training. I've had my whinge why even us Aussies don't own our own grid if you look back further in my vids.

[@Tonksyyy_]

I’m just a boring commercial sparky but fuck me that’s a clean install compared to any other domestic board upgrades I’ve seen, love the wagos how good

[@TradieTrev]

Always happy to preach about switchboard methods brother. I took a huge chunk out of and there's a follow up video where I fucked up in the wiring; Even quote standards. I always love commercial projects with some mad lighting automation; Hook a brother up!

[@Dermtarbo]

Just curious, mate, was there a reason why chose parallel 4mm for the metering

[@Dermtarbo]

Also with the stove joiner, how did you archive that? Connectors soldering?

[@TradieTrev]

Min spec requirements and allows fora 3 phase and fast charging of EVs over 3 phases. Should the client want to change when I know 3 phase is in the field.

[@Craigy82]

Should have put some hair around that primary fuse holder for old mate😆 But on a serious note, lovely job mate👍

[@TradieTrev]

There's a follow up video where I rectified some wiring on this board following our local guidelines, kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6PMZXekaqqDjaM The apprentice found the flex I used originally in a roof space, left overs from someones solar job. I like to be resourceful and not waste copper.

[@lhaneyleofa7685]

How do you do ya polarity tests?

[@TradieTrev]

Disconnect the neutral & earth, use the earth as reference should be no voltage between neutral and earth and voltage present between A+E and A+N. If there is voltage present between N+E you've screwed up polarity ;) AS3017 details it further for your own knowledge.

[@dylandylan11731]

Clean work

[@jarradwilliamson9830]

Nice work. How did you mount those wagos?

[@TradieTrev]

WIth a bootlace crimper like you would normally.

[@jarradwilliamson9830]

Sorry how did you fix them to the back of the board? Some sort of bracket?

[@michaelcostello6991]

Very interesting to watch. Thanks

[@TradieTrev]

Glad you enjoyed it mate!

[@damianhackett4761]

Very neat, mate. Good stuff

[@nicholaskeur]

upvoted for the algorithm

[@deki-erena6291]

Thanks mate

[@garycollinge633]

Nice work

[@TradieTrev]

Cheers Gaz!

[@shiamjad]

what a weird place for the fuse.......... very dangerous

[@TradieTrev]

It's an isolation link; Read up on QEMM as it proves my install is legit.

[@mrseanpride6449]

what size cable takes those rcd neutral from the busbar back up to the neutral link? i havent use one of those combination line and neutral bus bars

[@TradieTrev]

4mm2 flex, it's got a similar rating compared to 6mm2 building wire when looking at 3008 for the small distance used.

[@TradieTrev]

I parallel it up also, good for 63A easy.

[@BronsonTheCat]

Nice devices!

[@TradieTrev]

The rcbos are much safer than wire fuses, but I love the traditional mechanical meters.

[@BronsonTheCat]

@@TradieTrev Yeah the old ceramic fuses should be confined to museum pieces. The old meters are brilliant devices. Good to see you passing your knowledge onto an apprentice. We need more people like you in this country!

[@bradleywilson6796]

i would never let you work on my house

[@TradieTrev]

You have rights also being in a housing commission property. www.qld.gov.au/housing/housing-providers-investors/community-housing-providers Let a tradie do his job to ensure safety of your family and friends!

[@MickWootton]

Not trying to be an ahole, but will probably accomplish that task, but when Meggering on 250 v scale, ir reading is half the indicated reading , according to a friend 😅 (ie, 1.5 Mohm on scale is .75Mohm in reality). Nice vid btw

[@TradieTrev]

Still proved the hotplates didn't test well, but totally understand the fact at the fact of the meter at scale. If I had a better job I could afford an MFT and that wouldn't be a question.

[@nigelaubrey7743]

Wicked video

[@bonaminhrasmey42]

Wear your gloves young boy 😊

[@TradieTrev]

Which dinosaur did you come from with all that liney talk? Agreed, but PPE is the last measure in risk management.

[@bonaminhrasmey42]

I'm good enough for your grandparents 😌

[@Dog-whisperer7494]

No wonder Australia is desperate for uk sparks to move to Australia.

[@TradieTrev]

What so they can make ring circuits using 32A breakers on 2.5mm2 cable with type B breakers lol?! We don't need your ill fated methods like the Americans.

[@wazza33racer]

Imagine the drama when all the climate warriors plug in their electric cars LOLOLOLOLOL Meter box doesnt have enough capacity, street transformer doesnt have enough capacity, substation doesnt have enough capacity, state grid doesnt have enough capacity...........

[@TradieTrev]

I'm using the right type of breakers here with DC blocking. Go for it! I've implemented the protection already! I could go even further also using AFDDs if you want the gold standard but most people can't afford the expense and it's not a legal requirement by law.