Typical Australian Domestic Switch board

[@Sheppo42]

1:30 no RCD's are not designed to stop when someone gets electrocuted, they stop people getting electrocuted because electrocuted means to be killed, like executed.

[@fabriciotorres6634]

Thanks for the video! It's very interesting, in Spain, the electrical switchboard has to go inside the house, I can't be external, which is the main difference, also, we normally have only 1 meter, I didn't understand why there are 3 meters in that box. Thanks for sharing!

[@WhisperingAcarasShiz]

Thank you much mate for recording and posting this. Given the strict laws in concern to electrical and any work done to such systems in Oz, I have found there to be not much videos like this at all, nor any "this is how we do it" or DIY videos. I am an unofficial sparky now in the USA, with electronics engineering being the trade I have an associates degree. I've been self studying all I can about how electrical is done in Oz & the rules/regulations involved (utilising the same books and AS3000 as trade schools require in Oz). It is my hope to someday maybe be able to move to Oz, and school to at least a Cert III sparky. I reckoned since too many variables have me stuck in the USA currently, I'd get some hands on & practise by remodeling my home to Australian standards as best as I could, with genuine Australian items, so videos like this really are awesome and I appreciate it much :)

[@rype1]

WAcara Howdy fella, I'm interested in this field & before I begin study (certificate ii in electrotechnology) wondering if you found any materials that helped you to gain Australian electrical knowledge? Thanks for your time

[@lliaolsen728]

Did you ever make it to Australia? I've been looking for tips on Aussie wiring but these trade secrets are rather unsettling for those wanting to learn a bit before they fork over a lot of money for certification.

[@pwedge7687]

It is a main switchboard and load centre, not a sub board. It is normally located exactly where this guy found it. Not inside the house. Switchboard company (B&R) do not supply padlocks. The A/C circuit breaker is not a fuse. The red/black/[green/yellow] are the sub circuits (red/white/blue are the incoming service mains, 415Vac). Not too sure why this bloke is opening switchboards if he isn't an electrician. The rear entry of the enclosure is not sealed, the main earth is not tagged and it appears that the meter neutral is either massively exposed or disconnected, i.e. free power. Maybe it is the OP's house..😟. Australian electricians generally will not show you the workings of a switchboard as it is illegal in Australia to work on/access wiring which is enclosed by use of a tool.

[@randomstring200]

You must be either an Australian licensed sparky (electrician), or a lawyer; in the 1st case, you advocate for all the non-nonsensical legislation red carpet protecting you occupation and preventing people with the required knowledge (but not registered or licensed for whatever reason other than lack or adequate knowledge) to implement the sometimes required actons to rectify some of the bad works performed by some of your colleagues for a unjustifiable price; in the 2nd case, as a lawyer, you likely understand zero about electricity and you just follow blindly what legislation indicates, without understanding what you are talking about. let me get few things straight here; 1) electricity CAN KILL YOU; that's a fact; 2) NEVER put your hands on any wire which is connected to the main grid, unless you are confident in doing whatever you want to do; === That said, it doesn't take a genius to understand the basics of electricity; and then there is another cohort of people; people which for whatever reason do have the required knowledge so that they don't get electrocuted or do not set the house on fire, but do not register because in life they decided to pursue a different career; I respect the law, but this doesn't mean that I don't say that a Law or a regulation is nonsensical/too strict when I think it is. What the guy did in his video represents NO danger, as he only opened the panel and clearly, being an inspector, he know what is dangerous to do and what is not. It should in the end come down to common sense; one thing is to provide your services as an electrician to a third arty, and receiving a financial or other benefit from it (in which case I agree it needs to be somehow controlled i.e. licensed) and another very, very different thing is when a person, in his/her own property carries out work on the internal electrical wiring of the home; I strongly believe a person should be free to do so, with the understanding that if something happens to him or to others in his house, it would fall on him/her the onus of responsibility, both civil and criminal; Australia is a lucky and beautiful country, but when it comes to electrical works it criminalise a person who want to replace a GPO (a power receptacle, "General Purpose Outlet") in his/her own home (which is freely available at Bunnings anyway) he or she needs to call a sparky which would charge $ 150 for it just for coming + parts, that's when legislation takes it too far in my opinion; Australia is not the only 1st world country which has regulations when it comes to electrical works, but it is the only one I know of that it takes it to such extremely paranoid levels. In my view, as it is now, it is a legislation made mostly to protect the actual occupation i.e. for the financial benefit of electricians, rather than in the best interest of protecting the safety of the Public / end users. It is made in such a way that converts in a criminal any person who, for example, replaces a one gang GPO with a 4 gangs GPO (which, again, is widely available at any local hardware store such as Bunnings), or that replaces the worn cable of her coffee machine and so on; that's absolutely absurd; My position is that if a person does not feel confident in doing those small job in his/her home, should definitely have the OPTION to call a licensed electrician, but not the obligation.

[@randomstring200]

I also have to say that I have seen countless electrical works performed by so-called "Licensed" electricians herein Australia, which made me vomit; lose screws, incorrect colours of cables ... to name just a couple things ... So, ... I do wonder How exactly did they get to be registered?

[@JustMe-bo2yu]

Three phase supply to a domestic premises is not very common in Australia, though in this home they have a three phase air conditioner to match the McMansion.

[@paingain2381]

Rod Wilkinson , I think I am watching this becoz I am immigrating to Australia in next year from India.

[@michaelerkotidis5542]

the installation of those RCDs is wrong according to AS3000. You can not have more than 1 lighting circuit per RCD according to clause 2.6.2.4.

[@TheAwesim1]

Hi Michael, Ive looked up the AS3000, clause 2.6.2.4 (b) In residiential installations - (i) not more than three final subcuits shall be protected by any one RCD. From my understanding the installation in the video is correct & compliant.

[@michaelerkotidis5542]

Building Consultant i can guarentee you that you can not have more than 1 lighting circuit per RCD. It clearly states that in AS3000

[@lptf5441]

Michael is correct. The installation is wrong. If there is more than one RCD, the lighting circuits must be distributed between those RCDs. You cannot connect all the power circuits to one RCD and all the lighting circuits to another RCD as is shown in the video. "2.6.2.4 Arrangement Where additional protection of final subcircuits is required, in accordance with Clause 2.6.3, the final subcircuits shall be arranged as follows: (a) In all electrical installations where- (i) the number of RCDs installed exceeds one; and (ii) more than one lighting circuit is installed lighting circuits shall be distributed between RCDs (b) In residential installations- (i) not more than three final subcircuits shall be protected by any one RCD; and (ii) where there is more than one final subcircuit, a minimum of two RCDs shall be installed NOTE: These arrangements are intended to minimize the impact of the operation of a single RCD. "

[@garrymuir1442]

@Lachlan @ Michael The way I intepret that is that board would comply. As in more than one lighting circuit in residential is fine for one RCD for up to three lighting circuits. No? What version of AS3000?

[@lptf5441]

Garry Muir you don't need any more info than I've just given you, and it's very clear. if there's more than one RCD, and more than one lighting circuit, those lighting circuits must be split between the RCDs, and NOT all installed on a single RCD as they are here. The reason is simple. If an RCD trips, it should not take out ALL the lights in the house at once.

[@Sam-tb7vc]

Leave the electrical to a qualified electrician mate, you obviously don't have an understanding of how our electrical system works here.

[@alanmainwaring1830]

Is there a new standard in Australia where the main switch must be a double pole switch for single phase switch board ?

[@Swenser]

Does the RCD need to be in the meter box or can they be installed inside next to the first device on the line. There does seem to be a bit of greyness in some instances. Like when is it necessary to upgrade to new standards in an old house? If a single wire needs terminating due to corrosion ?or an added line ?or whatever...

[@timchambers8947]

Is there a standard for labelling the powerpoints (GPO) with the board & circuit (CB)? I understand circuits from a sub-board can be labelled with SB2.CB1 (Sub-board 2, circuit breaker 1 to 20 or whatever). In a typical domestic house, what's the abbreviation for the main switchboard (not a sub-board)? I've also seen "DB" (distribution board) used instead of sub-boards or am I getting confused?

[@philliptrotter1846]

Spare key not so secret now !

[@waelsahli4915]

Have you documents that explain the electrical power distribution networks inside an apartments building, please

[@woundedlobster]

If you need electrical work or inspection call the only people qualified to do it, electrical contractors. Anyone that has paid money to this flea for inspection of any electrical installation has been robbed. He hasnt the first idea what he's fumbling and bumbling his way through.

[@369ZIR]

Umm, I’m an apprentice and wouldn’t it be better if you checked the whole this?

[@paulo1838]

Awesome video 👍

[@rikka0_059]

I just moved into an apartment, looks like it was built in 1980s. i checked the switch board and could not find any RCD devices. even the electric heater runs witout RCD protection. I feel really unsafe, as im an electrical engineer. How much will it cost to let a qualified electrician to install the missing RCDs?

[@TheAwesim1]

If you are in an apartment block, you will need to speak with the Strata Management Company, and they can have there Electrician inspect the properties meter board.

[@telosfd]

The earth rod it's too rusty and i doupt if is made by copper.

[@TheAwesim1]

Its an alloy, copper that thick is too expensive

[@wayneblack8770]

They're copper coated steel

[@scottcarr3264]

Here in Australia, the Earth stake is a Copper clad steel rod.

[@badpossum440]

My box has a male 3 point plug on the outside does anyone know what it is for?

[@jacksonblack9408]

Might be a connection for a generator, to feed electricity in during a blackout

[@gatekeeper88]

An old video I know but I came across it looking for learning material, just an FYI you broke the law real bad by accessing the rear of that switchboard, definitely not allowed unless a licensed electrician.

[@noodles9554]

It’s not breaking the law unless handling something like live wires, or something of danger to you. If it was wired correctly, and is all fine. He is within his rights to go behind.

[@ayy1654]

Can you not see that exposed neutral????????

[@jacksonroad9263]

Yes that's what I was wondering I'm guessing it was part of the MEN

[@sh115067]

Does Australia use the split phase system as Canada does? Or the Single Phase three wire system

[@psy06]

this is a 3 phase, 240v active to neutral, 415v between phases.

[@rikka0_059]

only three phase system, countries using 240v dont have split phase systems

[@theBraxil]

@@rikka0_059 you will see split phase in Australia in old houses from around the 60's.

[@tykewando]

All Houses in Australia are TT earthing?

[@the_real_hislordship]

That's a TN-C-S system. Same as we use here in South Africa. You'll see the neutrals and the earth are combined in that black block at 2:50.

[@michealplater9007]

It's not a sub board

[@brazilonline8154]

hello, l 'm lino from Brasil l'm electrical engineering technition,l would like to know from you what kind of electrical ground system do you use most in Australia.

[@TheAwesim1]

+LINO SOUZA PEREIRA Just a 1m long copper rod, driven into the ground

[@sasrebel]

1.2 Meter deep mate... minimum here in Australia

[@stikndip]

H Lino. We use the MEN system. Only line(s) and neutral come into switchboard from transformer. Earth is a copper rod or strap buried in the ground.

[@wayneblack8770]

Thats active

[@FrodoOne1]

I believe that the answer that is really required is TN-C-S

[@ronanrogers4127]

Is this a standard 100a supply? So, are the 2 power & 3 lighting circuits 10a each, and if so what amps are the hot water, stove and air conditioner circuits? What's the total? I'm interested because I wonder if the 100a standard supply is still adequate these days.

[@TheAwesim1]

Ronan Rogers I'm not sure, I don't have access to that property.

[@user-ww2sm2fu5l]

Maximum demand you wouldn't draw all that at once plus your limited to the amps drawn on 1 power rcd and one light rcd

[@paingain2381]

321 , immigrating to Australia from India therefore it helps me a lot..

[@wayneblack8770]

Are you a licenced sparky?

[@wayneblack8770]

Cause if you're not you shouldn't be in the back end of the panel

[@Sebeerful]

Wow this guy can read 😦

[@johnpro2847]

Behind this panel must be where the horticulturalists siphon off their free power ?

[@johnpro2847]

can't brlirvr watching this again after 6 years..going around in circles(curcuits?)

[@johnsmithschannel999]

Australia got one of the shittiest electrical systems of the world.

[@johnsmithschannel999]

One of the best electrical systems in the world is in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Check it out rsb.gov.ae/assets/documents/477/regselectricitywiringedition3_2.pdf

[@MrJoysiq]

we have one of the highest standards in the world

[@johnsmithschannel999]

@@MrJoysiq like wire running all over the place rather running thru conduits, outlet right next to water tap, messy distribution box, one of the worst socket outlets design and more. Australian standards are almost 30 years behind.

[@MrJoysiq]

@@johnsmithschannel999 are you American?

[@johnsmithschannel999]

@@MrJoysiq even better, European.