Electrical Connection Winter 2015

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a l c o
with Gary Busbridge
This is just part of the risk assessment
that should be done by people in
any trade when planning to work in a
ceiling space.
The reaction to that from the
committee? We are proposing that
RCDs be used to protect all final sub-
circuits 20A and below (including
previous exceptions). In an alteration or
addition where there is greater than
20% circuit protection added to an
existing switchboard, the whole
switchboard is to be upgraded.
For example, if there are two power
circuits and one light circuit on an
existing switchboard and an extra one
of each is added, then that is more than
20% – hence an upgrade.
No more ceramic fuses to the main
residence with RCD only to the addition!
So this is where the problem lies. There
are so many old installations that were
built in an electrically safe manner at the
time. Other than the 20% rule as above,
there is no way that revised Wiring Rules
can be retrospective – so older premises
stay as is.
A ‘Mandatory RCD’ campaign has
been struck up on and the
organisers are asking for signatures to
a petition. This is in relation to the
2013 electrocution of a young guy,
Jayden Zappelli, in Western Australia.
His story highlights the dangers of
old installations.
Simply put, he was working as a trades
assistant for an electrical contractor
and was in the ceiling pulling cable
for a lighting renovation. The cable
inadvertently became live just as he was in
contact with copper pipe. An RCD might
have saved his life
To sign the petition, visit
mandatoryRCD.
Essentially, the emphasis is on RCD
protection for all these older premises –
a wonderful ideal.
As people that are exposed to these
risks every day, we should pursue state
and federal politicians and ask why there
shouldn’t be RCDs on all installations.
At the very least, there should be
legislation stipulating that an installation,
no matter what age, has to be made
‘roadworthy’ before sale, rental or lease.
Imagine buying a car with no brakes: it’s
ridiculous of course.
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