Electrical Connection Winter 2016

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cheap and of dubious quality.
Simply put, DC current can upset
good-quality switching, let alone the
shoddy copy stuff that was sold. Once
a DC current causes an arc during the
switching process it just keeps on arcing,
then keeps on carbonising, then keeps
on feeding the fire, which leads to major
house fires.
There’s good news on this front as well.
The European International Standard,
which has been adopted, will include
specific requirements for environmental
considerations in Australia, such as
temperature and water ingress testing.
As with downlights, there will be much
more stringent marking requirements for
the packaging and the product. In fact,
this is another product that will require a
certificate of approval before being sold
in Australia. Again, look for the RCM on
the product and the packaging.
Speaking of smoke and fire, there is also
a Senate Inquiry into smoke detectors.
This is mainly to compile enough evidence
on the effects of photoelectric and
ionisation types, the issue of battery and
permanently electrically connected types,
and to further our knowledge of smokies
and applications of various installations.
Both types of smoke detectors have
their place in an installation. However,
with the quantity of synthetic material
in a home these days there is probably
a strong case for photoelectric, as it
responds quicker to the type and size of
smoke particles in the event of fire.
Watch out for the results of this
inquiry, as this will provide the
information that State Governments
require to set laws and regulations on
smoke detector installation.
And to finish, here’s an update on the
installation of AFDDs.
In one of my articles I included
information on the Wiring Rules revision
and explained these product types and
their installation.
Essentially they will be written into the
Wiring Rules as a recommendation – to
consider their installation in vulnerable
situations, for example, wooden buildings
and museums.
Electrical contractors could consider
them for the protection of bedrooms,
as these areas are most vulnerable to fire
from an extension lead that may have
copper cores damaged by misuse
or accident.
These leads can create a series or
parallel arc that could eventually lead to
carbonisation of the surrounding plastic,
then a fire.
BY
GARY
BUSBRIDGE
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