r/AskAusElectricians

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How bad is this switchboard? should I look at upgrading the breakers for safety reasons?

What are people’s thoughts on those energy-saving devices you plug into an outlet? They look like total scams to me, but my neighbour reckons his bill dropped about twenty bucks last quarter after using one

Things like small warning signs people ignore until it turns into a bigger job. Trying to get a better idea of what to actually keep an eye on around the house so it doesn’t get to that point

So Nov last year I partially lost power to my house from a loose connection inside the pillar that ended up failing.the suppliers technician says it couldn't be the cause of damage in my switch board where the neutral link was burnt out and 2 hard wired smoke detectors blew I ended up having to have my switchboard fully replaced as damage in the back was significant but no fire.

From my understanding a dropped phase upstream creates an imbalance, surges and thermal overloading to down stream equipment/switchboard

Anyone able to give me an insite as they just flat out said not possible with out explaining and only want to reimburse me for the repairs at the pillar

Thanks

Is it actually worth paying the premium for Clipsal Iconic or are the Bunnings Deta switches just as good for a basic bedroom renovation?

Hey legends- I’m an apprentice almost a year in + been a bit bullied by previous employers but after 4 months of looking I resume next week.

The past year or so of being in solar some crews have done stuff different ways - I’ve got a couple questions regarding different tactics I’ve became part of:

1. When running DC in conduit through the frame of a resi house - is it true it has to be in steel conduit?
2. What’s the max distance feet can be apart from each other?
3. My first boss was a cowboy and he had me soldering earth joins together at each rail - can you explain why that perhaps was?
4. Do people really not actually use steel ties? I get some lads just leverage them to tighten and fold/chop with snips but only using nylon ones is insane.
5. Using techies as well as silicon or silicon only on dekies?
6. I’ve had some crews chop ally rail on the roof without an ounce of hesitation… swarf is still a thing right?

So for any of the solar and battery qualified installers out there. I’ve been getting asked by some of my relatives about adding new solar panels to an existing system. Now there appears to be room on the north face of the house for about 8 x 440w panels. No shading or major tree cover.

Now here’s the thing, the current 5kw system is on its own inverter and Ac coupled. Is it possible for the new panels to be installed into the battery invert dc coupled and leaving the old ones doing what they are doing or will they need to be removed and reinstalled with new panels and all run back to the new inverter.

Right so, left school, done 3 years of carpentry as a non apprentice, left that. Went to uni, studied a business degree and qualified woo hoo.

Travelled for a few years, ended up in a corporate role when i got home. Been there for 2 and a half years.

Currently working in sales, don’t like it, sick of the corporate processes, kpis, and jargon. Just want to be doing something tangible and back on the job with the boys (and girls)

Tried carpentry, didn’t like it, dabbled in plumbing over the years not really my thing either.

Want to become a sparky and genuinely interested in electrical and how it works.

How can i get into the trade and find an apprenticeship? feels like it’s so out of reach at my age. Turning 31 this year

we currently have this thermostat for our heater - https://allcontrols.com.au/product-details/2/6/22/57/honeywell-focus-pro-6000-programmable-thermostat

it's stopped working, and needs to be replaced. We have had someone out and it was going to be $350 to replace with the same thermostat we have + labour.

Looking online, there are much cheaper options, especially if I buy directly from the USA.

i.e this one: https://amzn.asia/d/09j0XhfS or https://amzn.asia/d/05ZUsw6x

would these be interchangeable?

I can see the same model for sale on Australian websites, but still WAY more expensive.

alternatively I'm just going to buy exactly the same unit from an aus online store and swap it over.