Electrical Equipment - Repair / Refurbishment / Alteration / Additions
Electrical contractors and repairers have had a busy few months after Queensland's floods and storms earlier this year.
So it's worthwhile for contractors and repairers to refresh their knowledge of repairing or altering electrical equipment that may have been damaged by water.
The repair of electrical equipment should be treated like any electrical work. It should only be undertaken by a licensed electrical contractor and a suitably licensed electrical worker. Repairs may also be conducted in a workshop where there are detailed written procedures to ensure the work is conducted safely and competently and the equipment is tested to ensure compliance with relevant standards. For more information, go to section 18 of the Electrical Safety Act 2002.
Flood damaged equipment may have internal components affected by water. Contact the equipment manufacturer for advice regarding whether to repair or replace equipment or internal component parts.
Non manufacturer specified temperature controllers for cooktops
The Electrical Safety Office (ESO) has been advised by other electrical safety regulators of non manufacturer specified temperature controllers for cooktops being offered for sale to repairers. These alternate spare parts may physically appear almost identical to the manufacturers' spare part but may not meet the same operating conditions or safety specifications of the cooktop manufacturer. This could result in unsafe operation of the cooktop. For example, should the alternate part not comply with endurance requirements of standards and over time fail to a “fully on” position rather than a "fully off" position, there could be a fire risk if combustible material had been inadvertently left on the cooktop.
If the repair work involves using components that are not specified by the manufacturer, make sure that using those parts does not create a safety hazard. While parts not specified by the manufacturer may cost less, the repairer will need to ensure the part has the same specifications and operating characteristics as the original parts. The replacement component must meet its relevant safety standard. While alternate component parts may be viable options for repair of electrical equipment, the repairer needs to ensure the part complies with all relevant safety standards and does not alter the complete equipment’s compliance to its own safety standard.
Repairers and installers of electrical equipment should be reminded that if they alter electrical equipment they need to ensure the equipment remains electrically safe. In this instance, the repairer or installer becomes the designer and manufacturer of the electrical equipment, with the associated obligations under the Electrical Safety Act 2002. The original equipment manufacturer may also refuse any warranty or other claims against the equipment if it has been altered from the original design or repaired with non specified parts. The Electrical Safety Office (ESO) has had complaints that a repairer's modifications have resulted in the equipment failing to operate correctly and, while the issue did not result in an electrical safety hazard, the user was unable to utilise the equipment for its intended purpose.
Fan speed controllers for ceiling fans
Ensure correct parts are used when installing fan speed controllers for ceiling fans. Some controllers are of a type that utilise a capacitor in the speed control circuit. The ceiling fan manufacturer may supply a fan speed controller with the ceiling fan or may specify the type/brand of controllers that can be used with the particular ceiling fan. It is important to use only those controllers specified by the ceiling fan manufacturer as the wiring connection of the controller to the fan is such that a "resonant voltage" occurs at the point the controller is connected to the fan motor winding. This voltage is greater than the supply voltage and may differ for different ceiling fans. The fan speed controller capacitor needs to be suitably rated for the voltage it will be subject to. There are also other design characteristics of the capacitor / motor matching that could affect safe operation of the ceiling fan and speed controller. Use of an unspecified after market capacitor type fan speed controller may create hazards the installer had not considered.
The Electrical Safety Office (ESO) has been aware of fan speed controller capacitors rupturing in service and being a potential fire hazard. The ESO has presented this to Australian Standards committees and obtained changes to the relevant standard for these accessories (AS/NZS 3100) to improve the safety of such devices. The recently published amendment to AS/NZS 3100 will require certain capacitors in equipment and accessories, like fan controllers, to be a specific type and compliant to more stringent safety standards (IEC 60384-14) than previously quoted in AS/NZS 3100.
For more information contact the Electrical Safety Office, visit www.electricalsafetyoffice.qld.gov.au or call 1300 650 662.