How to complete a COC/test report

[Dave A]

I would like to hear what others feel about things like excluded points plugged into sockets?

The reason I am sharing the information as I am carrying out the tests is because these are the challenges we all face on a daily basis, and everyone seems to have different views, I would like to hear your view on them, so that we can have open discussion about them to find solution or at least decide what we can agree.

You have to pay attention to 6.16.1.1, 6.16.1.5, 6.16.1.10, 6.14.1.4 and 6.14.1.6.

6.16.1.1 Fixed appliances do not form part of the electrical installation other than their positioning in relation to the supply and the wiring carried out between different parts of the appliances.

6.16.1.5 A socket-outlet shall supply only one fixed appliance. The use of flexible cords of length exceeding 3 m is not recommended. The reason for this recommendation is an endeavour to ensure operation of the overcurrent protective device. (But see also 6.14.1.4 for luminaires.)

The requirement that a socket outlet may only supply one fixed appliance is often a killer. Even if we say the security light system is "one fixed appliance", you still have to navigate this:

6.16.1.10 The wiring between different parts of a fixed appliance that are installed separately is part of the fixed installation, even where it is supplied from a socket-outlet, unless such wiring is less than 3 m in length.

And let's not forget the balance of requirements for luminaires supplied via socket outlets -

6.14.1.4 In a lighting circuit, a luminaire that is in a false ceiling or in a roof space 4 m above the floor where there is no ceiling, or in a floor cavity, or in a wall cavity, or in a similar position, may be fed from a socket-outlet which may be unswitched and not protected by earth leakage protection, provided that the socket-outlet
a) complies with SANS 164-3 or SANS 164-2-1 (PD-D type),
b) supplies one luminaire only, not exceeding the rating of the socket-outlet,
c) is accessible for maintenance purposes, and
d) is within 3 m of the luminaire that it supplies.

6.14.1.6 In a lighting circuit, a luminaire may be fed from a socket-outlet on a wall (that may be unswitched), provided that the socket-outlet
a) complies with SANS 164-3 or SANS 164-2-1 (partially dedicated socket-outlet),
b) is protected by earth leakage protection, except in the case where SANS 164-2-1 (partially dedicated socket-outlet) socket outlets are fitted,
c) supplies one luminaire only, not exceeding the rating of the socket-outlet,
and
d) is within 3 m of the luminaire that it supplies.

At least one 16 A socket-outlet that complies with the requirements of 6.15.1.1 shall be installed in the same room.

For that last point, perhaps a discussion point is whether the socket outlet is switched at the socket outlet, or at a location away from the socket outlet.
(Essentially, at what point does a circuit become a "lighting circuit").

[Derlyn]

I forgot to add the gate wires is a bit dodgy, I am thinking like you, maybe just put a plug top on the gate power and move on

Nope, that's not how I think. That's a no-no. I think SANS 10142.
The regulations say that plugged in leads to fixed appliances ( the gate motor is a fixed appliance) should not be longer than 3 meters so if the gate motor is further than 3 meters away from the socket outlet, I would definately not be thinking of just fitting a plugtop to it's supply. That's a false assumption.

As far as the lights are concerned, they are called luminaires in the code. Correct me if I'm wrong, but according to 6.16.1.3, a luminaire is only regarded as a fixed appliance when either a fan or heater is incorporated in the unit. The regs regarding fixed appliances therefore do not apply to luminaires that do not incorporate either a fan or heater.l

[Derlyn]

(Essentially, at what point does a circuit become a "lighting circuit").

Interesting discussion.

My understanding is that a circuit is either a lighting circuit or not when it leaves the DB, labelled as such.
Luminaires that are plugged into a socket outlet which is fed from a plug circuit at the DB, are therefore not on a lighting circuit.

That's my understanding, but let's hear from the other toppies.

This is important as all the regulations from 6.14.1.4 onwards start with " In a lighting circuit".

[Dave A]

As far as the lights are concerned, they are called luminaires in the code. Correct me if I'm wrong, but according to 6.16.1.3, a luminaire is only regarded as a fixed appliance when either a fan or heater is incorporated in the unit.

I have always seen luminaires as a particular category of fixed appliance. But this wording combination of the parts I have bolded below presents something of a contradiction.

6.16.1.2 The power supply to every fixed appliance, except luminaires, shall be supplied through
a) a disconnecting device that disconnects both live conductors in a single-phase supply and all phase conductors in a multiphase supply, or
b) a socket-outlet that is directly accessible at all times that any person is exposed to such appliance while the supply is on. In the case of a remotely installed appliance, the position of the disconnecting device shall be indicated by means of a notice in close proximity to or on the appliance.

6.16.1.3 Where a fan or heater is included in a luminaire, the luminaire is regarded as a fixed appliance. If the luminaire circuit is protected by an earth leakage protection device that has a rated earth leakage tripping current (rated residual current) IΔn not exceeding 30 mA, a disconnector is not required (see 6.9.3.1).

[Isetech]

It is good to see some are paying attention, it is suppose to be 578 A.

I've yet to see a main switch that can handle over half a million amps.

[Isetech]

I didnt get back to this site today, ended up north of the river river. I have another challenge, where to install my 3 lithium batteries, in a complex.

[Isetech]

It time to stop wasting valuable time worrying about all this crap, I have decided to just fill out the forms, collect my money move on, I know the values are required, I will make it look real and rather focus on the new project starting Monday.

Enjoy your long weekend people, lets go make some money.

[Isetech]

By the way the lithium batteries will be installed where I think would be the best place, on wheels so that if anyone does try make a noise about the position, I will just say it is temporary location for now. If someone can prove the location is not safe, then we wheel them to a safer location

Yes there will only be 1 DC switch disconnector for all 3 batteries.

[Derlyn]

Back to the lights.

The definition of a fixed appliance describes a luminaire to the tee, so I was wrong. Luminaires are fixed appliances, however; they are exempted by 6.16.1.2 from having to have an isolator on their supply unless a fan or heater is incorporated in the unit. They must have an isolator unless their supply is on earth leakage.

This regulation, I believe, is unique to luminaires.

The example that Isetech quoted of floodlights plugged in, is not compliant because the lead exceeds 3 meters. That supply needs to be connected directly to the lights circuit and the supply to the floodlights will be included in the coc. The floodlight is excluded as is the case with all other fixed appliances.

Had the lead length not exceeded 3 meters and they were plugged into a socket outlet, then both the lead and the luminaire would have been excluded from the coc as they would be beyond the point of consumption.

Dave, you are correct as far as luminaires being fixed appliances is concerned.

[Isetech]

I believe the biggest problem in the industry is not the regulations, it the fact that most electricians dont have a clue as to how the regulations came about.

If they understand the reason it was created in the first place, it would make enforcing them a lot easier.

Too many clueless cut and paste specialists, who dont understand the reason for the reg, should step back, make sure they understand why the reg was added to the SANS book, before they just cut and paste some random reg for SANS.

[Isetech]

A little history lesson, Prepaid DB's were introduced many many years ago, I think it was about the same time twin+E became the next best thing since sliced bread.

That was about the same time this problem with plug and play became a problem.

A few people with a little influence in the regs who made an absolute fortune, needed a way to sell their product.

The idea was to make it affordable to power up a SMALL dwelling house, so we installed prepaid meters with a light on top and 3 built in socket outlets.

The customer could then take and extension cord and throw it across the room and plug the TV or light into the extension cord.

It is not for people to wire up an entire house and secure the socket outlets and light fittings to the wall, then plug it into a socket outlet.

We just do it because it is a way to get around doing the job the way it is suppose to be done and use then use the reg to make it "legal"

I have a job I am doing this week, I am going to pull a 2.5 mm cabtyre in to the pipe under ground and fit a plug top on one side and a socket outlet on the other side and not secure it to the wall, which will make it legal right ?

[Isetech]

Does anyone know how the 5 amp plug, 3 m cable fixed appliances and luminaries came about ?

Does it even apply to domestic installations, it would be a good idea to do a little research and find out more about how it was introduced into the SANS book.

How many 5 amp plugs with 3 m cords do you see in domestic installations, other than were some of us use it for extractor fans in bathrooms?

What I see it the industry on social media platforms, etc, are many people with little experience and what looks like they past the exams by just using the exam paper to get the certificate.

I might be wrong, but its what it looks like.

[Leonsparky]

Comments or parts no covered by the COC, another interesting part.
All the security lights are plugged into a socket outlet and wired with 1.5 mm cabtyre in conduits.
Would these security lights be excluded ? Let us know your thoughts because this ha caused a few disagreements in the past. The way I see it, as soon as you secure or bury any equipment it becomes a fixture.
If you sell the house for example, the lights cannot be removed, so now they must be included in the COC ?

You cannot just exclude something because you feel like it. You also cannot supply a light fitting from a socket that is not a SANS 164-4 socket and within 3m of the socket. This is still part of the CoC and part of a circuit. Your point of consumption is your luminaires terminal.

[Leonsparky]

2) Lights on plugs. I see it that the wiring to the lights are not included as the coc covers only up to the point of consumption ( socket outlet ).
The fact that the lights are a fixture is neither here nor there. If they were on a switch or wired through an isolator or day / night switch then the wiring
up to the actual fitting will be included in the coc.

If it is secured, it is a fitting part of the installation. if you deem that everything is not part of the coc if you plug it out, you can wire the entire installation and put a plug in as a main switch then the entire property is excluded? fortunately it does not work like this.

[Leonsparky]

You cannot just exclude something because you feel like it. You also cannot supply a light fitting from a socket that is not a SANS 164-4 socket and within 3m of the socket. This is still part of the CoC and part of a circuit. Your point of consumption is your luminaires terminal.

sorry, meant 164-2