Gate motors

[GCE]

Thanks for that GCE. Noted.

Decided to also do some reading and found this.

1.3 Where this part of SANS 10142 is NOT applicable.

h) extra low voltage control circuits between different parts of machinery or system components, forming a unit, that are separately installed and derived from an
independent source or an isolating transformer ( excluding EL V lighting circuits. )

Don't know if I'm interpreting this correctly, but from the above it seems to me that ELV circuitry supplied from an isolating transformer is not applicable to this part of SANS 10142. That would include my gate motor that is supplied from an ELV transformer.

It specifically excludes ELV lighting only, so down light circuits are included in SANS 10142.

Any comment ?

Looks like that you keep you in the clear as long as everyone would agree that it is a control circuit and not a power circuit.

Like I said originally " Don't think it is str forward - saw the question , was having a think on it - went and read a bit and now more confused as to what is right or wrong" - And I'm still on the fence but starting to lean your way

[Tradie]

Simple question, why do I need to isolate the gate power (230 or 12 ) ?

The reason: There is a good chance that the person who will be working on the gate, removing it and leaving the wires exposed or taped up, is not a qualified electrician.

Does the current setup pose a a danger to anyone who might work on the gate, if yes, fit the isolator, if not I would still make sure there is a way to disconnect if the motor needs to be replaced.

The bottom line, if you are only signing off a COC/test report, I would make a note with a suggestion to improve the setup. As I have mentioned the other thing I would be concerned about, with the information shared, the size and type of wire used and the volt drop at the gate motor

If you feel it is not reasonable safe, for reason that you would list, maybe there is a 230v lighting cable in the same conduit for example, then submit a quote to upgrade, with the test report.

[Derlyn]

The reason I posed the question was to establish whether the setup as is, which has been working for a number of years, complies with the regulations. That's all.

Of course, if there was an isolator at the gate, I wouldn't have posed the question.

It is also my intention not to make the seller pay for anything that is according to present legislation unnecessary. If it's unnecessary, then it's unnecessary.

I think I have covered myself as far as the above is concerned.8

[Dave A]

And then there is this little problem:

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.

It's pretty rare that the wiring between the transformer (typically a transformer plug combo unit) and the gate motor is less than 3 meters. As a results, we always ensure the installation meets this requirement -

6.16.5 Motors
NOTE Motors include the motors in automatic doors and gates, garbage disposal
units, pumps (pool, fountain, spa, etc.), and the like (see also 6.16.1)

6.16.5.1.4 Each motor shall be supplied by a manually operated disconnector
or any other manually operated disconnecting arrangement such as a
withdrawable circuit-breaker, a removable link, a fuse or by the removal of a
plug from a socket-outlet, which provides at least the same isolating distance,
for the sake of safety, as a disconnector that is
a) readily accessible and mounted on or next to the motor, or
b) visible from the motor, or
c) lockable in the open position, or
d) housed in a lockable enclosure other than a distribution board.

[Derlyn]

And then there is this little problem:

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.

It's pretty rare that the wiring between the transformer (typically a transformer plug combo unit) and the gate motor is less than 3 meters. As a results, we always ensure the installation meets this requirement -

I don't see this as a problem.

6.16.1.10 refers to fixed appliances included in SANS 10142 only.

1.3 (h) excludes basically everything except lighting.

The gate motor referred to is ELV which is excluded according to the scope.

The plug in transformer is within 3 meters of the socket outlet, so that covers that one.
What happens on the ELV secondary of the transformer is neither here nor there, unless it is lighting.