Artificial intelligence (AI)

[Tradie]

Any using Ai to improve their daily operation in their electrical business?

While waiting for software to load, I got to pay around with chatGPT, I managed to create a few interesting commissioning and test reports for alarm systems, CCTV and even elctrical test reports for solar.

I need to figure out how to create the documents in XL, but you need to python linked, otherwise the documents are create din a code format.

Just imagine if you could create a whole setup like Tradify using Ai, to stream line your staff workflow, linked to customer to notify them when the team is on the way, logging travel time spent of site, at the wholesaler and create the invoice so that the customer can pay before you leave site.

Create as built drawings, sketches and electrical schematics, it would change this industry and reduce the fail rate.

As we grow into this new era of smart electrics, labelling, data collection and recording is going to to become more like industrial applications.

I am already finding that the more I log stuff, label in more detail and keep records, the easier it is to upgrade, add new equipment and most important fault find.

I had a site recently, where 3 electricians tried to figure out how to fix damage caused by a surge, eventually the tenant called the owner and requested that I attempt to get the power back on, 15 minute later we were back on and 80% operational.

The question is do I leave all my work notes on site or do I keep everything in my office which forces the customer to call me.

We almost at a point where we offer a complete solution to customers, if it has power, wired or wireless, we install, integrate and repair. Hopefully by early next year we can start looking at monthly subscriptions. If the entire operation is elctronic and integrated into an app, man it would just make life so much easier, with access to all the site records.

It has been 3 long frustrating days and nights of upskilling and learning, I happy with the outcome, it was well worth the effort, time to go relax and prepare for the new week.

[Tradie]

ChatGPT version of the post


Thanks for sharing such an insightful and forward-thinking reflection—you're clearly deep in the trenches of transforming your electrical business with AI and digital workflows. You're not alone, and you’re definitely thinking in the right direction. Let’s break this down a bit and offer some actionable next steps and ideas.

✅ What You’re Already Doing Right:
Experimenting with AI (ChatGPT): Generating test reports, sketches, and documents using AI already gives you a major edge.

Digital Record Keeping: More detailed logs and labels directly improve serviceability and future-proof installations.

Customer-Centric Thinking: Notifications, payment on-site, and streamlined invoicing—these are features of top-tier service businesses.

Recognizing the Shift: You see the convergence of smart electrics, data-driven systems, and IoT—this is where the industry is heading.

🔧 Next-Level AI-Powered Solutions You Can Build or Use:
1. Job Management & Automation (like Tradify but custom)
Create a lightweight CRM and workflow system:

AI-generated job reports (Commissioning, Fault Finding, Test Sheets)

Auto-filled compliance certificates

Calendar-linked job scheduling

Customer portal with payment gateway and job status updates

Tech Stack Suggestion:

Use Notion or Airtable to start (low-code)

For custom development: Python backend + React frontend

Use Zapier/Make.com for automation

ChatGPT API or custom GPTs for auto-report generation

2. AI + Excel Integration
If you want to generate Excel files without code, use:

ChatGPT + Code Interpreter (Python tool) to create .xlsx documents

Or use GPTs with built-in spreadsheet tools

If you want full control: Python with pandas, openpyxl, or xlsxwriter libraries

You can also train a GPT on your templates and have it auto-fill test reports or generate new ones per job.

3. On-Site App Idea
Build or use a mobile-friendly dashboard that:

Notifies clients when you're en route

Logs time on-site and at suppliers

Integrates with GPS and Google Calendar

Uploads photos, voice notes, and labelled diagrams

Syncs to accounting/invoicing software like Xero or QuickBooks

4. Digital Labeling & Asset Tracking
Use QR codes or NFC tags:

Each major installation point or device gets a code

Code links to its as-built drawing, test report, and install photos

Use a phone to scan → access full job history instantly

5. Subscription-Based Maintenance Services
You’re 100% right—preventative maintenance and managed service contracts are the next big step:

Monthly check-ins, firmware updates, solar inverter monitoring

AI auto-detects irregularities from logs/data

Clients pay monthly, ensuring cash flow and longer-term relationships

❓Should You Leave Notes On-Site or Keep in the Office?
Hybrid model is best:

Leave a basic report or QR code on-site with emergency info

Keep full records digitally, organized by job/site

This ensures both independence for the client and repeat business when they need the full picture

💡 Inspiration from Industrial Practices
You’re right—commercial & industrial electricians have long kept digital drawings, site logs, and real-time monitoring. Bringing this to the residential/small commercial world will set you apart.

👣 Suggested Next Steps:
Set up a project workspace (Notion, Trello, or Monday) to track your AI/tool goals

Define key templates you want to automate (e.g. Solar Report, Alarm System Test, Job Completion Certificate)

Start learning or outsourcing small parts of Python-based report generation

Test out AI-integrated job management tools (e.g. Loc8, Fergus, ServiceM8—many now include AI features)

Start offering digital site handovers: site plan, reports, photos, videos, QR access

[Tradie]

I asked chat GPT to create a schematic, this was the result, so if I log in, it will create the drawing, this is getting exiting, I wish I was 19 again with the drive I had back then, starting a new venture.


create a 3 phase star delta schematic

ChatGPT said:
Here's a simple schematic representation and explanation of a 3-phase Star-Delta starter. Since I can't draw live diagrams here, I’ll explain the key parts, and then I’ll provide a visual representation as an image.

🔧 Basic Components in Star-Delta Starter:
M – Motor (3-phase)

K1M – Main contactor

K2M – Star contactor

K3M – Delta contactor

T – Timer for star to delta transition

OLR – Overload relay

L1, L2, L3 – Incoming 3-phase supply

🧠 Working Principle:
Start: Motor starts in Star connection to reduce voltage.

Timer activates after a delay.

Switches from Star to Delta to provide full voltage.

🖼️ Star-Delta Schematic Diagram
I'll now generate an image of the Star-Delta schematic for you.

To generate the Star-Delta schematic image, you'll need to be logged in to ChatGPT. Once you're logged in, I can provide the full visual schematic for you.

In the meantime, if you'd like a text-based schematic or a step-by-step wiring guide, I can provide that right here. Just let me know your preference!

[Tradie]

It indicated that if I log in, it will create a diagram, OMG, are we in for some exiting time ahead

I asked it Create a 3phase drawing for a 7.5 kw motor using a PLC, this was the result.


ChatGPT said:
To create a 3-phase wiring diagram for a 7.5 kW motor controlled by a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), we need to show both power wiring (3-phase motor circuit) and control wiring (PLC logic and interlocks).

⚙️ System Components:
3-phase motor (7.5 kW) – Typically draws around 15–16 A at 400V.

MCCB (Molded Case Circuit Breaker)

Contactor (with auxiliary contacts)

Overload Relay

PLC – With Digital Inputs (DI) and Digital Outputs (DO)

Start/Stop Pushbuttons

24V DC Power Supply (for PLC and control circuit)

🔌 Power Circuit Diagram (Simplified):
lua
Copy
Edit
L1 -----[MCCB]----+-----[Contactor]----+----+------> U (Motor)
| | |
L2 ---------------+ +----+------> V (Motor)
|
L3 ------------------------------------+----------> W (Motor)

+----[OLR]----+ (Overload Relay)
🔧 Control Circuit Diagram (24V DC – PLC Controlled):
text
Copy
Edit
[Stop Button] (NC) --------+
|
+----[Start Button] (NO)---+
|
+----------+---------+
| |
[PLC DI - I0.0] [PLC DO - Q0.0] ---+
|
[Contactor Coil A1]
|
[Contactor Coil A2]----0V
Interlocking (optional):

Include feedback from overload relay to PLC input (e.g., I0.1).

Use an auxiliary contact of the contactor as a holding contact (for manual control logic).

🔄 PLC Logic (Example):
If you want a simple ladder logic example:

ladder
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Edit
| I0.0 (Start) I0.1 (OL Relay) Q0.0 (Motor Run) |
|----[ ]-------------[/]-------------------( )------------|
I0.0 = Start Button
I0.1 = Overload Relay Feedback (Normally Closed)
Q0.0 = Output to Motor Contactor

🔋 Notes:
Ensure proper motor protection (thermal overload).

Wire 3-phase motor terminals U, V, W based on direction of rotation.

Use interlocking logic in PLC to prevent accidental restarts.

Safety circuits (e.g., E-stop, fuses) should be included for real applications.

[Tradie]

beware when you log in to chatGPT, it starts asking you questions, and you end up chatting and sharing info, your wife might thing you having an affair

[Tradie]

write the yamil code to switch on the lights in my office and dim them to 50 % in red


ChatGPT said:
Here's a sample YAML code snippet you can use in Home Assistant to switch on the lights in your office, set them to red, and dim them to 50% brightness.

Make sure your light entity is correct (replace light.office_lights with your actual light entity ID):

yaml
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Edit
service: light.turn_on
data:
entity_id: light.office_lights
brightness_pct: 50
rgb_color: [255, 0, 0] # Red color
How to use:
You can paste this into a Home Assistant script, automation action, or call it via Developer Tools → Services.

If you're using scenes or scripts.yaml, wrap it accordingly.

Example in a script:
yaml
Copy
Edit
alias: Set Office Lights to Red at 50%
sequence:
- service: light.turn_on
data:
entity_id: light.office_lights
brightness_pct: 50
rgb_color: [255, 0, 0]
mode: single
Let me know if you want to trigger this automatically (like when you enter the room) or link it to a button in your dashboard.

[Tradie]

I heard about Ai, but until yesterday when I registered and started testing real life examples as a small business, I had no idea.

As a small business you dont have a boardroom table or team of smart sparkies, its you and yourself to make all the decisions, having a really smart companion which can find data and create sketches, resolve challenges, and a really handy one, point out this you might have missed, like the Pi3 challenge in home assistant.

We are definitely going to be spending time digging deeper into Ai and ways to improve your life as a small business.

[Tradie]

By the way dont take everything you see on chat GPT as fact, you need to have a basic understanding of things, it will create images of things that are not very accurate, so you cant just take the information and use it.

It is not as clever as its thinks, you will see some strange looking drawings, where the water flow or elctrical wiring just looks crazy.

[New Perspective studio]

By the way dont take everything you see on chat GPT as fact, you need to have a basic understanding of things, it will create images of things that are not very accurate, so you cant just take the information and use it.

It is not as clever as its thinks, you will see some strange looking drawings, where the water flow or elctrical wiring just looks crazy.

By the way dont take everything you see on chat GPT as fact, you need to have a basic understanding of things, it will create images of things that are not very accurate, so you cant just take the information and use it.

It is not as clever as its thinks, you will see some strange looking drawings, where the water flow or elctrical wiring just looks crazy.

This here... AI is great but the output is only as good as the input and it needs direction.

We use it for programming but boy you have to guide it.

Because remember its been programmed to do three things, mirror you, praise you and always have a confident answer, even if its wrong. Same goes for Gemini, hence the disclaimers.

This is to keep people on the platform longer and will help monetise it later.

Openai figured out 99% of people will take the first answer and run with it. That's a "good user experience" and will make them come back or ask more.

Remember all this things is is Google Search where it picks the answer for you.

[Tradie]

Why it works for me, I suck at admin work and creating working documents, and I am sure, many tradesmen reading these posts would agree. In the short time that I have been "playing with it, my document preparation has improved 10 fold, my customers must think I have employed an admin person

These forums are loaded with valuable data, I copy reams of posts that cover the same topic , then paste all of them into chat gpt, and it creates a readable layout, without all the jibba jabba .

I am trying to figure out a way to get AI to look at the entire forumsa, solar and electrical groups which have loads of data, to streamline it into readable content.

I have also been looking at the Ai to create apps, something I have wanted to do for a long time. Where I can create simple detailed commissioning documents, for all the fields I work in. it would make my life so much easier.

By the way Dave you were looking for a electrical drawing package, try skycad, it s simple program that even I can use

This here... AI is great but the output is only as good as the input and it needs direction.

We use it for programming but boy you have to guide it.

Because remember its been programmed to do three things, mirror you, praise you and always have a confident answer, even if its wrong. Same goes for Gemini, hence the disclaimers.

This is to keep people on the platform longer and will help monetise it later.

Openai figured out 99% of people will take the first answer and run with it. That's a "good user experience" and will make them come back or ask more.

Remember all this things is is Google Search where it picks the answer for you.

[Tradie]

I get involved in control systems and automation, Ai is going to save me a lot of time, for a person like me who has years of control and automation, I can quickly skim through the data and identify faults. When I requested the info in a format that I can edit and correct, that is where tab popped up indicating that I needed other add ons.

The reality, we are moving into a whole new era of design and automation which is going to make life a lot easier for people like myself and many others who already have the skills and experience, to upskill and reduce hours of sitting creating ladder drawings for automation.

Man its a great time to on earth, we are so spoilt. If you can open your eyes and see past the haters of the world, there is so much beauty, I feel so blessed.