this is what i was hoping for...constuctive critism.
dave its time to scrap the generator thread and turn it into the sans code thread
this is what i was hoping for...constuctive critism.
dave its time to scrap the generator thread and turn it into the sans code thread
I'll be honest - it's exactly this type of interpretive discussion I've been hoping to see a lot more of on this forum.
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If you read Annexure L 1.2.1 Pg325 "Surge protection devices shall be installed at least in the main distribution board of an electrical installation"
I also read the "may" part, but then remembered two things:
1. An inspector once told me that the book may not always make sense, or there may be double standards, you have to interpret it in the safest reasoning possible.....so if you get a part that is "safer" than a contradicting statement somewhere in the book you must go with the "safer" option. This according to him will convince a judge in court that you were reasonable with the best and safest intentions.
2. On the ECA roadshow they discussed the changes. They talked about SPD's and the guy said for JHB its a no brainer, we have guy fox up here every second night with all the lightning, and supply is a problem every once in a while. He then also talked about CPT, said that the CPT guys said they never get lightning, showed a picture of this massive lightning bolt hitting close to table mountain (everybody laughed).....but more problematic is the CPT supply problems as I understand it.
Point is, theres a part in the code that says I must install it, and every new house/COC I do I install it. If you are doing a big complex the engineer specifies SPD's at every split in the electrical system. The main SUB, Mini SUb, Block subs and the flat subs.
IJS Installations
Electrical, Residential Gas and Electric fencing.
I'll answer these....I know you just made a statement and know these answers but...questions since someone may be reading them right now and wanting to know the answer?
1. As far as I know you can do an industrial jobbie on the main switch.......take a 1.5mm stainless steel rope, ferrule it around the switch, make the bottom end lower than 2.2m, loop it and ferrule it. Add a sign on the rope (switch off this main switch in the event.......), and one on the DB.
2. Db in the cupboard, put a lable on the cupboard door stating the DB is inside the cupboard, and must remain un-obstructed. Take a photo of the lable and you are set. (We all know the home owner pulls that ugly lable off before you turned on you ignition).
3. The TV guy should put an earth wire, some does others don't. They should also adhere to any standards related to their industry, regardless of its origin.
IJS Installations
Electrical, Residential Gas and Electric fencing.
Annex L.1
(normative where surge protection
is required or installed (see 6.7.6))
It may be installed, and if it is installed, it shall be at least in the main db....
Thanks Jacques, I see your point.
I was more thinking as a requirement in order to validate a coc.
Is it a requirement then? Should the issuer of the coc install it if it is not present?
Well, as I see it, it is a requirement, and I install it before I sign the house off. I actually carry stock of CBI L+N 5kA SPD's (cheaper than 2 x single pole units), and 6mm gp wire. If no-one can without a shadow of a doubt tell me that it is not required I'll rather not take the chance, and see it as the safer option? Maybe someone will read this and comment with a more definitive answer?
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Electrical, Residential Gas and Electric fencing.
1.3 Where this part of SANS 10142 is not applicable
This part of SANS 10142 does not apply to
a) electric traction equipment,
b) automotive electrical equipment (excluding the caravan part of a
roving vehicle),
c) electrical installations on board ships,
d) electrical installations in aircraft,
e) electrical installations for underground and open cast mining
operations,
f) telecommunication, television and radio circuits (excluding the power
supply to such equipment),
g) lightning protection of buildings and structures, and
NOTE The installation of surge protection is not compulsory, but where it is
installed, compliance with annex L is required. Amdt 1; amdt 5
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 ELV lighting circuits). Amdt 5
I think this should clear it up?
Note of interest: television circuits? does this include the antenna? is the antenna part of the signal circuit?
Jacques#1 (19-Mar-10)
I yield, it looks like that specific part may indicate that SPD's is not required. Now, try explaining this to an inspector (they don't exist in the old format anymore....now AIA's).......I've had an hour long debate with two inspectors about the definition of space heating.....and references to underfloor heating a few pages further.
IJS Installations
Electrical, Residential Gas and Electric fencing.
I think you would need to be careful with loose or hanging type of arrangement that it would not present a 'contact' hazard if the door is opened.
This has always been a problem area especially with domestic installations. Knowing damn well that any labels are destined for removal and that the cupboard will be cluttered in a week means that in the event of an accident, a certain amount of liability would be on the shoulders of the issuer of the certificate surely. Maybe a firm rule of no DB's in cupboards would be better.
Apart from the earthing requirement, the TV dish or antennas would not fall under the electrical COC. The earthing should be removed from the electrical regs in my view and made a part of the TV installation regulations. I think they included it in the electrical regs as a cop-out rather than trying to enforce good TV installation practices.
If I remember rightly, in one of the amendments surge protection was made compulsory then in a later amendment there was some backtracking and it was made discretionary. In some areas of Cape Town it might not be necessary, on the very few new installations we get involved in we include it in quotations but if price is an issue it's often the first thing to go.
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