The Electrical Certificate of Compliance explained

**Sparks** · 13-Jul-17, 07:36 AM

Good answers as usual from both Andy and Dave. The reason Andy would like to see a photo of the "flex" is to positively identify the type of wire Dav. Flex is ripcord which does not have an earth mesh. I suspect it could be flame retardant cable in which case it would be overkill but acceptable. Other than that I agree that only the dish must be earthed.

**dav** · 13-Jul-17, 08:51 AM

Thanks all for your answers,

I asked an electrician who lives in the complex about the cabling we had in our roof and he said it was twin with an earth mesh. Before posting this topic, I did send an email to the GEIA and they responded quite quickly. Their answer was "this type of cable is referred to as “copper braided cable” and is not regarded as “flexible cable” . This type of cable has obviously not been used for many years in electrical installations but was an approved type of cable at the time it was installed.

The cable is still referred to in the Wiring Code and would be allowed to remain in such older existing installations provided that the earthing sheath was still electrically continuous and that all joints on the cable are done in an approved manner."

Regarding the dish, they also confirmed "The earthing of the satellite dish can be dispensed with as the Wiring Code has recently been amended to no longer make this earthing arrangement compulsory."

I have what is probably a dumb question, but what is the difference between an isolator and a disconnecting device?

**AndyD** · 13-Jul-17, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by dav

I have what is probably a dumb question, but what is the difference between an isolator and a disconnecting device?

Not a dumb question, in laymans terms a disconnecting device is just a broader term that would include isolator switch, circuit breaker, earth leakage breaker, DOL starter etc

**Dave A** · 13-Jul-17, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by dav

Regarding the dish, they also confirmed "The earthing of the satellite dish can be dispensed with as the Wiring Code has recently been amended to no longer make this earthing arrangement compulsory."

6.13.2.3 - Indeed, for edition 2.0 shall has been changed to may.

It's now optional.

**Wasfie@sparky** · 25-Jul-17, 07:39 AM

Hi. Can a COC be issued for a specific job portion done on an installation?

**Sparks** · 26-Jul-17, 08:05 AM

Yes it may. Any new installation, alteration, extension or repair to an existing installation in some cases must be certified. Provided the rest of the installation is already covered by a valid COC.

**W-TDMI** · 26-Jul-17, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by Wasfie@sparky

Hi. Can a COC be issued for a specific job portion done on an installation?

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND ASFETY ACT, 1993 (ACT NO. 85 OF 1993)
ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION REGULATIONS

Issuing of certificate of compliance
(3) Any person who undertakes to do electrical installation work shall ensure that a valid certificate of compliance is issued for that work.

**ians** · 27-Jul-17, 09:19 AM

I have another interesting COC...issued in Feb 2017...by an ECA member.

The question...i have just installed 4 plug sockets and issued a COC with the original attached as i belong to the CYA club.
I dont believe the original COC is valid...the reasons...firstly it is not filled in corrected...the numbers are the general ones
0.2 ...
224 volts
.36 loop impedance.(none of these numbers tie up with my readings...but who knows maybe they used a different meter or things have changed since feb this year.)
the DB and main switch is in a restricted space in a cupboard which is very difficult to access.
there is a granny flat attached to the main house which is fed from the main DB in the house so if someone gets shocked in the granny flat they have to go out the granny flat and into the main house hopefully someone is home to open up so that they can switch off the power.
just to mention a few of the issues i found.

Is my COC valid for the additional plugs i installed...i have made a note on my COC of the issued i noticed.

the owner of the building is not my customer...so it is a difficult one.

**ians** · 27-Jul-17, 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by W-TDMI

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND ASFETY ACT, 1993 (ACT NO. 85 OF 1993)
ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION REGULATIONS

Issuing of certificate of compliance
(3) Any person who undertakes to do electrical installation work shall ensure that a valid certificate of compliance is issued for that work.

just imagine if we could get to the point where this statement was valid.

**ians** · 27-Jul-17, 09:29 AM

Installing socket outlets in a bathroom.

I have had a request to install plug points in a shower/bathroom...zone 3 within 2 m of the basin taps... for a hair dryer and electric toothbrush chargers.

i am not a big fan of fitting a socket outlet in a bathroom no matter how big it is...according to the black book page 207 normal provision are applicable.

light fittings are always the challenge...especially when the customer wants to install a wrought iron chandelier handing from the 1.5 m from the roof.