Page 24 of 28 FirstFirst ... 142223242526 ... LastLast
Results 231 to 240 of 279

Thread: The Electrical Certificate of Compliance explained

  1. #231
    Diamond Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    planet earth
    Posts
    3,943
    Thanks
    153
    Thanked 317 Times in 287 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Dave A View Post
    You will be delighted to hear that thanks to a SANS 10142-1 update due to take effect any day now, a two page COC is just around the corner.
    Thank goodness ... but not really because i still have a pile of the old yellow COC's which i bought about 10 years ago (which i still use on occassion) which means i have to waste money buying new ones.

    While on the COC subject ... is part of the update going to include ...random checks on issued COC's and some form of policing ... because without it it just more wasted money ... much like redoing your drivers every 5 years ... its just money for the "system" ... with no real value to the consumer.

    (we can fly to the moon and back ... i can scan a box and setup a P2P with the click of a button ... but i have to go back check speling and grammar everytime i type something as my eye sight fails and my brain thinks faster than my hands move ... it just gets worse)
    Comments are based on opinion...not always facts....that's why people use an alias.

  2. #232
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Johannesburg
    Posts
    12
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
    Hi

    I am in the final stages of purchasing a property which isn't registered yet.

    I noticed the COC isn't compliant and have had the electrical inspectors come and confirm the same.

    Many of the lights do not work. I originally assumed that it was just the bulbs etc. but I have now realized that the light fittings and or fuses/ energisers etc. are faulty.

    Who's responsible for this ? Does it fall outside of the point of consumption ?

    Also with regards to fixed lights that have been added & mounted on walls with screws etc. Can they be connected to the electricity with standard wiring leading to plugs ? Some lights are camping caravan lights.

    Where can I as a layman find information on the standards & regulations wrt my installation ?

    Thx
    Riaan

  3. #233
    Diamond Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    planet earth
    Posts
    3,943
    Thanks
    153
    Thanked 317 Times in 287 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Artvark View Post
    Hi

    I am in the final stages of purchasing a property which isn't registered yet.

    I noticed the COC isn't compliant and have had the electrical inspectors come and confirm the same.

    Many of the lights do not work. I originally assumed that it was just the bulbs etc. but I have now realized that the light fittings and or fuses/ energisers etc. are faulty.

    Who's responsible for this ? Does it fall outside of the point of consumption ?

    Also with regards to fixed lights that have been added & mounted on walls with screws etc. Can they be connected to the electricity with standard wiring leading to plugs ? Some lights are camping caravan lights.

    Where can I as a layman find information on the standards & regulations wrt my installation ?

    Thx
    Riaan
    The only way to make sure the COC is legit ...STOP THE TRANSFER ...and get your own inspector to test the property.

    Dont waste your time trying to figue the rules and regs.
    Comments are based on opinion...not always facts....that's why people use an alias.

  4. #234
    Diamond Member Justloadit's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Johannesburg
    Posts
    3,475
    Thanks
    134
    Thanked 694 Times in 592 Posts
    Blog Entries
    1
    If transfer is taking place, it means that you have already paid to the transfer attorney the full sale price, or else there would be no transfer initiated.
    Stopping the transfer may have legal issues, and you could loose your deposit depending on the T & Cs of the offer to purchase agreement.
    The COC and issues you have now raised should have been verified before any deposits and signatures applied to contracts.

    Going the legal route is going to cost lots of time and lots of money, your decision, and while legal action is taking place, you may not do any work to clear the issues. I am not an attorney and therefor you should seek legal advice on your options.

    Alternatively try and negotiate a discount on the sale price (very difficult as the transfer is in motion, as there is little leverage) or else you are going to be stuck with this, and sort it out yourself with a qualified electrician.
    Victor - Knowledge is a blessing or a curse, your current circumstances make you decide!
    Solar pumping, Solar Geyser & Solar Security lighting solutions - www.microsolve.co.za

  5. #235
    Diamond Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    planet earth
    Posts
    3,943
    Thanks
    153
    Thanked 317 Times in 287 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Justloadit View Post
    If transfer is taking place, it means that you have already paid to the transfer attorney the full sale price, or else there would be no transfer initiated.
    Stopping the transfer may have legal issues, and you could loose your deposit depending on the T & Cs of the offer to purchase agreement.
    The COC and issues you have now raised should have been verified before any deposits and signatures applied to contracts.

    Going the legal route is going to cost lots of time and lots of money, your decision, and while legal action is taking place, you may not do any work to clear the issues. I am not an attorney and therefor you should seek legal advice on your options.

    Alternatively try and negotiate a discount on the sale price (very difficult as the transfer is in motion, as there is little leverage) or else you are going to be stuck with this, and sort it out yourself with a qualified electrician.
    Not if there has been an illegal/fraudulent (COC) document. We have just done it with a sale where APE electrical issued a COC ... we got Tom Jones electrical ( we needed a second opinion) in to do an inspection and found that the list of faults was longer than expected ... A meeting was setup with the both parties and the new owner ... it established that the COC issued was not up to standard and that APE would return and "fix" all the parts of the installations which were not up to standard.

    If the transfer goes through and the COC is not illegal ...the process to "fix" becomes the new owners responsiblity ... the new owner has to contact the AIA (another story on its own) which could take weeks if not months ... the new owner has to pay for the repairs and then claim.

    My advise ... i get involved in bullshyte a lot ... if you suspect the house is not up to standard ... spend the moeny and get your own inspector to check the property ...other wise you ar ein for a long haul.

    To make it even worse ...most new owners couldnt be bothered with the hassle of sorting out the COC ...then they try sell their house and suddenly the poor sucker (electrician) who has been doing the work for the new owner is suddenly the bad person who should have told the customer about the issue ... i recently told a customer to piss off (not so nicely) ...when she tried this shyte with me ... been there ...have a whole cupboard of TEE shirts.
    Comments are based on opinion...not always facts....that's why people use an alias.

  6. Thank given for this post:

    Justloadit (04-Aug-20), nasri (04-Aug-20)

  7. #236
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Johannesburg
    Posts
    12
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
    The transfer isn't completed yet. And it cannot be completed until a valid COC is re-issued.
    So I need to hold the seller and his electrician accountable now, while I still can.

    I am waiting for the inspector to come and verify the fixes.

    Back to my questions: as the inspector and various different electricians have different opinions on what compliance means for fixed lights that are plugged in.

    I.e. if the cord is less than 3m long it's ok ?
    Others say if it is permanently plugged in and it's fixed to the wall with screws etc. than it should not be permanently plugged in, it needs to be either removed or done according to sans standards ? Do the light fittings need to work ?

    I need clarity as I will eventually be the one responsible and liable for this.

  8. #237
    Full Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2019
    Location
    Alberton
    Posts
    67
    Thanks
    2
    Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts
    It might be worth getting at least two quotes from licensed electricians and contact the estate agent who done the sale explaining to them the issue and claiming the repairs directly from them. if the estate agency is worth anything they will assist in contacting the seller and informing him of the non-compliance issues that he needs to rectify as the non-compliance is a breach in contract. You are entitled to a legal coc. Then if you have not yet signed at the layers, when they contact you to arrange the signing of documents advise them you are more than happy to sign but the breech in purchase to offer contract needs urgent attention and delay signing if possible. I had similar issue before and my estate agent sorted the issues.

  9. #238
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Johannesburg
    Posts
    12
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
    If you read one post, this is it:

    This is not my first rodeo.
    Transfer cannot happen without a valid ECOC.

    As the buyer it's CRUCIAL that you check the ECOC BEFORE transfer. You can demand to get a copy from the seller.

    1 Check if the electrician is registered.

    2 Get your own verified, certified, recommended electrician to spend 1 hour to assess your property wrt COC.(I have one in JHB if you need one).

    It's worth, every, cent !

    3 In my opinion most ECOC's nowadays are rubbish. You ! will be liable to fix all the issues missed, when you sell your house one day. If it doesn't burn down.

    Make the effort. Or you could be liable for huge amounts. In my case about R80k. But I am going to hold the seller accountable before registration. Afterwards it's a huge mess.

    My 2c. Use it/ don't.

  10. #239
    Platinum Member Derlyn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Location
    East london
    Posts
    1,475
    Thanks
    101
    Thanked 141 Times in 134 Posts
    Artvark

    Many guys have overlooked your question regarding lights not working.

    My opinion is that most electricians are unsure .... and therefore hesitant to answer your question, myself included.

    I have checked the regs and my contribution is as follows.

    1. Lights are not included in the COC. ( Note 3 on the test report confirms this )
    2. The circuits to fixed appliances are covered but not the appliance itself.
    3. From the regulations it states that a luminaire (light) becomes a fixed appliance when it is combined with a fan.
    4. The regulations for a fixed appliance are thus only applicable for a light when it is combined with a fan.
    5. The problem arises with the definition of a fixed appliance. A light that is mounted to the wall is a fixed appliance because one needs to use a tool to remove it. Is it a fixed appliance ?
    I don't know.

    From the above one can see that there is a grey area as far as lights are concerned. That is why electricians differ on this issue.

    When I do an inspection on a domestic installation and come across lights that have been plugged into socket outlets, I always quote to rewire them onto the lighting circuit so as to prevent any comebacks in future. That said, I'm still not sure whether a light plugged into a socket outlet is legal or not.

    Maybe some of the other toppies can comment.

    Peace out ... Derek

  11. #240
    Gold Member Sparks's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Port Elizabeth
    Posts
    890
    Thanks
    20
    Thanked 127 Times in 96 Posts
    Artvark

    You have already received the best advice.
    Stop the transfer immediately, there will be no legal consequences because you are justified in doing so. At the same time issue the transferring attorney with notice of intended prosecution should the illegal registration take place before obtaining a valid COC. They allow transfers despite the knowledge that COCs' are invalid. After registration you have no leg to stand on.
    As already stated light fittings are not covered by the COC but, a light fitting may be plugged into an unswitched socket oulet in a wiring circuit. Then we get to "fixtures" and "appliances". Depending on the "deed of sale"/ "offer to purchase" terms and conditions "fixtures" may be part of the sale. In this case all light fittings which are secured to the building form part of the sale and become an "appliance". Regulations applicable include the capacity to isolate it by means of an isolator which breaks contact with both live and neutral OR by means of a socket outlet. Furthermore, the length of the cable between said socket outlet and the appliance is limited as is the gauge and type of cabling used. The "appliance" must also meet the required earth continuity for the specific circuit current.
    You are also entitled to serve the Estate agent with a notice of intended prosecution on the grounds of advertising a house for sale without complying to Article 12 which states that "no item may be sold, bartered, traded or, to the full extent of the law, be given away for free, if there exists, for said item, a safety standard, unless all requirements of said safety requirements have been met.

Page 24 of 28 FirstFirst ... 142223242526 ... LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. [Question] Electrical Certificate of Compliance Number?
    By Herman in forum Electrical Contracting Industry Forum
    Replies: 18
    Last Post: 14-Mar-14, 12:23 PM
  2. Electrical compliance certificate
    By ericlowry in forum Electrical Contracting Industry Forum
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 23-Jul-13, 08:08 AM
  3. The new electrical certificate of compliance
    By Dave A in forum Electrical Contracting Industry Forum
    Replies: 23
    Last Post: 27-Sep-12, 11:34 AM
  4. What are the Electrical Compliance Certificate Requirements
    By MikeS in forum Electrical Contracting Industry Forum
    Replies: 33
    Last Post: 18-Jun-12, 10:24 PM
  5. electrical certificate of compliance
    By murdock in forum General Business Forum
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 02-Jul-10, 09:13 PM

Did you like this article? Share it with your favourite social network.

Did you like this article? Share it with your favourite social network.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •