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Thread: New COC laws in effect 1 May

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    Gold Member garthu's Avatar
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    New COC laws in effect 1 May

    I see the legislation for the new COC process is in effect from 1 May.

    Basically the major change is that a newly sold property, the COC should not be more than 2 years old (originally this was vague and people could use a 5 or 10 year old COC provided no electrical change had been made in the 5 years) Very easy for earth leakage/trip switch etc to be faulty in that period but as long as the COC was good, all was good.

    Good news for the electrical industry as it will increase business, marginally i suppose as most sold properties get a new COC any way, but should still increase.

    What is interesting all about the whole thing, is that this great little piece of legislation was done Dept of Labour. Apparently very badly written (assumptions are being made to its actual meaning) but more so, what does have Dept of Labour have to do with peoples property rights, and secondly what do they have to do with peoples safety (outside of labour) that the COC is designed to protect??

    The theory of course - dept of labour, increase in work for industry

    Also what stands out is why is a COC ONLY renewable when property is sold. If you own your house for 10 years, then it is considered fine to have a 10 year old certificate, but when you sell it is required to be updated. What makes the original owner of the property immune to electrocution over the new owner? Why only protect the new owner, not the old??

    Another great piece of government leg. well thought out....
    Last edited by garthu; 30-Apr-09 at 10:15 AM.
    Garth

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    Bronze Member Sieg's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by garthu View Post
    I see the legislation for the new COC process is in effect from 1 May.

    ... but more so, what does have Dept of Labour have to do with peoples property rights, and secondly what do they have to do with peoples safety (outside of labour) that the COC is designed to protect??
    The answer is this: The Electrical Installation Regulations are promulgated in terms of the Machinery and Occupational Safety Act 6 of 1993 [as amended]. The responsible department in terms of this Act, is the Department of Manpower. [Which, if I remember correctly, was what the Department of Labour used to be called.]

    Sieg

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    Gold Member garthu's Avatar
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    Aha, makes sense.. the name change of dept's didn't add up!
    Thanks...
    Garth

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    The problem with the "New" regulations is that if one change a light switch a COC needs to be issued, because a change was made. Even when using the same make, spec etc. All ceiling fans need to be on E/L as well. A few years back, light circuits were removed that you will be able to see in your house while resetting after a trip. Now it needs to go back and the max amount of 3wires per terminal will be exceeded, because our electrician friends will not fit the extra neatral bar as required. Sleep well till your house burn down. Eish, new SA, new rules, new ideas...not always practical.

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    Where does it say about fans on earth leakage??

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    SANS 10142-1 Reg 6.16.1.4 States;Where a fan or heater is included in a luminaire, the luminaire is regarded as a fixed appliance. If the luminaire circuit is protected by earth leakage, a disconnector is not required as stated in Reg 6.9.3.1.
    Hope it helps to clear the matter for you.

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