Forum Home
Press F1
Thread ID: 36885	2003-08-22 23:07:00	OT - Qualifications needed for basic electrical work	somebody (208)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
169673	2003-08-22 23:07:00	I sometimes help out local schools with sound and lighting. However, sometimes there are minor repairs needed to be done to extention leads, or power plugs on devices. To date, I have been unable to do any of these repairs, as I have been told I need some kind of qualification to be able to. Does anyone know what sort of qualification will be needed, for minor electrical work to mains powered deviced not permanently wired into the national grid? Also, how much would you expect such a course to cost, and how much time would it take to complete?	somebody (208)
169674	2003-08-22 23:08:00	I know how to do the repairs, but I just need the qualifications saying that I'm legally allowed to do them.	somebody (208)
169675	2003-08-23 00:02:00	As far as I know you don't need any qualification (although you may be wise to get an electrician in just to check your work)... but don't quote me on that one :) I had a job for a few weeks several years ago removing the European style power plug and attaching the NZ plug to [unnamed brand] power tools... I was 15 and had no qualifications. Some of them I just attached a new plug, others I opened the tool and replaced the whole power-lead. Mike.	Mike (15)
169676	2003-08-23 01:06:00	Somebody. Try ringing your local Polytech Electrical Dept & ask them. They will advise you what courses etc are available. I used to be an exceptionally brilliant electrician (coughs modestly at this point), ( or is that, chokes on the bulldust?). I seem to remember there was a Limited Licence way back then, which applied to White Goods sevicing & Appliance sevicing, but did not allow you to work on Fixed Mains Wiring PJ :D	Poppa John (284)
169677	2003-08-23 01:47:00	If you were doing the work for yourself in your own home I think it would be all legit. But seeing as this is not the case I think you'll need to get some quals.	-=JM=- (16)
169678	2003-08-23 02:23:00	i'm somewhat rusty on this but as far i know you can do your own electrical work in your own home. however to do it somewhere esle and exspecially if you get PAID to do it your require an electrial cert, unless you are doing it under supervision of a qualified person. >I had a job for a few weeks several years ago removing the European style power plug and attaching the NZ plug to [unnamed brand] power tools... I was 15 and had no qualifications. Some of them I just attached a new plug, others I opened the tool and replaced the whole power-lead. illegal unless you where supervised by a registered sparky. one of the easyest certs is the applaince cert which basicly means you can work on electrical applainces up to the power point (very rusty here). any local sparky should be able to give you a run down on the latest rules.	tweak'e (174)
169679	2003-08-23 02:36:00	Do the rules change if I am not being paid to do it? Yes, the things which I was thinking of repairing are not in my own home, but are at a local school. Also, if I didn't have any qualifications, but did the work, then got a registered electrician to check/test and give it an electrical safety sticker, would that be legal? Has anyone completed a course in this sort of thing before? What were the cost and time involved?	somebody (208)
169680	2003-08-23 02:49:00	The fact that you are not being paid is irrelevant. Its covered by legislation, and its more than a "short course". Think years, not weeks, if you don't have any work experience that would count towards the qualifications. You would need to be Registered as an Electrical Service Technician. That involves formal training, and the examinations in Practical work and Theory, plus Safety. It covers 3 pages of the Electricity Regulations 1997. If an electrician takes the responsibility, then he can test and issue the safety certificates. Its his responsibility to ensure its safe before its used. If anyone was injured due to faulty work, then the repercussions are extreme.	godfather (25)
169681	2003-08-23 02:57:00	To do any electrical work for reward (whether money, goods or in kind) you require a Practising Licence issued by the Electrical Workers Registration Board. You can only work on your own property without a licence, and no employer can lawfully use you for this work without you having a licence, especially at a school where the consequences of an electrical hazard are too horrible to contemplate. The type of licence you will require is that for an Electrical Service Technician. This is available in several grades to suit the level of work required of you. The base level is EST-A and courses to obtain the training necessary to qualify for this licence are available at most Polytechs. You are able to carry out limited work without a licence but you must be under the supervision of a Licence holder, who must accept responsibility for your work. Your work must also be tested for electrical safety before use. Penalties for working without a licence are due to increase substantially and your employer is also liable so it is not worth the risk to work without a licence or without appropriate supervision. This does not mean that you are not competent, it simply means that OSH legislation and the Electrical Licencing regime are becoming closer aligned for workplace and public safety. Further information can be obtained at ewrb.govt.nz or most Polytechs, though don't count on the Polytechs knowing much about the applicable legislation as they are there to sell courses, not electrical safety. Cheers Billy 8-{)	Billy T (70)
169682	2003-08-23 03:03:00	If you are doing this for yourself in your home no problem as long as its not fixed wiring. If you are doing this work for reward for someone then you need to have a practising licence for a Registered Electrical Service Technician. There are 2 categories 1. Limited to the maintenance of electrical appliances rated up to 10 amps 230 volt, single phase supplied via plug and flexible cord. 2.Limited to the maintenance of electrical appliances and fittings rated up to 460 volts including their disconnection from and reconnection to fixed wiring. These are obtained from the Electrical Workers registration Board. But you must have been doing this work under supervision for at least 3 years. Regards Trev	drys (347)
1 2 3