the master electrician summer 2010
DESCRIPTION
The Master Electrician is the leading magazine for the electrotechnology industry in Australia. The magazine includes important updates from regulators, distributors, industry commentators as well as exciting features about topical initiatives.TRANSCRIPT
themaster
HUGE OPPORTUNITYfor electrical contractors
INTERNET INNOVATIONto dismantle duopoly
THE INTERVIEwRod Welford
inside
Reg
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red
by A
ustr
alia
Pos
t Pub
licat
ions
No.
PP
4240
22/2
346
SU
MM
ER
10
MasteR electRicians dRiVes ReFORMs OF insulatiOn saFety standaRds
ReneWaBle eneRGy sPOtliGHt
Bioreactor technology
BRiGHt ideas On ManaGinG casH FlOW
2 www.masterelectricians.com.au the master electrician : SUMMER 10 3
After influencing a national policy change, hosting the annual awards of excellence and launching a national television and radio campaign, the last three months at Head Office have been jam-packed with excitement.
As we begin 2010, many contractors are reflecting on their businesses, what is working, what could be working better – and ways they can plan for future growth. This edition we look at bright ideas for managing cash flow and controlling ever increasing debtor lists, turn to page 14 for all the details.
Master Electricians’ stance on foil-based insulation saw a ban to metal fasteners, a colossal win for Master Electricians and ECA, a win which will continue to position them as the national peak body for the electrotechnology industry.
New year, new opportunities – we’ve got the latest on the electrical industry trend that is set to boom. Don’t miss out on your piece of the pie, turn to page 22.
With an abundance of renewable energy options now readily available, industry innovators are continuing to launch new ways to combat climate change. This edition we feature a story on the development of bioreactor technology at a Sydney based shopping centre.
Interested in energy auditing? Turn to page 38 to find out what opportunities the Energy Management Institute can offer you.
Until next time...
Kylie RobertsASSOCIATE EDITOr
Editor’snotEWelcome to the Summer 2010 issue of The Master Electrician.
Disclaimer: The statements and opinions expressed in this publication are offered solely in pursuance of the objects of the electrical and communications association and master electricians australia to provide an informative service to contractors in the electrical industry on legal, commercial and other issues and problems related to the industry. The electrical and communications association and master electricians australia are not aware that any person intends to act or rely upon such statements and opinions contained in this publication or the manner in which it might be possible to do so. The electrical and communications association and master electricians australia issues no invitation to any member or other persons to act or rely upon such statements or opinions or any of them and it accepts no responsibility for any of them. it intends by this provision to exclude, to the extent permitted by law, all liability for any such statements and opinions. The master electrician magazine can be viewed online at www.masterelectricians.com.au
Editorial Contacts & Contributors
General Enquiriesmaster electricians australia
57 Berwick Street, Fortitude Valley
PO Box 2438, Fortitude Valley BC
Queensland 4006
phone 1300 889 198
fax 07 3251 2400
email [email protected]
web www.masterelectricians.com.au
abn 97 131 416 183
editor Malcolm Richards
associate editor Kylie Roberts
advertising enquiries Glenn Stevens
phone 07 3252 4860
email [email protected]
design and print POMO 07 3844 3873
kEEpup-to-datE
yEarly subscriptions
(4 issuEs) just $38.50
10SU
MM
ER
Watts neW
A PARADIGM SHIFT FOR TECHNOLOGY
READ MORE PaGe 20
GadGet Guide
KEEPING YOU IN THE KNOw
READ MORE PaGe 41
tecHnical talK
THE PHASE-OUT OF INEFFICIENT, INCANDESCENT LIGHT BULBS
READ MORE PaGe 42
www.masterelectricians.com.auor call 1300 889 198
contents04 up front with the regulators
08 shopping around for renewable energy
10 the buzz
14 bright ideas on managing cash flow
16 master electricians drives reforms of
insulation safety standards
22 coal seam gas
27 meet a master electrician
28 internet innovation to disable duopoly
30 news from distributors
34 letter of the law
36 interview
40 techno biz
45 workplace relations
48 all about ME
50 test drive
52 events calendar
53 your best (or worst) funny story
54 last word
THE MASTER ELECTRICIAN MAGAzINE CAN BE VIEwED ONLINE AT
www.masterelectricians.com.au
Average Net Distribution 26, 261CAB Audited as at 30 September 2009
2 www.masterelectricians.com.au the master electrician : SUMMER 10 3
After influencing a national policy change, hosting the annual awards of excellence and launching a national television and radio campaign, the last three months at Head Office have been jam-packed with excitement.
As we begin 2010, many contractors are reflecting on their businesses, what is working, what could be working better – and ways they can plan for future growth. This edition we look at bright ideas for managing cash flow and controlling ever increasing debtor lists, turn to page 14 for all the details.
Master Electricians’ stance on foil-based insulation saw a ban to metal fasteners, a colossal win for Master Electricians and ECA, a win which will continue to position them as the national peak body for the electrotechnology industry.
New year, new opportunities – we’ve got the latest on the electrical industry trend that is set to boom. Don’t miss out on your piece of the pie, turn to page 22.
With an abundance of renewable energy options now readily available, industry innovators are continuing to launch new ways to combat climate change. This edition we feature a story on the development of bioreactor technology at a Sydney based shopping centre.
Interested in energy auditing? Turn to page 38 to find out what opportunities the Energy Management Institute can offer you.
Until next time...
Kylie RobertsASSOCIATE EDITOr
Editor’snotEWelcome to the Summer 2010 issue of The Master Electrician.
Disclaimer: The statements and opinions expressed in this publication are offered solely in pursuance of the objects of the electrical and communications association and master electricians australia to provide an informative service to contractors in the electrical industry on legal, commercial and other issues and problems related to the industry. The electrical and communications association and master electricians australia are not aware that any person intends to act or rely upon such statements and opinions contained in this publication or the manner in which it might be possible to do so. The electrical and communications association and master electricians australia issues no invitation to any member or other persons to act or rely upon such statements or opinions or any of them and it accepts no responsibility for any of them. it intends by this provision to exclude, to the extent permitted by law, all liability for any such statements and opinions. The master electrician magazine can be viewed online at www.masterelectricians.com.au
Editorial Contacts & Contributors
General Enquiriesmaster electricians australia
57 Berwick Street, Fortitude Valley
PO Box 2438, Fortitude Valley BC
Queensland 4006
phone 1300 889 198
fax 07 3251 2400
email [email protected]
web www.masterelectricians.com.au
abn 97 131 416 183
editor Malcolm Richards
associate editor Kylie Roberts
advertising enquiries Glenn Stevens
phone 07 3252 4860
email [email protected]
design and print POMO 07 3844 3873
kEEpup-to-datE
yEarly subscriptions
(4 issuEs) just $38.50
10SU
MM
ER
Watts neW
A PARADIGM SHIFT FOR TECHNOLOGY
READ MORE PaGe 20
GadGet Guide
KEEPING YOU IN THE KNOw
READ MORE PaGe 41
tecHnical talK
THE PHASE-OUT OF INEFFICIENT, INCANDESCENT LIGHT BULBS
READ MORE PaGe 42
www.masterelectricians.com.auor call 1300 889 198
contents04 up front with the regulators
08 shopping around for renewable energy
10 the buzz
14 bright ideas on managing cash flow
16 master electricians drives reforms of
insulation safety standards
22 coal seam gas
27 meet a master electrician
28 internet innovation to disable duopoly
30 news from distributors
34 letter of the law
36 interview
40 techno biz
45 workplace relations
48 all about ME
50 test drive
52 events calendar
53 your best (or worst) funny story
54 last word
THE MASTER ELECTRICIAN MAGAzINE CAN BE VIEwED ONLINE AT
www.masterelectricians.com.au
Average Net Distribution 26, 261CAB Audited as at 30 September 2009
up front w
ith the regulators : STATE
NE
wS
4 www.masterelectricians.com.au 5the master electrician : SUMMER 10
n BondingofmetallicsupportforLV
overheadservicen CombinesHighVoltage(HV)clearancesfrom
bothsetsofregulationsn Revisiontoprivateoverheadelectricline
(POEL)requirementsn Reviseddefinitionsofprescribedelectrical
installationworkn Changestoinspectionrequirementsto
includepart1solutions.Certificateof
electricalsafety(COES)pricingisnowfeeunit
based.ThismeansthatthepriceofCOESwill
beindexedannuallyinlinewithinflationn Changestorequirementsforreporting
ofincidentstoincludecomplexelectrical
installationsandrailways.
ESVwillbeconductingseminarsacrossVictoria
early this year explaining the differences
between the old and the new regulations and
their implications for the electrical trades. The
locations and dates for the seminars will be
announcedsoon.
An explanation of the changes will
be available soon on the ESV website at
www.esv.vic.gov.au.
western australia
EnergySafetynew Rcd laws frequently asked questions
energySafety’sRCDwebsitelistsanumberof
frequentlyaskedquestions.Belowaresome
additionalquestionsandanswersrecentlyadded
to the website. Please visit www.energysafety.
wa.gov.au/RCDforfurtherinformation.
Q: With respect to the recent legislation to
retrofit RCDs into tenanted properties
and at point of sale for residential
properties, if I install RCDs, I will also
have to rewire light and power circuits
in the installation so the RCDs will
not ‘nuisance trip’. This will be very
expensive for the home owner. Can these
types of installations be exempt from
the legislation?
A:No.Ifthecircuitwiringisinsuchastate
ofdeterioration,itshouldbereplaced.
Costisnotavalidreasontocompromise
electricalsafety.
Q: If I install RCDs, do I have to submit a
Notice of Completion for the work?
A:Yes.InstallingmorethanoneRCDis
notifiableworkandmustbecertifiedby
submittingaNoticeofCompletion.The
electricalcontractormustalsopreparean
ElectricalSafetyCertificateforthiswork.The
certificatemustbedeliveredtothepersonfor
whomtheworkwascarriedout.
Q: With respect to the recent legislation to
retrofit RCDs into tenanted properties
and at point of sale for residential
properties, do I need two RCDs for
house services?
A:No.Houseservicespowerandlightcircuits
needonlybeprotectedbyoneRCD.Similarly,
inaresidencewithashed,powerandlight
circuitsfortheshedneedonlybeprotected
byoneRCD.Theactualresidencerequiresa
minimumoftwoRCDstoprotectthepower
andlightcircuits.
Q: If I am asked to verify that an installation
has a minimum of two RCDs, do I have
to submit a Notice of Completion for this
checking work?
A:No.Ifyouaremerelyconfirmingthatthe
installationhasaminimumoftwoRCDs,
youneedonlyprovideanElectricalSafety
Certificateforthischecking.Samplewording
victoria
Energy Safe Victorianew electrical safety installations regulations for Victoria
v ictoria’s Electricity Safety Installation
Regulations 2009 are about to be
proclaimed. The successful introduction of the
new regulations follows more than 12 months
of intensive development work by Energy Safe
Victoria (ESV) working in conjunction with the
electricityindustry.
The new regulations combine the essential
safety components of Victoria’s existing 1999
installationregulationsandtheElectricitySafety
(NetworkAssets)Regulations1999,whichare
notbeingremade.
They do not contain provisions relating to
licensingandregistrationofelectricalworkers.
These will be the subject of a new set of
regulations, the Electricity Safety (Registration
and Licensing) Regulations, which will be
publishedseparatelythisyear.
Here are some of the principle differences
betweenthe1999and2009regulations:n RetainsreferencetoclausesofAS/NZS3000
2007AnnexKforhighvoltageinstallations
tobeusedinconjunctionwithAS2067.
ThisannexwasremovedfromAS/NZS3000
2007byAmendment1.ESVwillmakethis
annexavailableonline.Thisensuresthe
independentinspectionofinstallations.
Inspectorscannotinspectaninstallationthey
havedesigned.Thisdoesnotincludegiving
advicerelatingtotheActandregulationsn Mandateslabellingofpart1solutions,wiring
notincommonareasofmultipleoccupancies
andtoindicatethepresenceofauxiliary
generationsystems
regulatorsup front with the
ThE NEw REgUlATioNS CoMBiNE ThE ESSENTiAl SAfETy CoMPoNENTS of ViCToRiA’S ExiSTiNg 1999
iNSTAllATioN REgUlATioNS AND ThE ElECTRiCiTy
SAfETy (NETwoRk ASSETS) REgUlATioNS 1999, whiCh
ARE NoT BEiNg REMADE
up front w
ith the regulators : STATE
NE
wS
4 www.masterelectricians.com.au 5the master electrician : SUMMER 10
n BondingofmetallicsupportforLV
overheadservicen CombinesHighVoltage(HV)clearancesfrom
bothsetsofregulationsn Revisiontoprivateoverheadelectricline
(POEL)requirementsn Reviseddefinitionsofprescribedelectrical
installationworkn Changestoinspectionrequirementsto
includepart1solutions.Certificateof
electricalsafety(COES)pricingisnowfeeunit
based.ThismeansthatthepriceofCOESwill
beindexedannuallyinlinewithinflationn Changestorequirementsforreporting
ofincidentstoincludecomplexelectrical
installationsandrailways.
ESVwillbeconductingseminarsacrossVictoria
early this year explaining the differences
between the old and the new regulations and
their implications for the electrical trades. The
locations and dates for the seminars will be
announcedsoon.
An explanation of the changes will
be available soon on the ESV website at
www.esv.vic.gov.au.
western australia
EnergySafetynew Rcd laws frequently asked questions
energySafety’sRCDwebsitelistsanumberof
frequentlyaskedquestions.Belowaresome
additionalquestionsandanswersrecentlyadded
to the website. Please visit www.energysafety.
wa.gov.au/RCDforfurtherinformation.
Q: With respect to the recent legislation to
retrofit RCDs into tenanted properties
and at point of sale for residential
properties, if I install RCDs, I will also
have to rewire light and power circuits
in the installation so the RCDs will
not ‘nuisance trip’. This will be very
expensive for the home owner. Can these
types of installations be exempt from
the legislation?
A:No.Ifthecircuitwiringisinsuchastate
ofdeterioration,itshouldbereplaced.
Costisnotavalidreasontocompromise
electricalsafety.
Q: If I install RCDs, do I have to submit a
Notice of Completion for the work?
A:Yes.InstallingmorethanoneRCDis
notifiableworkandmustbecertifiedby
submittingaNoticeofCompletion.The
electricalcontractormustalsopreparean
ElectricalSafetyCertificateforthiswork.The
certificatemustbedeliveredtothepersonfor
whomtheworkwascarriedout.
Q: With respect to the recent legislation to
retrofit RCDs into tenanted properties
and at point of sale for residential
properties, do I need two RCDs for
house services?
A:No.Houseservicespowerandlightcircuits
needonlybeprotectedbyoneRCD.Similarly,
inaresidencewithashed,powerandlight
circuitsfortheshedneedonlybeprotected
byoneRCD.Theactualresidencerequiresa
minimumoftwoRCDstoprotectthepower
andlightcircuits.
Q: If I am asked to verify that an installation
has a minimum of two RCDs, do I have
to submit a Notice of Completion for this
checking work?
A:No.Ifyouaremerelyconfirmingthatthe
installationhasaminimumoftwoRCDs,
youneedonlyprovideanElectricalSafety
Certificateforthischecking.Samplewording
victoria
Energy Safe Victorianew electrical safety installations regulations for Victoria
v ictoria’s Electricity Safety Installation
Regulations 2009 are about to be
proclaimed. The successful introduction of the
new regulations follows more than 12 months
of intensive development work by Energy Safe
Victoria (ESV) working in conjunction with the
electricityindustry.
The new regulations combine the essential
safety components of Victoria’s existing 1999
installationregulationsandtheElectricitySafety
(NetworkAssets)Regulations1999,whichare
notbeingremade.
They do not contain provisions relating to
licensingandregistrationofelectricalworkers.
These will be the subject of a new set of
regulations, the Electricity Safety (Registration
and Licensing) Regulations, which will be
publishedseparatelythisyear.
Here are some of the principle differences
betweenthe1999and2009regulations:n RetainsreferencetoclausesofAS/NZS3000
2007AnnexKforhighvoltageinstallations
tobeusedinconjunctionwithAS2067.
ThisannexwasremovedfromAS/NZS3000
2007byAmendment1.ESVwillmakethis
annexavailableonline.Thisensuresthe
independentinspectionofinstallations.
Inspectorscannotinspectaninstallationthey
havedesigned.Thisdoesnotincludegiving
advicerelatingtotheActandregulationsn Mandateslabellingofpart1solutions,wiring
notincommonareasofmultipleoccupancies
andtoindicatethepresenceofauxiliary
generationsystems
regulatorsup front with the
ThE NEw REgUlATioNS CoMBiNE ThE ESSENTiAl SAfETy CoMPoNENTS of ViCToRiA’S ExiSTiNg 1999
iNSTAllATioN REgUlATioNS AND ThE ElECTRiCiTy
SAfETy (NETwoRk ASSETS) REgUlATioNS 1999, whiCh
ARE NoT BEiNg REMADE
6 www.masterelectricians.com.au 7the master electrician : SUMMER 10
up front w
ith the regulators : STATE
NE
wS
queenslanD
Electrical Safety officeNew safety switch proposals for public discussion
the Electrical Safety office is seeking input to proposals for new
requirements for the retrofitting of safety switches to lighting and
power circuits in all forms of domestic accommodation in Queensland.
The Electrical Safety Regulation 2002 currently requires the fitting
of safety switches on both power and lighting circuits in all new
residences and in all new residential electrical installations.
in addition, retrospective fitting of safety switches on power circuits
in post-1992 domestic residences is required on their sale or rental
where a residential tenancy agreement applies. other residences
built prior to 1992 are not at present subject to mandatory safety
switch requirements.
A discussion paper outlining proposals for change has been
circulated to industry and consumer organisations for their
consideration and response.
The move to mandatory safety switch requirements for all forms
of domestic accommodation over a five-year period is proposed in
three stages.
1. owners of rental and temporary accommodation premises which
are sold or the title transferred, to have safety switches installed
on power and lighting circuits within three months of the sale or
transfer of the property
2. owners of all rental and temporary accommodation premises, to
have safety switches installed on power and lighting circuits within
two years
3. All other domestic residences to have safety switches installed on
power and lighting circuits within five years (or within three months
of their sale or transfer).
The discussion paper estimates the cost of fitting a safety switch
at between $200 and $250 per unit and notes that, for temporary
accommodation establishments associated with a business, this cost
can be recouped as a business expense and is tax deductible.
There are various devices available on the market for domestic
premises enabling safety switches to be fitted into, or near, most
older-style switchboards, keeping installation costs to a minimum.
The options have been developed taking into consideration the
related demands on the electrical contracting industry and to allow
businesses and home owners a reasonable phase-in period in which
to meet the attendant costs.
Submissions on the proposals close on 26 february 2010 and
any final proposal for regulatory changes will be subject to regulatory
impact assessment and government approval.
Electrical apprentices safety pilot program a success
the Electrical Safety office (ESo) is set to expand a successful pilot
training program during 2010 to raise safety awareness among
Queensland’s apprentice electricians.
Executive Director of the Electrical Safety office Peter lamont said
the fatality last year of an electrical tradesperson who was only nine
months out of his apprenticeship and other serious incidents highlighted
how vital it was to work more closely with electrical apprentices.
Mr lamont said safe workplace practices needed to be entrenched at
the start of an apprentice’s career to prevent such tragedies occurring.
There have been 28 serious incidents involving electrical workers in
Queensland in the last two years, including two fatalities.
Three fourth-year apprentices recently completed a 12-week pilot
program which highlighted the work of the ESo in ensuring that the
safety message is delivered to those about to start their career in the
electrical industry.
During the 12-week program, the apprentices spent time in the
field with electrical inspectors assisting with process audits, electrical
installation verification and some safety investigations.
when the apprentices return to their workplaces, their experiences
will help them to promote a stronger emphasis on electrical safety.
The program, which has industry support, aims to help improve the
apprentices’ knowledge and awareness of electrical safety and promote
the role of the ESo, while offering secure work placements.
The ESo will expand the program during 2010 with six fourth-
year apprentices.
Disciplinary actions taken against an electrical contractor
in a recent hearing of the Electrical licensing Committee the holder
of an electrical work licence was fined and his licence suspended.
The worker had knowingly represented himself as having a current
Queensland electrical contractor licence and performed electrical
contracting work when he knew he was not entitled to do so.
further, he had failed to install a MEN link in the main switchboard
of a residence and left several other serious electrical defects at
the installation.
he then submitted a form 2 to Energex in the name of another
contractor without that contractor’s knowledge.
The licensing Committee fined him $1000, and suspended his
licence for three months, but deferred the suspension for one month
on the condition that he satisfactorily completes an approved course
on electrical installation testing and inspection. The suspension will
be revoked providing he completes the course in the time stated and
pays the fine.
forthischeckingworkisalongthelinesof
“Inspectedinstallation.ConfirmedtwoRCDs
areinstalledtoprotectallsocketoutletsand
lightingfinalsubcircuitsinaccordancewith
AS/NZS3000:2007WiringRules”.
Q: Do RCDs have to be fitted to park homes
where the owner owns the building but
not the land (which is subject to a lease)?
A:TheowneronlyneedstofittwoRCDsif
thebuildingissoldorrented.Mostofthese
cabinsaresuppliedbyaflexiblecordandinlet
socket.InthiscaseoneRCDisacceptableina
cabinwhichissuppliedbyoneinletsocket.At
leasttwowouldberequirediftherearetwo
ormoreinletsockets
Q: Do RCDs need to be fitted in
caravan parks?
A:Caravanparksareclassedasresidential
premises,therefore,theyfallunderthenew
RCDlaws.Theonsitepermanentlywired
cabinsrequiretwoRCDswhentheyaresold,
leasedorrented.Anexemptioncanbeissued
foroneRCDwherethecabindoesnothave
aswitchboardortheswitchboarddoesnot
havesufficientspacetoinstalltwoRCDs.All
thelightingandsocketoutletcircuitsinthe
caravanpark(whichissold,rentedorleased)
mustbeprotectedbyRCDsasthecaravan
parkisaresidentialpremise.Clearlyonlyone
RCDisnecessarytoprotectanindividual
socketoutletsupplyingacaravan.
Q: Are RCDs required to be fitted to
a caravan?
A:CaravansrequireRCDsifsold,rentedor
leased.OneRCDisacceptableinacaravan
whichissuppliedbyoneinletsocket.Atleast
twowouldberequirediftherearetwoor
moreinletsockets.
new south wales
Department of fair Tradingcounterfeit power points
this is information for all licensed electrical
contractors and network operators, on
unapproved and counterfeit HPM branded
XL777WEdoublesocketoutlets.
TheNewSouthWalesOfficeofFairTrading
has investigated the sale and installation of
unapproved and counterfeit HPM branded
XL777WEdoublesocketoutlets.Thesesocket
outletshavebeendistributedthroughelectrical
wholesalersandbydirectsaletocontractorsby
phonecontact.
Theseoutletscanbeidentifiedbythemissing
words‘MADE’or‘MADEIN’betweentheHPM
logo and the word ‘AUSTRALIA’ next to the
active,neutralandearthscrewsofthemoulding
oftheterminalblocks.Alsotheword‘MADE’is
missingnext to thewords ‘INAUSTRALIA’on
themouldingontherearofthefaceplatenext
totheearthterminal.
Electrical contractors are reminded of their
obligations under sections 16 and 31 of the
Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2004 and
section32oftheElectricity(ConsumerSafety)
Regulation2006inthesaleandinstallationof
electricalarticles.Penaltiesapplytocompanies
and individuals convicted of offences for
breaching this legislation and may include
suspension or cancellation of licences under
provisionsoftheHome Building Act 1989.
If you have installed any of these socket
outletsorhaveanyknowledgeofsuppliersof
theseelectricalarticlesyouareurgedtocontact
theOfficeofFairTradingbyphoneon133220.
south australia
office of Business and Consumer Affairsnational trade licensing system
in July 2008 the Council of Australian
Governments (COAG) agreed to establish a
national trade licensing system (NLS) that will
remove inconsistenciesacross statebordersand
allowforamuchmoremobileworkforce.
Oncealicenceisissuedthelicenceholderwill
beabletousethelicencetoworkanywherein
Australiawithoutadditionalpaperworkorcost.
COAGhasagreedthatnationaltradelicensing
initially be applied to the following range of
economicallyimportantoccupations:nbuildingnelectricalnplumbingandgasfittingnairconditioningandrefrigerationmechanicsnlandtransport(passengervehicledrivers,
dangerousgoods)nmaritimenpropertyagents.
Regulators,industryandotherkeystakeholders
have been involved in the development of
the new system and will continue to be
consulted by the COAG National Licensing
Taskforce as the new national trade licensing
system isprogressed. It isanticipatedthat the
nationallicensingsystemwillbeoperationalby
July2012.
Formoreinformationaboutthedevelopment
and implementation of the NLS please go to
the National Licensing website (https://www.
govdex.gov.au/confluence/display/COAGNL/
Home). The website provides links to the
Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) and a
Regulation ImpactStatement(RIS),factsheets
andalistoffrequentlyaskedquestions.
6 www.masterelectricians.com.au 7the master electrician : SUMMER 10
up front w
ith the regulators : STATE
NE
wS
queenslanD
Electrical Safety officeNew safety switch proposals for public discussion
the Electrical Safety office is seeking input to proposals for new
requirements for the retrofitting of safety switches to lighting and
power circuits in all forms of domestic accommodation in Queensland.
The Electrical Safety Regulation 2002 currently requires the fitting
of safety switches on both power and lighting circuits in all new
residences and in all new residential electrical installations.
in addition, retrospective fitting of safety switches on power circuits
in post-1992 domestic residences is required on their sale or rental
where a residential tenancy agreement applies. other residences
built prior to 1992 are not at present subject to mandatory safety
switch requirements.
A discussion paper outlining proposals for change has been
circulated to industry and consumer organisations for their
consideration and response.
The move to mandatory safety switch requirements for all forms
of domestic accommodation over a five-year period is proposed in
three stages.
1. owners of rental and temporary accommodation premises which
are sold or the title transferred, to have safety switches installed
on power and lighting circuits within three months of the sale or
transfer of the property
2. owners of all rental and temporary accommodation premises, to
have safety switches installed on power and lighting circuits within
two years
3. All other domestic residences to have safety switches installed on
power and lighting circuits within five years (or within three months
of their sale or transfer).
The discussion paper estimates the cost of fitting a safety switch
at between $200 and $250 per unit and notes that, for temporary
accommodation establishments associated with a business, this cost
can be recouped as a business expense and is tax deductible.
There are various devices available on the market for domestic
premises enabling safety switches to be fitted into, or near, most
older-style switchboards, keeping installation costs to a minimum.
The options have been developed taking into consideration the
related demands on the electrical contracting industry and to allow
businesses and home owners a reasonable phase-in period in which
to meet the attendant costs.
Submissions on the proposals close on 26 february 2010 and
any final proposal for regulatory changes will be subject to regulatory
impact assessment and government approval.
Electrical apprentices safety pilot program a success
the Electrical Safety office (ESo) is set to expand a successful pilot
training program during 2010 to raise safety awareness among
Queensland’s apprentice electricians.
Executive Director of the Electrical Safety office Peter lamont said
the fatality last year of an electrical tradesperson who was only nine
months out of his apprenticeship and other serious incidents highlighted
how vital it was to work more closely with electrical apprentices.
Mr lamont said safe workplace practices needed to be entrenched at
the start of an apprentice’s career to prevent such tragedies occurring.
There have been 28 serious incidents involving electrical workers in
Queensland in the last two years, including two fatalities.
Three fourth-year apprentices recently completed a 12-week pilot
program which highlighted the work of the ESo in ensuring that the
safety message is delivered to those about to start their career in the
electrical industry.
During the 12-week program, the apprentices spent time in the
field with electrical inspectors assisting with process audits, electrical
installation verification and some safety investigations.
when the apprentices return to their workplaces, their experiences
will help them to promote a stronger emphasis on electrical safety.
The program, which has industry support, aims to help improve the
apprentices’ knowledge and awareness of electrical safety and promote
the role of the ESo, while offering secure work placements.
The ESo will expand the program during 2010 with six fourth-
year apprentices.
Disciplinary actions taken against an electrical contractor
in a recent hearing of the Electrical licensing Committee the holder
of an electrical work licence was fined and his licence suspended.
The worker had knowingly represented himself as having a current
Queensland electrical contractor licence and performed electrical
contracting work when he knew he was not entitled to do so.
further, he had failed to install a MEN link in the main switchboard
of a residence and left several other serious electrical defects at
the installation.
he then submitted a form 2 to Energex in the name of another
contractor without that contractor’s knowledge.
The licensing Committee fined him $1000, and suspended his
licence for three months, but deferred the suspension for one month
on the condition that he satisfactorily completes an approved course
on electrical installation testing and inspection. The suspension will
be revoked providing he completes the course in the time stated and
pays the fine.
forthischeckingworkisalongthelinesof
“Inspectedinstallation.ConfirmedtwoRCDs
areinstalledtoprotectallsocketoutletsand
lightingfinalsubcircuitsinaccordancewith
AS/NZS3000:2007WiringRules”.
Q: Do RCDs have to be fitted to park homes
where the owner owns the building but
not the land (which is subject to a lease)?
A:TheowneronlyneedstofittwoRCDsif
thebuildingissoldorrented.Mostofthese
cabinsaresuppliedbyaflexiblecordandinlet
socket.InthiscaseoneRCDisacceptableina
cabinwhichissuppliedbyoneinletsocket.At
leasttwowouldberequirediftherearetwo
ormoreinletsockets
Q: Do RCDs need to be fitted in
caravan parks?
A:Caravanparksareclassedasresidential
premises,therefore,theyfallunderthenew
RCDlaws.Theonsitepermanentlywired
cabinsrequiretwoRCDswhentheyaresold,
leasedorrented.Anexemptioncanbeissued
foroneRCDwherethecabindoesnothave
aswitchboardortheswitchboarddoesnot
havesufficientspacetoinstalltwoRCDs.All
thelightingandsocketoutletcircuitsinthe
caravanpark(whichissold,rentedorleased)
mustbeprotectedbyRCDsasthecaravan
parkisaresidentialpremise.Clearlyonlyone
RCDisnecessarytoprotectanindividual
socketoutletsupplyingacaravan.
Q: Are RCDs required to be fitted to
a caravan?
A:CaravansrequireRCDsifsold,rentedor
leased.OneRCDisacceptableinacaravan
whichissuppliedbyoneinletsocket.Atleast
twowouldberequirediftherearetwoor
moreinletsockets.
new south wales
Department of fair Tradingcounterfeit power points
this is information for all licensed electrical
contractors and network operators, on
unapproved and counterfeit HPM branded
XL777WEdoublesocketoutlets.
TheNewSouthWalesOfficeofFairTrading
has investigated the sale and installation of
unapproved and counterfeit HPM branded
XL777WEdoublesocketoutlets.Thesesocket
outletshavebeendistributedthroughelectrical
wholesalersandbydirectsaletocontractorsby
phonecontact.
Theseoutletscanbeidentifiedbythemissing
words‘MADE’or‘MADEIN’betweentheHPM
logo and the word ‘AUSTRALIA’ next to the
active,neutralandearthscrewsofthemoulding
oftheterminalblocks.Alsotheword‘MADE’is
missingnext to thewords ‘INAUSTRALIA’on
themouldingontherearofthefaceplatenext
totheearthterminal.
Electrical contractors are reminded of their
obligations under sections 16 and 31 of the
Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2004 and
section32oftheElectricity(ConsumerSafety)
Regulation2006inthesaleandinstallationof
electricalarticles.Penaltiesapplytocompanies
and individuals convicted of offences for
breaching this legislation and may include
suspension or cancellation of licences under
provisionsoftheHome Building Act 1989.
If you have installed any of these socket
outletsorhaveanyknowledgeofsuppliersof
theseelectricalarticlesyouareurgedtocontact
theOfficeofFairTradingbyphoneon133220.
south australia
office of Business and Consumer Affairsnational trade licensing system
in July 2008 the Council of Australian
Governments (COAG) agreed to establish a
national trade licensing system (NLS) that will
remove inconsistenciesacross statebordersand
allowforamuchmoremobileworkforce.
Oncealicenceisissuedthelicenceholderwill
beabletousethelicencetoworkanywherein
Australiawithoutadditionalpaperworkorcost.
COAGhasagreedthatnationaltradelicensing
initially be applied to the following range of
economicallyimportantoccupations:nbuildingnelectricalnplumbingandgasfittingnairconditioningandrefrigerationmechanicsnlandtransport(passengervehicledrivers,
dangerousgoods)nmaritimenpropertyagents.
Regulators,industryandotherkeystakeholders
have been involved in the development of
the new system and will continue to be
consulted by the COAG National Licensing
Taskforce as the new national trade licensing
system isprogressed. It isanticipatedthat the
nationallicensingsystemwillbeoperationalby
July2012.
Formoreinformationaboutthedevelopment
and implementation of the NLS please go to
the National Licensing website (https://www.
govdex.gov.au/confluence/display/COAGNL/
Home). The website provides links to the
Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) and a
Regulation ImpactStatement(RIS),factsheets
andalistoffrequentlyaskedquestions.
8 9the master electrician : SUMMER 10
renewab
le energy spotlight : S
HO
PP
ING
AR
OU
ND
FOR
RE
NE
wA
BLE
EN
ER
GY
9
Shopping around for renewable energy
RENEWABLE ENERGY
SPOTLIGHTit’s the time of year when Australian retailers have marked down stock, are clearing their shelves and making way for next season’s products. But with sales on the up, so is the amount of waste left behind. This has prompted one Sydney-based shopping centre to turn its trash into renewable energy treasure.
www.masterelectricians.com.au 8
Environmental savings For each tonne of commercial and industrial waste produced by Top Ryde City that is sent to the woodlawn bio-reactor instead of being dumped in a landfill, 1.2 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions are saved.
This means, recycling the 1,440 tonnes of waste produced each year by Top Ryde City, will equate to a saving of up to 1,726 tonnes of greenhouse gases (tC02e).
That’s the equivalent of taking 430 cars off the road for one year or planting more than 6000 trees.
Top Ryde City Shopping Centre will
produce approximately 1,440 tonnes
of general waste per year and until
recently this rubbishwasdestined for
Australia’slandfills.
To help combat the problem the shopping
centre and Veolia Environmental Services have
combinedforcestorecycletheprecinct’swaste.
Theannual1,440tonnesofgeneralwastewill
produceanestimated411,840KWhofelectricity
peryear–enoughtopower50households.
VeoliaEnvironmentalServicesusesbioreactor
technologytoconvertthegasesemittedbythe
wasteintoelectricity.
A spokesperson for the company said the
technology meant big waste producers, like
shoppingcentres,couldfindasustainablesolution.
“Bioreactorsareoneoftheleadingformsof
alternativewastetechnology.
“Theyarepurpose-builtfacilitiesdesignedto
acceleratethedecompositionprocessofresidual
wasteandmaximisethecaptureofbio-gasyields
forconversionintogreenelectricity,”shesaid.
An extensive network of pipes is placed
throughthewaste.Operatorsthenanalyseand
controlwater,leachaterecirculation,acidlevels,
temperature and microbe levels in each bio-
reactorcell.
The controlled injection of leachate into the
bio-reactorstimulatestheformationofmethane
byprovidingtheoptimalconditions.
The result is a rapid decomposition of the
waste. The bio-gas capture expedites the
stabilisationofthewasteandgreatlyreducesthe
escapeofgreenhousegasesintotheatmosphere.
Themethane that isproducedandcaptured
isusedasfuelforthebio-reactor’spurpose-built
landfillgas(LFG)internalcombustionengine.
Themechanicalenergycreatedbytheinternal
combustion engine is converted into electricity
withanattachedgenerator.Eachgeneratorused
atWoodlawnhasacapacityof1.065MWh.
From here the electricity generated is
bought by Energy Australia and fed into the
electricitygrid.
TopRydeCity’swastewillbeusedtogenerate
renewable energy at Veolia Environmental
Services’Woodlawnbio-reactor.
While bio-reactor technology is not new,
the Woodlawn bio-reactor is the world’s
largest and the only bio-reactor to utilise a
disusedminesite.
Manybusinessesandmunicipalcouncilssend
theirgeneralwastetotheWoodlawnbio-reactor.
A Veolia Environmental Services spokesperson
saidthetechnologyhasmanyapplications.
“Veolia works with all customers to look at
ways in which they can minimise their waste-
relatedgreenhousegasemissions.
“Aspartof thisweencouragecustomers to
utilisethistechnologyfortheirgeneralwaste,”
shesaid.
VeoliaEnvironmentalServicesaimstorecover
up to 65 per cent of all general waste and
recyclablematerialsfromTopRydeCity.
TopRydeCityisanewcomplexthatopened
inNovember2009.Itplanstoopenanewstage
inearly2010andbeoperatingatfullcapacityby
themiddleoftheyear.
It seems there are several levels of
environmental benefits associated with bio-
reactor technology. The process saves tonnes
ofwastefrombeingdumped in landfills,saves
greenhouse gas emissions and ultimately
provides another option for renewable
energygeneration.
8 9the master electrician : SUMMER 10
renewab
le energy spotlight : S
HO
PP
ING
AR
OU
ND
FOR
RE
NE
wA
BLE
EN
ER
GY
9
Shopping around for renewable energy
RENEWABLE ENERGY
SPOTLIGHTit’s the time of year when Australian retailers have marked down stock, are clearing their shelves and making way for next season’s products. But with sales on the up, so is the amount of waste left behind. This has prompted one Sydney-based shopping centre to turn its trash into renewable energy treasure.
www.masterelectricians.com.au 8
Environmental savings For each tonne of commercial and industrial waste produced by Top Ryde City that is sent to the woodlawn bio-reactor instead of being dumped in a landfill, 1.2 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions are saved.
This means, recycling the 1,440 tonnes of waste produced each year by Top Ryde City, will equate to a saving of up to 1,726 tonnes of greenhouse gases (tC02e).
That’s the equivalent of taking 430 cars off the road for one year or planting more than 6000 trees.
Top Ryde City Shopping Centre will
produce approximately 1,440 tonnes
of general waste per year and until
recently this rubbishwasdestined for
Australia’slandfills.
To help combat the problem the shopping
centre and Veolia Environmental Services have
combinedforcestorecycletheprecinct’swaste.
Theannual1,440tonnesofgeneralwastewill
produceanestimated411,840KWhofelectricity
peryear–enoughtopower50households.
VeoliaEnvironmentalServicesusesbioreactor
technologytoconvertthegasesemittedbythe
wasteintoelectricity.
A spokesperson for the company said the
technology meant big waste producers, like
shoppingcentres,couldfindasustainablesolution.
“Bioreactorsareoneoftheleadingformsof
alternativewastetechnology.
“Theyarepurpose-builtfacilitiesdesignedto
acceleratethedecompositionprocessofresidual
wasteandmaximisethecaptureofbio-gasyields
forconversionintogreenelectricity,”shesaid.
An extensive network of pipes is placed
throughthewaste.Operatorsthenanalyseand
controlwater,leachaterecirculation,acidlevels,
temperature and microbe levels in each bio-
reactorcell.
The controlled injection of leachate into the
bio-reactorstimulatestheformationofmethane
byprovidingtheoptimalconditions.
The result is a rapid decomposition of the
waste. The bio-gas capture expedites the
stabilisationofthewasteandgreatlyreducesthe
escapeofgreenhousegasesintotheatmosphere.
Themethane that isproducedandcaptured
isusedasfuelforthebio-reactor’spurpose-built
landfillgas(LFG)internalcombustionengine.
Themechanicalenergycreatedbytheinternal
combustion engine is converted into electricity
withanattachedgenerator.Eachgeneratorused
atWoodlawnhasacapacityof1.065MWh.
From here the electricity generated is
bought by Energy Australia and fed into the
electricitygrid.
TopRydeCity’swastewillbeusedtogenerate
renewable energy at Veolia Environmental
Services’Woodlawnbio-reactor.
While bio-reactor technology is not new,
the Woodlawn bio-reactor is the world’s
largest and the only bio-reactor to utilise a
disusedminesite.
Manybusinessesandmunicipalcouncilssend
theirgeneralwastetotheWoodlawnbio-reactor.
A Veolia Environmental Services spokesperson
saidthetechnologyhasmanyapplications.
“Veolia works with all customers to look at
ways in which they can minimise their waste-
relatedgreenhousegasemissions.
“Aspartof thisweencouragecustomers to
utilisethistechnologyfortheirgeneralwaste,”
shesaid.
VeoliaEnvironmentalServicesaimstorecover
up to 65 per cent of all general waste and
recyclablematerialsfromTopRydeCity.
TopRydeCityisanewcomplexthatopened
inNovember2009.Itplanstoopenanewstage
inearly2010andbeoperatingatfullcapacityby
themiddleoftheyear.
It seems there are several levels of
environmental benefits associated with bio-
reactor technology. The process saves tonnes
ofwastefrombeingdumped in landfills,saves
greenhouse gas emissions and ultimately
provides another option for renewable
energygeneration.
Why become a Master Electrician?
Consumers trust the ‘Masters’ brand, and are more likely to choose a Master Electrician over the competition. Buyers equate Master Electricians with experience, quality, reliability and integrity.
Through our extensive advertising to public and industry on the benefits of using a Master Electrician, you will be in demand from the public, builders, principal contractors and government.
When you become a Master Electrician, you get the following benefits:n Use of the Master Electrician brandingn A strong point of difference over your competitorsn Increased recognition by public and industry
Master Electricians Accreditation also provides you with unlimited access to:n A wiring rules hotlinen A large technical and standards advice teamn Industry training and educationn Employment and workplace relations advicen Expert advice on commercial and business mattersn Regular up-to-date news and informationn Networking opportunities with industry supporters, suppliers, other allied trades and associated organisations.
Master Electricians deliver the highest levels of quality, electrical safety, integrity and energy advice.
To find out how you can become a Master Electrician call 1300 889 198 or visit www.masterelectricians.com.au
quality safety reliability
Are you a Master Electrician?
10 www.masterelectricians.com.au
buzzthe
wind energy helps boost australia’s grid
Three new wind projects have helped drive a recent boost to Australia’s electricity grid,
which saw 1,582 Mw of capacity added in a period of six months.
The completion of four other electricity projects also contributed to the boom,
including a coal seam gas plant, two natural gas plants and a coal fired power plant.
The finding was released in the october 2009 listing of the Australian Bureau of
Agricultural and Resource Economics’ (ABARE) report, Electricity generation: major
development projects, which details electricity generation projects at various stages
of development.
The report found that nine of the 18 projects listed as being in an advanced stage
used renewable electricity, including eight wind projects and one hydro project.
wind projects accounted for 733 Mw, or 84 per cent of advanced renewable
additions. All eight wind projects are expected to be in operation by 2011.
“The number of wind projects at advanced and less advanced stages of development
demonstrates the potential of wind energy to add significant renewable electricity
generation capacity to the electrical grid,” said ABARE Deputy Executive Director
Terry Sheales.
commercial office buildings to declare energy efficiency rating
Australian building owners will soon need to
provide up-to-date energy efficiency information
when selling or leasing office space as part of
a federal government scheme to improve the
energy efficiency of commercial office buildings.
Starting in the second half of 2010, the
scheme will require business owners selling
or leasing office space covering more than
2,000 square metres to disclose a valid Building
Energy Efficiency Certificate, which will include
a National Australia Built Environment Rating
System, and assessment of lighting energy
efficiency. owners who don’t comply will risk a
fine or prosecution.
Environment Minister Peter garrett said that
the scheme would provide building owners,
potential buyers and tenants access to
consistent, credible and meaningful information
about a building’s energy efficiency in order
to make informed decisions when buying or
renting office space.
$3,800 for each australian electrical apprenticeThe Tool for your Trade payment now combines
the previous incentives introduced from the
federal government – tools for your trade
voucher, apprenticeship wage top up and the
Commonwealth trade learning scholarship.
The new payment totals $3,800 and will
be paid directly to your Australian apprentice
over the life of their apprenticeship.
New payments commenced on 1 January
2010 and will be delivered as five tax exempt
cash payments totalling $3,800. Payments
will be made as follows: n $800 payable after three monthsn $800 payable after 12 months n $800 payable after 24 monthsn $700 payable after 36 monthsn $700 payable upon successful completion.
Should your Australian apprentice successfully
complete their Australian Apprenticeship earlier
than the proposed completion date specified
on the training contract, the Australian
Apprentice may be eligible to receive the
remaining payments owed to them.
here’s the latest news and information from the electrotechnology industry across Australia.
Why become a Master Electrician?
Consumers trust the ‘Masters’ brand, and are more likely to choose a Master Electrician over the competition. Buyers equate Master Electricians with experience, quality, reliability and integrity.
Through our extensive advertising to public and industry on the benefits of using a Master Electrician, you will be in demand from the public, builders, principal contractors and government.
When you become a Master Electrician, you get the following benefits:n Use of the Master Electrician brandingn A strong point of difference over your competitorsn Increased recognition by public and industry
Master Electricians Accreditation also provides you with unlimited access to:n A wiring rules hotlinen A large technical and standards advice teamn Industry training and educationn Employment and workplace relations advicen Expert advice on commercial and business mattersn Regular up-to-date news and informationn Networking opportunities with industry supporters, suppliers, other allied trades and associated organisations.
Master Electricians deliver the highest levels of quality, electrical safety, integrity and energy advice.
To find out how you can become a Master Electrician call 1300 889 198 or visit www.masterelectricians.com.au
quality safety reliability
Are you a Master Electrician?
10 www.masterelectricians.com.au
buzzthe
wind energy helps boost australia’s grid
Three new wind projects have helped drive a recent boost to Australia’s electricity grid,
which saw 1,582 Mw of capacity added in a period of six months.
The completion of four other electricity projects also contributed to the boom,
including a coal seam gas plant, two natural gas plants and a coal fired power plant.
The finding was released in the october 2009 listing of the Australian Bureau of
Agricultural and Resource Economics’ (ABARE) report, Electricity generation: major
development projects, which details electricity generation projects at various stages
of development.
The report found that nine of the 18 projects listed as being in an advanced stage
used renewable electricity, including eight wind projects and one hydro project.
wind projects accounted for 733 Mw, or 84 per cent of advanced renewable
additions. All eight wind projects are expected to be in operation by 2011.
“The number of wind projects at advanced and less advanced stages of development
demonstrates the potential of wind energy to add significant renewable electricity
generation capacity to the electrical grid,” said ABARE Deputy Executive Director
Terry Sheales.
commercial office buildings to declare energy efficiency rating
Australian building owners will soon need to
provide up-to-date energy efficiency information
when selling or leasing office space as part of
a federal government scheme to improve the
energy efficiency of commercial office buildings.
Starting in the second half of 2010, the
scheme will require business owners selling
or leasing office space covering more than
2,000 square metres to disclose a valid Building
Energy Efficiency Certificate, which will include
a National Australia Built Environment Rating
System, and assessment of lighting energy
efficiency. owners who don’t comply will risk a
fine or prosecution.
Environment Minister Peter garrett said that
the scheme would provide building owners,
potential buyers and tenants access to
consistent, credible and meaningful information
about a building’s energy efficiency in order
to make informed decisions when buying or
renting office space.
$3,800 for each australian electrical apprenticeThe Tool for your Trade payment now combines
the previous incentives introduced from the
federal government – tools for your trade
voucher, apprenticeship wage top up and the
Commonwealth trade learning scholarship.
The new payment totals $3,800 and will
be paid directly to your Australian apprentice
over the life of their apprenticeship.
New payments commenced on 1 January
2010 and will be delivered as five tax exempt
cash payments totalling $3,800. Payments
will be made as follows: n $800 payable after three monthsn $800 payable after 12 months n $800 payable after 24 monthsn $700 payable after 36 monthsn $700 payable upon successful completion.
Should your Australian apprentice successfully
complete their Australian Apprenticeship earlier
than the proposed completion date specified
on the training contract, the Australian
Apprentice may be eligible to receive the
remaining payments owed to them.
here’s the latest news and information from the electrotechnology industry across Australia.
the buzz : IS
SU
ES
AFFE
CTIN
G Y
OU
R IN
DU
STR
Y
13the master electrician : SUMMER 10
The government has announced a carbon
‘cap’ that should lead to consumer
behavioural changes that support a lower
carbon output. Electricity prices are estimated
to increase by around 18 per cent and gas
prices by 12 per cent. it is expected that
higher electricity prices will provide a financial
incentive for consumers to conserve energy
in their homes. Electrical contractors able to
provide realistic options in this area will have
access to a rapidly developing market.
The CPRS will cover around 75 per cent
of Australia’s emissions, and businesses
will have to change the way they operate to
ensure they do not drive up costs. The Climate
Change Action fund is designed to provide
assistance to businesses and communities
to smooth the transition and reduce the
impact that the integration of low emission
infrastructure will incur. The government has
committed $2.15 billion dollars in grants and
incentives over five years to help business
integrate energy efficient technology.
Electrical contractors are in a prime position
to benefit from these reforms. These targets
will require a rapid, large scale introduction
of energy efficient generating options, and
labour to install the new technology – creating
a huge opportunity for our industry.
Contractors vs the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS)
If you have something to submit, please email [email protected]
In 2005 Clipsal created an industry and world
first when they booked out an entire ocean
liner, the SuperStar Virgo to cruise throughout
South East Asia. on board were over 2,000
Club Clipsal Members, Clipsal’s most loyal
electrical contractor customers and their
wives. The fraternity bonded together as one
to celebrate. Competitors became colleagues.
Business relationships were forged. ideas were
exchanged. And yes the ship ran out of beer.
Now Clipsal is set to celebrate 90 years of the
Clipsal brand and the Club’s 15th Anniversary in
April, 2010 by booking out an even bigger ocean
liner and setting sail for a nine day cruise along
the Mexican Riviera. But this time it’s going to
be different.
Clipsal is offering a warm invitation to all
electrical contractors to join them on board
the cruise ship, so they too can experience the
same camaraderie, networking opportunities and
benefits that members have been enjoying over
the years.
Clipsal Cruise dates are 16-25 April 2010. A
limited number of cabins are still available but you
will need to book fast.
Visit clipsal.com/clubcruise or telephone
1300 790 663 (toll free).
Ampere Electrical Manufacturing Co. Pty. Ltd.168-176 High St, Prahran, Vic. 3181. Tel (03) 9510 4333, 9510 2428 Fax (03) 9510 5940Toll Free 1800 AMPERE (1800 267 373)www.ampere.com.au
Who else would you trust!
CR
OF
T/A
MP
ER
E M
E1/
3P
For accurate,reliable controlTime switches &Hour metersAustralia’s leading range of daily,weekly and yearly time switchesand hour run meters.
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Clean energy sourCe that Could make you go greenAmerican electric utility Green Mountain Power has partnered with a farm in the United States to convert cow manure to electricity.The westminister Farms plant in Vermont will convert the waste of 1,200 cows to produce approximately 225 kw of energy.
Although manure-generating power is not a new concept, the westminister Farms project involves a fixed price per kwh payment to the farm, which represents an important step toward creating a sustainable model for farmers.
www.ecogeneration.com.au
FLUORESCENT TUBEAND LAMP RECYCLING
POLYCHLORINATEDBIPHENYL DISPOSAL
SYNTHETIC GREENHOUSEGAS DESTRUCTION
DOLOMATRIXGROUP
NSW (02) 9833 4399VIC/TAS (03) 9369 4222
QLD (07) 3203 3400SA/NT (08) 8241 2422
WA (08) 9355 [email protected]
Get on board amigos
taking australia by stormWith franchisees now in NSW, WA and starting soon in QLD, TAS & VIC, director Joshua Nicholls of Platinum Electrical Contractors is serious about helping electricians grow their businesses even faster than he did.
Joshua, why would people want to join your franchise network?The main reason franchisees are joining Platinum Electrical is because they’ve seen how I grew my business 1200% in its first 5 years from 1 employee to 30. Basically they want to be shown how to do it, and do it fast. For tradesmen just starting out or those that want to grow their existing business, they can learn all our sales and marketing growth strategies and also take advantage of the media exposure
start with all the systems and procedures we have developed over the past eight years. Franchisees are given every template, form, and written procedure to run a professional and successful business. The Platinum Electrical system is fully electronic and web-based to minimise unbillable hours and maximise profit.What next for those that are interested?Jump onto the franchising section of the Platinum Electrical website and simply fill in an expression of interest form.
Platinum Electrical’s received over the years.Why are franchises in general becoming so popular? They minimise risk compared to starting totally from scratch and franchisees gain the benefits of ‘big business’ while still having the freedom of being their own boss and running their own successful company.What are the main benefits for your Platinum Electrical franchisees?Franchisees receive one on one coaching and hands on support. From day one they
1800 PLATINUM (1800 752 846)
www.platinumelectrical.com.au
the buzz : IS
SU
ES
AFFE
CTIN
G Y
OU
R IN
DU
STR
Y
13the master electrician : SUMMER 10
The government has announced a carbon
‘cap’ that should lead to consumer
behavioural changes that support a lower
carbon output. Electricity prices are estimated
to increase by around 18 per cent and gas
prices by 12 per cent. it is expected that
higher electricity prices will provide a financial
incentive for consumers to conserve energy
in their homes. Electrical contractors able to
provide realistic options in this area will have
access to a rapidly developing market.
The CPRS will cover around 75 per cent
of Australia’s emissions, and businesses
will have to change the way they operate to
ensure they do not drive up costs. The Climate
Change Action fund is designed to provide
assistance to businesses and communities
to smooth the transition and reduce the
impact that the integration of low emission
infrastructure will incur. The government has
committed $2.15 billion dollars in grants and
incentives over five years to help business
integrate energy efficient technology.
Electrical contractors are in a prime position
to benefit from these reforms. These targets
will require a rapid, large scale introduction
of energy efficient generating options, and
labour to install the new technology – creating
a huge opportunity for our industry.
Contractors vs the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS)
If you have something to submit, please email [email protected]
In 2005 Clipsal created an industry and world
first when they booked out an entire ocean
liner, the SuperStar Virgo to cruise throughout
South East Asia. on board were over 2,000
Club Clipsal Members, Clipsal’s most loyal
electrical contractor customers and their
wives. The fraternity bonded together as one
to celebrate. Competitors became colleagues.
Business relationships were forged. ideas were
exchanged. And yes the ship ran out of beer.
Now Clipsal is set to celebrate 90 years of the
Clipsal brand and the Club’s 15th Anniversary in
April, 2010 by booking out an even bigger ocean
liner and setting sail for a nine day cruise along
the Mexican Riviera. But this time it’s going to
be different.
Clipsal is offering a warm invitation to all
electrical contractors to join them on board
the cruise ship, so they too can experience the
same camaraderie, networking opportunities and
benefits that members have been enjoying over
the years.
Clipsal Cruise dates are 16-25 April 2010. A
limited number of cabins are still available but you
will need to book fast.
Visit clipsal.com/clubcruise or telephone
1300 790 663 (toll free).
Ampere Electrical Manufacturing Co. Pty. Ltd.168-176 High St, Prahran, Vic. 3181. Tel (03) 9510 4333, 9510 2428 Fax (03) 9510 5940Toll Free 1800 AMPERE (1800 267 373)www.ampere.com.au
Who else would you trust!
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Clean energy sourCe that Could make you go greenAmerican electric utility Green Mountain Power has partnered with a farm in the United States to convert cow manure to electricity.The westminister Farms plant in Vermont will convert the waste of 1,200 cows to produce approximately 225 kw of energy.
Although manure-generating power is not a new concept, the westminister Farms project involves a fixed price per kwh payment to the farm, which represents an important step toward creating a sustainable model for farmers.
www.ecogeneration.com.au
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NSW (02) 9833 4399VIC/TAS (03) 9369 4222
QLD (07) 3203 3400SA/NT (08) 8241 2422
WA (08) 9355 [email protected]
Get on board amigos
taking australia by stormWith franchisees now in NSW, WA and starting soon in QLD, TAS & VIC, director Joshua Nicholls of Platinum Electrical Contractors is serious about helping electricians grow their businesses even faster than he did.
Joshua, why would people want to join your franchise network?The main reason franchisees are joining Platinum Electrical is because they’ve seen how I grew my business 1200% in its first 5 years from 1 employee to 30. Basically they want to be shown how to do it, and do it fast. For tradesmen just starting out or those that want to grow their existing business, they can learn all our sales and marketing growth strategies and also take advantage of the media exposure
start with all the systems and procedures we have developed over the past eight years. Franchisees are given every template, form, and written procedure to run a professional and successful business. The Platinum Electrical system is fully electronic and web-based to minimise unbillable hours and maximise profit.What next for those that are interested?Jump onto the franchising section of the Platinum Electrical website and simply fill in an expression of interest form.
Platinum Electrical’s received over the years.Why are franchises in general becoming so popular? They minimise risk compared to starting totally from scratch and franchisees gain the benefits of ‘big business’ while still having the freedom of being their own boss and running their own successful company.What are the main benefits for your Platinum Electrical franchisees?Franchisees receive one on one coaching and hands on support. From day one they
1800 PLATINUM (1800 752 846)
www.platinumelectrical.com.au
14 www.masterelectricians.com.au 15the master electrician : SUMMER 10
feature : BR
IGH
T IDE
AS
ON
MA
NA
GIN
G C
AS
H FLO
w
“Anotheroptionisofferingdebtorspayment
terms, for example, in a business dealingwith
25 clients, 24 may choose to pay early, or up
front,ifatwopercentdiscountisoffered.”
Most banks offer offers products to assist
with access to cash, tailored to individual
businessneeds.
Mr Tanner suggested seeking access to
financeincircumstanceswherecashflowcannot
bemanagedalone.
“Forsmallbusinesses,short-termfinanceand
businesscreditcardscanhelptightenthecash
flowcycle,”hesaid.
“For medium and larger businesses formal
overdraft facilities can ease the pressure to
meetsuppliercostsandemployeewageswhile
waitingforfinalisationofcontracts”.
MrTanner stressed theneed for contractors
to review their ongoing cash flow cycle, and
maintain constant communication with their
localbank.
“Just like anything in life, whether it’s
fitness, education, or health, real rewardsonly
come with persistence – the same is true for
smallbusinesses.”
The long gap between expenses and income in the electrical business can leave contractors
temporarily short changed.
Br ight ideas on
By James McNamara
MANAGING
According to Commonwealth Bank chief
operatingofficerforlocalbusinessbanking
BernardTanner,electricalcontractorscommonly
experiencedifficultiesinmanagingcashflow.
“What you have is suppliers demanding
payment immediately, and debtors wanting to
extendtermsbetween60and90days.
“Thelittleguyisfacingtoughtimesbecause
the cash flow cycle is being extended at both
ends,”hesaid.
Mr Tanner urged electrical
contractors to critically examine
their business to identify the
stressestheyface.
“None of this is rocket science,
tradespeopleandbusinessownersjust
need to remember to spend time on
theirbusiness,aswellasinit.
“Some people get nervous and avoid
reviewingtheirbusinessproblems.
“This leads to
guesswork, which
can be dangerous
to business as any
problems that do exist
can either end up in
thetoohardbasket,or
dealtwithinaccurately,”
hesaid.
Whileaslowcashflowcyclecanplaceintense
pressure on day-to-day operations, Mr Tanner
saidcontractorscouldtakestepstocope.
To approach cash flow management issues,
Mr Tanner said business operators should
list the incoming and outgoing funds over a
shortperiod.
“Thefirststepistobeawareoftheprocesses
affecting cash flow in your business, start by
making a list of incoming and outgoing cash
overacertainperiod.
“Understand theneedsof suppliersand the
people you rely on, and once a timeframe of
primaryplusesandminuseshasbeenidentified,
writedown,andstickto,aplan.”
Businessesshouldtakestepstoalignincome
andexpensesafterconductingthisreview.
“Businesses with lumpy income should
look to spread expenses through suitable
paymentoptions.
“For example, if you’re paying employees
weekly it may be necessary to extend this to
fortnightlyormonthlypayments.
“This can mean faster access to funds and
lessoverallstrainonthe
business,”hesaid.
Mr Tanner said
contractors should
also encourage
earlier payment by
debtors through
negotiatingterms.
“Intendingforajob,contractorscanseeka
depositorupfrontpayment.
“Thisensuresthatinitialjobrelatedexpenses
can be met, on the client’s ticket, not the
contractors,”hesaid.
CASH FLOw MANAGEMENT
• Analyse incoming and outgoing payments
over a short period
• Break-up large expenses over longer periods
• Seek partial up-front payments on contracts
• Offer payment terms to encourage early or
on-time payments
• Maintain a close relationship with your
financial institution.
FINANCIAL PRODUCTS
• Short-term finance
• Business credit cards
• Working overdraft
• Larger loans.
cash flowWhittaker Macnaught financial adviser
Stephen horton offers tips on balancing
business cash flow with family budgets:
• Provide a regular income stream for yourself
so that your family expenses can be
managed without unnecessary complication
or stress.
• with the guidance of your accountant,
budget for a particular target profit figure
over and above the wage you pay yourself.
• Separate your family budget from the
business budget. Adopt the same principles
of structure and monitoring to ensure there’s
money available for required expenses such
as household bills, as well as discretionary
family spending such as holidays
and entertainment.
• Do not do as some do and spend on
unnecessary things just because there’s
money in the company bank account at the
end of the month.
Cash flow management and family budgets
“The little guy is facing tough times because the cash flow cycle is being extended at both ends”
14 www.masterelectricians.com.au 15the master electrician : SUMMER 10
feature : BR
IGH
T IDE
AS
ON
MA
NA
GIN
G C
AS
H FLO
w
“Anotheroptionisofferingdebtorspayment
terms, for example, in a business dealingwith
25 clients, 24 may choose to pay early, or up
front,ifatwopercentdiscountisoffered.”
Most banks offer offers products to assist
with access to cash, tailored to individual
businessneeds.
Mr Tanner suggested seeking access to
financeincircumstanceswherecashflowcannot
bemanagedalone.
“Forsmallbusinesses,short-termfinanceand
businesscreditcardscanhelptightenthecash
flowcycle,”hesaid.
“For medium and larger businesses formal
overdraft facilities can ease the pressure to
meetsuppliercostsandemployeewageswhile
waitingforfinalisationofcontracts”.
MrTanner stressed theneed for contractors
to review their ongoing cash flow cycle, and
maintain constant communication with their
localbank.
“Just like anything in life, whether it’s
fitness, education, or health, real rewardsonly
come with persistence – the same is true for
smallbusinesses.”
The long gap between expenses and income in the electrical business can leave contractors
temporarily short changed.
Br ight ideas on
By James McNamara
MANAGING
According to Commonwealth Bank chief
operatingofficerforlocalbusinessbanking
BernardTanner,electricalcontractorscommonly
experiencedifficultiesinmanagingcashflow.
“What you have is suppliers demanding
payment immediately, and debtors wanting to
extendtermsbetween60and90days.
“Thelittleguyisfacingtoughtimesbecause
the cash flow cycle is being extended at both
ends,”hesaid.
Mr Tanner urged electrical
contractors to critically examine
their business to identify the
stressestheyface.
“None of this is rocket science,
tradespeopleandbusinessownersjust
need to remember to spend time on
theirbusiness,aswellasinit.
“Some people get nervous and avoid
reviewingtheirbusinessproblems.
“This leads to
guesswork, which
can be dangerous
to business as any
problems that do exist
can either end up in
thetoohardbasket,or
dealtwithinaccurately,”
hesaid.
Whileaslowcashflowcyclecanplaceintense
pressure on day-to-day operations, Mr Tanner
saidcontractorscouldtakestepstocope.
To approach cash flow management issues,
Mr Tanner said business operators should
list the incoming and outgoing funds over a
shortperiod.
“Thefirststepistobeawareoftheprocesses
affecting cash flow in your business, start by
making a list of incoming and outgoing cash
overacertainperiod.
“Understand theneedsof suppliersand the
people you rely on, and once a timeframe of
primaryplusesandminuseshasbeenidentified,
writedown,andstickto,aplan.”
Businessesshouldtakestepstoalignincome
andexpensesafterconductingthisreview.
“Businesses with lumpy income should
look to spread expenses through suitable
paymentoptions.
“For example, if you’re paying employees
weekly it may be necessary to extend this to
fortnightlyormonthlypayments.
“This can mean faster access to funds and
lessoverallstrainonthe
business,”hesaid.
Mr Tanner said
contractors should
also encourage
earlier payment by
debtors through
negotiatingterms.
“Intendingforajob,contractorscanseeka
depositorupfrontpayment.
“Thisensuresthatinitialjobrelatedexpenses
can be met, on the client’s ticket, not the
contractors,”hesaid.
CASH FLOw MANAGEMENT
• Analyse incoming and outgoing payments
over a short period
• Break-up large expenses over longer periods
• Seek partial up-front payments on contracts
• Offer payment terms to encourage early or
on-time payments
• Maintain a close relationship with your
financial institution.
FINANCIAL PRODUCTS
• Short-term finance
• Business credit cards
• Working overdraft
• Larger loans.
cash flowWhittaker Macnaught financial adviser
Stephen horton offers tips on balancing
business cash flow with family budgets:
• Provide a regular income stream for yourself
so that your family expenses can be
managed without unnecessary complication
or stress.
• with the guidance of your accountant,
budget for a particular target profit figure
over and above the wage you pay yourself.
• Separate your family budget from the
business budget. Adopt the same principles
of structure and monitoring to ensure there’s
money available for required expenses such
as household bills, as well as discretionary
family spending such as holidays
and entertainment.
• Do not do as some do and spend on
unnecessary things just because there’s
money in the company bank account at the
end of the month.
Cash flow management and family budgets
“The little guy is facing tough times because the cash flow cycle is being extended at both ends”
Ref: 60480563Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Morning Bulletin(Rockhampton)Saturday 21/11/2009Page: 10Section: General NewsRegion: Rockhampton QLD, AUCirculation: 18024Type: RegionalSize: 148.41 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
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Port Stephens ExaminerThursday 5/11/2009Page: 27Section: PropertyRegion: Port Stephens NSW, AUCirculation: 28103Type: RegionalSize: 282.58 sq.cms.
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Newcastle HeraldSaturday 17/10/2009Page: 8Section: General NewsRegion: Newcastle NSW, AUCirculation: 49880Type: RegionalSize: 45.59 sq.cms.
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press clip Ref: 59002758Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
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Courier MailSaturday 17/10/2009Page: 9Section: General NewsRegion: Brisbane, AUCirculation: 214468Type: Capital City DailySize: 182.48 sq.cms.
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Sunraysia Daily (Mildura)Saturday 17/10/2009Page: 19Section: General NewsRegion: Mildura VIC, AUCirculation: 7207Type: RegionalSize: 97.84 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
press clip
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Morning Bulletin(Rockhampton)Saturday 21/11/2009Page: 10Section: General NewsRegion: Rockhampton QLD, AUCirculation: 18024Type: RegionalSize: 148.41 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
press clip
16 www.masterelectricians.com.au 17the master electrician : SUMMER 10
feature : INS
ULATIO
N S
AFE
TY S
TAN
DA
RD
SWhen Queensland’s Electrical
Safety Office advised late
on October 15 that it was
investigating the death of an
insulationinstaller,itbroughttorealitythegravest
fearsoftheelectricalindustryaroundthesafety
oftheFederalGovernment’sinsulationprogram.
Theprogramhadbeendesignedtocreatenew
business and employment opportunities, but in
doingsoithadalsosentarangeofinexperienced
andveryyoungworkers intoroofspaceswhere
theywereworkingnearliveelectricalfittings.
Master Electricians had been warning
since March about the dangers of allowing
inexperienced workers to operate in close
proximity to live electricity, and suddenly those
warningswereputintostarkperspective.
Initial advice from the ESO Qld –
subsequently confirmed – an installer had
stapled through a live cable while fitting
aluminiumfoilinsulation.
Thedangernowwasthatwithoutimmediate
governmentaction,otherworkersorevenhome
ownerscouldbeexposedtosimilardangers.
Early on the morning after the ESO
announcement, Master Electricians CEO
MalcolmRichardsheldurgentconsultationswith
theorganisation’spoliticalandmediaadvisersto
determinethemosteffectivecourseofaction.
What unfolded was a direct lobbying
campaign to the Federal Environment Minister
Peter Garrett, supported by a very high-profile
media campaign in which Master Electricians
assumedtheroleofpublicguardianinrelationto
insulationsafety.
Thekeymessagetothegovernmentwasthatit
mustchangetheinsulationrebateschemeinorder
to improvesafety standards,while themessage
tothepublicwasthattheyshouldhaveaMaster
Electricianora licensedelectricalcontractortest
theirinsulationiftheyhadanyconcerns.
Thetwinmessageswereimmediatelyeffective;
in coming days, Mr Richards would perform
dozensofmediainterviewsraisingawarenessof
thedangerstobothinstallersandhomeowners.
Andwithin24hoursoftheinitialmediablitz,
MasterElectricianshadsecuredacrisismeeting
withtheFederalMinisterandhisDepartmentto
discussaradicaloverhauloftherebateprogram.
Less than two weeks later, and following
several days of intensive meetings with Master
Electricians Australia, Mr Garrett announced
a ban on the use of metal fasteners, such as
staples,forfoil-basedinsulationproductsunder
thescheme.Healsoannouncedthemandatory
use of covers for downlights by government-
funded installers, addressing another of MEA’s
majorconcerns–firerisk.
Whileseveralotherindustrygroupswouldjoin
thepublicdebateintheweeksthatfollowed,it
wasMasterElectriciansthatwasabletoidentify
the problem, secure urgent meetings with the
Minister and his department, and propose
thesolution.
Mr Garrett also announced an immediate
auditof10percentofallhomesthathadhadfoil
insulation fitted to them, and the government
hassincebeenintouchwithanumberofMaster
Electriciansinrelationtothatwork.
MrRichardssaidMasterElectriciansAustralia’s
political and media presence had enabled the
organisationtobringaboutaveryquicksolution
toadeadlyproblem.
“In the wake of the Brisbane tragedy, we
raisedsignificantpublicawarenessofthedangers
ofstaplingfoilinsulationoverelectricalcabling,”
MrRichardssaid.
“Asaresult,wewereabletogainquickaccess
totheMinister,andgaintheconfidenceneeded
tobringaboutaspeedypolicychange.
First Fatality
On 14 October 2009, a 25 year old male was electrocuted while installing insulation in a household
roof in South Brisbane. A 19 year old female who was assisting with the work, received severe electric
shock and burns.
While the investigation report has not been released, initial reports indicate that a staple used to affix
foil-based insulation in the roof space, may have pierced a hot water circuit cable which energised the foil.
The insulation installer had not been trained and was new to the insulation industry.
seconD Fatality
On 18 November, a 16 year old male was electrocuted while installing insulation in a household roof
in Rockhampton.
Initial findings suggest that a fault in the electrical installation in the ceiling cavity is the likely cause
of the fatality. A cable supplying the stove circuit was damaged by a ceiling fixing screw, causing the
supporting metal ceiling batten to become energised at 240 volts.
when a Brisbane insulation installer was electrocuted on the job late last year, Master Electricians Australia not only identified the potential dangers for thousands of workers and home owners, but worked hand in hand with the federal government to develop the solutions.
Master Electricians
drives reforms of insulation
safety standards
Turn to page 49 for a list of the technical
issues
Ref: 60480563Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Morning Bulletin(Rockhampton)Saturday 21/11/2009Page: 10Section: General NewsRegion: Rockhampton QLD, AUCirculation: 18024Type: RegionalSize: 148.41 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
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Ref: 59601286Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Port Stephens ExaminerThursday 5/11/2009Page: 27Section: PropertyRegion: Port Stephens NSW, AUCirculation: 28103Type: RegionalSize: 282.58 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
press clip
Ref: 58569835Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Newcastle HeraldSaturday 17/10/2009Page: 8Section: General NewsRegion: Newcastle NSW, AUCirculation: 49880Type: RegionalSize: 45.59 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
press clip
Ref: 58564858Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Advocate (Coffs Harbour)Saturday 17/10/2009Page: 22Section: General NewsRegion: Coffs Harbour, AUCirculation: 31179Type: RegionalSize: 179.87 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
press clip
Ref: 58576409Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Sunshine Coast Daily(Maroochydore)Saturday 17/10/2009Page: 15Section: General NewsRegion: Maroochydore QLD, AUCirculation: 34964Type: RegionalSize: 54.52 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
press clip
Ref: 58569774Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Weekend Gold CoastBulletinSaturday 17/10/2009Page: 18Section: General NewsRegion: QLD, AUCirculation: 41121Type: RegionalSize: 35.53 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
press clip
Ref: 60331288Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Courier MailThursday 19/11/2009Page: 7Section: General NewsRegion: Brisbane, AUCirculation: 214468Type: Capital City DailySize: 210.14 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
press clip
Ref: 60343070Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Morning Bulletin(Rockhampton)Thursday 19/11/2009Page: 1Section: General NewsRegion: Rockhampton QLD, AUCirculation: 18024Type: RegionalSize: 561.94 sq.cms.
Page 1 of 2AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
press clip
Ref: 58787064Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
AustralianThursday 22/10/2009Page: 4Section: General NewsRegion: Australia, AUCirculation: 138765Type: NationalSize: 212.96 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
press clip
Ref: 58929754Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Courier MailSaturday 24/10/2009Page: 28Section: General NewsRegion: Brisbane, AUCirculation: 214468Type: Capital City DailySize: 179.29 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
press clip Ref: 59002758Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Courier MailMonday 26/10/2009Page: 12Section: General NewsRegion: Brisbane, AUCirculation: 214468Type: Capital City DailySize: 202.02 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
press clip
Ref: 60781713Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Courier MailFriday 27/11/2009Page: 21Section: General NewsRegion: Brisbane, AUCirculation: 216563Type: Capital City DailySize: 232.35 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
press clip
Ref: 59253930Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Courier MailFriday 30/10/2009Page: 37Section: General NewsRegion: Brisbane, AUCirculation: 214468Type: Capital City DailySize: 896.93 sq.cms.
Page 1 of 2AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
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Ref: 59275465Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Redland Times (Cleveland)Friday 30/10/2009Page: 1Section: General NewsRegion: Brisbane, AUCirculation: 46700Type: SuburbanSize: 696.21 sq.cms.
Page 1 of 2AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
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Ref: 58558903Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Advertiser (Adelaide)Saturday 17/10/2009Page: 47Section: General NewsRegion: Adelaide, AUCirculation: 187908Type: Capital City DailySize: 32.19 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
press clip
Ref: 58558129Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Courier MailSaturday 17/10/2009Page: 9Section: General NewsRegion: Brisbane, AUCirculation: 214468Type: Capital City DailySize: 182.48 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
press clip
Ref: 58575537Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Sunraysia Daily (Mildura)Saturday 17/10/2009Page: 19Section: General NewsRegion: Mildura VIC, AUCirculation: 7207Type: RegionalSize: 97.84 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
press clip
Ref: 60480563Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Morning Bulletin(Rockhampton)Saturday 21/11/2009Page: 10Section: General NewsRegion: Rockhampton QLD, AUCirculation: 18024Type: RegionalSize: 148.41 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
press clip
16 www.masterelectricians.com.au 17the master electrician : SUMMER 10
feature : INS
ULATIO
N S
AFE
TY S
TAN
DA
RD
SWhen Queensland’s Electrical
Safety Office advised late
on October 15 that it was
investigating the death of an
insulationinstaller,itbroughttorealitythegravest
fearsoftheelectricalindustryaroundthesafety
oftheFederalGovernment’sinsulationprogram.
Theprogramhadbeendesignedtocreatenew
business and employment opportunities, but in
doingsoithadalsosentarangeofinexperienced
andveryyoungworkers intoroofspaceswhere
theywereworkingnearliveelectricalfittings.
Master Electricians had been warning
since March about the dangers of allowing
inexperienced workers to operate in close
proximity to live electricity, and suddenly those
warningswereputintostarkperspective.
Initial advice from the ESO Qld –
subsequently confirmed – an installer had
stapled through a live cable while fitting
aluminiumfoilinsulation.
Thedangernowwasthatwithoutimmediate
governmentaction,otherworkersorevenhome
ownerscouldbeexposedtosimilardangers.
Early on the morning after the ESO
announcement, Master Electricians CEO
MalcolmRichardsheldurgentconsultationswith
theorganisation’spoliticalandmediaadvisersto
determinethemosteffectivecourseofaction.
What unfolded was a direct lobbying
campaign to the Federal Environment Minister
Peter Garrett, supported by a very high-profile
media campaign in which Master Electricians
assumedtheroleofpublicguardianinrelationto
insulationsafety.
Thekeymessagetothegovernmentwasthatit
mustchangetheinsulationrebateschemeinorder
to improvesafety standards,while themessage
tothepublicwasthattheyshouldhaveaMaster
Electricianora licensedelectricalcontractortest
theirinsulationiftheyhadanyconcerns.
Thetwinmessageswereimmediatelyeffective;
in coming days, Mr Richards would perform
dozensofmediainterviewsraisingawarenessof
thedangerstobothinstallersandhomeowners.
Andwithin24hoursoftheinitialmediablitz,
MasterElectricianshadsecuredacrisismeeting
withtheFederalMinisterandhisDepartmentto
discussaradicaloverhauloftherebateprogram.
Less than two weeks later, and following
several days of intensive meetings with Master
Electricians Australia, Mr Garrett announced
a ban on the use of metal fasteners, such as
staples,forfoil-basedinsulationproductsunder
thescheme.Healsoannouncedthemandatory
use of covers for downlights by government-
funded installers, addressing another of MEA’s
majorconcerns–firerisk.
Whileseveralotherindustrygroupswouldjoin
thepublicdebateintheweeksthatfollowed,it
wasMasterElectriciansthatwasabletoidentify
the problem, secure urgent meetings with the
Minister and his department, and propose
thesolution.
Mr Garrett also announced an immediate
auditof10percentofallhomesthathadhadfoil
insulation fitted to them, and the government
hassincebeenintouchwithanumberofMaster
Electriciansinrelationtothatwork.
MrRichardssaidMasterElectriciansAustralia’s
political and media presence had enabled the
organisationtobringaboutaveryquicksolution
toadeadlyproblem.
“In the wake of the Brisbane tragedy, we
raisedsignificantpublicawarenessofthedangers
ofstaplingfoilinsulationoverelectricalcabling,”
MrRichardssaid.
“Asaresult,wewereabletogainquickaccess
totheMinister,andgaintheconfidenceneeded
tobringaboutaspeedypolicychange.
First Fatality
On 14 October 2009, a 25 year old male was electrocuted while installing insulation in a household
roof in South Brisbane. A 19 year old female who was assisting with the work, received severe electric
shock and burns.
While the investigation report has not been released, initial reports indicate that a staple used to affix
foil-based insulation in the roof space, may have pierced a hot water circuit cable which energised the foil.
The insulation installer had not been trained and was new to the insulation industry.
seconD Fatality
On 18 November, a 16 year old male was electrocuted while installing insulation in a household roof
in Rockhampton.
Initial findings suggest that a fault in the electrical installation in the ceiling cavity is the likely cause
of the fatality. A cable supplying the stove circuit was damaged by a ceiling fixing screw, causing the
supporting metal ceiling batten to become energised at 240 volts.
when a Brisbane insulation installer was electrocuted on the job late last year, Master Electricians Australia not only identified the potential dangers for thousands of workers and home owners, but worked hand in hand with the federal government to develop the solutions.
Master Electricians
drives reforms of insulation
safety standards
Turn to page 49 for a list of the technical
issues
Ref: 60445802Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Geelong TimesWednesday 18/11/2009Page: 5Section: General NewsRegion: Geelong VIC, AUCirculation: 24929Type: RegionalSize: 160.50 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
press clip
Ref: 60418976Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Courier MailFriday 20/11/2009Page: 30Section: Edition Changes - Late CityRegion: Brisbane, AUCirculation: 214468Type: Capital City DailySize: 182.27 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
press clip
Ref: 58576392Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Sunshine Coast Daily(Maroochydore)Saturday 17/10/2009Page: 4Section: General NewsRegion: Maroochydore QLD, AUCirculation: 34964Type: RegionalSize: 34.96 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
press clip
Ref: 59318930Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Courier MailSaturday 31/10/2009Page: 29Section: General NewsRegion: Brisbane, AUCirculation: 214468Type: Capital City DailySize: 139.67 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
press clip
Ref: 58573401Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Border Mail (AlburyWodonga)Saturday 17/10/2009Page: 22Section: General NewsRegion: Albury-Wodonga VIC, AUCirculation: 24664Type: RegionalSize: 48.94 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
press clip
Ref: 58820028Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Stanthorpe Border PostThursday 22/10/2009Page: 3Section: General NewsRegion: Stanthorpe QLD, AUCirculation: 2531Type: RegionalSize: 228.88 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
press clip
Ref: 58557106Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Daily TelegraphSaturday 17/10/2009Page: 22Section: General NewsRegion: Sydney, AUCirculation: 360563Type: Capital City DailySize: 30.80 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
press clip
ofwildandillogicaldemandsinthemediafrom
variousgroupscallingfortherebateschemeto
bescrapped.
Recognisingthatthiswouldnotfundamentally
solvetheproblemofunskilledworkersoperating
in roof spaces,Master Electricians instead took
the more responsible approach of calling for
mandatorysafetytrainingforallworkers.
Once again, the organisation’s measured
approach won support from the government.
MasterElectriciansfollowedthroughbyassisting
with the development of a course that could
providethenecessaryskillstonewworkers,and
thishasnowbecometheindustrystandard.
“This entire exercise demonstrates the
depth of capability within Master Electricians,”
MrRichardssaid.
“While we were able to offer immediate
technicaladviceandexpertisetothegovernment,
it was our ability to influence the media and
political circles that positioned us to drive
thesolution.”
18 www.masterelectricians.com.au
“We also used our high level of media
exposure on this issue to warn people against
going up into their roof space to check their
insulationthemselves.
“Instead, we urged them to call a Master
Electrician or licensed electrical contractor to
ensuretheinsulationwassafe.”
Inmediainterviewsfollowinghisannouncement,
theMinistercreditedMasterElectriciansforitsrole
in highlighting the issue and helping formulate
thesolution.
OnABC radio inBrisbane,he foreshadowed
amajorroleforMasterElectriciansinthesafety
inspectionprogram.
“It’sabout2,000homesthatwillbeinspected,
and I think when we do that both with the
MasterElectriciansandtheQueenslandelectrical
authorities,wewillgetaclearsenseofwhether
or not there’s a requirement for additional
inspectionstotakeplace,”theministersaid.
Mr Richards said the Federal Government’s
willingness to meet representatives of Master
Electricians and implement their suggestions
demonstratedtheorganisation’sstrengthasthe
nationalpeakbodyforelectricalcontractors.
“Although this series of events began with
a terrible tragedy, we were pleased that the
governmentwasprepared to sitdownwithus
andhearourviewsonhowitcouldbeprevented
fromhappeningagain.”
InmidNovember,asecondinstallerwaskilled
while placing insulation – this time fibreglass
batts.Thisdeath,inRockhampton,ledtoaseries
Just in time
An Alexandra Hills resident was outraged when he discovered his shower tap in the bathroom where
he was bathing his six-week-old baby was live with 100 volts.
“When I touched them, they gave me a tingling sensation. This went on for another week, before I
decided to get our electrician over to inspect the insulation.
“He confirmed there was 100 volts of electricity running through the taps. We could have all died,”
Mr Jones said.
The electrician, Todd Robards, from Baytech Electrical and Data at Sheldon, said he was astounded
when Mr Jones called him about the incident.
“They were in a life-threatening situation,” Mr Robards said.
severe electric shock
Colin Brierley was rushed to hospital in a critical condition after receiving a serious electric shock
from climbing into his newly insulated ceiling. Colin and his wife Lillian never wanted the insulation, but
say they were talked into it by ‘cowboy’ contractors.
The dodgy installation of foil-based insulation livened the roof space, causing Colin a severe electric
shock which damaged his lower leg.
This accident was only one of many similar accidents that has since been reported.
march 2009
EE oZ writes to the Department of Environment, water, heritage and the Arts (DEwhA) raising concerns about the lack of electrical safety training for insulation installers.
18 may 2009
MEA issues a media release warning of the dangers of fire from incorrectly installed insulation.
5 - 9 october 2009
Master Electricians provide special information to ECA members and Master Electricians warning of the dangers of foil-based insulation and staples through the Master Electrician magazine, monthly newsletter and electronic e-alerts.
14 october
first fatality of insulation installer in South Brisbane, QlD.
15 october
Electrical Safety office informs industry of the issues and announces an investigation into the death of the insulation installer.
16 october
Master Electricians CEo, Malcolm Richards writes to Minister Peter garrett urging him to take immediate action to withdraw the rebate.
16 october
Master Electricians launches national media campaign demanding immediate changes to the rebate for foil-based insulation products.
20 october
Master Electricians CEo, Malcolm Richards personally meets with Minister garrett to discuss the serious dangers of the products and advises on how the rebate scheme should be improved.
20 october
Mr Richards meets with Shadow Minister greg hunt to discuss the issue and the provide advice for improvements.
21 – 23 october
National media campaign continues with national coverage across tv, radio and print.
26 october
Mr Richards meets with EE oZ regarding training requirements for training insulation installers in electrical safety.
27 october
Mr Richards meets with Minister garrett, industry and the department to finalise new rebate safety arrangements.
1 november
Minister garrett announces changes to the scheme including the banning on metal fasteners and a reduction to the rebate. The minister also announces a targeted safety inspection program will be conducted by the Electrical Safety office and Master Electricians Australia. State authorities also declare regulatory changes. Master Electricians endorses the changes through a media statement prepared in advance of the public announcement.
2 – 10 november
large scale media campaign continues with national coverage about the dangers of the scheme.
10 november
DEwhA asks Master Electricians Australia for assistance in testing existing homes with foil-based insulation.
12 november
The home insulation industry meets with DEwhA and Mr Richards to discuss the options to improve the training requirements.
18 november
Second fatality of insulation installer in Rockhampton, QlD.
20 november
other unions and associations begin to call for the program to stop.
30 november
Minister garrett announces a plan to ensure every insulation installer receives formal training to meet a minimum standard.
7 december
Australia foil insulation Association releases safety procedures approved by Master Electricians Australia. Master Electricians again quoted in the media as the national expert on electrical safety issues.
9 december
DEwhA asks Master Electricians Australia to assist with the training of insulation installers. Master Electricians Australia develops national training course for insulation installers
timeline
feature : INS
ULATIO
N S
AFE
TY S
TAN
DA
RD
S
19the master electrician : SUMMER 10
Arrowform’s cool range of approved encloSURES
NEvER risk losing your Trade licence/Insurance cover comply with AS/NZS 3000:2007 clause 4.5.2.3 (ALL paragraphs)
See note 1 (cl. 4.5.2.3) re BCA: Penalties for 1%+ insulation gaps now (3.12.1.2)
DoN’T risk any partial protectionISolATE All REcESSED DoWNlIGHTS ToTAlly FRom All..
future insulation, leaves, nests, debris, pests, ducting, dust, etc in the ceiling...
with A/10460E AppRovED Fire Resistant Downlight encloSURES
can double or triple insulation’s effectiveness - Independent Report*
you can’t afford anything less* www.arrowform.com.au
popular recessed downlights are a major causeof devastating ceiling fires...
Arrowform’s full product catalogue available now
Freecall 1800 852 741
For anchored installations with ideal positioning (& selection) flexibility...ZERo clEARANcE to timber & all thermal insulation - full instructions
FITS FRom BEloW!
available from your quality local electrical wholesaler
Achieve all the outcomes desired
M
eet all the minimums required...
PRODUCT CATALOGUE 2009
COMPREHENSIVE PROTECTION
FOR RECESSED DOWNLIGHTS
Ref: 60445802Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Geelong TimesWednesday 18/11/2009Page: 5Section: General NewsRegion: Geelong VIC, AUCirculation: 24929Type: RegionalSize: 160.50 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
press clip
Ref: 60418976Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Courier MailFriday 20/11/2009Page: 30Section: Edition Changes - Late CityRegion: Brisbane, AUCirculation: 214468Type: Capital City DailySize: 182.27 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
press clip
Ref: 58576392Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Sunshine Coast Daily(Maroochydore)Saturday 17/10/2009Page: 4Section: General NewsRegion: Maroochydore QLD, AUCirculation: 34964Type: RegionalSize: 34.96 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
press clip
Ref: 59318930Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Courier MailSaturday 31/10/2009Page: 29Section: General NewsRegion: Brisbane, AUCirculation: 214468Type: Capital City DailySize: 139.67 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
press clip
Ref: 58573401Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Border Mail (AlburyWodonga)Saturday 17/10/2009Page: 22Section: General NewsRegion: Albury-Wodonga VIC, AUCirculation: 24664Type: RegionalSize: 48.94 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
press clip
Ref: 58820028Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Stanthorpe Border PostThursday 22/10/2009Page: 3Section: General NewsRegion: Stanthorpe QLD, AUCirculation: 2531Type: RegionalSize: 228.88 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
press clip
Ref: 58557106Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) licenced copy
Daily TelegraphSaturday 17/10/2009Page: 22Section: General NewsRegion: Sydney, AUCirculation: 360563Type: Capital City DailySize: 30.80 sq.cms.
AUS: 1300 1 SLICE NZ: 0800 1 SLICE [email protected]
press clip
ofwildandillogicaldemandsinthemediafrom
variousgroupscallingfortherebateschemeto
bescrapped.
Recognisingthatthiswouldnotfundamentally
solvetheproblemofunskilledworkersoperating
in roof spaces,Master Electricians instead took
the more responsible approach of calling for
mandatorysafetytrainingforallworkers.
Once again, the organisation’s measured
approach won support from the government.
MasterElectriciansfollowedthroughbyassisting
with the development of a course that could
providethenecessaryskillstonewworkers,and
thishasnowbecometheindustrystandard.
“This entire exercise demonstrates the
depth of capability within Master Electricians,”
MrRichardssaid.
“While we were able to offer immediate
technicaladviceandexpertisetothegovernment,
it was our ability to influence the media and
political circles that positioned us to drive
thesolution.”
18 www.masterelectricians.com.au
“We also used our high level of media
exposure on this issue to warn people against
going up into their roof space to check their
insulationthemselves.
“Instead, we urged them to call a Master
Electrician or licensed electrical contractor to
ensuretheinsulationwassafe.”
Inmediainterviewsfollowinghisannouncement,
theMinistercreditedMasterElectriciansforitsrole
in highlighting the issue and helping formulate
thesolution.
OnABC radio inBrisbane,he foreshadowed
amajorroleforMasterElectriciansinthesafety
inspectionprogram.
“It’sabout2,000homesthatwillbeinspected,
and I think when we do that both with the
MasterElectriciansandtheQueenslandelectrical
authorities,wewillgetaclearsenseofwhether
or not there’s a requirement for additional
inspectionstotakeplace,”theministersaid.
Mr Richards said the Federal Government’s
willingness to meet representatives of Master
Electricians and implement their suggestions
demonstratedtheorganisation’sstrengthasthe
nationalpeakbodyforelectricalcontractors.
“Although this series of events began with
a terrible tragedy, we were pleased that the
governmentwasprepared to sitdownwithus
andhearourviewsonhowitcouldbeprevented
fromhappeningagain.”
InmidNovember,asecondinstallerwaskilled
while placing insulation – this time fibreglass
batts.Thisdeath,inRockhampton,ledtoaseries
Just in time
An Alexandra Hills resident was outraged when he discovered his shower tap in the bathroom where
he was bathing his six-week-old baby was live with 100 volts.
“When I touched them, they gave me a tingling sensation. This went on for another week, before I
decided to get our electrician over to inspect the insulation.
“He confirmed there was 100 volts of electricity running through the taps. We could have all died,”
Mr Jones said.
The electrician, Todd Robards, from Baytech Electrical and Data at Sheldon, said he was astounded
when Mr Jones called him about the incident.
“They were in a life-threatening situation,” Mr Robards said.
severe electric shock
Colin Brierley was rushed to hospital in a critical condition after receiving a serious electric shock
from climbing into his newly insulated ceiling. Colin and his wife Lillian never wanted the insulation, but
say they were talked into it by ‘cowboy’ contractors.
The dodgy installation of foil-based insulation livened the roof space, causing Colin a severe electric
shock which damaged his lower leg.
This accident was only one of many similar accidents that has since been reported.
march 2009
EE oZ writes to the Department of Environment, water, heritage and the Arts (DEwhA) raising concerns about the lack of electrical safety training for insulation installers.
18 may 2009
MEA issues a media release warning of the dangers of fire from incorrectly installed insulation.
5 - 9 october 2009
Master Electricians provide special information to ECA members and Master Electricians warning of the dangers of foil-based insulation and staples through the Master Electrician magazine, monthly newsletter and electronic e-alerts.
14 october
first fatality of insulation installer in South Brisbane, QlD.
15 october
Electrical Safety office informs industry of the issues and announces an investigation into the death of the insulation installer.
16 october
Master Electricians CEo, Malcolm Richards writes to Minister Peter garrett urging him to take immediate action to withdraw the rebate.
16 october
Master Electricians launches national media campaign demanding immediate changes to the rebate for foil-based insulation products.
20 october
Master Electricians CEo, Malcolm Richards personally meets with Minister garrett to discuss the serious dangers of the products and advises on how the rebate scheme should be improved.
20 october
Mr Richards meets with Shadow Minister greg hunt to discuss the issue and the provide advice for improvements.
21 – 23 october
National media campaign continues with national coverage across tv, radio and print.
26 october
Mr Richards meets with EE oZ regarding training requirements for training insulation installers in electrical safety.
27 october
Mr Richards meets with Minister garrett, industry and the department to finalise new rebate safety arrangements.
1 november
Minister garrett announces changes to the scheme including the banning on metal fasteners and a reduction to the rebate. The minister also announces a targeted safety inspection program will be conducted by the Electrical Safety office and Master Electricians Australia. State authorities also declare regulatory changes. Master Electricians endorses the changes through a media statement prepared in advance of the public announcement.
2 – 10 november
large scale media campaign continues with national coverage about the dangers of the scheme.
10 november
DEwhA asks Master Electricians Australia for assistance in testing existing homes with foil-based insulation.
12 november
The home insulation industry meets with DEwhA and Mr Richards to discuss the options to improve the training requirements.
18 november
Second fatality of insulation installer in Rockhampton, QlD.
20 november
other unions and associations begin to call for the program to stop.
30 november
Minister garrett announces a plan to ensure every insulation installer receives formal training to meet a minimum standard.
7 december
Australia foil insulation Association releases safety procedures approved by Master Electricians Australia. Master Electricians again quoted in the media as the national expert on electrical safety issues.
9 december
DEwhA asks Master Electricians Australia to assist with the training of insulation installers. Master Electricians Australia develops national training course for insulation installers
timeline
feature : INS
ULATIO
N S
AFE
TY S
TAN
DA
RD
S
19the master electrician : SUMMER 10
Arrowform’s cool range of approved encloSURES
NEvER risk losing your Trade licence/Insurance cover comply with AS/NZS 3000:2007 clause 4.5.2.3 (ALL paragraphs)
See note 1 (cl. 4.5.2.3) re BCA: Penalties for 1%+ insulation gaps now (3.12.1.2)
DoN’T risk any partial protectionISolATE All REcESSED DoWNlIGHTS ToTAlly FRom All..
future insulation, leaves, nests, debris, pests, ducting, dust, etc in the ceiling...
with A/10460E AppRovED Fire Resistant Downlight encloSURES
can double or triple insulation’s effectiveness - Independent Report*
you can’t afford anything less* www.arrowform.com.au
popular recessed downlights are a major causeof devastating ceiling fires...
Arrowform’s full product catalogue available now
Freecall 1800 852 741
For anchored installations with ideal positioning (& selection) flexibility...ZERo clEARANcE to timber & all thermal insulation - full instructions
FITS FRom BEloW!
available from your quality local electrical wholesaler
Achieve all the outcomes desired
M
eet all the minimums required...
PRODUCT CATALOGUE 2009
COMPREHENSIVE PROTECTION
FOR RECESSED DOWNLIGHTS
www.masterelectricians.com.au 20
intelliRupter® PulseCloser – Tomorrow’s technology available todayS&C’sIntelliRupterPulseCloserisabreakthrough
in overhead distribution system protection. It
featuresrevolutionaryPulseClosing™technology
–auniquemeans for verifying the line is clear
of faults before initiating a close operation.
Pulseclosingissuperiortoconventionalreclosing
asitgreatlyreducesstressonsystemcomponents,
aswellasvoltagesagsexperiencedbycustomers
upstreamofthefault.
IntelliRupter features a base-integrated control
that’saccessedforconfigurationandoperationviaa
secureWiFilink.Thisinnovativeapproachimproves
reliability, operator safety and convenience and
significantlyenhances securitywhile reducing the
riskoffire.
The IntelliRupter is a key component of S&C’s
IntelliTEAM II® Automatic Restoriation System, a
selfhealing,scalablefeederreconfigurationsystem
that has become the industry’s standard Smart
Grid solution. IntelliTEAM II® offers unmatched
interoperabilityandcanautomatenewaswellas
existingcircuits.
Thefirst installationof thisdeviceoccurredfor
EnergyAustraliainSydneylastmonth.
IntelliRupterfeatures:n Vacuuminterrupterswithuniqueactuating
systemthatenablesPulseClosing™
Technologyn Integratedthree-phasecurrentsensing,
providinglinearoutputovertherangefrom
loadtofaultcurrentn Integratedpowermoduleononeorboth
sidesoftheinterrupters.Eliminatesneedto
installseparatepowertransformers
Modelsrated15.5kVmaximumcanbeapplied
on60-Hzsystemsrated11.43through15.5kV,
and 50-Hz systems rated 9 through 19.2 kV.
Modelsrated27kVmaximumcanbeappliedon
60-Hzsystemsrated18.81through27kV,and
50-Hzsystemsrated20through24kV.Allmodels
have a 630-ampere continuous current rating
(800 amperes with a minimum wind velocity
of two feet per second) and 12,500-ampere
interruptingrating.
Protex ifS-iT– The future of electrical distribution TheProtexiFSrangeoffersaworld-classrangeofinnovativeelectricalproductsthatgreatlyimprove
electricalsafetyandproductivity.ProtexiFSisaresidualvoltagedevice(iFS),detectingfaultvoltagesthat
canoccurduringtheoperationofelectricalequipment.
The Protex iFS offers unique safety and operational benefits that exceed international performance
specifications. It overcomes the longstanding safety and operational concerns associated with existing
RCD,GFCIbasedtechnologies.ProtexiFSisolateswhen40Visdetectedonaframeviaasensorwire.It
isolatesatanewbenchmarkspeedof5msandlimitsthefaultcurrentto5mAin8milliseconds.Significant
featuresinclude:n Norelianceonapathtoearthtodetectfaults–enablingpureelectricalseparationasaplatformn Adirect(inline)relationshiptofaultcurrents–ensuringclearfaultcurrentrecognitionand
interactionn Theabilitytolimitfaultcurrentpriortoisolation–influencingthemagnitudeoffaultcurrentas
wellasthetimeofexposuren Electronicbasisofoperation–enablingfailsafemechanismsbydesignn Unlimiteddiscrimination–iFScanbeplacedanywhereinanelectricalsystemfromswitchboard
tooutlet.
Formoreinformationvisitwww.protectelec.com.au.
RCC ground fault Neutraliser
a novel smart griD protection For cable
anD overheaD lines
The RCC (Residual Current Compensation)
GroundFaultNeutraliserdevelopedbySwedish
Neutral defines new benchmarks for resonant
grounded medium and high voltage grids. It
providesanopportunityforAustralianelectricity
distribution companies to make a paradigm
changetothedesignoftheirnetworks,resulting
inanincreaseinperformance.
Forthefirsttime,safearcextinguishingispossible
oncablefaults.Furthermore,thefullschemecompensationofthefaultcurrentsatisfiescrucialconditionsfor
personalsafetyandfirepreventionduringoperationofoverheadlineswithsustainedearthfault.
Thefaultlocationcanbekeptatalmostzerocurrentandvoltageuntilthedefinitivedisconnectionofthe
faultyline–withoutinterruptionofelectricitysupply.
beneFits
n Improvedqualityofpowersupply–nooutageontransientearth-faults(60-70percentofall
overheadlinefaults)n Improvedpersonalsafety–eliminatesdangerousstepandtouchvoltagesonprotectivegroundingsn Improvedbushfireprotection–nosurgeenergyorshowerofsparksn Improvedfaultdetection–GFNdetectionlevelistentimesbetterthanpresentSEFprotection.
Formoreinformationvisitwww.swedishneutral.se
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getting the hard jobs done you can’t go past the tough new Triton. It features the
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MMR1008_HTYA_TME_275x210.indd 1 20/1/10 2:47:43 PM
www.masterelectricians.com.au 20
intelliRupter® PulseCloser – Tomorrow’s technology available todayS&C’sIntelliRupterPulseCloserisabreakthrough
in overhead distribution system protection. It
featuresrevolutionaryPulseClosing™technology
–auniquemeans for verifying the line is clear
of faults before initiating a close operation.
Pulseclosingissuperiortoconventionalreclosing
asitgreatlyreducesstressonsystemcomponents,
aswellasvoltagesagsexperiencedbycustomers
upstreamofthefault.
IntelliRupter features a base-integrated control
that’saccessedforconfigurationandoperationviaa
secureWiFilink.Thisinnovativeapproachimproves
reliability, operator safety and convenience and
significantlyenhances securitywhile reducing the
riskoffire.
The IntelliRupter is a key component of S&C’s
IntelliTEAM II® Automatic Restoriation System, a
selfhealing,scalablefeederreconfigurationsystem
that has become the industry’s standard Smart
Grid solution. IntelliTEAM II® offers unmatched
interoperabilityandcanautomatenewaswellas
existingcircuits.
Thefirst installationof thisdeviceoccurredfor
EnergyAustraliainSydneylastmonth.
IntelliRupterfeatures:n Vacuuminterrupterswithuniqueactuating
systemthatenablesPulseClosing™
Technologyn Integratedthree-phasecurrentsensing,
providinglinearoutputovertherangefrom
loadtofaultcurrentn Integratedpowermoduleononeorboth
sidesoftheinterrupters.Eliminatesneedto
installseparatepowertransformers
Modelsrated15.5kVmaximumcanbeapplied
on60-Hzsystemsrated11.43through15.5kV,
and 50-Hz systems rated 9 through 19.2 kV.
Modelsrated27kVmaximumcanbeappliedon
60-Hzsystemsrated18.81through27kV,and
50-Hzsystemsrated20through24kV.Allmodels
have a 630-ampere continuous current rating
(800 amperes with a minimum wind velocity
of two feet per second) and 12,500-ampere
interruptingrating.
Protex ifS-iT– The future of electrical distribution TheProtexiFSrangeoffersaworld-classrangeofinnovativeelectricalproductsthatgreatlyimprove
electricalsafetyandproductivity.ProtexiFSisaresidualvoltagedevice(iFS),detectingfaultvoltagesthat
canoccurduringtheoperationofelectricalequipment.
The Protex iFS offers unique safety and operational benefits that exceed international performance
specifications. It overcomes the longstanding safety and operational concerns associated with existing
RCD,GFCIbasedtechnologies.ProtexiFSisolateswhen40Visdetectedonaframeviaasensorwire.It
isolatesatanewbenchmarkspeedof5msandlimitsthefaultcurrentto5mAin8milliseconds.Significant
featuresinclude:n Norelianceonapathtoearthtodetectfaults–enablingpureelectricalseparationasaplatformn Adirect(inline)relationshiptofaultcurrents–ensuringclearfaultcurrentrecognitionand
interactionn Theabilitytolimitfaultcurrentpriortoisolation–influencingthemagnitudeoffaultcurrentas
wellasthetimeofexposuren Electronicbasisofoperation–enablingfailsafemechanismsbydesignn Unlimiteddiscrimination–iFScanbeplacedanywhereinanelectricalsystemfromswitchboard
tooutlet.
Formoreinformationvisitwww.protectelec.com.au.
RCC ground fault Neutraliser
a novel smart griD protection For cable
anD overheaD lines
The RCC (Residual Current Compensation)
GroundFaultNeutraliserdevelopedbySwedish
Neutral defines new benchmarks for resonant
grounded medium and high voltage grids. It
providesanopportunityforAustralianelectricity
distribution companies to make a paradigm
changetothedesignoftheirnetworks,resulting
inanincreaseinperformance.
Forthefirsttime,safearcextinguishingispossible
oncablefaults.Furthermore,thefullschemecompensationofthefaultcurrentsatisfiescrucialconditionsfor
personalsafetyandfirepreventionduringoperationofoverheadlineswithsustainedearthfault.
Thefaultlocationcanbekeptatalmostzerocurrentandvoltageuntilthedefinitivedisconnectionofthe
faultyline–withoutinterruptionofelectricitysupply.
beneFits
n Improvedqualityofpowersupply–nooutageontransientearth-faults(60-70percentofall
overheadlinefaults)n Improvedpersonalsafety–eliminatesdangerousstepandtouchvoltagesonprotectivegroundingsn Improvedbushfireprotection–nosurgeenergyorshowerofsparksn Improvedfaultdetection–GFNdetectionlevelistentimesbetterthanpresentSEFprotection.
Formoreinformationvisitwww.swedishneutral.se
newwatts
Mitsubishi has a vehicle in its work range to suit any job, and when it comes to
getting the hard jobs done you can’t go past the tough new Triton. It features the
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push it harder thanyour apprentice
MMR1008_HTYA_TME_275x210.indd 1 20/1/10 2:47:43 PM
23the master electrician : SUMMER 1022 www.masterelectricians.com.au
The amount of CSG plants operating
in Australia is about to quadruple
and at present there are not enough
electricians with hazardous area
electrical training to construct and maintain
theplants.
IfelectricalcontractorsacrossAustraliaupskill
theirteamsnow,theywillbereadytohelpmeet
thecoalseamgasindustry’sdemandforthistype
ofspecialistelectrician–andtherewillbeplenty
ofworktogoaround.
JohnHollandnationalmanagerforelectrical,
StephenBoorersaidtheCSGindustryisonthe
verge of a boom period which will expose an
extremeskillsshortage.
“Acrossthecountry,potentiallythereis$220
billionworthofoilandgaswork,andthereare
nowherenearenoughelectricalpeopleforthat,”
MrBoorersaid.
Stephenestimates electrical contractorshave
twotothreeyearstoupskillthemselvesandtheir
team.Forelectricalcontractorslookingforanew
direction for their business, this skills shortage
presentsagreatopportunity.
Forthosewhojumpontheprospect,theywill
bringsignificantfinancialgaintotheirelectrical
contractingbusinesses,aswellasthecoalseam
gasprojectsandthewiderindustry.
Withonlyalimitednumberofhazardous-area
trainedelectriciansavailable,companieswillget
intobiddingwarsforcontractorsontheirsites–
drivingupprojectcosts.
Notmanypeopleareawareoftheskillsetthat
is requiredtofulfil thisnicheelectrical role,but
JohnHollandandMasterElectriciansAustraliaare
tryingtogetinformationtoelectricalcontractors
onwhatstepstheyshouldtaketocapitaliseon
theopportunitytoworkonCSGplants.
Master Electricians Australia chief executive
officer, Malcolm Richards said the organisation
would be offering hazardous training
tomembers.
“We are working to deliver hazardous area
trainingtotheindustrybecausewerecognisethe
opportunityforourmembers.
“We want electrical contractors to see the
investment they would be making in their
business by completing the hazardous area
training,”MrRichardssaid.
“Completing this training and working in
the CSG construction industry will secure the
longevityofelectricalcontractingbusiness.”
John Holland development manager for
oil and gas, Theo Koenen said the electrical
requirements of coal seam gas plants are
veryspecific.
“When we design a plant, we sit around
and think about where gas or liquid could
escapeandmakeacloudedareaaroundthese
places.
“Depending on liquid, pressure, operating
conditions and temperature we nominate
this clouded area as a hazardous area,”
MrKoenensaid.
brings a wealth of opportunity for Australian
electrical contractors
feature : CO
AL S
EA
M G
AS
BR
ING
S A
wE
ALTH
OF O
PP
OR
TUN
ITY
ACRoSS ThE CoUNTRy, PoTENTiAlly ThERE iS
$220 BillioN woRTh of oil AND gAS woRk,
AND ThERE ARE NowhERE NEAR ENoUgh ElECTRiCAl
PEoPlE foR ThAT
Coal seam gas (CSg) projects are promising impressive contributions to our
economy in terms of job creation and export benefits. Emily Clark reports
on how electrical contractors can get their piece of the pie.
Coal Seam GaS
phone 1300 EGROUP | www.electrogroup.com.au
We take the stress out of employing ApprenticesAll of the Benefits of Apprenticeswithout the usual concerns
• No recruitment concerns
• Flexible placement options (3mths to 4 yrs)
• Provision of uniforms, tools, PPE & regulatory training
• Job ready, skilled Apprentices
electrogroupapprenticeships and training
23the master electrician : SUMMER 1022 www.masterelectricians.com.au
The amount of CSG plants operating
in Australia is about to quadruple
and at present there are not enough
electricians with hazardous area
electrical training to construct and maintain
theplants.
IfelectricalcontractorsacrossAustraliaupskill
theirteamsnow,theywillbereadytohelpmeet
thecoalseamgasindustry’sdemandforthistype
ofspecialistelectrician–andtherewillbeplenty
ofworktogoaround.
JohnHollandnationalmanagerforelectrical,
StephenBoorersaidtheCSGindustryisonthe
verge of a boom period which will expose an
extremeskillsshortage.
“Acrossthecountry,potentiallythereis$220
billionworthofoilandgaswork,andthereare
nowherenearenoughelectricalpeopleforthat,”
MrBoorersaid.
Stephenestimates electrical contractorshave
twotothreeyearstoupskillthemselvesandtheir
team.Forelectricalcontractorslookingforanew
direction for their business, this skills shortage
presentsagreatopportunity.
Forthosewhojumpontheprospect,theywill
bringsignificantfinancialgaintotheirelectrical
contractingbusinesses,aswellasthecoalseam
gasprojectsandthewiderindustry.
Withonlyalimitednumberofhazardous-area
trainedelectriciansavailable,companieswillget
intobiddingwarsforcontractorsontheirsites–
drivingupprojectcosts.
Notmanypeopleareawareoftheskillsetthat
is requiredtofulfil thisnicheelectrical role,but
JohnHollandandMasterElectriciansAustraliaare
tryingtogetinformationtoelectricalcontractors
onwhatstepstheyshouldtaketocapitaliseon
theopportunitytoworkonCSGplants.
Master Electricians Australia chief executive
officer, Malcolm Richards said the organisation
would be offering hazardous training
tomembers.
“We are working to deliver hazardous area
trainingtotheindustrybecausewerecognisethe
opportunityforourmembers.
“We want electrical contractors to see the
investment they would be making in their
business by completing the hazardous area
training,”MrRichardssaid.
“Completing this training and working in
the CSG construction industry will secure the
longevityofelectricalcontractingbusiness.”
John Holland development manager for
oil and gas, Theo Koenen said the electrical
requirements of coal seam gas plants are
veryspecific.
“When we design a plant, we sit around
and think about where gas or liquid could
escapeandmakeacloudedareaaroundthese
places.
“Depending on liquid, pressure, operating
conditions and temperature we nominate
this clouded area as a hazardous area,”
MrKoenensaid.
brings a wealth of opportunity for Australian
electrical contractors
feature : CO
AL S
EA
M G
AS
BR
ING
S A
wE
ALTH
OF O
PP
OR
TUN
ITY
ACRoSS ThE CoUNTRy, PoTENTiAlly ThERE iS
$220 BillioN woRTh of oil AND gAS woRk,
AND ThERE ARE NowhERE NEAR ENoUgh ElECTRiCAl
PEoPlE foR ThAT
Coal seam gas (CSg) projects are promising impressive contributions to our
economy in terms of job creation and export benefits. Emily Clark reports
on how electrical contractors can get their piece of the pie.
Coal Seam GaS
phone 1300 EGROUP | www.electrogroup.com.au
We take the stress out of employing ApprenticesAll of the Benefits of Apprenticeswithout the usual concerns
• No recruitment concerns
• Flexible placement options (3mths to 4 yrs)
• Provision of uniforms, tools, PPE & regulatory training
• Job ready, skilled Apprentices
electrogroupapprenticeships and training
NEW Electricity Connection and Metering ManualAs of July 2010 there will be one Electricity Connection and Metering Manual for Queensland’s electrical installers.
As a result of ENERGEX and Ergon Energy’s ongoing collaboration, the manual aligns requirements and work practices for both distribution companies and will provide guidelines for connection of supply and metering of customers’ installations.
The Electricity Connection and Metering Manual will be available from April 2010. Compliance will be required from July 2010.
For more information visit energex.com.au or ergon.com.au
CIX
3021
Now available in both 10mA and 30mA
Now available in both Type A and Type AC
Still with the 6kA Short Circuit Rating
Still with Dual Opening of Line and Neutral poles
Still the same size as existing MCB’s
Still the best value RCBO in Australia
www.crisptech.com.au1300 727 477
Father-oF-two has been eleCtroCuted while trying to Fix the Family washing maChine. Rab Taylor, 40, died after making what his wife Pauline described as a ‘silly mistake’. She said: ‘He was fixing the washing machine and made a silly mistake he forgot to switch it off. He put his hand inside and was electrocuted.”
www.dailyrecord.co.uk
“Assoonasyounominatethisasahazardous
area,andtherearedifferentclasses,itsuddenly
becomes a complete different story in its
constructionanddesign.”
The hazardous area is designed to be non-
explosivesoeveryconnectionmustbeperformed
differently to that of a house or commercial
building.Whenaplantusesanelectricmotor,a
non-sparkingmotorisused.
“Wedon’tuseasparkingmotorbecausethey
canradiateheatandgeneratestaticelectricity,so
thatmakestheskillsthatarerequiredtoperform
thisworkcompletelydifferentfromanythingyou
doinabuilding.
“This requires special training, as not only is
the skill set different but the quality to which
it needs to be delivered is different too,” Mr
Koenensaid.
“Therearerulesthatsayhowyoudoit–we
don’tneedpeopletoinventthis,weknowhow
to do it but we need people to be trained in
doingit.”
Those people with hazardous area training
are in short supply. John Holland national
operations manager, Aaron Buckley has
worked in the electrical construction industry
for 25 years with 12 years’ experience in
hazardous area training. He said current
estimates on the amount of hazardous
area trained electricians will be required
areconservative.
“Ifallprojectsweretokickoffatonce,Iwould
say we would require at least 2,300 – 3,400
peopleAustralia-wideinthenexttwoyears–and
thatisbeingveryconservative.”
MrBuckleysaidthecostoftrainingwasnotthe
problem,butthelogisticsofgettingelectricians
through the hazardous training courses often
proveddifficult.
“Weneedmorethird-partytrainerstobeup-
to-speedandpossiblygooutanddothistraining
attheirpremises.
“Anything that can be done in that area to
makeitmoreflexiblelogisticallywillbeofgreat
benefittotheindustry,”MrBuckleysaid.
Thetrainingteacheselectricianstheparticulars
ofhazardousareaelectricaloperations,Stephen
Boorer emphasised the cultural aspects to
electricalbusinessesarejustasimportantinthis
kindofwork.
“The difference is, the quality standard and
safetystandardisalothigher.
“Inoil andgas they can’t just say – I’m the
cheapestprice,Ishouldgetthatwork–itdoesn’t
workthatway.
“Longbeforeyougetpre-qualifiedyouhave
tosaywhatyoursafetysystemisandwhatyour
businesscultureis,”MrBoorersaid.
This is why John Holland is working with
Master Electricians. Master Electricians already
havethebusinessandsafetyculturesuitablefor
hazardousareawork.
“Onehundredmillionjobsarenotoftendone
byonecompany.
“John Holland is putting some very clever
engineers through hazardous area training –
we’regettingreadyandtryingtogetthewider
industryreadyaswell.
There’s no competition in the oil and gas
industry – there’s enough work to go around.
Thosecapablewillbepaidwell.Buttheindustry
demandsthebestandthebrightest.
With minimal action from government and
training organisations such as TAFEs and third-
party trainers, someone will have to draw the
bestoutoftheindustryandgetthemreadyfor
theCSGboom.
Malcolm Richards said those interested can
contactMasterElectriciansforadvice.
“Most contractors wouldn’t do hazardous
areaworkbutthroughourtrainingprogramwe
can help prepare suitable contractors to move
intothenextgenerationofelectricalconstruction
workinAustralia.
“Weareallcurrentlyinauniquepositionand
ourorganisationwillhelpthe industrypromote
its high quality members to this next level of
electricalwork,”MrRichardssaid.
Please contact Master Electricians for more
information on its training program and how
yourbusinesscangetitssliceofAustralia’sCSG
pie–there’splentytogoaround.
25the master electrician : SUMMER 1024 www.masterelectricians.com.au
feature : CO
AL S
EA
M G
AS
BR
ING
S A
wE
ALTH
OF O
PP
OR
TUN
ITY
NEW Electricity Connection and Metering ManualAs of July 2010 there will be one Electricity Connection and Metering Manual for Queensland’s electrical installers.
As a result of ENERGEX and Ergon Energy’s ongoing collaboration, the manual aligns requirements and work practices for both distribution companies and will provide guidelines for connection of supply and metering of customers’ installations.
The Electricity Connection and Metering Manual will be available from April 2010. Compliance will be required from July 2010.
For more information visit energex.com.au or ergon.com.au
CIX
3021
Now available in both 10mA and 30mA
Now available in both Type A and Type AC
Still with the 6kA Short Circuit Rating
Still with Dual Opening of Line and Neutral poles
Still the same size as existing MCB’s
Still the best value RCBO in Australia
www.crisptech.com.au1300 727 477
Father-oF-two has been eleCtroCuted while trying to Fix the Family washing maChine. Rab Taylor, 40, died after making what his wife Pauline described as a ‘silly mistake’. She said: ‘He was fixing the washing machine and made a silly mistake he forgot to switch it off. He put his hand inside and was electrocuted.”
www.dailyrecord.co.uk
“Assoonasyounominatethisasahazardous
area,andtherearedifferentclasses,itsuddenly
becomes a complete different story in its
constructionanddesign.”
The hazardous area is designed to be non-
explosivesoeveryconnectionmustbeperformed
differently to that of a house or commercial
building.Whenaplantusesanelectricmotor,a
non-sparkingmotorisused.
“Wedon’tuseasparkingmotorbecausethey
canradiateheatandgeneratestaticelectricity,so
thatmakestheskillsthatarerequiredtoperform
thisworkcompletelydifferentfromanythingyou
doinabuilding.
“This requires special training, as not only is
the skill set different but the quality to which
it needs to be delivered is different too,” Mr
Koenensaid.
“Therearerulesthatsayhowyoudoit–we
don’tneedpeopletoinventthis,weknowhow
to do it but we need people to be trained in
doingit.”
Those people with hazardous area training
are in short supply. John Holland national
operations manager, Aaron Buckley has
worked in the electrical construction industry
for 25 years with 12 years’ experience in
hazardous area training. He said current
estimates on the amount of hazardous
area trained electricians will be required
areconservative.
“Ifallprojectsweretokickoffatonce,Iwould
say we would require at least 2,300 – 3,400
peopleAustralia-wideinthenexttwoyears–and
thatisbeingveryconservative.”
MrBuckleysaidthecostoftrainingwasnotthe
problem,butthelogisticsofgettingelectricians
through the hazardous training courses often
proveddifficult.
“Weneedmorethird-partytrainerstobeup-
to-speedandpossiblygooutanddothistraining
attheirpremises.
“Anything that can be done in that area to
makeitmoreflexiblelogisticallywillbeofgreat
benefittotheindustry,”MrBuckleysaid.
Thetrainingteacheselectricianstheparticulars
ofhazardousareaelectricaloperations,Stephen
Boorer emphasised the cultural aspects to
electricalbusinessesarejustasimportantinthis
kindofwork.
“The difference is, the quality standard and
safetystandardisalothigher.
“Inoil andgas they can’t just say – I’m the
cheapestprice,Ishouldgetthatwork–itdoesn’t
workthatway.
“Longbeforeyougetpre-qualifiedyouhave
tosaywhatyoursafetysystemisandwhatyour
businesscultureis,”MrBoorersaid.
This is why John Holland is working with
Master Electricians. Master Electricians already
havethebusinessandsafetyculturesuitablefor
hazardousareawork.
“Onehundredmillionjobsarenotoftendone
byonecompany.
“John Holland is putting some very clever
engineers through hazardous area training –
we’regettingreadyandtryingtogetthewider
industryreadyaswell.
There’s no competition in the oil and gas
industry – there’s enough work to go around.
Thosecapablewillbepaidwell.Buttheindustry
demandsthebestandthebrightest.
With minimal action from government and
training organisations such as TAFEs and third-
party trainers, someone will have to draw the
bestoutoftheindustryandgetthemreadyfor
theCSGboom.
Malcolm Richards said those interested can
contactMasterElectriciansforadvice.
“Most contractors wouldn’t do hazardous
areaworkbutthroughourtrainingprogramwe
can help prepare suitable contractors to move
intothenextgenerationofelectricalconstruction
workinAustralia.
“Weareallcurrentlyinauniquepositionand
ourorganisationwillhelpthe industrypromote
its high quality members to this next level of
electricalwork,”MrRichardssaid.
Please contact Master Electricians for more
information on its training program and how
yourbusinesscangetitssliceofAustralia’sCSG
pie–there’splentytogoaround.
25the master electrician : SUMMER 1024 www.masterelectricians.com.au
feature : CO
AL S
EA
M G
AS
BR
ING
S A
wE
ALTH
OF O
PP
OR
TUN
ITY
Townsville men through and through,
John Horan and Scott Bird love
nothingmorethanadayattheraces,
theV8 Supercars Townsville 400or a
Cowboyswin.
The pair came together in 2007 when John
andRosemarieHoranpartneredwithScottand
SandraBirdtoformHoranandBirdElectrical.
Twoyears laterand the twomenmanagea
team of 18 employees and, having achieved
Master Electricians accreditation last year, were
awarded Master Electricians of the Year at
the 2009 ECA and Master Electricians Annual
AwardsforExcellence.
Johnstartedhisapprenticeshipatasugarmill
intheNorthQueenslandregionandcompletedit
atErgonEnergy.
Heisapassionateman.Heisdedicatedtohis
business,histeam,hiscustomersandhisfamily.
Whenweaskedhimwhathelikedmostabout
his job,customersatisfactionwasatthetopof
hislist.
“Also, creating win-win situations with
energyefficiencyforcustomersandsavingthem
somemoney.
“Havingsuchafantasticteamalsohelps.
“Seeingyoungapprenticesturnintoadultsis
great,”Johnsaid.
That mentoring trait is something that is
instilled intheentireHoranandBirdteam.The
companyplacesahighpriorityonrelationships.
“Webaseourwholebusinessonintegrityand
continuousimprovement.
“We never stop trying to create great
relationshipswithourcustomers.”
Havingfoundawork-lifebalance,ScottandJohn
spend their weekends with their families. Come
Monday, thebusinesspartnersareconcentrating
ontheircustomersanddevelopingtheirbusiness.
John and Scott have
plans to franchise Horan
and Bird Electrical
thisyear.
“We will be looking
for good existing
businesses thatwant to
tradeunderourbanner
and want to take
advantage of a very
large buying group,
the systems and the
clientswehaveinplace
throughoutAustralia.
“We will also have positions for good
tradespeople who want to start their own
business and want to hit the ground running
fromthestart.
John saidHoranandBird Electricalwill have
experiencedbusinesscoachesandelectriciansto
helpfranchiseeseverystepoftheway.
“The most important thing for us is that
the client receives topquality service, value for
moneyandcanreferustoeverybodytheycome
incontactwith.”
how to escape From quicksanD: the ultimate
guiDe For traDies anD contractors
When John and his wife Rosemarie started
the business in 2004 John’s philosophy was
thatthemoreheworked,themorehecould
offer his family in years to come. He could
retire sooner and leave the business in a
betterposition.
“I figured the harder I worked, the quicker
I could retire and that would make my
familyhappy.
“But the faster I ran, the quicker I sank,”
Johnsaid.
Working 100-hour
weekstookatollonbothhisfamilyand
hissanity.Johncuthishoursbackandstartedto
follow some strictwork/lifemantrasand tohis
surprisehisbusinesswasbetterforit.
“I realisedmy life andmy familyweremore
importantthanmoneyandusedsomestrategies
togetmylifeandbusinessbackontrack.
“I cut back to 40 hours a week and was
abletoturnthebusinessintowhatitistoday,”
Johnsaid.
InMarchnextyearJohnwillreleasehisbook
“How to escape from quicksand”.Hewrotethe
book with former BHP chief financial officer
JerryMaguirebecausehewantedtosaveother
business owners from falling into the traps
hedid.
“If me writing this book saves one divorce,
saves one business from going under or gets
onedadawayfromhisbusinessonaSaturday
morning and at his son’s football game, then
I’mhappy.”
27the master electrician : SUMMER 10
Mastering their own universe family men John horan and Scott Bird are a winning combination. it’s lucky too ... because with a horse racing and a motorsport enthusiast at the helm, the race is always on.
electrician
meet a
master
meet a m
aster electrician : HO
RA
N A
ND
BIR
D E
LEC
TRIC
AL
NAME: John horan
COMPANY:horan and bird electrical
NAME: scott birdCOMPANY:horan and bird electrical
Townsville men through and through,
John Horan and Scott Bird love
nothingmorethanadayattheraces,
theV8 Supercars Townsville 400or a
Cowboyswin.
The pair came together in 2007 when John
andRosemarieHoranpartneredwithScottand
SandraBirdtoformHoranandBirdElectrical.
Twoyears laterand the twomenmanagea
team of 18 employees and, having achieved
Master Electricians accreditation last year, were
awarded Master Electricians of the Year at
the 2009 ECA and Master Electricians Annual
AwardsforExcellence.
Johnstartedhisapprenticeshipatasugarmill
intheNorthQueenslandregionandcompletedit
atErgonEnergy.
Heisapassionateman.Heisdedicatedtohis
business,histeam,hiscustomersandhisfamily.
Whenweaskedhimwhathelikedmostabout
his job,customersatisfactionwasatthetopof
hislist.
“Also, creating win-win situations with
energyefficiencyforcustomersandsavingthem
somemoney.
“Havingsuchafantasticteamalsohelps.
“Seeingyoungapprenticesturnintoadultsis
great,”Johnsaid.
That mentoring trait is something that is
instilled intheentireHoranandBirdteam.The
companyplacesahighpriorityonrelationships.
“Webaseourwholebusinessonintegrityand
continuousimprovement.
“We never stop trying to create great
relationshipswithourcustomers.”
Havingfoundawork-lifebalance,ScottandJohn
spend their weekends with their families. Come
Monday, thebusinesspartnersareconcentrating
ontheircustomersanddevelopingtheirbusiness.
John and Scott have
plans to franchise Horan
and Bird Electrical
thisyear.
“We will be looking
for good existing
businesses thatwant to
tradeunderourbanner
and want to take
advantage of a very
large buying group,
the systems and the
clientswehaveinplace
throughoutAustralia.
“We will also have positions for good
tradespeople who want to start their own
business and want to hit the ground running
fromthestart.
John saidHoranandBird Electricalwill have
experiencedbusinesscoachesandelectriciansto
helpfranchiseeseverystepoftheway.
“The most important thing for us is that
the client receives topquality service, value for
moneyandcanreferustoeverybodytheycome
incontactwith.”
how to escape From quicksanD: the ultimate
guiDe For traDies anD contractors
When John and his wife Rosemarie started
the business in 2004 John’s philosophy was
thatthemoreheworked,themorehecould
offer his family in years to come. He could
retire sooner and leave the business in a
betterposition.
“I figured the harder I worked, the quicker
I could retire and that would make my
familyhappy.
“But the faster I ran, the quicker I sank,”
Johnsaid.
Working 100-hour
weekstookatollonbothhisfamilyand
hissanity.Johncuthishoursbackandstartedto
follow some strictwork/lifemantrasand tohis
surprisehisbusinesswasbetterforit.
“I realisedmy life andmy familyweremore
importantthanmoneyandusedsomestrategies
togetmylifeandbusinessbackontrack.
“I cut back to 40 hours a week and was
abletoturnthebusinessintowhatitistoday,”
Johnsaid.
InMarchnextyearJohnwillreleasehisbook
“How to escape from quicksand”.Hewrotethe
book with former BHP chief financial officer
JerryMaguirebecausehewantedtosaveother
business owners from falling into the traps
hedid.
“If me writing this book saves one divorce,
saves one business from going under or gets
onedadawayfromhisbusinessonaSaturday
morning and at his son’s football game, then
I’mhappy.”
27the master electrician : SUMMER 10
Mastering their own universe family men John horan and Scott Bird are a winning combination. it’s lucky too ... because with a horse racing and a motorsport enthusiast at the helm, the race is always on.
electrician
meet a
masterm
eet a master electrician : H
OR
AN
AN
D B
IRD
ELE
CTR
ICA
L
NAME: John horan
COMPANY:horan and bird electrical
NAME: scott birdCOMPANY:horan and bird electrical
Newtagsadvert180x81.pdf 16/04/2009 2:04:04 PM
In ternet innovat ion to dismantle duopoly
feature : INTE
RN
ET IN
NO
VATION
TO D
ISM
AN
TLE D
UO
PO
LY
have you ever thought about how you reach the internet? instantaneous access to the global network of information is so embedded in our culture that the complexities of the process can often go unnoticed.
ButforfriendsBevanSlatteryandStephen
Baxter,theinternethasprovidedawealth
ofopportunities.
Thepair co-foundedPIPENetworks in2002,
after identifying an opportunity to provide
peering exchanges to Australian organisations
through broadband fibre optics technology.
Then, after noticing the growing demand
from customers to reach international peering
networksthroughmultiplechannels,Slatteryand
Baxter sought toupset the existingduopolyof
TelstraandSingTel/Optus/TNZ.
In January 2008, they established PIPE
International as a subsidiary company and
announceditsplanstoconstructa$200million
underseacablinglinkstretching7,000kilometres
fromSydneytoGuam.By8October2009,the
PIPEPacificCable(PPC-1)projectwascomplete.
Usingdensewavelengthdivisionmultiplexing
technology, with a design capacity of 2.56
Tbit/s over twofibrepairs, the systemprovides
diversity to the existing routes in the region
which are available through Telstra and
Singtel/Optus/TNZ, in addition to onward
connectivity to Asia and the USA. PPC-1 is
the first 40 Gbit/s ready network to land on
Australianshores.
As PIPE International chief operating officer,
BrettWorrallsaidtheopportunitywasripetoset
uptheinfrastructure,despitetheenormouscost
oftheproject.
“Broadbandisdrivingdemandforinternational
capacity. The growth rate for international
capacitydemandhasbeen40to50percentover
recent years. The reason the project happened
was because our fibre customers expressed a
viewtoincreasetheirinternationalcapacity.The
marketwasverymuchaclosedshopbeforeus
–ithashighbarrierstoentrywithalargecapital
investment,”hesaid.
Mr Worrall said the project was financed
undercontractualguaranteesfromexistingPIPE
customers,showingahighlevelofconfidencein
itscapabilities.
“They signed contracts with us before we
builtthecable.Otherwisethiswasgoingtobea
high-riskventure.Wewereaffectedbytheglobal
financial crisis because the banks prevented us
financingtheconstructionourselves,sowehad
toreadjustthat,”hesaid.
After securing investor confidence and
developingpartnershipstocompletetheproject,
the PIPE team faced a demanding installation
processlastingover18months.
“Firstofallwehad to survey thebottomof
theocean.Weusedthelatestgenerationmulti
beam echo sounding technology to find the
bestroute.Asyoucanimagine,therearesubsea
mountains and canyons on the ocean floor,
wedidn’twant the cable to be suspended, so
weneededtoknowwhere to installadditional
slack so the system could lay flat along the
seabed.ThePPC-1cablesarequalifieddownto
approximately10,000metres,withthedeepest
sectiononthePPC-1routebeingapproximately
9,000metres. So the cableshave towithstand
thepressureofbeing installedat thesedepths.
Every 90 kilometres we have repeaters so we
havetoensurethereistherightamountofslack
sothatpartofthecablecan lieflat inthehills
andvalleysontheoceanfloor,”MrWorrallsaid.
ThecableswerelaidusingtwoRelianceClass
ships from the project partner Tyco Electronics,
avoidingunnecessarydelays.
“The installation strategy we used was
standard practice – having two ships working
minimisesdelaybecause ifonehas tostopthe
otherisstillprogressingcloser.Thefirstshipleft
fromSydneyandtravelled3,600kilometresnorth
toMadang.Thesecondshiptooktherestofthe
cableand left fromGuamtomeet inMadang.
Weusedatwo-ship-laymethodsowecouldget
itdoneby8October,2009,”hesaid.
MrWorrallsaidalthoughtheinstallationphase
posedsafetyrisks,theinstallationransmoothly.
“Theinstallationwentreallywell.Wedidhave
someroughweatheroffSydneyduringapretty
badstorminMaywhichstalledprogressalittle,”
hesaid.
But despite the engineering feat of laying
7,000kilometresofunderseacable,MrWorrall
admittedthemainchallengetheyfacedwasall
thepermittinginvolved.
Afterlayingthecable,PIPEconductedteststo
ensurethesystemwasworking.
“Fromthelastsplicewhichweperformedat
the end of August, we had two months – or
aroundsixweeks–ofsystemtesting.Whenwe
didthatlastspliceinAugustwepoweredupthe
cablefromeachend,”hesaid.
Despite the intricaciesof the technology,Mr
Worrall said the ongoing management of the
systemhasbeenquitesimple.
“What we laid was a family of cables, with
thethinnestcable17mmindiameter.Thecables
havegalvanisedhightensilearmouraroundthe
optics.Thecable itselftakesnexttonothingto
run–around20kW”.
According to Mr Worrall the benefits for
consumers are still developing, but the initial
marketentrancehasrockedtheduopoly.
“The big guys have reduced their prices in
anticipation of PPC-1 entering the market. It’s
verymuchwatchthisspaceintermsofwhenthe
endconsumerwillseesavings,butweexpectwe
shouldseesomechangesinthefirsthalfofnext
year,”hesaid.
PIPE International is looking to expand its
presence through the construction of the PPC-
2 project, linking Australia to the international
networkthroughaNewZealandconnection.
29the master electrician : SUMMER 1028 www.masterelectricians.com.au
“ThE MARkET wAS VERy MUCh A CloSED ShoP
BEfoRE US – iT hAS high BARRiERS To ENTRy wiTh A
lARgE CAPiTAl iNVESTMENT”
“ThE MAiN ChAllENgE wE fACED wAS All ThE PERMiTTiNg iNVolVED”
Newtagsadvert180x81.pdf 16/04/2009 2:04:04 PM
In ternet innovat ion to dismantle duopolyfeature : IN
TER
NE
T INN
OVATIO
N TO
DIS
MA
NTLE
DU
OP
OLY
have you ever thought about how you reach the internet? instantaneous access to the global network of information is so embedded in our culture that the complexities of the process can often go unnoticed.
ButforfriendsBevanSlatteryandStephen
Baxter,theinternethasprovidedawealth
ofopportunities.
Thepair co-foundedPIPENetworks in2002,
after identifying an opportunity to provide
peering exchanges to Australian organisations
through broadband fibre optics technology.
Then, after noticing the growing demand
from customers to reach international peering
networksthroughmultiplechannels,Slatteryand
Baxter sought toupset the existingduopolyof
TelstraandSingTel/Optus/TNZ.
In January 2008, they established PIPE
International as a subsidiary company and
announceditsplanstoconstructa$200million
underseacablinglinkstretching7,000kilometres
fromSydneytoGuam.By8October2009,the
PIPEPacificCable(PPC-1)projectwascomplete.
Usingdensewavelengthdivisionmultiplexing
technology, with a design capacity of 2.56
Tbit/s over twofibrepairs, the systemprovides
diversity to the existing routes in the region
which are available through Telstra and
Singtel/Optus/TNZ, in addition to onward
connectivity to Asia and the USA. PPC-1 is
the first 40 Gbit/s ready network to land on
Australianshores.
As PIPE International chief operating officer,
BrettWorrallsaidtheopportunitywasripetoset
uptheinfrastructure,despitetheenormouscost
oftheproject.
“Broadbandisdrivingdemandforinternational
capacity. The growth rate for international
capacitydemandhasbeen40to50percentover
recent years. The reason the project happened
was because our fibre customers expressed a
viewtoincreasetheirinternationalcapacity.The
marketwasverymuchaclosedshopbeforeus
–ithashighbarrierstoentrywithalargecapital
investment,”hesaid.
Mr Worrall said the project was financed
undercontractualguaranteesfromexistingPIPE
customers,showingahighlevelofconfidencein
itscapabilities.
“They signed contracts with us before we
builtthecable.Otherwisethiswasgoingtobea
high-riskventure.Wewereaffectedbytheglobal
financial crisis because the banks prevented us
financingtheconstructionourselves,sowehad
toreadjustthat,”hesaid.
After securing investor confidence and
developingpartnershipstocompletetheproject,
the PIPE team faced a demanding installation
processlastingover18months.
“Firstofallwehad to survey thebottomof
theocean.Weusedthelatestgenerationmulti
beam echo sounding technology to find the
bestroute.Asyoucanimagine,therearesubsea
mountains and canyons on the ocean floor,
wedidn’twant the cable to be suspended, so
weneededtoknowwhere to installadditional
slack so the system could lay flat along the
seabed.ThePPC-1cablesarequalifieddownto
approximately10,000metres,withthedeepest
sectiononthePPC-1routebeingapproximately
9,000metres. So the cableshave towithstand
thepressureofbeing installedat thesedepths.
Every 90 kilometres we have repeaters so we
havetoensurethereistherightamountofslack
sothatpartofthecablecan lieflat inthehills
andvalleysontheoceanfloor,”MrWorrallsaid.
ThecableswerelaidusingtwoRelianceClass
ships from the project partner Tyco Electronics,
avoidingunnecessarydelays.
“The installation strategy we used was
standard practice – having two ships working
minimisesdelaybecause ifonehas tostopthe
otherisstillprogressingcloser.Thefirstshipleft
fromSydneyandtravelled3,600kilometresnorth
toMadang.Thesecondshiptooktherestofthe
cableand left fromGuamtomeet inMadang.
Weusedatwo-ship-laymethodsowecouldget
itdoneby8October,2009,”hesaid.
MrWorrallsaidalthoughtheinstallationphase
posedsafetyrisks,theinstallationransmoothly.
“Theinstallationwentreallywell.Wedidhave
someroughweatheroffSydneyduringapretty
badstorminMaywhichstalledprogressalittle,”
hesaid.
But despite the engineering feat of laying
7,000kilometresofunderseacable,MrWorrall
admittedthemainchallengetheyfacedwasall
thepermittinginvolved.
Afterlayingthecable,PIPEconductedteststo
ensurethesystemwasworking.
“Fromthelastsplicewhichweperformedat
the end of August, we had two months – or
aroundsixweeks–ofsystemtesting.Whenwe
didthatlastspliceinAugustwepoweredupthe
cablefromeachend,”hesaid.
Despite the intricaciesof the technology,Mr
Worrall said the ongoing management of the
systemhasbeenquitesimple.
“What we laid was a family of cables, with
thethinnestcable17mmindiameter.Thecables
havegalvanisedhightensilearmouraroundthe
optics.Thecable itselftakesnexttonothingto
run–around20kW”.
According to Mr Worrall the benefits for
consumers are still developing, but the initial
marketentrancehasrockedtheduopoly.
“The big guys have reduced their prices in
anticipation of PPC-1 entering the market. It’s
verymuchwatchthisspaceintermsofwhenthe
endconsumerwillseesavings,butweexpectwe
shouldseesomechangesinthefirsthalfofnext
year,”hesaid.
PIPE International is looking to expand its
presence through the construction of the PPC-
2 project, linking Australia to the international
networkthroughaNewZealandconnection.
29the master electrician : SUMMER 1028 www.masterelectricians.com.au
“ThE MARkET wAS VERy MUCh A CloSED ShoP
BEfoRE US – iT hAS high BARRiERS To ENTRy wiTh A
lARgE CAPiTAl iNVESTMENT”
“ThE MAiN ChAllENgE wE fACED wAS All ThE PERMiTTiNg iNVolVED”
www.masterelectricians.com.au 30
news
31the master electrician : SUMMER 10
from distributors
tasmania: aurora energy
PUBLIC AwARENESS CAMPAIGN TO COMMENCE FOR CABLEPI
A Tasmanian public awareness campaign on
the use and benefits of the CablePi electrical
safety device commenced last month. The
television and radio campaign coincided with the
completion of the distribution of the devices to
about 200,000 Aurora Energy customers around
the state.
As of october 2009, the CablePis had
detected 1568 electrical problems in Tasmanian
customers’ homes and a further 295 in Aurora’s
own network. These statistics include 44 broken
neutral type situations that have the potential
to cause severe electric shocks and a further
86 situations that could lead to fire or damage
to property.
Aurora Network Division general Manager
John Devereaux said the campaign was
designed to communicate an important public
safety message.
“Now that our customers have received their
CablePis we are strongly encouraging them
to plug it in, keep it on and keep safe,’’ Mr
Devereaux said.
“The CablePi detects a potentially dangerous
broken neutral situation and dozens of these
have been detected around Tasmania since the
roll-out started last June. The device can also
detect voltage problems – either too high or
too low.
“while the CablePi may not be showing any
problems when it is initially plugged in, household
electrical situations can deteriorate due to
weather events, through human error or general
wear and tear. The CablePi is an excellent
warning of these changes, similar to a smoke
alarm in the event of fire.”
news from
distrib
utors : wH
AT’S H
AP
PE
NIN
G IN
YO
UR
IND
US
TRY
victoria: citipower
PREMIUM FEED IN TARIFFS
Eligible customers will be paid 60 cents per kwh
for the net electricity fed into the grid after their
own consumption is taken into account.
Many Powercor customers and a few
CitiPower customers currently enjoy lower
electricity rates that are applied to their hot water
and slab heating (controlled load tariffs), and
split system heating (climate saver tariffs). These
customers’ electricity meters measure multiple
tariffs at the same premises.
however, eligible customers who wish to
partake in the premium feed in tariff will be moved
onto a single tariff structure. Those customers’
premises will be fitted with an electricity meter that
measures the net electricity fed into the grid after
their own consumption is taken into account. This
is called “net metering” and is part of the legislation
associated with Premium feed in Tariffs.
for customers who install small scale solar
photovoltaic systems and lose their lower
electricity rates associated with controlled load
devices, CitiPower and Powercor will offer a time
of use tariff comparable to the controlled load
tariffs that would otherwise be lost.
Customers should contact their retailer to
understand the effect of solar photovoltaic
systems on their electricity bill. for further
information including extensive fAQs on the
premium feed-in tariff visit the website.
queenslanD: ergon energy
ExCITING FUTURE AHEAD
Regional Queensland will benefit from an
increasingly intelligent electricity network in
the future as Ergon Energy continues to adopt
new ‘best technologies’ to deliver an affordable,
dependable and smart electricity supply to its
vast service area.
in its annual report tabled in State Parliament,
Ergon Energy paints a picture of an electricity
network in 2020 vastly different to the one we
have today.
“The way we see it…,” says the report, “any
advance in technology that improves the way
we view and manage our expansive electricity
network is a smart thing.”
Already the company has gone into
partnership with google Earth to have a 3D
view of its entire network at the touch of a
mouse button.
“The first of its kind for an Australian electricity
utility, this groundbreaking initiative delivers a
3D view of our entire network,” says the report.
“The operational efficiencies this enables are
already being seen, as planners, network
controllers and field crews enjoy a faster, more
efficient way of working. it’s taken three years
to implement the technology, but the way we
see it, the benefits to our customers will last
a lifetime.”
The company is developing a $134.6 million
high-speed internal telecommunications
network which, again, will transform the way it
does business and improve the reliability and
responsiveness of its network.
new south wales: energyaustralia
AUSTRALIA’S FIRST SMART VILLAGE TO BE CREATED IN NEwINGTON, SYDNEY
Australia’s first smart grid suburbs will be created in Newington and Silverwater in a two-year trial by
EnergyAustralia and Sydney water to help households reduce their utility bills and carbon impact.
EnergyAustralia Managing Director george Maltabarow said the $10 million Smart Village trial
involved adding smart technologies to 1,000 homes and the electricity network to provide the most
detailed picture yet of household energy and water use in Australia.
“This trial will give households their first instant picture of their energy and water use, including
costs, environmental impact, and incentives to reduce them using in-house displays and household
websites,” he said.
“The Smart Village will give us our first look at how the homes of tomorrow will use energy
and water.
“Smart grids are crucial if we are serious about making electricity and water networks greener,”
he said.
The Smart Village trial will feature the world-first use of many smart grid technologies – from
fourth generation wireless communications, to smart sensors in substations, to fully-connected
home area networks in households.
Using tailored websites, households will be able to identify energy guzzling appliances, water
leaks and bad habits, and learn how to manage them.
“New technologies will also give EnergyAustralia and Sydney water instant network information
to improve power and water supplies due to faster fault location and repair, and more targeted
preventive maintenance.”
Smart Village homes will be able to turn
appliances on and off remotely using iPhones
and websites, compare energy use through
neighbourhood competitions and use
plug-in electric vehicles free of charge.
Total savings of more than $400,000
on household energy and water
bills are expected over the two-year
trial period, as well as a reduction in
greenhouse gas emissions of almost
2,500 tonnes.
The $10 million, two-year trial by
EnergyAustralia and Sydney water
is supported by $1.5 million from NSw
government’s Climate Change fund.
www.masterelectricians.com.au 30
news
31the master electrician : SUMMER 10
from distributors
tasmania: aurora energy
PUBLIC AwARENESS CAMPAIGN TO COMMENCE FOR CABLEPI
A Tasmanian public awareness campaign on
the use and benefits of the CablePi electrical
safety device commenced last month. The
television and radio campaign coincided with the
completion of the distribution of the devices to
about 200,000 Aurora Energy customers around
the state.
As of october 2009, the CablePis had
detected 1568 electrical problems in Tasmanian
customers’ homes and a further 295 in Aurora’s
own network. These statistics include 44 broken
neutral type situations that have the potential
to cause severe electric shocks and a further
86 situations that could lead to fire or damage
to property.
Aurora Network Division general Manager
John Devereaux said the campaign was
designed to communicate an important public
safety message.
“Now that our customers have received their
CablePis we are strongly encouraging them
to plug it in, keep it on and keep safe,’’ Mr
Devereaux said.
“The CablePi detects a potentially dangerous
broken neutral situation and dozens of these
have been detected around Tasmania since the
roll-out started last June. The device can also
detect voltage problems – either too high or
too low.
“while the CablePi may not be showing any
problems when it is initially plugged in, household
electrical situations can deteriorate due to
weather events, through human error or general
wear and tear. The CablePi is an excellent
warning of these changes, similar to a smoke
alarm in the event of fire.”
news from
distrib
utors : wH
AT’S H
AP
PE
NIN
G IN
YO
UR
IND
US
TRY
victoria: citipower
PREMIUM FEED IN TARIFFS
Eligible customers will be paid 60 cents per kwh
for the net electricity fed into the grid after their
own consumption is taken into account.
Many Powercor customers and a few
CitiPower customers currently enjoy lower
electricity rates that are applied to their hot water
and slab heating (controlled load tariffs), and
split system heating (climate saver tariffs). These
customers’ electricity meters measure multiple
tariffs at the same premises.
however, eligible customers who wish to
partake in the premium feed in tariff will be moved
onto a single tariff structure. Those customers’
premises will be fitted with an electricity meter that
measures the net electricity fed into the grid after
their own consumption is taken into account. This
is called “net metering” and is part of the legislation
associated with Premium feed in Tariffs.
for customers who install small scale solar
photovoltaic systems and lose their lower
electricity rates associated with controlled load
devices, CitiPower and Powercor will offer a time
of use tariff comparable to the controlled load
tariffs that would otherwise be lost.
Customers should contact their retailer to
understand the effect of solar photovoltaic
systems on their electricity bill. for further
information including extensive fAQs on the
premium feed-in tariff visit the website.
queenslanD: ergon energy
ExCITING FUTURE AHEAD
Regional Queensland will benefit from an
increasingly intelligent electricity network in
the future as Ergon Energy continues to adopt
new ‘best technologies’ to deliver an affordable,
dependable and smart electricity supply to its
vast service area.
in its annual report tabled in State Parliament,
Ergon Energy paints a picture of an electricity
network in 2020 vastly different to the one we
have today.
“The way we see it…,” says the report, “any
advance in technology that improves the way
we view and manage our expansive electricity
network is a smart thing.”
Already the company has gone into
partnership with google Earth to have a 3D
view of its entire network at the touch of a
mouse button.
“The first of its kind for an Australian electricity
utility, this groundbreaking initiative delivers a
3D view of our entire network,” says the report.
“The operational efficiencies this enables are
already being seen, as planners, network
controllers and field crews enjoy a faster, more
efficient way of working. it’s taken three years
to implement the technology, but the way we
see it, the benefits to our customers will last
a lifetime.”
The company is developing a $134.6 million
high-speed internal telecommunications
network which, again, will transform the way it
does business and improve the reliability and
responsiveness of its network.
new south wales: energyaustralia
AUSTRALIA’S FIRST SMART VILLAGE TO BE CREATED IN NEwINGTON, SYDNEY
Australia’s first smart grid suburbs will be created in Newington and Silverwater in a two-year trial by
EnergyAustralia and Sydney water to help households reduce their utility bills and carbon impact.
EnergyAustralia Managing Director george Maltabarow said the $10 million Smart Village trial
involved adding smart technologies to 1,000 homes and the electricity network to provide the most
detailed picture yet of household energy and water use in Australia.
“This trial will give households their first instant picture of their energy and water use, including
costs, environmental impact, and incentives to reduce them using in-house displays and household
websites,” he said.
“The Smart Village will give us our first look at how the homes of tomorrow will use energy
and water.
“Smart grids are crucial if we are serious about making electricity and water networks greener,”
he said.
The Smart Village trial will feature the world-first use of many smart grid technologies – from
fourth generation wireless communications, to smart sensors in substations, to fully-connected
home area networks in households.
Using tailored websites, households will be able to identify energy guzzling appliances, water
leaks and bad habits, and learn how to manage them.
“New technologies will also give EnergyAustralia and Sydney water instant network information
to improve power and water supplies due to faster fault location and repair, and more targeted
preventive maintenance.”
Smart Village homes will be able to turn
appliances on and off remotely using iPhones
and websites, compare energy use through
neighbourhood competitions and use
plug-in electric vehicles free of charge.
Total savings of more than $400,000
on household energy and water
bills are expected over the two-year
trial period, as well as a reduction in
greenhouse gas emissions of almost
2,500 tonnes.
The $10 million, two-year trial by
EnergyAustralia and Sydney water
is supported by $1.5 million from NSw
government’s Climate Change fund.
For more details visit www.masterelectricians.com.au
Reap the benefits.
Vehicle discountsJoining MEA means you receive great discounts when purchasing vehicles with our Fleet Services program. Through our partnership with the AP Group, MEA Fleet Services can source the right vehicle at the right price using a network of member fleet specialists covering almost every vehicle brand. In addition, you can also access competitive finance packages.
Stationery and publicationsAccredited Master Electricians receive significant discounts on a range of business stationery, forms and guides specifically designed for the electrotechnology industry including:• Australian standards• Job/project stationery• Quotation/work variation books• Risk assessment and safe work procedures• Employment and workplace relations guides
TelecommunicationsMEA provides contractors with access to discounted telecommunications services including mobile, landline, 1300 and 1800 phone numbers as well as internet packages. Master Electricians can connect to a range of products running on some of Australia’s largest networks. The service is backed by a dedicated 1300 technical support helpdesk so you can get assistance when you need it.
Fuel SchemeOur fuel plan is a convenient way for you to manage and reduce your bills. Use your BP or Caltex fuel card to receive discounted rates and receive a simple monthly fuel bill for all your vehicles. All your business and private vehicles are eligible to participate in the fuel scheme. You can even extend the privilege to staff as an extra benefit of employment.
quality safety reliability
To find out how you can become a Master Electrician call 1300 889 198
When you become an Accredited Master Electrician you gain access to a wide variety of exclusive benefits and discounts.
08540 ECA Members Benefits Full Page Ad Summer10 v1.indd 1 27/01/10 9:04 AM
32 www.masterelectricians.com.au
Former eleCtriCal ContraCtor gets three months in jail For bribing union bossA former city electrical contractor walked out of a Manhattan court all smiles after a judge gave him just three months in jail for bribing a corrupt union boss. Santo Petrocelli Sr. told a federal judge he paid $30,000 to $70,000 in 2004 to Brian McLaughlin, the former head of the New York City Central Labor Council to help his company win millions in city streetlight contracts.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news
Detect potentially serious faultsin electrical and mechanical equipment before they develop
Thermal Imaging Surveys conducted on your equipment Australia wide
REGISTERED MEMBER OF
THE ECA
ContactMike Henneker - Director1300 551 041e: [email protected]: www.thermelecqld.com.au
south australia: etsa
ETSA UTILITIES LAUNCHES NATIONAL FIRST CONNECTION BOOKING SYSTEM
An Australian-first system that has been specially designed to streamline the customer connection
process for electricians and electricity retailers, and improve the efficiency of connections for customers,
has recently been re-launched by ETSA Utilities.
The Registered Electrician extranet (REx) system has undergone a significant upgrade to give
it greater functionality to enable three-way communication between electricians, retailers, and
ETSA Utilities.
general Manager Services, Sue filby, said the upgraded system was a win for electrical contractors
and retailers and ultimately for consumers.
“The system has been developed after extensive consultation with electrical contractors and will
deliver significant benefits across the electricity industry.
“it will make it much easier for electricians to book and manage the connection process for their
customers – with no paperwork required,” Ms filby said.
“Electricians will be able to receive automatically-
generated emails or text messages advising when
the connection has been made or if there has been
a hold-up somewhere in the process.
“These efficiencies, in conjunction with the
unique schedule-optimising software, will assist
us over time to speed up the process of
connecting our residential and business
customers to the electricity network.
“we encourage all electricians to
register to use the new system –
i’m sure they’ll find the efficiency
savings make it worth
their while.”
To sign up or access the
new REx system, which is
available 24 hours a day,
seven days a week, visit the
ETSA Utilities website at:
www.etsautilities.com.au
For more details visit www.masterelectricians.com.au
Reap the benefits.
Vehicle discountsJoining MEA means you receive great discounts when purchasing vehicles with our Fleet Services program. Through our partnership with the AP Group, MEA Fleet Services can source the right vehicle at the right price using a network of member fleet specialists covering almost every vehicle brand. In addition, you can also access competitive finance packages.
Stationery and publicationsAccredited Master Electricians receive significant discounts on a range of business stationery, forms and guides specifically designed for the electrotechnology industry including:• Australian standards• Job/project stationery• Quotation/work variation books• Risk assessment and safe work procedures• Employment and workplace relations guides
TelecommunicationsMEA provides contractors with access to discounted telecommunications services including mobile, landline, 1300 and 1800 phone numbers as well as internet packages. Master Electricians can connect to a range of products running on some of Australia’s largest networks. The service is backed by a dedicated 1300 technical support helpdesk so you can get assistance when you need it.
Fuel SchemeOur fuel plan is a convenient way for you to manage and reduce your bills. Use your BP or Caltex fuel card to receive discounted rates and receive a simple monthly fuel bill for all your vehicles. All your business and private vehicles are eligible to participate in the fuel scheme. You can even extend the privilege to staff as an extra benefit of employment.
quality safety reliability
To find out how you can become a Master Electrician call 1300 889 198
When you become an Accredited Master Electrician you gain access to a wide variety of exclusive benefits and discounts.
08540 ECA Members Benefits Full Page Ad Summer10 v1.indd 1 27/01/10 9:04 AM
32 www.masterelectricians.com.au
Former eleCtriCal ContraCtor gets three months in jail For bribing union bossA former city electrical contractor walked out of a Manhattan court all smiles after a judge gave him just three months in jail for bribing a corrupt union boss. Santo Petrocelli Sr. told a federal judge he paid $30,000 to $70,000 in 2004 to Brian McLaughlin, the former head of the New York City Central Labor Council to help his company win millions in city streetlight contracts.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news
Detect potentially serious faultsin electrical and mechanical equipment before they develop
Thermal Imaging Surveys conducted on your equipment Australia wide
REGISTERED MEMBER OF
THE ECA
ContactMike Henneker - Director1300 551 041e: [email protected]: www.thermelecqld.com.au
south australia: etsa
ETSA UTILITIES LAUNCHES NATIONAL FIRST CONNECTION BOOKING SYSTEM
An Australian-first system that has been specially designed to streamline the customer connection
process for electricians and electricity retailers, and improve the efficiency of connections for customers,
has recently been re-launched by ETSA Utilities.
The Registered Electrician extranet (REx) system has undergone a significant upgrade to give
it greater functionality to enable three-way communication between electricians, retailers, and
ETSA Utilities.
general Manager Services, Sue filby, said the upgraded system was a win for electrical contractors
and retailers and ultimately for consumers.
“The system has been developed after extensive consultation with electrical contractors and will
deliver significant benefits across the electricity industry.
“it will make it much easier for electricians to book and manage the connection process for their
customers – with no paperwork required,” Ms filby said.
“Electricians will be able to receive automatically-
generated emails or text messages advising when
the connection has been made or if there has been
a hold-up somewhere in the process.
“These efficiencies, in conjunction with the
unique schedule-optimising software, will assist
us over time to speed up the process of
connecting our residential and business
customers to the electricity network.
“we encourage all electricians to
register to use the new system –
i’m sure they’ll find the efficiency
savings make it worth
their while.”
To sign up or access the
new REx system, which is
available 24 hours a day,
seven days a week, visit the
ETSA Utilities website at:
www.etsautilities.com.au
34 www.masterelectricians.com.au
letter
Manycontractorsareoftenunsureabouttheirrightsarewhenitcomestobreachesorterminations
ofcontracts.Asacontractortherecouldbetwopossiblesituations.
1. the builDer or other party breaches the contract
Inthissituationyouarethepersonintheright.Ifthebuilderoranotherpartywrongfullyterminatesa
contractbythrowingyouoffthejoboryouchoosetoterminatethecontractduetoaseriousbreach
ofcontact–youarethewrongedparty.
Inthiscase,youcansueforeitherdamages,thatis,lossresultingfromyoulosingthebenefitof
thecontract,whichisthecontractpricelessthecostofcompletingthework,oraquantummeruitin
relationtotheworkthatyouhavealreadycarriedout.Onaquantummeruityouareentitledtorecover
thecostofyourmaterialsandlabour,plusareasonablesumforprofit.
Youareentitledtochooseeitherdamagesoraquantummeruit.Youwouldalwayschoosethemost
beneficialoption.
2. you breach the contract
Ifyoubreachthecontractandtheownerorbuilderrightfullyterminatesthecontract,theyareentitled
tosueyoufordamages.Thatis,thedifferencebetweenwhattheywouldhavepaidyoutocomplete
thejob,andwhattheyhavetopaysomebodyelsetocompletethejob.Thecourtsrecognisethereis
alwaysdifficultyforanownerorabuildertogetabuilderorsubcontractortocompletesomeoneelses
work.Thisdifficultyisusuallyreflectedinthepricechargedbythereplacementbuilderorsubcontractor
beingatahigherratethannormal.
However, you are not without rights. You are entitled to recover your accrued rights for work
performed.Soif,forexample,youhaveacontractformonthlyprogresspayments,youareentitled
toaprogressclaimunderthecontract. Ifyouhaveastagescontract,forexamplewhereyouhave
completedtherough-instage,youareentitledtorecoverasumforthat.
Therearelimitsonthisright,forexampleifyouhaveacontractwhichsaysthatyoucannotbepaida
progressclaimunlessyouhaveacertificatefromthesuperintendentandnocertificatehasbeenissued,
thenyouarenotentitledtorecoverthesum.Ontheotherhandifyouhaven’ttotallycompletedthe
rough-in,buthavesubstantiallycompletedit,thenyouwillbeentitledtorecoverthevalueofthework
thatyouhaveperformed.
Thebuilder or ownerwouldbe entitled to a counterclaim against you for the amount of their
damages,andiftheirdamagesexceedanyunpaidamountsowingunderthecontract,thenyouwill
notrecover.
For more information contact McKays Solicitors on 07 3223 5900 or visit www.mckayslaw.com.
ironiC eleCroCution Convicted murderer Michael Godwin, 28, successfully had his sentence reduced from electrocution to life imprisonment in a South Carolina prison. In his cell he sat naked on a metal toilet seat while attempting to fix a television set, bit through a live wire and was instantly electrocuted.
www.frodo.u.net.com
of the law
what happens when A Contract is Terminated?
KEEP YOUR POWER ON!KEEP YOUR POWER ON!CALL US FOR ALL YOUR GENERATOR NEEDS!
RENTALS - NEW & USED SALES
WE SPECIALISE IN PROVIDING PETROL AND DIESEL GENERATOR SETS.FROM 500 WATTS TO 3,000 KVA
As the manufacturer, we are easily able to modify standard specifications
and produce a tailor-made unit if necessary.
www.genelite.com.au
And our keen prices are well-renowned.
• QLD 07-3277 8626 •• WA 08-9300 6168 •
08377 ECA ME Mag Autumn09.indd 26 4/08/09 1:44 PM
34 www.masterelectricians.com.au
letter
Manycontractorsareoftenunsureabouttheirrightsarewhenitcomestobreachesorterminations
ofcontracts.Asacontractortherecouldbetwopossiblesituations.
1. the builDer or other party breaches the contract
Inthissituationyouarethepersonintheright.Ifthebuilderoranotherpartywrongfullyterminatesa
contractbythrowingyouoffthejoboryouchoosetoterminatethecontractduetoaseriousbreach
ofcontact–youarethewrongedparty.
Inthiscase,youcansueforeitherdamages,thatis,lossresultingfromyoulosingthebenefitof
thecontract,whichisthecontractpricelessthecostofcompletingthework,oraquantummeruitin
relationtotheworkthatyouhavealreadycarriedout.Onaquantummeruityouareentitledtorecover
thecostofyourmaterialsandlabour,plusareasonablesumforprofit.
Youareentitledtochooseeitherdamagesoraquantummeruit.Youwouldalwayschoosethemost
beneficialoption.
2. you breach the contract
Ifyoubreachthecontractandtheownerorbuilderrightfullyterminatesthecontract,theyareentitled
tosueyoufordamages.Thatis,thedifferencebetweenwhattheywouldhavepaidyoutocomplete
thejob,andwhattheyhavetopaysomebodyelsetocompletethejob.Thecourtsrecognisethereis
alwaysdifficultyforanownerorabuildertogetabuilderorsubcontractortocompletesomeoneelses
work.Thisdifficultyisusuallyreflectedinthepricechargedbythereplacementbuilderorsubcontractor
beingatahigherratethannormal.
However, you are not without rights. You are entitled to recover your accrued rights for work
performed.Soif,forexample,youhaveacontractformonthlyprogresspayments,youareentitled
toaprogressclaimunderthecontract. Ifyouhaveastagescontract,forexamplewhereyouhave
completedtherough-instage,youareentitledtorecoverasumforthat.
Therearelimitsonthisright,forexampleifyouhaveacontractwhichsaysthatyoucannotbepaida
progressclaimunlessyouhaveacertificatefromthesuperintendentandnocertificatehasbeenissued,
thenyouarenotentitledtorecoverthesum.Ontheotherhandifyouhaven’ttotallycompletedthe
rough-in,buthavesubstantiallycompletedit,thenyouwillbeentitledtorecoverthevalueofthework
thatyouhaveperformed.
Thebuilder or ownerwouldbe entitled to a counterclaim against you for the amount of their
damages,andiftheirdamagesexceedanyunpaidamountsowingunderthecontract,thenyouwill
notrecover.
For more information contact McKays Solicitors on 07 3223 5900 or visit www.mckayslaw.com.
ironiC eleCroCution Convicted murderer Michael Godwin, 28, successfully had his sentence reduced from electrocution to life imprisonment in a South Carolina prison. In his cell he sat naked on a metal toilet seat while attempting to fix a television set, bit through a live wire and was instantly electrocuted.
www.frodo.u.net.com
of the law
what happens when A Contract is Terminated?
KEEP YOUR POWER ON!KEEP YOUR POWER ON!CALL US FOR ALL YOUR GENERATOR NEEDS!
RENTALS - NEW & USED SALES
WE SPECIALISE IN PROVIDING PETROL AND DIESEL GENERATOR SETS.FROM 500 WATTS TO 3,000 KVA
As the manufacturer, we are easily able to modify standard specifications
and produce a tailor-made unit if necessary.
www.genelite.com.au
And our keen prices are well-renowned.
• QLD 07-3277 8626 •• WA 08-9300 6168 •
08377 ECA ME Mag Autumn09.indd 26 4/08/09 1:44 PM
36 www.masterelectricians.com.au 37the master electrician : SUMMER 10
the interview : w
ITH R
OD
wE
LFOR
Dinterviewwith Rod Welford
mr welForD, it’s been almost 12 months since you retireD as
queenslanD’s minister For eDucation. what has ‘liFe aFter
politics’ involveD For you?
Well itwasgreattobeabletotakeadecentholidayafternearly20
years in Parliament and more than a decade as a minister. But with
thatoutoftheway,Isoonfoundoutthatsittingidlewasnotexactly
verysatisfying,soI’vemovedintoarangeofprojectsinanareawhere
I’vehadalongstandinginterest.I’mnowworkingonthedevelopment
of the recycling, energy efficiency and renewable energy industries.
The opportunity to work with Master Electricians and the EMI is
especiallyexciting.
what is the emi?
TheEMIaimstobeanationallyrecognisedbodyaccreditingspecialist
energy auditors and, setting the standards for courses which enable
electricianstoobtainspecialistqualificationsinenergyauditing.Sonow,
weareworkingincollaborationwithMasterElectriciansandtheECA
tosetupthisnationaltrainingandaccreditationsystemforelectricians
whowanttobeenergyauditors.
why has it been createD, anD what will it achieve?
Over the years, ECAhas recognised that the serviceselectricians can
provide is expanding. New electrical, electronic and communications
technologies have opened up whole new fields for the modern
electrician. However, these new technologies require a specialist skill
set,aswellaspublicconfidencethattheserviceisdeliveredwithsafety
andquality.
Theneweraofclimatechangeandtheglobalchallengetoreduce
carbonemissionsmeansthatenergyefficiencyandrenewableenergy
solutions are increasingly coming to the forefront of technologies
indemand.
Newlegislationatbothstateandnationallevelsisalreadyrequiring
somecompaniestostartreportingtheirenergyusageandgreenhouse
emissions.Thisdatacollectionsystemwillunderpintheemissionstrading
systemthatwillultimatelybeestablished.Notonlywillmoreandmore
businessesberequiredtoreportbylaw,theywillbelookingforwaysto
reducetheiremissionsandsavemoneyonescalatingpowerbills.
Electricians are in a prime position to deliver these technologies,
but new knowledge and specialist training will be required to allow
contractorstoenterthefieldwithconfidenceandprofessionalism.
TheEMIhasbeencreatedtoensureelectricianscanmeetthisnational
skillsdemandswiftlyandcompetently.
what Does your role with the emi involve?
Ihavebeenworkingonthedevelopmentofthenewschemeinvolvinga
multi-leveltrainingcourseandaccreditationsystemforspecialistenergy
auditors.IamhonouredtobechairingtheEMIboard,ahighlyskilled
board that will steer the future direction and development of EMI.
Iamassistinginliaisingwithstateandnationalgovernmentagencies
toensurethatEMIgetsrecognisedforthenationalroleitcanplayin
deliveringtheskillsneededforAustralia’senergyfuture.
in our first interview of 2010, The Master Electrician talks with Rod welford, the chairman of the board of the Energy Management institute (EMi), which has been established to train electrical contractors in providing high-quality energy audits and low-energy options for consumers.
n Personalised manual
n Online database reminder and tracking system
n Induction and safety meetings delivered onsite
n Audit and investigation assistance
n Organised tool box meetings
n Insurance cover against legal costs and fines
n Constant updates
n A network of trained Safety Facilitators
Meet your safety and audit obligations with this comprehensive system including:
visit www.masterelectricians.com.auAn initiative of the Electrical and Communications Association
Your safety management solution.
Supported by
36 www.masterelectricians.com.au 37the master electrician : SUMMER 10
the interview : w
ITH R
OD
wE
LFOR
Dinterviewwith Rod Welford
mr welForD, it’s been almost 12 months since you retireD as
queenslanD’s minister For eDucation. what has ‘liFe aFter
politics’ involveD For you?
Well itwasgreattobeabletotakeadecentholidayafternearly20
years in Parliament and more than a decade as a minister. But with
thatoutoftheway,Isoonfoundoutthatsittingidlewasnotexactly
verysatisfying,soI’vemovedintoarangeofprojectsinanareawhere
I’vehadalongstandinginterest.I’mnowworkingonthedevelopment
of the recycling, energy efficiency and renewable energy industries.
The opportunity to work with Master Electricians and the EMI is
especiallyexciting.
what is the emi?
TheEMIaimstobeanationallyrecognisedbodyaccreditingspecialist
energy auditors and, setting the standards for courses which enable
electricianstoobtainspecialistqualificationsinenergyauditing.Sonow,
weareworkingincollaborationwithMasterElectriciansandtheECA
tosetupthisnationaltrainingandaccreditationsystemforelectricians
whowanttobeenergyauditors.
why has it been createD, anD what will it achieve?
Over the years, ECAhas recognised that the serviceselectricians can
provide is expanding. New electrical, electronic and communications
technologies have opened up whole new fields for the modern
electrician. However, these new technologies require a specialist skill
set,aswellaspublicconfidencethattheserviceisdeliveredwithsafety
andquality.
Theneweraofclimatechangeandtheglobalchallengetoreduce
carbonemissionsmeansthatenergyefficiencyandrenewableenergy
solutions are increasingly coming to the forefront of technologies
indemand.
Newlegislationatbothstateandnationallevelsisalreadyrequiring
somecompaniestostartreportingtheirenergyusageandgreenhouse
emissions.Thisdatacollectionsystemwillunderpintheemissionstrading
systemthatwillultimatelybeestablished.Notonlywillmoreandmore
businessesberequiredtoreportbylaw,theywillbelookingforwaysto
reducetheiremissionsandsavemoneyonescalatingpowerbills.
Electricians are in a prime position to deliver these technologies,
but new knowledge and specialist training will be required to allow
contractorstoenterthefieldwithconfidenceandprofessionalism.
TheEMIhasbeencreatedtoensureelectricianscanmeetthisnational
skillsdemandswiftlyandcompetently.
what Does your role with the emi involve?
Ihavebeenworkingonthedevelopmentofthenewschemeinvolvinga
multi-leveltrainingcourseandaccreditationsystemforspecialistenergy
auditors.IamhonouredtobechairingtheEMIboard,ahighlyskilled
board that will steer the future direction and development of EMI.
Iamassistinginliaisingwithstateandnationalgovernmentagencies
toensurethatEMIgetsrecognisedforthenationalroleitcanplayin
deliveringtheskillsneededforAustralia’senergyfuture.
in our first interview of 2010, The Master Electrician talks with Rod welford, the chairman of the board of the Energy Management institute (EMi), which has been established to train electrical contractors in providing high-quality energy audits and low-energy options for consumers.
n Personalised manual
n Online database reminder and tracking system
n Induction and safety meetings delivered onsite
n Audit and investigation assistance
n Organised tool box meetings
n Insurance cover against legal costs and fines
n Constant updates
n A network of trained Safety Facilitators
Meet your safety and audit obligations with this comprehensive system including:
visit www.masterelectricians.com.auAn initiative of the Electrical and Communications Association
Your safety management solution.
Supported by
what are the aDvantages to electrical
contractors oF unDertaking emi training?
It’sahugenewbusinessopportunityforelectrical
contractorswhowanttopositiontheirbusiness
forthefuture.
Incomingyears,soonerratherthanlater,more
andmorehomeownersandbusinesseswillbe
encouraged by both legislation, and energy
costs,tolookmorecloselyattheirenergyuseand
waystheycanmakethatusemorecostefficient.
The EMI’s system of specialist professional
accreditation will enable contractors to provide
boththeadviceandretrofitservicesthatwillbe
instrongdemand.
what’s the DiFFerence between energy
auDits promoteD by the institute anD
others that are currently on the market?
Energy audits can take various forms – from
a simple checklist approach, to options for
domestic households to consider, through to
a comprehensive business analysis of high-end
technologiesforindustrialenterprises.
Mostenergyauditingiscurrentlyundertaken
byengineeringfirmsat largerenterprises.Their
approach might not suit smaller and medium
enterpriseswhoare looking,not justforadvice
or a report, but someonewho canactually do
the job at aquotewhich shows the costs and
benefitsupfront.
The EMI approach to auditing is not just to
assess energy use, but to prioritise options for
improvementbasedonatransparentreturnon
investment approach. This is underpinnedby a
quoteprovidedbysomeonewhocanactuallydo
the job. The client will receive an engineering-
quality report which includes the financial
analysis–enablingtheclienttomakedecisions
about which energy improvement options best
meettheirbudgetandenergyneeds.
how Does the institute intenD to promote
the beneFits oF its accreDiteD programs
to consumers?
Ourfirststep is toensurewedevelopaquality
training qualification which has industry
credibility. Then we want to make it available
to Master Electricians across Australia. With
this,wecanmarket theavailabilityofqualified
and recognised professionals who can meet
consumers needs for energy efficiency
technologiesandservices,includingauditingand
compliancereporting.Wewillbeabletorollthis
outusingMasterElectriciansacrossAustralia.
Weexpect that energy retailerswill be keen
topromotetheseservicestotheircustomersas
consumers come to terms with the reality that
bills could escalate by between 50 and 100
percent in the next three years unless energy
efficiencymeasuresareimplemented.
you are also the chieF executive oF the
australian council oF recycling (acor).
what is this organisation anD what Does
your role there involve?
ACORisthepeakindustrybodyfortherecycling
industry in Australia. Its membership currently
includes thebiggest recyclingcompanies in the
country,recyclingmorethan20milliontonnesof
metal,paper,plastics,glass,end-of-lifeelectronics
andconstructionanddemolitionmaterialsevery
year. Recycling is now expanding to include
batteries, oils, tyres, fluorescent lights, TVs and
computers. It’s a growing industry and a key
playerintheenergyefficiencyofmanufacturing
andproductlifecyclesacrosstheeconomy.
Iamcurrently reforming thecouncil tobuild
abroader industrybaseandahigherprofileof
recognitionforrecyclingasakeyindustryinthe
emerging climate change world. Along with
energy efficiency, it offers one of the quickest
and lowest cost ways of reducing Australia’s
carbonfootprint.
you were once queenslanD’s environment
minister. Do you see the work you are Doing
now as an extension oF that role?
I realised, even before becoming Queensland’s
EnvironmentMinisterin1998,thatakeytoour
qualityoflifeandeconomicefficiencywashow
we use energy. Indeed, not just energy but all
resourcesincludingwater,materialsandnatural
environments. It’s why I decided that after I
haddonemybit forQueenslandasaminister,
therewasmoretodoinanotherlifeoutsideof
parliamentthatcouldmakeadifference.
now that you are on the other siDe, Do
you believe that government or private
enterprise is best placeD to achieve
genuine gains For the environment?
Well,itmaysoundtrite,butitprobablyrequires
effortonbothsides.Ialwaysregardeditasthe
role of government to provide leadership in
theseareas.Government’scanofcourseachieve
improvements by setting, and progressively
ratchetingup,minimumstandards.
Butit’stheinnovationbeyondcompliancethat
makesworking in theprivate sectorpotentially
evenmoreexciting.It’sclearthatinsomeareas
of environmental practice, the private sector is
ahead of government in deploying innovative
environmentalpolicyandpractice.Government
shouldavoidtryingtoregulateeveryfinedetail.
It should set the performance expectations of
thecommunityandlettheprivatesectorinvent
and invest in thebest andmost efficientways
of delivering them. A few incentives along the
way, such as solar water rebates and the like,
willmovethemarketmuchmoreeffectivelyand
quicklythanregulationalone.
what’s the next step For you in what has
been a Diverse anD interesting career?
Well,it’sworkinprogressIguess.Idon’tknow
what the future will hold. I’ve got a suite of
thingsthatwillkeepmemorethanoccupiedfor
thetimebeing.TheEMIaloneispotentiallyareal
‘gamechanger’inAustralia’sresponsetoclimate
change through smarter energy management.
So if we can do this one job well, that alone
willbeenoughtosaywe’vemadeaworthwhile
difference. And it will provide a new and
exciting dimension to the electrical contracting
industrynationally.
38 www.masterelectricians.com.au 39
workplace relations : C
liMATE
Ch
AN
gE
the interview : wITH ROD wELFORD
“i REAliSED, EVEN BEfoRE BECoMiNg QUEENSlAND’S
ENViRoNMENT MiNiSTER iN 1998, ThAT A kEy To
oUR QUAliTy of lifE AND ECoNoMiC EffiCiENCy wAS
how wE USE ENERgy.”
“i AM hoNoURED To BE ChAiRiNg ThE EMi BoARD, A highly SkillED BoARD
ThAT will STEER ThE fUTURE DiRECTioN AND
DEVEloPMENT of EMi.”
what are the aDvantages to electrical
contractors oF unDertaking emi training?
It’sahugenewbusinessopportunityforelectrical
contractorswhowanttopositiontheirbusiness
forthefuture.
Incomingyears,soonerratherthanlater,more
andmorehomeownersandbusinesseswillbe
encouraged by both legislation, and energy
costs,tolookmorecloselyattheirenergyuseand
waystheycanmakethatusemorecostefficient.
The EMI’s system of specialist professional
accreditation will enable contractors to provide
boththeadviceandretrofitservicesthatwillbe
instrongdemand.
what’s the DiFFerence between energy
auDits promoteD by the institute anD
others that are currently on the market?
Energy audits can take various forms – from
a simple checklist approach, to options for
domestic households to consider, through to
a comprehensive business analysis of high-end
technologiesforindustrialenterprises.
Mostenergyauditingiscurrentlyundertaken
byengineeringfirmsat largerenterprises.Their
approach might not suit smaller and medium
enterpriseswhoare looking,not justforadvice
or a report, but someonewho canactually do
the job at aquotewhich shows the costs and
benefitsupfront.
The EMI approach to auditing is not just to
assess energy use, but to prioritise options for
improvementbasedonatransparentreturnon
investment approach. This is underpinnedby a
quoteprovidedbysomeonewhocanactuallydo
the job. The client will receive an engineering-
quality report which includes the financial
analysis–enablingtheclienttomakedecisions
about which energy improvement options best
meettheirbudgetandenergyneeds.
how Does the institute intenD to promote
the beneFits oF its accreDiteD programs
to consumers?
Ourfirststep is toensurewedevelopaquality
training qualification which has industry
credibility. Then we want to make it available
to Master Electricians across Australia. With
this,wecanmarket theavailabilityofqualified
and recognised professionals who can meet
consumers needs for energy efficiency
technologiesandservices,includingauditingand
compliancereporting.Wewillbeabletorollthis
outusingMasterElectriciansacrossAustralia.
Weexpect that energy retailerswill be keen
topromotetheseservicestotheircustomersas
consumers come to terms with the reality that
bills could escalate by between 50 and 100
percent in the next three years unless energy
efficiencymeasuresareimplemented.
you are also the chieF executive oF the
australian council oF recycling (acor).
what is this organisation anD what Does
your role there involve?
ACORisthepeakindustrybodyfortherecycling
industry in Australia. Its membership currently
includes thebiggest recyclingcompanies in the
country,recyclingmorethan20milliontonnesof
metal,paper,plastics,glass,end-of-lifeelectronics
andconstructionanddemolitionmaterialsevery
year. Recycling is now expanding to include
batteries, oils, tyres, fluorescent lights, TVs and
computers. It’s a growing industry and a key
playerintheenergyefficiencyofmanufacturing
andproductlifecyclesacrosstheeconomy.
Iamcurrently reforming thecouncil tobuild
abroader industrybaseandahigherprofileof
recognitionforrecyclingasakeyindustryinthe
emerging climate change world. Along with
energy efficiency, it offers one of the quickest
and lowest cost ways of reducing Australia’s
carbonfootprint.
you were once queenslanD’s environment
minister. Do you see the work you are Doing
now as an extension oF that role?
I realised, even before becoming Queensland’s
EnvironmentMinisterin1998,thatakeytoour
qualityoflifeandeconomicefficiencywashow
we use energy. Indeed, not just energy but all
resourcesincludingwater,materialsandnatural
environments. It’s why I decided that after I
haddonemybit forQueenslandasaminister,
therewasmoretodoinanotherlifeoutsideof
parliamentthatcouldmakeadifference.
now that you are on the other siDe, Do
you believe that government or private
enterprise is best placeD to achieve
genuine gains For the environment?
Well,itmaysoundtrite,butitprobablyrequires
effortonbothsides.Ialwaysregardeditasthe
role of government to provide leadership in
theseareas.Government’scanofcourseachieve
improvements by setting, and progressively
ratchetingup,minimumstandards.
Butit’stheinnovationbeyondcompliancethat
makesworking in theprivate sectorpotentially
evenmoreexciting.It’sclearthatinsomeareas
of environmental practice, the private sector is
ahead of government in deploying innovative
environmentalpolicyandpractice.Government
shouldavoidtryingtoregulateeveryfinedetail.
It should set the performance expectations of
thecommunityandlettheprivatesectorinvent
and invest in thebest andmost efficientways
of delivering them. A few incentives along the
way, such as solar water rebates and the like,
willmovethemarketmuchmoreeffectivelyand
quicklythanregulationalone.
what’s the next step For you in what has
been a Diverse anD interesting career?
Well,it’sworkinprogressIguess.Idon’tknow
what the future will hold. I’ve got a suite of
thingsthatwillkeepmemorethanoccupiedfor
thetimebeing.TheEMIaloneispotentiallyareal
‘gamechanger’inAustralia’sresponsetoclimate
change through smarter energy management.
So if we can do this one job well, that alone
willbeenoughtosaywe’vemadeaworthwhile
difference. And it will provide a new and
exciting dimension to the electrical contracting
industrynationally.
38 www.masterelectricians.com.au 39
workplace relations : C
liMATE
Ch
AN
gE
the interview : wITH ROD wELFORD
“i REAliSED, EVEN BEfoRE BECoMiNg QUEENSlAND’S
ENViRoNMENT MiNiSTER iN 1998, ThAT A kEy To
oUR QUAliTy of lifE AND ECoNoMiC EffiCiENCy wAS
how wE USE ENERgy.”
“i AM hoNoURED To BE ChAiRiNg ThE EMi BoARD, A highly SkillED BoARD
ThAT will STEER ThE fUTURE DiRECTioN AND
DEVEloPMENT of EMi.”
www.masterelectricians.com.au 40 41the master electrician : SUMMER 10
gadget guide gadgetguide
Garmin nuvi 1690This sophisticated gadget is the first ever
internet-connected portable navigation device.
it features free (and ad-supported) access to
garmin’s nulink data service, which provides
live traffic data, fuel prices, google and white
page search functionality, and a host of other
features, including Bluetooth hands-free calling
help to keep the driver’s hands on the wheel
while navigating.
features include:
• lane assist
• Built in hands free calling
• ecoRoute – calculates the most fuel-
efficient route
• Alternate route planning
• 10.75 cm widescreen
• A ‘where am i?’ locator
• Jpeg picture viewer
• world clock
• Currency convertor
• Measurement convertor and calculator.
SOnY vaiO X SerieShead turning style and advanced functionality
walk hand in hand with every VAio. Choose
from an exceptional range of models designed to
perfectly compliment your lifestyle; empowering
and energising everything that you do.
from their slim screens and robust construction,
to their ease of use, interactive capability and
energy-saving features; VAio notebooks and
PCs are packed with industry leading innovations
designed to enrich your mobile world
Superior VAio craftsmanship has created
an extremely light, extremely thin mobile PC.
its impressive design is durable and meets
requirements for on-the-go connectivity. its slim
design is durable and weighs an impressive 655
grams. it boasts a 64 gB SSD that is fast and
resistant to shocks.
• intel® Atom™ Processor Z540 (1.86 ghz, hT
Technology supported)
• genuine windows® 7 home Premium (32-bit)
• 11.1” wide (wxgA: 1366 x 768), VAio Display
Premium lED backlight
• integrated wireless lAN iEEE 802.11b/g/
Draft n
• Extremely long battery life.
RRP $1,699.00
iPhOne aPPLiCaTiOnS
get a parking reminDer.
with the g-Park application, you’ll never
forget where you parked. when you find a
parking place, tap “Park Me!” Then, when it’s
time to head back, tap “where Did i Park?”
and follow the turn-by-turn directions to your
car. if you park at a meter, be sure to set the
timer on your iPhone to alert you when your
time runs out.
bargain hunt.
find what you want at the price you want
even while you’re shopping. Use the camera
on your iPhone to snap a picture of an item
you want to buy, then let Save Benjis scour
the internet to find prices you can compare
to the one you see in the store
remember anything.
when you don’t have time to write down
your next big idea or work reminder, tap
reQall. Speak or type whatever you want to
remember and reQall sends you a reminder
via voice, text message, instant message,
email or calendar alert.
If you have something to submit, please email [email protected]
Hazardous area and
HigH Voltageinstallation
audits
3 ESO Compliance Audits3Area Classifications3Risk Assessments3Pre-installation/design review
Call Steve Downey on
1300 724 744to arrange an inspection
www.jantec.com.au
crompton lighting low voltage heaD hooD
Downlights
There is a growing concern within the industry
regarding building fires caused by heat from
recessed downlights. if thermal insulation is
installed too closely around downlights, a risk of
fire does exist.
Building materials and insulation material can
be affected by ‘pyrolysis’ – the decomposition
of organic material due to long-term exposure
to elevated temperatures – and eventually can
self ignite.
To mitigate the risk of fire due to heat generated
by lamps in recessed downlights, the Australian/
New Zealand wiring Rules AS/NZ3000 stipulate
that temperature rise at the rear of recessed
downlight shall be limited to prevent damage to
adjacent building material. This can be achieved
by maintaining minimum clearance for halogen
Recessed Downlights of 200mm between the
downlight and surrounding building elements,
thermal insulation or alternately by installing
downlight that has a suitable heat barrier, requiring
lesser clearance as stipulated by the manufacturer.
in strict accordance of AS/NZ3000, the
electronic transformer must be positioned and
fixed in a well ventilated location - not directly
above the downlight, and free from direct
contact with any insulating materials.
The length of the transformer secondary
wires must separate the lamp holder and the
transformer by a minimum of 250 mm, otherwise
the transformer may overheat and shut off.
Crompton lighting low Voltage heat hood
Downlights, have an aluminium cylinder acting
as a heat barrier, requiring installation clearance
of only 25mm. They can be installed on any firm
and stable horizontal surface. full instructions
are supplied with each heat hood Downlight
and special reference should be made to the
“Safety warnings” regarding installation.
For more information visit www.crompton.com.au.
portable leD work light
The Smithlight when in its travel position is totally
contained within its own heavy duty plastic body.
when extended, the Smithlight has two
different height settings, and a multitude of
angle setting for the light head itself. This means
this product is compact enough to move
from site to site yet adaptable enough to be
suitable anywhere.
The light head is fitted with over 350 lED’s
and can be used in a variety of settings – side
A only, side B only, or both sides to emit light
in all directions. Not only does the Smithlight
offer all of these features – but it weighs only
7.7kilograms (including accessories, battery
and components).
The battery can power the light for
10-12 hours, and is easily rechargeable from
any 240V gPo, or from a vehicles 12V cigarette
lighter. Both charging cables are included,
and are stored with the lights body for added
convenience. The Smithlight also features a low-
battery indicator light, so you know when it’s time
to recharge.
The Smithlight is available with various
attachment clamps to use in various situations.
ENERgEx in Queensland have adopted a pole
mounting clamp – that allows the Smith light to
be attached to power poles for line workers. The
other mounting options available also include
a tri-pod, as well as stabilising brackets. The
Smithlight of course also be used stand alone
for ground level or trench and pit work.
For more information visit www.extremesafety.com.au.
schneiDer electric’s isobar chassis
Changing the way you look at chassis safety
isobar will change the way you look at
chassis’ and safety. it features a unique busbar
disconnection system for each busbar tee-offs
and allows any tee-off to be converted to a
neutral, providing unparalleled flexibility.
The busbar disconnection system permits
unused outgoing poles to be electrically isolated
from the mains, enhancing protection for the
user against direct contact with live parts.
isobar is ideal for applications that require
minimum downtime and maximum safety. for
situations where only the safest chassis will do,
choose isobar.
ideal for critical power applications and
hazardous areas, the isobar Chassis is available
in two types: the TNA and the PEV. Both types
come in various sizes from 12 to 72 poles, have
250A current carrying capacity of the busbar
(180A with neutral kit fitted), 100A current
carrying capacity of outgoing tee-offs, 16kA for
200ms withstand rating and 25kA conditional
withstand rating.
Schneider Electric’s isobar Chassis won
the highly commended award in the Master
Electricians’ innovative Product of the year 2008.
For more information visit www.schneider-electric.com.au.
Techno bizmaster electricians staff sampled some of the latest gadgets and are giving you the good-oil on the best stuff!
Keeping you in the know
Legal solutions for ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORSAdvice on contractsContractual and payment disputesBusiness structuresAsset protectionBuying and selling businessesWills and EstatesLeasing and commercial contractsDebt collection servicesConveyancingWorkplace Health & Safety
MackayMcKays Law Centre34 Wood St4963 0888
BrisbaneLevel 26239 George St 3223 5900www.mckayslaw.com
Call Michael Cope today on (07) 3223 5939 or Ian Heathwood on (07) 3223 5942 or 0418 199 416
Building elementabove downlight
250mm Length
25mm 25mm
25mm
ComptonHeat Hood
50mm
Barrier required for loose fillinsulation or combustable materials
BuildingStructureMember
www.masterelectricians.com.au 40 41the master electrician : SUMMER 10
gadget guide gadgetguide
Garmin nuvi 1690This sophisticated gadget is the first ever
internet-connected portable navigation device.
it features free (and ad-supported) access to
garmin’s nulink data service, which provides
live traffic data, fuel prices, google and white
page search functionality, and a host of other
features, including Bluetooth hands-free calling
help to keep the driver’s hands on the wheel
while navigating.
features include:
• lane assist
• Built in hands free calling
• ecoRoute – calculates the most fuel-
efficient route
• Alternate route planning
• 10.75 cm widescreen
• A ‘where am i?’ locator
• Jpeg picture viewer
• world clock
• Currency convertor
• Measurement convertor and calculator.
SOnY vaiO X SerieShead turning style and advanced functionality
walk hand in hand with every VAio. Choose
from an exceptional range of models designed to
perfectly compliment your lifestyle; empowering
and energising everything that you do.
from their slim screens and robust construction,
to their ease of use, interactive capability and
energy-saving features; VAio notebooks and
PCs are packed with industry leading innovations
designed to enrich your mobile world
Superior VAio craftsmanship has created
an extremely light, extremely thin mobile PC.
its impressive design is durable and meets
requirements for on-the-go connectivity. its slim
design is durable and weighs an impressive 655
grams. it boasts a 64 gB SSD that is fast and
resistant to shocks.
• intel® Atom™ Processor Z540 (1.86 ghz, hT
Technology supported)
• genuine windows® 7 home Premium (32-bit)
• 11.1” wide (wxgA: 1366 x 768), VAio Display
Premium lED backlight
• integrated wireless lAN iEEE 802.11b/g/
Draft n
• Extremely long battery life.
RRP $1,699.00
iPhOne aPPLiCaTiOnS
get a parking reminDer.
with the g-Park application, you’ll never
forget where you parked. when you find a
parking place, tap “Park Me!” Then, when it’s
time to head back, tap “where Did i Park?”
and follow the turn-by-turn directions to your
car. if you park at a meter, be sure to set the
timer on your iPhone to alert you when your
time runs out.
bargain hunt.
find what you want at the price you want
even while you’re shopping. Use the camera
on your iPhone to snap a picture of an item
you want to buy, then let Save Benjis scour
the internet to find prices you can compare
to the one you see in the store
remember anything.
when you don’t have time to write down
your next big idea or work reminder, tap
reQall. Speak or type whatever you want to
remember and reQall sends you a reminder
via voice, text message, instant message,
email or calendar alert.
If you have something to submit, please email [email protected]
Hazardous area and
HigH Voltageinstallation
audits
3 ESO Compliance Audits3Area Classifications3Risk Assessments3Pre-installation/design review
Call Steve Downey on
1300 724 744to arrange an inspection
www.jantec.com.au
crompton lighting low voltage heaD hooD
Downlights
There is a growing concern within the industry
regarding building fires caused by heat from
recessed downlights. if thermal insulation is
installed too closely around downlights, a risk of
fire does exist.
Building materials and insulation material can
be affected by ‘pyrolysis’ – the decomposition
of organic material due to long-term exposure
to elevated temperatures – and eventually can
self ignite.
To mitigate the risk of fire due to heat generated
by lamps in recessed downlights, the Australian/
New Zealand wiring Rules AS/NZ3000 stipulate
that temperature rise at the rear of recessed
downlight shall be limited to prevent damage to
adjacent building material. This can be achieved
by maintaining minimum clearance for halogen
Recessed Downlights of 200mm between the
downlight and surrounding building elements,
thermal insulation or alternately by installing
downlight that has a suitable heat barrier, requiring
lesser clearance as stipulated by the manufacturer.
in strict accordance of AS/NZ3000, the
electronic transformer must be positioned and
fixed in a well ventilated location - not directly
above the downlight, and free from direct
contact with any insulating materials.
The length of the transformer secondary
wires must separate the lamp holder and the
transformer by a minimum of 250 mm, otherwise
the transformer may overheat and shut off.
Crompton lighting low Voltage heat hood
Downlights, have an aluminium cylinder acting
as a heat barrier, requiring installation clearance
of only 25mm. They can be installed on any firm
and stable horizontal surface. full instructions
are supplied with each heat hood Downlight
and special reference should be made to the
“Safety warnings” regarding installation.
For more information visit www.crompton.com.au.
portable leD work light
The Smithlight when in its travel position is totally
contained within its own heavy duty plastic body.
when extended, the Smithlight has two
different height settings, and a multitude of
angle setting for the light head itself. This means
this product is compact enough to move
from site to site yet adaptable enough to be
suitable anywhere.
The light head is fitted with over 350 lED’s
and can be used in a variety of settings – side
A only, side B only, or both sides to emit light
in all directions. Not only does the Smithlight
offer all of these features – but it weighs only
7.7kilograms (including accessories, battery
and components).
The battery can power the light for
10-12 hours, and is easily rechargeable from
any 240V gPo, or from a vehicles 12V cigarette
lighter. Both charging cables are included,
and are stored with the lights body for added
convenience. The Smithlight also features a low-
battery indicator light, so you know when it’s time
to recharge.
The Smithlight is available with various
attachment clamps to use in various situations.
ENERgEx in Queensland have adopted a pole
mounting clamp – that allows the Smith light to
be attached to power poles for line workers. The
other mounting options available also include
a tri-pod, as well as stabilising brackets. The
Smithlight of course also be used stand alone
for ground level or trench and pit work.
For more information visit www.extremesafety.com.au.
schneiDer electric’s isobar chassis
Changing the way you look at chassis safety
isobar will change the way you look at
chassis’ and safety. it features a unique busbar
disconnection system for each busbar tee-offs
and allows any tee-off to be converted to a
neutral, providing unparalleled flexibility.
The busbar disconnection system permits
unused outgoing poles to be electrically isolated
from the mains, enhancing protection for the
user against direct contact with live parts.
isobar is ideal for applications that require
minimum downtime and maximum safety. for
situations where only the safest chassis will do,
choose isobar.
ideal for critical power applications and
hazardous areas, the isobar Chassis is available
in two types: the TNA and the PEV. Both types
come in various sizes from 12 to 72 poles, have
250A current carrying capacity of the busbar
(180A with neutral kit fitted), 100A current
carrying capacity of outgoing tee-offs, 16kA for
200ms withstand rating and 25kA conditional
withstand rating.
Schneider Electric’s isobar Chassis won
the highly commended award in the Master
Electricians’ innovative Product of the year 2008.
For more information visit www.schneider-electric.com.au.
Techno bizmaster electricians staff sampled some of the latest gadgets and are giving you the good-oil on the best stuff!
Keeping you in the know
Legal solutions for ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORSAdvice on contractsContractual and payment disputesBusiness structuresAsset protectionBuying and selling businessesWills and EstatesLeasing and commercial contractsDebt collection servicesConveyancingWorkplace Health & Safety
MackayMcKays Law Centre34 Wood St4963 0888
BrisbaneLevel 26239 George St 3223 5900www.mckayslaw.com
Call Michael Cope today on (07) 3223 5939 or Ian Heathwood on (07) 3223 5942 or 0418 199 416
Building elementabove downlight
250mm Length
25mm 25mm
25mm
ComptonHeat Hood
50mm
Barrier required for loose fillinsulation or combustable materials
BuildingStructureMember
42 www.masterelectricians.com.au 43the master electrician : SUMMER 10
technical talk : THE
PH
AS
E-O
UT O
F INE
FFICIE
NT, IN
CA
ND
ES
CE
NT LIG
HT B
ULB
S
Lightingaccountsforaround12percent
of electricity usage from households,
andaround25percentofusagefrom
the commercial sector. The Australian
Government recognises energy savings can be
easilymadebyreplacinginefficient,incandescent
lights, with more cost-effective and energy
efficientalternatives.
These energy efficient alternatives include
compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) which use
only20percentoftheelectricitytoproducethe
sameamountoflight.Usinglessenergymeans
reduced greenhouse gas emissions and lower
electricitybillswhichcreatesbenefitstoboththe
environmentandindividuals.
how will ineFFicient incanDescent light
bulbs be phaseD out?
The Australian Government will implement
thephase-outbyintroducingminimumenergy
performance standards (MEPS) for lighting
products. MEPS are the minimum efficiency
standards that products must meet in order
tobesold intheAustralianmarket.MEPSare
used for various product ranges, including
refrigerators, freezers, washing machines and
otherhouseholdappliances.
More efficient types of incandescent bulbs
calledhalogenswillcontinuetobeavailable,but
theleastefficientofthisgroupwillbephasedout.
Halogenbulbsaremoreefficientthantraditional
incandescent bulbs, but are significantly less
efficientthanCFLs.
You can find out more by visiting
www.energyrating.gov.au.
which incanDescent light bulbs will be
phaseD out?
TheAustralianGovernmentistargetinganylight
bulbs that have an efficiency level of less than
27 lumens per watt (lm/w). Lumens (lm) are
a measure of light output and watts (w) are a
measureofenergyinput.
The traditional pear-shaped incandescent
bulbs (GLS) are the least efficient – these
bulbs waste 90 per cent of the energy they
use, mainly as heat. They were phased out
first, with an import restriction applying from
1February2009,followedbyaretailsalesban
inNovember2009.
More efficient types of incandescent bulbs
– known as halogens will continue to be
available, but the least efficient of this group
will be phased out over time. Mains voltage
(240V),andlowvoltagebulbs(12V–typically
usedindownlighting),arethecommontypes
of halogenbulb. Lowvoltagedoesnotmean
lowenergyuse.
what are the proJecteD Dates For the
phase-out oF speciFic lighting proDucts?
Theprojecteddatesprovidedinthetablebelow
for the applicationofMEPS to specific lighting
productsaredependentupontheavailabilityof
effective and efficient alternatives being readily
availableinthemarketplace.
will street lights anD other public lighting
be aFFecteD by the phase-out measure?
Most street and public lights do not use
incandescent technology, so the phase-out will
notaffectthem.
Street and road lighting in Australia is very
efficient compared toother countries,however,
the government is working with industry and
the relevantAustralianStandardsCommittee to
reducetheamountofenergyusedbystreetlights.
savings to the environment
The phase-out will deliver considerable savings
to the environment and the economy. Across
thecountry, themove tomoreefficient lighting,
such as CFLs, is expected to save around 30
terawatthoursofelectricityand28milliontonnes
of greenhouse gas emissions between 2008
and 2020. This is equivalent to permanently
decommissioningasmallcoal-firedpowerstation
or taking more than 500,000 cars off the road
permanently. It isexpectedtoresult insavingsto
theAustralianeconomyofaround$380millionper
yearby2020andresultinnetsavingsofmorethan
$50peryearforeachhouseholdthatchangesall
ofitsincandescentlightglobestoCFLs.
Since1November2009,MEPSapplyatpointof
saletocompactfluorescentlamps,generallighting
service,incandescentlampsandextralowvoltage
andhalogennon-reflectorlamps.Productsinthese
categories must comply with the MEPS and be
registeredwithrelevantstateregulatoryauthorities
tobe legallysold– informationonregistration is
availableat:www.energyrating.gov.au.
technicaltalkThe phase-out of inefficient, incandescent light bulbs
Lamp Type Sales restriction fromTungsten filament incandescent general lighting service (glS) light bulbs
1 November 2009
Extra low voltage (ElV) halogen non-reflectors Self-ballasted compact fluorescent lamps (Cfls)>40w candle, fancy round and decorative lamps october 2010Mains voltage halogen non-reflectors ElV halogen reflectors Mains voltage reflector lamps, including halogen (PAR, ER, R, etc)
october 2012
>25w candle fancy round and decorative lampsPilot lamps 25w and below To be determined dependent
on the availability of efficient replacement products
globe conversion table
This table compares traditional incandescent light bulb wattages with the equivalent compact
fluorescentlamps(CFLs)ormainsvoltagehalogen(MVH)lamps.
light globe conversion table
incandescent Bulbs Compact fluorescent lamp
(Cfl)*
Mains Voltage halogen (MVh)**
light output in lumens (lm)
25w 5-7w 18w 220 lm
40w 7-8w 28w 420 lm
60w 11-12w 42w 720 lm
75w 13-18w 52w 930 lm
100w 18-23w 70w 1300 lmNoTE: The wattages listed above for Cfls and MVh lamps are approximations only and may vary between manufacturers. Use wattages as a guide only. Alternatively, refer to the ‘light output in lumens’ column. you can then check the lumen output (lm) shown on the Cfl or MVh lamp package you are purchasing. (NB: Not all products carry lumen details)
* Cfls come in a range of colours, these include:• Warm White – provides a soft warmer light comparable to light provided by traditional incandescent
light bulbs• Cool White – provides neutral light comparable to office lighting• Daylight – similar to outdoor light comparable to midday lighting conditions.
** MVh lamps are similar in appearance to traditional incandescent light bulbs and are suitable alternatives for light fixtures that require functions such as dimming, sensor lights, touch lights and other lighting applications, however, they are not as efficient as Cfls.
www.specsuper.com 1300 366 648
If you’ve always wanted to join an industry superfund but haven’t been eligible, SPEC Super now makes it easy for you with SPEC Personal. We are the only Industry Superfund for the electro-technology and allied industries which can offer membership to self employed contractors. Even your family and friends are eligible to join. We also make it easy to roll any other funds you may have into one, so why not switch today and start generating wealth.
This information is of a general nature and does not take into account your individual financial situation, objectives or needs. Because of this you should, before acting on this advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. You should obtain a Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and consider the PDS before making any decision. If you require such specific advice, you should contact a licenced financial adviser. SPEC(QLD) PTY. LTD. (ABN 60 010 743 405, AFSL 325 122), the Trustee of SPEC Super (ABN 45 404 406 059), is authorised to provide general financial product advice in relation to superannuation. For a copy of our PDS please call 1300 366 648.
sale oF existing light bulbs
Incandescentgeneral lightingservice(GLS) light
bulbscanbesoldifthesellercanprovethatthey
wereimportedintoAustraliapriorto1February
2009whentheimportrestrictionwasintroduced.
CFLs and ELV halogen non-reflector lamps
thatdon’tmeetMEPS canbe sold if the seller
canprovethattheywereimportedintoAustralia
before1November2009.
For further information please contact your
stateregulator:www.energyrating.gov.au.
42 www.masterelectricians.com.au 43the master electrician : SUMMER 10
technical talk : THE
PH
AS
E-O
UT O
F INE
FFICIE
NT, IN
CA
ND
ES
CE
NT LIG
HT B
ULB
S
Lightingaccountsforaround12percent
of electricity usage from households,
andaround25percentofusagefrom
the commercial sector. The Australian
Government recognises energy savings can be
easilymadebyreplacinginefficient,incandescent
lights, with more cost-effective and energy
efficientalternatives.
These energy efficient alternatives include
compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) which use
only20percentoftheelectricitytoproducethe
sameamountoflight.Usinglessenergymeans
reduced greenhouse gas emissions and lower
electricitybillswhichcreatesbenefitstoboththe
environmentandindividuals.
how will ineFFicient incanDescent light
bulbs be phaseD out?
The Australian Government will implement
thephase-outbyintroducingminimumenergy
performance standards (MEPS) for lighting
products. MEPS are the minimum efficiency
standards that products must meet in order
tobesold intheAustralianmarket.MEPSare
used for various product ranges, including
refrigerators, freezers, washing machines and
otherhouseholdappliances.
More efficient types of incandescent bulbs
calledhalogenswillcontinuetobeavailable,but
theleastefficientofthisgroupwillbephasedout.
Halogenbulbsaremoreefficientthantraditional
incandescent bulbs, but are significantly less
efficientthanCFLs.
You can find out more by visiting
www.energyrating.gov.au.
which incanDescent light bulbs will be
phaseD out?
TheAustralianGovernmentistargetinganylight
bulbs that have an efficiency level of less than
27 lumens per watt (lm/w). Lumens (lm) are
a measure of light output and watts (w) are a
measureofenergyinput.
The traditional pear-shaped incandescent
bulbs (GLS) are the least efficient – these
bulbs waste 90 per cent of the energy they
use, mainly as heat. They were phased out
first, with an import restriction applying from
1February2009,followedbyaretailsalesban
inNovember2009.
More efficient types of incandescent bulbs
– known as halogens will continue to be
available, but the least efficient of this group
will be phased out over time. Mains voltage
(240V),andlowvoltagebulbs(12V–typically
usedindownlighting),arethecommontypes
of halogenbulb. Lowvoltagedoesnotmean
lowenergyuse.
what are the proJecteD Dates For the
phase-out oF speciFic lighting proDucts?
Theprojecteddatesprovidedinthetablebelow
for the applicationofMEPS to specific lighting
productsaredependentupontheavailabilityof
effective and efficient alternatives being readily
availableinthemarketplace.
will street lights anD other public lighting
be aFFecteD by the phase-out measure?
Most street and public lights do not use
incandescent technology, so the phase-out will
notaffectthem.
Street and road lighting in Australia is very
efficient compared toother countries,however,
the government is working with industry and
the relevantAustralianStandardsCommittee to
reducetheamountofenergyusedbystreetlights.
savings to the environment
The phase-out will deliver considerable savings
to the environment and the economy. Across
thecountry, themove tomoreefficient lighting,
such as CFLs, is expected to save around 30
terawatthoursofelectricityand28milliontonnes
of greenhouse gas emissions between 2008
and 2020. This is equivalent to permanently
decommissioningasmallcoal-firedpowerstation
or taking more than 500,000 cars off the road
permanently. It isexpectedtoresult insavingsto
theAustralianeconomyofaround$380millionper
yearby2020andresultinnetsavingsofmorethan
$50peryearforeachhouseholdthatchangesall
ofitsincandescentlightglobestoCFLs.
Since1November2009,MEPSapplyatpointof
saletocompactfluorescentlamps,generallighting
service,incandescentlampsandextralowvoltage
andhalogennon-reflectorlamps.Productsinthese
categories must comply with the MEPS and be
registeredwithrelevantstateregulatoryauthorities
tobe legallysold– informationonregistration is
availableat:www.energyrating.gov.au.
technicaltalkThe phase-out of inefficient, incandescent light bulbs
Lamp Type Sales restriction fromTungsten filament incandescent general lighting service (glS) light bulbs
1 November 2009
Extra low voltage (ElV) halogen non-reflectors Self-ballasted compact fluorescent lamps (Cfls)>40w candle, fancy round and decorative lamps october 2010Mains voltage halogen non-reflectors ElV halogen reflectors Mains voltage reflector lamps, including halogen (PAR, ER, R, etc)
october 2012
>25w candle fancy round and decorative lampsPilot lamps 25w and below To be determined dependent
on the availability of efficient replacement products
globe conversion table
This table compares traditional incandescent light bulb wattages with the equivalent compact
fluorescentlamps(CFLs)ormainsvoltagehalogen(MVH)lamps.
light globe conversion table
incandescent Bulbs Compact fluorescent lamp
(Cfl)*
Mains Voltage halogen (MVh)**
light output in lumens (lm)
25w 5-7w 18w 220 lm
40w 7-8w 28w 420 lm
60w 11-12w 42w 720 lm
75w 13-18w 52w 930 lm
100w 18-23w 70w 1300 lmNoTE: The wattages listed above for Cfls and MVh lamps are approximations only and may vary between manufacturers. Use wattages as a guide only. Alternatively, refer to the ‘light output in lumens’ column. you can then check the lumen output (lm) shown on the Cfl or MVh lamp package you are purchasing. (NB: Not all products carry lumen details)
* Cfls come in a range of colours, these include:• Warm White – provides a soft warmer light comparable to light provided by traditional incandescent
light bulbs• Cool White – provides neutral light comparable to office lighting• Daylight – similar to outdoor light comparable to midday lighting conditions.
** MVh lamps are similar in appearance to traditional incandescent light bulbs and are suitable alternatives for light fixtures that require functions such as dimming, sensor lights, touch lights and other lighting applications, however, they are not as efficient as Cfls.
www.specsuper.com 1300 366 648
If you’ve always wanted to join an industry superfund but haven’t been eligible, SPEC Super now makes it easy for you with SPEC Personal. We are the only Industry Superfund for the electro-technology and allied industries which can offer membership to self employed contractors. Even your family and friends are eligible to join. We also make it easy to roll any other funds you may have into one, so why not switch today and start generating wealth.
This information is of a general nature and does not take into account your individual financial situation, objectives or needs. Because of this you should, before acting on this advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. You should obtain a Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and consider the PDS before making any decision. If you require such specific advice, you should contact a licenced financial adviser. SPEC(QLD) PTY. LTD. (ABN 60 010 743 405, AFSL 325 122), the Trustee of SPEC Super (ABN 45 404 406 059), is authorised to provide general financial product advice in relation to superannuation. For a copy of our PDS please call 1300 366 648.
sale oF existing light bulbs
Incandescentgeneral lightingservice(GLS) light
bulbscanbesoldifthesellercanprovethatthey
wereimportedintoAustraliapriorto1February
2009whentheimportrestrictionwasintroduced.
CFLs and ELV halogen non-reflector lamps
thatdon’tmeetMEPS canbe sold if the seller
canprovethattheywereimportedintoAustralia
before1November2009.
For further information please contact your
stateregulator:www.energyrating.gov.au.
On 1 January 2010 the Modern
Award commenced. The award
modernisation process involved
updating and rationalising the
currentawardsysteminAustralia.TheAustralian
IndustrialRelationsCommissionwasresponsible
for setting theawardwhichoutlines the terms
and conditions for employees. The award
operates in conjunction with the National
EmploymentStandards.
The Modern Award will contain provisions
relatingto:n minimumwagesn classificationsn penaltyratesn typesofemploymentn hoursofworkn rosteringn noticeperiodsn allowancesn overtimeratesn leaveandleaveloading
n arrangementsfortakingleaven superannuationn proceduresforconsultationn representationanddisputeresolution.
TheModernAwardcannotcontaintermswhich
arerelatedtopaymentsanddeductionsforbenefit
ofemployer, rightsofentry,discriminatory, long
serviceleaveandstatespecificprovisions(except
inrelationtotransitionalprovisions).
clariFication on moDern awarD
transitional provisions
TheModernAwardfortheelectrical industry is
the Electrical, Electronic and Communications
Contracting Award 2010. Under the Modern
Award Transitional Provisions it states that the
employer must pay no less than the minimum
wageintherelevanttransitionalinstrument.
Thismeansthatallnewemployees(ie,employees
engagedafter1January2010)muststillbepaid
undertherelevantStateAward(egNASPA)Federal
Wage Sheets. For example, if you engaged an
ElectricalWorkerGrade5on13January2010,the
employeewouldhavetobepaid$19.72perhour
(onsiterate),asperthe2009Electrical Contracting
Industry Award FederalWageSheetsandnotthe
ModernAwardwagerates.
This also applies to penalty rates, loadings,
overtimeprovisionsandindustryallowances.
From the 1 July 2010 this will all change
when the transitional provisions come
into effect. It will be phased in 20 per cent
increments until 2014.
Additionally, under the Modern Award
‘over award’ payments can be used to absorb
the monetary obligations imposed. Master
Electricians advise that if you want to absorb
the monetary obligations into the over award
payments,thatyoumustwriteitintoanaward
flexibilityagreementoracontractofemployment.
The main changes under the Electrical,
Electronic and Communications Contracting
Award 2010 (theAward)are:
awarD Flexibility agreement
Thisallowstheemployerandemployeetovary
certain terms of the award through an Award
Flexibility Agreement. The terms that can be
variedundertheawardare:
44 www.masterelectricians.com.au 45the master electrician : SUMMER 10
workp
lace relations : MO
DE
RN
Aw
AR
D
workplaceMODERN AWARD
Ph 07 5445 2910
NEW
CIRTAG®
Safety SignsSafety LabelsPipe ID MarkersTags
DANGER
240VOLTS
www.cirtag.com
www.cirtag.com
HIGHVOLTAGE
The NEW name in:
For all you LOCKOUT needs contact CIRLOCK
Australias Original Lockout Manufacturer
- since 1992
Contractors Lockout Kit shown - CLK-2
WATER
is The NBN Already old hat?
On 14 December 2009, TeliaSonera
launched the first 4th Generation
(4G)mobilenetwork in Stockholm
(Sweden) and Oslo (Norway). 4G
promises data speeds of up to 100 mb/s for
mobiledevices,anduptoanastonishing1Gb/s
for stationary devices. The rolloutwill continue
to another 25 cities throughout Sweden and
Norwayduring2010.
while the Australian NBN languishes with the
enormity of deploying an ‘as yet’ undetermined
fibre solution across the country, (for a reputed
100 mb/s) the developments in mobile
technology continue to march on.
There are two major technologies vying for
global market share and rushing to get their next
4g standards ratified – long-Term-Evolution
(lTE) Advanced, and wiMax (802.16m) which
are the new breed of ‘Ultra-Broadband’ capable
wireless technologies.
yet, while the lTE and wiMax 4g technologies
are evolving to deliver more speed, much effort
is still being used to position each technology as
the better option in the marketplace, however,
their standards are still yet to be ratified. The
Australian 4g bandwidth allocation is currently
waiting on the shutdown of the analogue TV
broadcast network.
Many mobile carriers throughout Europe
and North America are planning to deploy lTE
conversions to their existing networks this year,
although, planned designs vary for the speeds
being delivered to customers. what you get, is
what you get.
with this in mind, it’s worth sorting the hype
from the reality. Radio performance will govern
download and upload speeds, whether the
user is stationary or mobile. And, it will still be
very dependant on Rf equipment and handset/
dongle quality. Therefore, the further from the
radio transmitter you are, or the more interfering
objects there are in the way, the lower your
data through-put will be. Radio is susceptible
to many variables, and the maximum speeds
offered may only be at the base of a carriers
antenna array.
Maybe both fibre and wireless broadband
solutions will find their own balanced market
share in Australia when two hats will be better
than one. Breakfast Creek Road Eagers Mazda
www.eagersmazda.com.au DRVN BY UQLDPh: 3364 1088
Available in a 2.5 or 3.0L turbo diesel engine with advanced common-rail direct injection for excellent fuel economy.
Mazda BT-50 is capable and tough, yet sporty and stylish. So no matter if it’s work or play, the BT-50 will get you and your workmates or your family to your destination safely.
Mazda BT-50. For the toughest jobs.
EAGM 0358 125x186[P]MEMag.indd 1 4/12/09 4:49 PM
relations
On 1 January 2010 the Modern
Award commenced. The award
modernisation process involved
updating and rationalising the
currentawardsysteminAustralia.TheAustralian
IndustrialRelationsCommissionwasresponsible
for setting theawardwhichoutlines the terms
and conditions for employees. The award
operates in conjunction with the National
EmploymentStandards.
The Modern Award will contain provisions
relatingto:n minimumwagesn classificationsn penaltyratesn typesofemploymentn hoursofworkn rosteringn noticeperiodsn allowancesn overtimeratesn leaveandleaveloading
n arrangementsfortakingleaven superannuationn proceduresforconsultationn representationanddisputeresolution.
TheModernAwardcannotcontaintermswhich
arerelatedtopaymentsanddeductionsforbenefit
ofemployer, rightsofentry,discriminatory, long
serviceleaveandstatespecificprovisions(except
inrelationtotransitionalprovisions).
clariFication on moDern awarD
transitional provisions
TheModernAwardfortheelectrical industry is
the Electrical, Electronic and Communications
Contracting Award 2010. Under the Modern
Award Transitional Provisions it states that the
employer must pay no less than the minimum
wageintherelevanttransitionalinstrument.
Thismeansthatallnewemployees(ie,employees
engagedafter1January2010)muststillbepaid
undertherelevantStateAward(egNASPA)Federal
Wage Sheets. For example, if you engaged an
ElectricalWorkerGrade5on13January2010,the
employeewouldhavetobepaid$19.72perhour
(onsiterate),asperthe2009Electrical Contracting
Industry Award FederalWageSheetsandnotthe
ModernAwardwagerates.
This also applies to penalty rates, loadings,
overtimeprovisionsandindustryallowances.
From the 1 July 2010 this will all change
when the transitional provisions come
into effect. It will be phased in 20 per cent
increments until 2014.
Additionally, under the Modern Award
‘over award’ payments can be used to absorb
the monetary obligations imposed. Master
Electricians advise that if you want to absorb
the monetary obligations into the over award
payments,thatyoumustwriteitintoanaward
flexibilityagreementoracontractofemployment.
The main changes under the Electrical,
Electronic and Communications Contracting
Award 2010 (theAward)are:
awarD Flexibility agreement
Thisallowstheemployerandemployeetovary
certain terms of the award through an Award
Flexibility Agreement. The terms that can be
variedundertheawardare:
44 www.masterelectricians.com.au 45the master electrician : SUMMER 10
workp
lace relations : MO
DE
RN
Aw
AR
D
workplaceMODERN AWARD
Ph 07 5445 2910
NEW
CIRTAG®
Safety SignsSafety LabelsPipe ID MarkersTags
DANGER
240VOLTS
www.cirtag.com
www.cirtag.com
HIGHVOLTAGE
The NEW name in:
For all you LOCKOUT needs contact CIRLOCK
Australias Original Lockout Manufacturer
- since 1992
Contractors Lockout Kit shown - CLK-2
WATER
is The NBN Already old hat?
On 14 December 2009, TeliaSonera
launched the first 4th Generation
(4G)mobilenetwork in Stockholm
(Sweden) and Oslo (Norway). 4G
promises data speeds of up to 100 mb/s for
mobiledevices,anduptoanastonishing1Gb/s
for stationary devices. The rolloutwill continue
to another 25 cities throughout Sweden and
Norwayduring2010.
while the Australian NBN languishes with the
enormity of deploying an ‘as yet’ undetermined
fibre solution across the country, (for a reputed
100 mb/s) the developments in mobile
technology continue to march on.
There are two major technologies vying for
global market share and rushing to get their next
4g standards ratified – long-Term-Evolution
(lTE) Advanced, and wiMax (802.16m) which
are the new breed of ‘Ultra-Broadband’ capable
wireless technologies.
yet, while the lTE and wiMax 4g technologies
are evolving to deliver more speed, much effort
is still being used to position each technology as
the better option in the marketplace, however,
their standards are still yet to be ratified. The
Australian 4g bandwidth allocation is currently
waiting on the shutdown of the analogue TV
broadcast network.
Many mobile carriers throughout Europe
and North America are planning to deploy lTE
conversions to their existing networks this year,
although, planned designs vary for the speeds
being delivered to customers. what you get, is
what you get.
with this in mind, it’s worth sorting the hype
from the reality. Radio performance will govern
download and upload speeds, whether the
user is stationary or mobile. And, it will still be
very dependant on Rf equipment and handset/
dongle quality. Therefore, the further from the
radio transmitter you are, or the more interfering
objects there are in the way, the lower your
data through-put will be. Radio is susceptible
to many variables, and the maximum speeds
offered may only be at the base of a carriers
antenna array.
Maybe both fibre and wireless broadband
solutions will find their own balanced market
share in Australia when two hats will be better
than one. Breakfast Creek Road Eagers Mazda
www.eagersmazda.com.au DRVN BY UQLDPh: 3364 1088
Available in a 2.5 or 3.0L turbo diesel engine with advanced common-rail direct injection for excellent fuel economy.
Mazda BT-50 is capable and tough, yet sporty and stylish. So no matter if it’s work or play, the BT-50 will get you and your workmates or your family to your destination safely.
Mazda BT-50. For the toughest jobs.
EAGM 0358 125x186[P]MEMag.indd 1 4/12/09 4:49 PM
relations
Advantages at a glance• Sets a totally new standard• Immediate measurement up to 32 A• Replaces the classic single phase a.c. watt hour meter• Quick, space-saving installation only 35 mm in width• An extremely compact product• Class 1 Accuracy• Suitable for verification• SO - interface for connection to energy
management systems
Who else would you trust!
Ampere Electrical Manufacturing Co. Pty. Ltd.168-176 High St, Prahran, Vic. 3181. Tel (03) 9510 4333, 9510 2428 Fax (03) 9510 5940Toll Free 1800 AMPERE (1800 267 373)www.ampere.com.au
the new Watt Hour MeterSlim, efficient, accurate with easy installation!
CROFT/AMPERE MEFP
Also Available...THE NEW 65A
SINGLE PHASE & 3 PHASE KILOWATT
HOUR METERS
AC218808_Ampere_FP_MEMag 30/4/09 4:59 PM Page 1
46 www.masterelectricians.com.au
New ProTag Optima SystemAustralia’s Most Compact Appliance
Testing and Tag Printing System.
Call EMONA Instruments on tel: 1 800 632 953 email: [email protected] or www.protag.com.au
The new ProTag Optima System tests portable appliances and RCDs,
and prints test tags in a compact system weighing only around 2kg.
No interface cables between the tester, printer and scanner provide
maximum mobility on construction sites, factories and workshops.
Light weight, wireless, battery powered and with logging of visual
inspections and risk assessments, the Optima System guarantees
greater efficiency, huge time savings and a lower cost per tag.
n arrangementsforordinaryhoursn overtimeratesn penaltyratesn allowancesn leaveloading.
casual employees
There is now no restriction on a casual
employee’s engagement however, there is a
provision which allows casual employees to
convert tofull timeorpart timeemployment.
This means that casual employees, who are
engagedonaregularandsystematicbasisfor
morethansixmonths,havetherighttoelectto
have their contract of employment converted
tofullorparttime.
inclement weather
Employees are now entitled to payment for
ordinary time lost due to inclement weather
(abnormalorextremeclimaticconditions)aslong
as the provisions of the Modern Award have
beenadheredto.
overtime
The award states that all work done outside
of ordinary hours are to be paid at time and
ahalf for thefirst twohours anddouble time
thereafter,thisisthesameonSaturday.
Sundayisstillatdoubletime.
The minimum hours of work for a Saturday
andSundaywillbefourhoursundertheaward.
call outs
Under the award this will be referred to as
‘availability for duty’. The award states the
employee isentitled toan ‘availability forduty’
allowanceof8.8percentofthestandardweekly
rateandpaidfortheactualtimeworked.
The actual time worked payment is still a
home to home payment and the employee
must be paid a minimum of two hours at the
appropriaterate.
national employment stanDarDs
Additionally, on 1 January 2010, the National
Employment Standards (NES) also commenced
replacing the Australian Fair Pay Commissions
legislative standards. The NES consists of
10 legislatedsafety standardswhichcannotbe
strippedaway.TheNESare:n maximumweeklyhoursn requestsforflexibleworkingarrangementsn parentalleaveandrelatedentitlementsn annualleaven personal/carer’sleaveand
compassionateleaven communityserviceleaven longserviceleaven publicholidaysn noticeofterminationandredundancypayn theprovisionoftheFairWork
InformationStatement.
preparing For moDern awarD anD national
employment stanDarDs
In preparing for the implementation of the
ModernAwardandNESyoushould:n understandthemaintermsandconditions
containedintheModernAwardandNESn makesurethetermsandconditionsof
youremploymentcontractsorlettersof
appointmentreflectthechangesn updatetheHRpoliciestoensuretheycomply
withtheModernAwardandnational
employmentstandardsn includetheFairWorkStatementinthe
employeesinductionkit.
Accredited Master Electricians and ECA
members can contact the Workplace
RelationsDepartment.
the Modern award will replace:Queensland Electrical Contracting industry Award 2003Northern Territory Electrical Engineering and Contracting industries Award 2002South Australia Electrical Contracting industry (SA) AwardTasmania Electrical Engineers Award
National Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting industry Award 1998
Victoria National Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting industry Award 1998
western Australia Electrical Contracting industry Award ACT National Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting
industry Award 1998NSw Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting industry Award
Advantages at a glance• Sets a totally new standard• Immediate measurement up to 32 A• Replaces the classic single phase a.c. watt hour meter• Quick, space-saving installation only 35 mm in width• An extremely compact product• Class 1 Accuracy• Suitable for verification• SO - interface for connection to energy
management systems
Who else would you trust!
Ampere Electrical Manufacturing Co. Pty. Ltd.168-176 High St, Prahran, Vic. 3181. Tel (03) 9510 4333, 9510 2428 Fax (03) 9510 5940Toll Free 1800 AMPERE (1800 267 373)www.ampere.com.au
the new Watt Hour MeterSlim, efficient, accurate with easy installation!
CROFT/AMPERE MEFP
Also Available...THE NEW 65A
SINGLE PHASE & 3 PHASE KILOWATT
HOUR METERS
AC218808_Ampere_FP_MEMag 30/4/09 4:59 PM Page 1
46 www.masterelectricians.com.au
New ProTag Optima SystemAustralia’s Most Compact Appliance
Testing and Tag Printing System.
Call EMONA Instruments on tel: 1 800 632 953 email: [email protected] or www.protag.com.au
The new ProTag Optima System tests portable appliances and RCDs,
and prints test tags in a compact system weighing only around 2kg.
No interface cables between the tester, printer and scanner provide
maximum mobility on construction sites, factories and workshops.
Light weight, wireless, battery powered and with logging of visual
inspections and risk assessments, the Optima System guarantees
greater efficiency, huge time savings and a lower cost per tag.
n arrangementsforordinaryhoursn overtimeratesn penaltyratesn allowancesn leaveloading.
casual employees
There is now no restriction on a casual
employee’s engagement however, there is a
provision which allows casual employees to
convert tofull timeorpart timeemployment.
This means that casual employees, who are
engagedonaregularandsystematicbasisfor
morethansixmonths,havetherighttoelectto
have their contract of employment converted
tofullorparttime.
inclement weather
Employees are now entitled to payment for
ordinary time lost due to inclement weather
(abnormalorextremeclimaticconditions)aslong
as the provisions of the Modern Award have
beenadheredto.
overtime
The award states that all work done outside
of ordinary hours are to be paid at time and
ahalf for thefirst twohours anddouble time
thereafter,thisisthesameonSaturday.
Sundayisstillatdoubletime.
The minimum hours of work for a Saturday
andSundaywillbefourhoursundertheaward.
call outs
Under the award this will be referred to as
‘availability for duty’. The award states the
employee isentitled toan ‘availability forduty’
allowanceof8.8percentofthestandardweekly
rateandpaidfortheactualtimeworked.
The actual time worked payment is still a
home to home payment and the employee
must be paid a minimum of two hours at the
appropriaterate.
national employment stanDarDs
Additionally, on 1 January 2010, the National
Employment Standards (NES) also commenced
replacing the Australian Fair Pay Commissions
legislative standards. The NES consists of
10 legislatedsafety standardswhichcannotbe
strippedaway.TheNESare:n maximumweeklyhoursn requestsforflexibleworkingarrangementsn parentalleaveandrelatedentitlementsn annualleaven personal/carer’sleaveand
compassionateleaven communityserviceleaven longserviceleaven publicholidaysn noticeofterminationandredundancypayn theprovisionoftheFairWork
InformationStatement.
preparing For moDern awarD anD national
employment stanDarDs
In preparing for the implementation of the
ModernAwardandNESyoushould:n understandthemaintermsandconditions
containedintheModernAwardandNESn makesurethetermsandconditionsof
youremploymentcontractsorlettersof
appointmentreflectthechangesn updatetheHRpoliciestoensuretheycomply
withtheModernAwardandnational
employmentstandardsn includetheFairWorkStatementinthe
employeesinductionkit.
Accredited Master Electricians and ECA
members can contact the Workplace
RelationsDepartment.
the Modern award will replace:Queensland Electrical Contracting industry Award 2003Northern Territory Electrical Engineering and Contracting industries Award 2002South Australia Electrical Contracting industry (SA) AwardTasmania Electrical Engineers Award
National Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting industry Award 1998
Victoria National Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting industry Award 1998
western Australia Electrical Contracting industry Award ACT National Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting
industry Award 1998NSw Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting industry Award
48 www.masterelectricians.com.au 49the master electrician : SUMMER 10
news : A
LL AB
OU
T MEMEall
about
master electricians ceo appointeD
to coag sub-committee
Master Electricians CEo Mr Malcolm
Richards has been appointed to the interim
Advisory Committee set up by the Council
of Australian governments (CoAg) to
investigate the National licensing System
– Electrical occupations.
The appointment to the Committee
is a significant milestone toward the
implementation of the National licensing
System. Mr Richards and the other
Committee members will provide advice
to the CoAg National Taskforce, which
was established by the Department of
Prime Minister and Cabinet, and will
oversee the establishment of the National
occupational licensing Authority.
if you would like more information on
the National licensing System please visit
the website http://www.licensinglinenews.
com/licensing-reforms/Nat ional-
licensing-system.aspx
if you have any comments or
concerns you wished raised on the
Committee please email them to
master electricians launches successFul national aDvertising campaign
Master Electricians Australia has recently launched a national advertising campaign encouraging the
general public to use a Master Electrician for all of their electrical work.
The campaign consists of a series of television and radio commercials which began to air across
Queensland last october, New South wales last November and Victoria this month.
The two 30 second television commercials feature on Channel 10’s oNE hD. To view the
advertisements online, visit www.masterelectricans.com.au/media.
To support the television campaign, a 30 second radio advertisement was launched on TripleM
across Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne last year and will continue for a number of months. Stay
tuned for details of advertising in other states over the next 12 months.
The advertisements direct the general public to the Master Electrician website where they can use
the ‘find a Master Electrician’ function to list the details of the work they require done.
Master Electricians across the country are already experiencing the benefits of the campaign, with a
large spike in leads and jobs, almost instantaneously.
All Accredited Master Electricians should ensure their details are correct in the ‘members only’ section
of the Master Electricians website to ensure they don’t miss out on the opportunity for potential work.
for more information about how you can become a Master Electrician contact 1300 889 198.
The 2009 ECA and Master Electricians Awards
of Excellence held last November recognised
the high level of innovation and quality within
the electrotechnology industry. The event saw
over 350 industry members celebrate the
achievements of their industry peers.
Just some of the 2009 award winners were:
MASTER ELECTRICIAN Of THE YEAR – HORAN
AND BIRD ELECTRICAL
horan & Bird’s capability to promote the core
concepts of quality, safety and reliability were
evident in all aspects of their business. horan
and Bird aggressively pursue feedback from
clients and utilise the responses to improve their
product. The promotion of safety has resulted
in an incident free year and a cash back offer
awarded to clients if horan and Bird are unable
to attend on the clients desired day, has lead to
improved reliability.
INNOvATIvE PRODuCT Of THE YEAR
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC – COMPACT NSX
CIRCuIT BREAkER
Energy Efficiency is key. The judges were
impressed with the possible benefits of this new
circuit breaker. This stunning result of six years
work by 170 engineers provides both remote and
local control, and an output information stream
providing current, voltage, frequency, power
factor, energy and total harmonic distortion and
a number of diagnostic facilities. A unique feature
provides a report on the thickness of the mating
contacts, and their replacement needs. The new
Schneider NSx series of circuit breakers cover
a range from 40 amps to 750 amps, are retrofit
able to existing switchboards, and show an
amazing capability for the new age of efficiency.
INNOvATIvE SERvICE Of THE YEAR
ENSIGHT – POWER STATION ENERGY AuDIT
few contractors would consider they have
the skills to audit a power station, but this one
not only carried out the audit, but found some
very interesting efficiencies to recommend.
Ensight, has completed an extensive audit of
Tarong Power Station. Carried out over a five
month period, Ensight recommended a series
of improvements with projected savings that
are significant. This type of work is a dramatic
change in the type, level and quality of services
regularly offered by members, and is sure to lead
to a wider and more interesting range of work in
the future.
did you know?Leslie Harvey – lead guitarist of the Glasgow band Stone the Crows, died after being electrocuted onstage at Swansea’s Top Rank Ballroom, May 3, 1972.
www.strangecosmos.com
eca anD master electricians recognise inDustry leaDers
As the leading national body for the
electrotechnology industry, Master Electricians
Australia is committed to the safety of the
industry and the wider public. They recognised
the following extreme risks with the installation of
foil-based insulation and lead the charge to have
the policy changed:
DEATH BY ELECTROCuTION, SMOkE
INHALATION OR fALLINGn foil-based insulation touching open terminals n Penetration of cables with metal fastenersn Damaged and rodent eaten cables with bare
conductors touching foil n insulation covering exhaust fans and
downlights causing them to generate
excessive heat creating toxic fumesn Covered ceiling spaces – hide any safe path
for access, covering trusses making it difficult
to place feet or knees.
fIREn Down lights covered with insulation
providing no escape for the heat eventually
catching firen Exhaust fan motors covered not being able
to vent generating heat and once again
having the possibility of catching fire.
EquIPMENT fAILuREn failure of exhaust fansn overheating and failure of down lightsn Cable damage during installation
The crisis meetings Master Electricians held
with the federal government, resulted in a
ban to metal fasteners, mandatory installation
of downlight barriers, a reduction to the rebate
and an introduction of mandatory training for
insulation installers.
Turn to page 16 for the full story.
master electricians warneD oF the risks oF Foil-baseD insultion
48 www.masterelectricians.com.au 49the master electrician : SUMMER 10
news : A
LL AB
OU
T MEMEall
about
master electricians ceo appointeD
to coag sub-committee
Master Electricians CEo Mr Malcolm
Richards has been appointed to the interim
Advisory Committee set up by the Council
of Australian governments (CoAg) to
investigate the National licensing System
– Electrical occupations.
The appointment to the Committee
is a significant milestone toward the
implementation of the National licensing
System. Mr Richards and the other
Committee members will provide advice
to the CoAg National Taskforce, which
was established by the Department of
Prime Minister and Cabinet, and will
oversee the establishment of the National
occupational licensing Authority.
if you would like more information on
the National licensing System please visit
the website http://www.licensinglinenews.
com/licensing-reforms/Nat ional-
licensing-system.aspx
if you have any comments or
concerns you wished raised on the
Committee please email them to
master electricians launches successFul national aDvertising campaign
Master Electricians Australia has recently launched a national advertising campaign encouraging the
general public to use a Master Electrician for all of their electrical work.
The campaign consists of a series of television and radio commercials which began to air across
Queensland last october, New South wales last November and Victoria this month.
The two 30 second television commercials feature on Channel 10’s oNE hD. To view the
advertisements online, visit www.masterelectricans.com.au/media.
To support the television campaign, a 30 second radio advertisement was launched on TripleM
across Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne last year and will continue for a number of months. Stay
tuned for details of advertising in other states over the next 12 months.
The advertisements direct the general public to the Master Electrician website where they can use
the ‘find a Master Electrician’ function to list the details of the work they require done.
Master Electricians across the country are already experiencing the benefits of the campaign, with a
large spike in leads and jobs, almost instantaneously.
All Accredited Master Electricians should ensure their details are correct in the ‘members only’ section
of the Master Electricians website to ensure they don’t miss out on the opportunity for potential work.
for more information about how you can become a Master Electrician contact 1300 889 198.
The 2009 ECA and Master Electricians Awards
of Excellence held last November recognised
the high level of innovation and quality within
the electrotechnology industry. The event saw
over 350 industry members celebrate the
achievements of their industry peers.
Just some of the 2009 award winners were:
MASTER ELECTRICIAN Of THE YEAR – HORAN
AND BIRD ELECTRICAL
horan & Bird’s capability to promote the core
concepts of quality, safety and reliability were
evident in all aspects of their business. horan
and Bird aggressively pursue feedback from
clients and utilise the responses to improve their
product. The promotion of safety has resulted
in an incident free year and a cash back offer
awarded to clients if horan and Bird are unable
to attend on the clients desired day, has lead to
improved reliability.
INNOvATIvE PRODuCT Of THE YEAR
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC – COMPACT NSX
CIRCuIT BREAkER
Energy Efficiency is key. The judges were
impressed with the possible benefits of this new
circuit breaker. This stunning result of six years
work by 170 engineers provides both remote and
local control, and an output information stream
providing current, voltage, frequency, power
factor, energy and total harmonic distortion and
a number of diagnostic facilities. A unique feature
provides a report on the thickness of the mating
contacts, and their replacement needs. The new
Schneider NSx series of circuit breakers cover
a range from 40 amps to 750 amps, are retrofit
able to existing switchboards, and show an
amazing capability for the new age of efficiency.
INNOvATIvE SERvICE Of THE YEAR
ENSIGHT – POWER STATION ENERGY AuDIT
few contractors would consider they have
the skills to audit a power station, but this one
not only carried out the audit, but found some
very interesting efficiencies to recommend.
Ensight, has completed an extensive audit of
Tarong Power Station. Carried out over a five
month period, Ensight recommended a series
of improvements with projected savings that
are significant. This type of work is a dramatic
change in the type, level and quality of services
regularly offered by members, and is sure to lead
to a wider and more interesting range of work in
the future.
did you know?Leslie Harvey – lead guitarist of the Glasgow band Stone the Crows, died after being electrocuted onstage at Swansea’s Top Rank Ballroom, May 3, 1972.
www.strangecosmos.com
eca anD master electricians recognise inDustry leaDers
As the leading national body for the
electrotechnology industry, Master Electricians
Australia is committed to the safety of the
industry and the wider public. They recognised
the following extreme risks with the installation of
foil-based insulation and lead the charge to have
the policy changed:
DEATH BY ELECTROCuTION, SMOkE
INHALATION OR fALLINGn foil-based insulation touching open terminals n Penetration of cables with metal fastenersn Damaged and rodent eaten cables with bare
conductors touching foil n insulation covering exhaust fans and
downlights causing them to generate
excessive heat creating toxic fumesn Covered ceiling spaces – hide any safe path
for access, covering trusses making it difficult
to place feet or knees.
fIREn Down lights covered with insulation
providing no escape for the heat eventually
catching firen Exhaust fan motors covered not being able
to vent generating heat and once again
having the possibility of catching fire.
EquIPMENT fAILuREn failure of exhaust fansn overheating and failure of down lightsn Cable damage during installation
The crisis meetings Master Electricians held
with the federal government, resulted in a
ban to metal fasteners, mandatory installation
of downlight barriers, a reduction to the rebate
and an introduction of mandatory training for
insulation installers.
Turn to page 16 for the full story.
master electricians warneD oF the risks oF Foil-baseD insultion
50 www.masterelectricians.com.au 51the master electrician : SUMMER 10
test drive : FO
RD
FALC
ON
GS
test driveI
had a big grin on my face when this
assignment popped into my email inbox –
thebrandnewFordGSbyFordPerformance
Vehicles. This limited edition V8 beast was
designed to combine performance, history and
affordability.Jobdone.
The gS is a very fondly remembered ford
model from the late 60s, and today is the second
most collectible ford model second only to the
iconic gT.
The design brief for this new gS was released
November 2009. it was to be largely based on the
fg falcon at the affordable end of the fPV family,
yet still maintain the grunt and performance of
the top end fPV models.
let’s look at what is the most important
feature on the gS - the engine. The ‘302 Boss’
5.4l V8 was developed specifically for the gS
however, it does steal various componentry from
its big brother’s engine – the gT. it produces an
extremely impressive 302kw (hence the name
‘302 Boss’) and 551Nm of torque – not too
shabby for a petrol engine!
The gT which is at the top-end of the fPV
range only produces an extra 13kw, compared
to the gS, pumping out 315kw. Even though
this may look like i have copy ‘n’ pasted from
my other recent reviews, i will say it again: this
power does come at the cost of fuel usage and
economy. you’ll use 14.2l per 100 kilometres in
the manual model.
looking at the exterior, the body shape of
the gS varies little from the falcon fg range –
however, the standard accessories do give it a
striking appearance compared to the rest of the
ford range. The body kit, spoilers and grill all give
the car an aggressive look. The gS pin striping
also looks very sharp and follows the lines of the
car, while the ‘302’ spoiler and bonnet decals
create a coherent design. Most impressive
aesthetically, are the 19” graphite rims, and the
choice of the six eye catching fPV-specific paint
colours – all together making it fit nicely in the
fPV family.
Moving to the inside of the car, the gS is let
down a little by the very standard dash and
steering wheel. Now while this model may well
deserve a more unique interior, it was designed
to be affordable – and the interior is one of the
more costly areas to redesign so it is somewhat
understandable. having said this, the starter
button, trim, gT instrumentation and sports
pedals do set it apart from the run-of-the-mill
falcon. functionality wise the gS is perfect – the
iPod and Bluetooth integration work seamlessly,
and the sound system and climate control mean
it will be a very nice daily-driver.
with only 250 sedans and 75 utes set to be
released, the gS will remain rare and widely
desired like its predecessor of nearly 30-years
(the xw falcon). you’ll always be aware of this
vehicles place in history with the limited edition
fPV build plate/model identifier which will come
on every car.
Be sure to check out our next issue as we
will see what ford’s on-track V8 Supercar rivals
– holden, have on offer to take on the mighty
fPV gS.
PICTURED BELOw: foRMUlA foRD ChAMPioN ANDRE BoREll
Master Electricians Racing Driver Andre Borell checks out the ford falcon gS by fPV
FPV Falcon Gs
engine ‘302 Boss’ 5.4L, fuel-injected, 8-cylinder
Power 302kw @ 6000rpm
torque 551Nm @ 4750rpm
economy* 14.2L/100km
emissions (co²) 340g/km
RRP $54,950
Named in tribute to a fondly-remembered ford from the late ‘60s, the new gS sedan
and gS Ute are unique limited-edition models offering buyers entry into the fPV family at a very competitive price. Production of the gS Series
is limited to 250 sedans and 75 Utes. Contact your local ford fPV dealer to organise a
test drive today.
50 www.masterelectricians.com.au 51the master electrician : SUMMER 10
test drive : FO
RD
FALC
ON
GS
test driveI
had a big grin on my face when this
assignment popped into my email inbox –
thebrandnewFordGSbyFordPerformance
Vehicles. This limited edition V8 beast was
designed to combine performance, history and
affordability.Jobdone.
The gS is a very fondly remembered ford
model from the late 60s, and today is the second
most collectible ford model second only to the
iconic gT.
The design brief for this new gS was released
November 2009. it was to be largely based on the
fg falcon at the affordable end of the fPV family,
yet still maintain the grunt and performance of
the top end fPV models.
let’s look at what is the most important
feature on the gS - the engine. The ‘302 Boss’
5.4l V8 was developed specifically for the gS
however, it does steal various componentry from
its big brother’s engine – the gT. it produces an
extremely impressive 302kw (hence the name
‘302 Boss’) and 551Nm of torque – not too
shabby for a petrol engine!
The gT which is at the top-end of the fPV
range only produces an extra 13kw, compared
to the gS, pumping out 315kw. Even though
this may look like i have copy ‘n’ pasted from
my other recent reviews, i will say it again: this
power does come at the cost of fuel usage and
economy. you’ll use 14.2l per 100 kilometres in
the manual model.
looking at the exterior, the body shape of
the gS varies little from the falcon fg range –
however, the standard accessories do give it a
striking appearance compared to the rest of the
ford range. The body kit, spoilers and grill all give
the car an aggressive look. The gS pin striping
also looks very sharp and follows the lines of the
car, while the ‘302’ spoiler and bonnet decals
create a coherent design. Most impressive
aesthetically, are the 19” graphite rims, and the
choice of the six eye catching fPV-specific paint
colours – all together making it fit nicely in the
fPV family.
Moving to the inside of the car, the gS is let
down a little by the very standard dash and
steering wheel. Now while this model may well
deserve a more unique interior, it was designed
to be affordable – and the interior is one of the
more costly areas to redesign so it is somewhat
understandable. having said this, the starter
button, trim, gT instrumentation and sports
pedals do set it apart from the run-of-the-mill
falcon. functionality wise the gS is perfect – the
iPod and Bluetooth integration work seamlessly,
and the sound system and climate control mean
it will be a very nice daily-driver.
with only 250 sedans and 75 utes set to be
released, the gS will remain rare and widely
desired like its predecessor of nearly 30-years
(the xw falcon). you’ll always be aware of this
vehicles place in history with the limited edition
fPV build plate/model identifier which will come
on every car.
Be sure to check out our next issue as we
will see what ford’s on-track V8 Supercar rivals
– holden, have on offer to take on the mighty
fPV gS.
PICTURED BELOw: foRMUlA foRD ChAMPioN ANDRE BoREll
Master Electricians Racing Driver Andre Borell checks out the ford falcon gS by fPV
FPV Falcon Gs
engine ‘302 Boss’ 5.4L, fuel-injected, 8-cylinder
Power 302kw @ 6000rpm
torque 551Nm @ 4750rpm
economy* 14.2L/100km
emissions (co²) 340g/km
RRP $54,950
Named in tribute to a fondly-remembered ford from the late ‘60s, the new gS sedan
and gS Ute are unique limited-edition models offering buyers entry into the fPV family at a very competitive price. Production of the gS Series
is limited to 250 sedans and 75 Utes. Contact your local ford fPV dealer to organise a
test drive today.
fEB1019 february civil Works expo Melbourne www.constructioncontractor.com.au
26-28 february australian construction equipment expoMelbourne
MAR1011 – 14 march clipsal 500 Adelaide www.clipsal500.com.au
12-14 march Sydney
26 – 28 march Brisbanetradesman’s expo www.ntx.com.au
22 – 24 march 6th annual australasian cleantech ForumMelbournewww.ecogeneration.com.au/events
APR1012 – 14 april airconditioning, Refrigeration and Building services exhibitionSydney www.constructioncontractor.com.au
16 – 25 aprilclipsal super star Vertigo cruise www.clipsal.com.au/trade
20 – 22 april safety in action 2010 trade showMelbourne www.sia.org.au
52 www.masterelectricians.com.au 53the master electrician : SUMMER 10
eventswhat’s on
best funny story : V
IETN
AM
wIR
E
$50 up for grabs!your best (or worst) funny story
it’s easy, send us your favourite funny story or picture and if we publish it, we’ll send you $50.
These photos were taken last month in Vietnam by Paul Daly. Paul was in Vietnam finalising arrangements for the 2010 Annual Conference.
Do you have an industry event that you would like featured? Email [email protected].
EMONASydneyTel 02 9519 3933Fax 02 9550 1378
MelbourneTel 03 9889 0427Fax 03 9889 0715
BrisbaneTel 07 3275 2183Fax 07 3275 2196
AdelaideTel 08 8363 5733Fax 08 8363 5799
PerthTel 08 9361 4200Fax 08 9361 4300
email [email protected] web www.emona.com.au
Switchboard Thermal SurveysAustralia’s Most Affordable Switchboard
Inspection System ... Only $6,599 ex GST
Switchboard thermal inspectionsis a fast growing business forcontractors. Now you can offerthis service with the Dali TEi-P,the complete and affordablesolution with camera, reportingsoftware and user training!
Thermal Image
Visible Image
Voice Record
Reporting SoftwareLaser Pointer
fEB1019 february civil Works expo Melbourne www.constructioncontractor.com.au
26-28 february australian construction equipment expoMelbourne
MAR1011 – 14 march clipsal 500 Adelaide www.clipsal500.com.au
12-14 march Sydney
26 – 28 march Brisbanetradesman’s expo www.ntx.com.au
22 – 24 march 6th annual australasian cleantech ForumMelbournewww.ecogeneration.com.au/events
APR1012 – 14 april airconditioning, Refrigeration and Building services exhibitionSydney www.constructioncontractor.com.au
16 – 25 aprilclipsal super star Vertigo cruise www.clipsal.com.au/trade
20 – 22 april safety in action 2010 trade showMelbourne www.sia.org.au
52 www.masterelectricians.com.au 53the master electrician : SUMMER 10
eventswhat’s on
best funny story : V
IETN
AM
wIR
E
$50 up for grabs!your best (or worst) funny story
it’s easy, send us your favourite funny story or picture and if we publish it, we’ll send you $50.
These photos were taken last month in Vietnam by Paul Daly. Paul was in Vietnam finalising arrangements for the 2010 Annual Conference.
Do you have an industry event that you would like featured? Email [email protected].
EMONASydneyTel 02 9519 3933Fax 02 9550 1378
MelbourneTel 03 9889 0427Fax 03 9889 0715
BrisbaneTel 07 3275 2183Fax 07 3275 2196
AdelaideTel 08 8363 5733Fax 08 8363 5799
PerthTel 08 9361 4200Fax 08 9361 4300
email [email protected] web www.emona.com.au
Switchboard Thermal SurveysAustralia’s Most Affordable Switchboard
Inspection System ... Only $6,599 ex GST
Switchboard thermal inspectionsis a fast growing business forcontractors. Now you can offerthis service with the Dali TEi-P,the complete and affordablesolution with camera, reportingsoftware and user training!
Thermal Image
Visible Image
Voice Record
Reporting SoftwareLaser Pointer
eco-ficient® energy saving solutions
Faster.Safer.Easier.
motion detectors with the ultimate remote control
Providing total convenience for contractors to set times, lux levels, sensitivity & much more – all from the convenience of a hand held remote at ground level. Then hand your customer the remote control giving them a new benchmark in convenience, safety & energy management.
*conditions apply hagerbr.com.au/eco-fi cient
Spend less time up the ladder
54 www.masterelectricians.com.au
union Consultation
last word : MALCOLM RICHARDS
Administered byMalcolm V. Leeke & Co. Chartered Accountants
8 McIlwraith Street PO Box 42 Everton Park Brisbane QLD 4053
Phone 07 3506 7788 Fax 07 3506 7700 Toll Free 1300 200 123
Email [email protected] Website www.cirt.com.au
CIRT HELPS YOU TO REDUCE THE DRAIN ON YOUR COMPANY’S CASH FLOWCIRT was established in 1990 to provide redundancy benefits to the electrical industry.
CIRT allows employers to contribute money each month on behalf of their employees. That way if a redundancy occurs, the CIRT contributions form either part or all of any redundancy payment and the employer can include the money already contributed as part of the redundancy payment. CIRT provides benefits for the following situations: redundancy, retirement, leaving the industry, severe financial hardship, total and permanent disability, death. Contact CIRT now for all your industry redundancy needs.
Supported by
last word
MALCOLM RICHARDSchief executive officer
In a decision handed down in Melbourne
on4November2009 inadisputebetween
Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering,
Printing and Kindred Industries Union and
BitzerAustraliaPtyLtdt/asBuffaloTrident,Senior
DeputyPresidentActonruledthattheemployer
mustconsultwithunionsnotonlyaboutwhen
theywishtousesubcontractorsorlabourhire,
but also must consult on matters relating to
the employment of sub contractors or labour
hire such as criteria for selection, whether the
work done in house will enhance or diminish
job security and the qualifications of those
contracted is indeedamatterpertainingtothe
relationshipbetweenemployerandemployee.
Theresulthasledtounionsalreadyseeking
tohavethisclauseincludedintoallagreements
currently held and being negotiated. This
clausegoesback to the ‘badolddays’where
theunionswouldtellthecontractorwhothey
canandcan’tuse,andthensets thecontract
amount in linewith thecollectiveagreements
already in place. In my opinion this clause
restrictstradeandlimitsanemployer’sabilityto
makebusinessdecisions.
The inclusion of this clause will see many
labour hire companies in the building and
constructionindustryfindithardtostayafloat
astheywillbeforcedtohonourthewagesand
working conditions that relate to whatever
contractors they are supplying labour to. It
will also stifle the second and third tier sub
contracting and specialist contracting sector
whowillalsohavetopaywagesandconditions
farbeyondtheirmeansiftheywishtocontinue
workingonmajorcontractingsites.
Ofequalconcernistheintroductionofthenew
workplacelawswhichcommencedon1January
2010. Issues like unfair dismissal, redundancy,
employeegeneratedflexibleworkarrangements,
overtime rates and casual employee rules are
already providing stress for employers in the
electrical industry. These will certainly affect
the productivity of businesses and will restrict
employmentgrowthofmanycontractorsaswe
gointothenextphaseofoureconomy.
With2008-09seeingthehighestproductivity
andlowestratesofuniondisputesinmanyyears
onemightquestionwhereweareheadingnow
and what impact these changes will have on
theabilityofbusinesstosurviveandprosper.
eco-ficient® energy saving solutions
Faster.Safer.Easier.
motion detectors with the ultimate remote control
Providing total convenience for contractors to set times, lux levels, sensitivity & much more – all from the convenience of a hand held remote at ground level. Then hand your customer the remote control giving them a new benchmark in convenience, safety & energy management.
*conditions apply hagerbr.com.au/eco-fi cient
Spend less time up the ladder
54 www.masterelectricians.com.au
union Consultation
last word : MALCOLM RICHARDS
Administered byMalcolm V. Leeke & Co. Chartered Accountants
8 McIlwraith Street PO Box 42 Everton Park Brisbane QLD 4053
Phone 07 3506 7788 Fax 07 3506 7700 Toll Free 1300 200 123
Email [email protected] Website www.cirt.com.au
CIRT HELPS YOU TO REDUCE THE DRAIN ON YOUR COMPANY’S CASH FLOWCIRT was established in 1990 to provide redundancy benefits to the electrical industry.
CIRT allows employers to contribute money each month on behalf of their employees. That way if a redundancy occurs, the CIRT contributions form either part or all of any redundancy payment and the employer can include the money already contributed as part of the redundancy payment. CIRT provides benefits for the following situations: redundancy, retirement, leaving the industry, severe financial hardship, total and permanent disability, death. Contact CIRT now for all your industry redundancy needs.
Supported by
last word
MALCOLM RICHARDSchief executive officer
In a decision handed down in Melbourne
on4November2009 inadisputebetween
Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering,
Printing and Kindred Industries Union and
BitzerAustraliaPtyLtdt/asBuffaloTrident,Senior
DeputyPresidentActonruledthattheemployer
mustconsultwithunionsnotonlyaboutwhen
theywishtousesubcontractorsorlabourhire,
but also must consult on matters relating to
the employment of sub contractors or labour
hire such as criteria for selection, whether the
work done in house will enhance or diminish
job security and the qualifications of those
contracted is indeedamatterpertainingtothe
relationshipbetweenemployerandemployee.
Theresulthasledtounionsalreadyseeking
tohavethisclauseincludedintoallagreements
currently held and being negotiated. This
clausegoesback to the ‘badolddays’where
theunionswouldtellthecontractorwhothey
canandcan’tuse,andthensets thecontract
amount in linewith thecollectiveagreements
already in place. In my opinion this clause
restrictstradeandlimitsanemployer’sabilityto
makebusinessdecisions.
The inclusion of this clause will see many
labour hire companies in the building and
constructionindustryfindithardtostayafloat
astheywillbeforcedtohonourthewagesand
working conditions that relate to whatever
contractors they are supplying labour to. It
will also stifle the second and third tier sub
contracting and specialist contracting sector
whowillalsohavetopaywagesandconditions
farbeyondtheirmeansiftheywishtocontinue
workingonmajorcontractingsites.
Ofequalconcernistheintroductionofthenew
workplacelawswhichcommencedon1January
2010. Issues like unfair dismissal, redundancy,
employeegeneratedflexibleworkarrangements,
overtime rates and casual employee rules are
already providing stress for employers in the
electrical industry. These will certainly affect
the productivity of businesses and will restrict
employmentgrowthofmanycontractorsaswe
gointothenextphaseofoureconomy.
With2008-09seeingthehighestproductivity
andlowestratesofuniondisputesinmanyyears
onemightquestionwhereweareheadingnow
and what impact these changes will have on
theabilityofbusinesstosurviveandprosper.
The Surge ProtectionExperts...Extreme Safety is the Australian Distributor for DEHN Surge Protection from Germany. When quality and reliability matter - choose Extreme Safety. SPD’s for Power, Comms and Signal Cables are now available and stocked in Australia.
EXTREME SAFETYA Division of the SILGLEN GROUP PTY LTD
Quality Assured Supplier to ISO 9001:2000
Telephone (07) 3282 0911Email [email protected]
Web www.extremesafety.com.auWarehouse 11 River Rd, Dinmore QLD
• Personal Protective Equipment • Testing & Calibration Services• Safety & Rescue Kits • Insulating Mats and Gloves • Insulated Tools 1000V• Voltage Testers and Instruments•• Lightning & Surge Protection• Authorised simPRO Retailer
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www.extremesafety.com.auYOUR SAFETY IS OUR BUSINESS