[Resolved] Safety Switch for Oven Installation

holdfestron on 07/07/2021 - 13:01
Last edited 07/07/2021 - 15:06 by 1 other user

Hi,
I bought an oven (small under bench type) from GGs and also paid for the installation to replace my old broken oven. The oven cost $500, installation $250.

The electrician came today and said that i need to pay additional $180 for safety switch (the existing switch is not a safety switch, I suspect that's a circuit breaker?).

Apparently, there's a new regulation in 2018 that for such electrical appliance installation, a safety switch is required. Being a really cheap as, I told him no as I am certain that the other units (I live in an apartment block) won't have that safety switch in place too, and no accidents or anything happened so far. He then took down my NMI number and warn me that the installation is non-compliance. If I change my mind and decided to install the safety switch later, the cost will be $260.

Now, I am questioning if my decision was rational and should I install that safety switch? Will this non-compliant installation also affect the oven warranty?

Poll Options

  • 50
    No, you are being a dumb as and should have installed that safety switch.
  • 0
    Yes, you are okay for now.
  • 0
    Meh, none of my business.
Home & Garden

Comments

  • Muzeeb on 07/07/2021 - 13:03
    +7

    If your home burns down because of a faulty oven then insurance might not pay out.

    Up to you.

    • spackbace on 07/07/2021 - 13:05
      +4

      And takes the surrounding apartments with it

  • spackbace on 07/07/2021 - 13:05
    +1

    $180 for peace of mind… and you cheapened out

    Bet his eyes rolled into the back of his head on that one

  • bdl on 07/07/2021 - 13:16
    +1

    "… I told him no as I am certain that the other units (I live in an apartment block) won't have that safety switch in place too, and no accidents or anything happened so far." lol wtf

  • BOGOF on 07/07/2021 - 13:18
    +1

    An electric oven is required to have a safety switch or an RCD installed along with it. They are located on a final sub-circuit in domestic and residential buildings and connected when new ovens are installed. If a new switchboard is installed or if any rewiring occurs in the kitchen then a new circuit will need to be connected to the cooker control unit.

  • netjock on 07/07/2021 - 13:22
    +5

    Safety switches are much better than circuit breakers.

    Safety switch means power goes off if there is a leak and you have chance of getting electrocuted. With a circuit breaker you will get electrocuted. Circuit breakers only protects the circuits not you.

    Think of it as price you would put on protecting yourself, not even about property.

  • Domingo on 07/07/2021 - 13:24
    +2

    I'm surprised the electrician installed it. When my dad had air conditioning installed, they refused to commence the installation until a safety switch was in place.

    Did the electrician provide you with a certificate following his work? It's likely that you currently have uncertified work in your house if not.

    for details, see: https://esv.vic.gov.au/safety-education/choosing-and-using-a…

    • Muzeeb on 07/07/2021 - 13:42
      +1

      He then took down my NMI number and warn me that the installation is non-compliance.

      He even protected his own ass and potential insurance claim.

      • Domingo on 07/07/2021 - 13:58
        +4

        He still did it. I wouldn't have done it if I was the sparky - he's essentially got evidence that he did non compliant installation work and knowingly left it that way.

        • Muzeeb on 07/07/2021 - 14:56

          I'm guessing the sparky did the install then realised his mistake when tracing back the cabling.

          • Domingo on 07/07/2021 - 15:33
            +1

            @Muzeeb: Yeah, I wonder what the guidance would be here. I'd imagine something like

            Step 1: check it before you start
            Step 2: Refer to Step 1. If you still stuffed it up, disconnect the wiring from the switchboard if it isn't compliant - don't leave a safety hazard connected in case someone dies

  • mskeggs on 07/07/2021 - 13:27
    +3

    It is very routine for standards to change over time, and new work must be to the new standard.
    Your electrical work is now not up to the required standard. I think it is extremely likely the sparky will report you, so there is no question they did the wrong thing.
    Seems like you should take the licensed professional’s advice.

    You can call around to see if you can get a cheaper price to install the switch.

  • Hithere on 07/07/2021 - 13:32
    +3

    I can see the epitaph on OP's tombstone

    …….'but I saved $260'.

    • Muzeeb on 07/07/2021 - 13:45
      +3

      R.I.P.

      Here lies holdfestron
      A.K.A - "sparky"
      It was a short then shocking life.
      Was it the amperage, the fire, the smoke, the heat?
      We will never know.
      Nothing hertz in heaven.
      Godspeed sparky.

  • [Deactivated] on 07/07/2021 - 13:42
    +2

    I'm very surprised the electrician went ahead with the oven installation if it's non-compliant without the safety switch.

    It's also weighing on your conscience too, OP. You are not only potentially risking your home but that of other residents in your apartment block if something goes wrong.

    PLEASE call the electrician back or get another one in pronto to install the required safety switch.

    There are many more other bargains to be had - safety first!

    • djsweet on 07/07/2021 - 13:51
      +3

      To be fair, OP is likely not risking his or his neighbours' homes. There is a circuit breaker, it just isn't a safety switch. The home will be protected, but the OP won't be protected against electrocution.

      • [Deactivated] on 07/07/2021 - 14:02
        +1

        Ahhh OK - that part wasn't too clear in the OP.

        In any case, the protection against possible electricution is for the OP and anyone else residing in their apartment plus visitors.

  • WreckTangle on 07/07/2021 - 13:49
    +1

    Six years in jail isn't that long really. We'll wait for you.
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-03-09/homeowners-threatened…

  • websterp on 07/07/2021 - 14:04
    +2

    Yes your Electrician was right as that is the new regulation and I'm surprised that he agreed to do a non-compliant job. Regulation or not any additional safety switch is a good thing. If there is a short, accidental electrocution or even a fire you have something within reach to kill power to the appliance instead of having to run around looking for the breaker box and the correct breaker. We all come here looking for a bargain but two things in my life I will never go cheap while replacing, 1. Anything that connects to AC mains, 2. Anything that makes your car stop in an emergency (i.e. Tyres and Brakes). I guess you got one thing right - Calling yourself a dumb ass.

    • holdfestron on 07/07/2021 - 14:19

      I think if he insisted to not proceed, I might try to arrange to pay for the switch installation…not blaming him though as it's really my fault.
      The problem is that I am not "fully" aware of the importance of the switch, and thought that this was an optional installation—being cheapo can make me an idiot sometimes. Well… it's too late now, and I am going to have to rectify this problem.

      • Chandler on 08/07/2021 - 12:02

        Any time sparkies are working on an installation they need to bring it up to the current standard. In your case this meant adding a safety switch to the oven circuit. You'll probably find there's other circuits in your house that should have safety switches (as per the current standard), but as the sparky wasn't working on those circuits they aren't required to bring them up to standard.

        Whilst the rest of the complex may not have the safety switches, the sparky wasn't working on those and thus doesn't need to bring them up to standard.

  • holdfestron on 07/07/2021 - 14:04
    +6

    Alright guys, thanks for confirming my doubt. That was a dumb decision. Lesson learned. Safety trump over cheap bargain… damn that was a nice touch on the epitaph…
    need to source another electrician..I am too embarassed to call that guy back.

    I am based in Sydney. You guys know any good electrician? But please not the pricey one. This Covid has cost me too much …

    • [Deactivated] on 07/07/2021 - 14:44
      +5

      Considering the additional cost that you were quoted to get the safety switch installed separate to the oven installation, suggest calling the same electrician & telling them you've reconsidered and see whether they're willing to attend again for the lower price. Worth a try at least otherwise search online for a local electrician (may avoid charging call-out fee) or call your strata for a recommendation.

      • holdfestron on 07/07/2021 - 14:52

        Thanks.

        • cloudy on 07/07/2021 - 15:29
          +1

          Yea call the same guy back and just admit your mistake, maybe he won’t charge you full price but if he did you can’t blame him.

  • Davo1111 on 07/07/2021 - 14:42

    this is different to a circuit breaker you can flick on/off?

    At my current rental, the electric stove top shorted while i was cooking. covered the area in little black molten aluminum(?) shrapnal. Even after the spike, the oven was still live, but that specific circuit had stopped.

    • holdfestron on 07/07/2021 - 14:56

      Apparently it's different? I am not an electrician… the current one I have is a circuit breaker, but the safety switch or something they call rcbo which is a combination of both safety switch and circuit breaker is more sensitive and protect people from getting electrocuted? don't quote me on that as clearly i am out of my depth. All i know is that they are different…

    • websterp on 07/07/2021 - 15:05

      It is just an high current rated inline switch (similar to a light switch on the wall. Example: This) which could be used to cut power to the oven. Without one you only have the power switch on the oven or the circuit breaker.

  • pharkurnell on 07/07/2021 - 14:54

    Is this a trick question?

    • holdfestron on 07/07/2021 - 14:57
      +1

      nah…but you can clearly see the idiocy of my action base on the comments here :)

  • tissue on 07/07/2021 - 16:19
    +1

    I would check your board to see if you have any safety switches at all – might be worth getting one put on your GPOs (power points) while the sparky is there while you are at it. Most places built after the early 1990s should have at least one.

    • holdfestron on 07/07/2021 - 16:37

      There is one for the powerpoints. but unfortunately it doesn't cover the oven.

  • LFO on 08/07/2021 - 19:36

    I bought an oven (small under bench type) from GGs and also paid for the installation to replace my old broken oven. The oven cost $500, installation $250.

    Well, wouldn't Good Guys messed up badly.

    You payed full money for installation and didn't have it "installed" as per current regulations after all.
    Doesn't sound fair.

    • websterp on 08/07/2021 - 20:51

      I'm pretty sure somewhere in the fine print it would say something along the lines of that $250 would be for a "standard installation" and other charges may apply for any addental work that may be required. Can't blame the Good Guys as they are not responsible for any extra work needed to make OPs electrical circuits compliant.

      • LFO on 10/07/2021 - 19:18

        So the OP would have received back the $250 "installation" charges if decided not to proceed?

        But as you stated, some virtually unreadable fine print will ensure they are free of any responsibility.
        Still not very nice for the paying OP.

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