Hello,
I'm in my early 20's and currently employed as a rail Sparkie. I have had about 6 years in the construction industry on generally the industrial/ commercial side of an electrician. I have worked on rails, tunnels, hospitals and high end apartments. Made this AMA because I was bored and generally wanted to know what the public think of the trades .Ask me anything and I will do my best to answer.
Is there any work that properly scares you? I imagine some of the higher voltage stuff, you'd be properly focusing on what you're about to do
Actually no, never been been scared of electricity, you just learn to respect it, if you follow all the correct procedures, electricity wont bite. On the other hand, my biggest fear is working at heights. Climbing up cranes or lift shafts or on a boom lift 40m high, I think I almost died everytime lol, looking down and having the wind almost knock you off is the scariest shit of my life. Then old mate crane driver starts climbing up like it was a normal Tuesday morning walk to the park. Guess you just get used to it lol.
Heya! Are you an ACMA accredited registered cabler? If not what would it take for someone at your level to become one? Are there benefits for you to do so? Thanks.
Not at the moment, something that I need to do. For me to obtain a open registration endorsement, I would need to be sponsored by a fellow licensed cabler as I have already done the communication course at TAFE. There isnt really any big benefits as I have already installed and terminated data cable and tested them, but it is another ticket under your name.
Thanks for the response! What would be the difference between data cabling with and without that certification? Does it make a difference to yourself or the customer?
To legally install data cable you require a open registration licence (endorsement). For it to be legally compliant you require a someone with an endorsement
@Bargain4Days: Wow you’re quick! Right, so certification = compliance and can provide some form of warranty/guarantee though it doesn’t mean uncertified work is unfit for purpose.
@dsiew: No really, cat 6 is kinda fool proof, as if you terminate it wrong it just runs slow. Unless people mistake power as data and cut it accidentally, there really isnt any harm in data cables being uncertified
Hey mate. I know it’s a bit more on a legality side of things but it’s very hard to navigate the rules. I guess u had to pass some sort of module in your education and practice so I’ll ask anyway. In regards to performing electrical work. Where does extent of work and responsibility stop/start? As an example. My friend asked the landlord to replace a fluro/led light/bulb and was told it’s their own responsibility. Yet I replaced my power point (with all precautions of course) and was chastised by my landlord. I mean what’s basic and what’s “professional “??🙄 All Airtasker pro sparkies keep screaming about licensing requirements but really, what’s what? Thanks and cheers
Essentially anything that involves "Fixed Wiring" is a no go. So if you are installing behind Gyprock or inside a conduit/ trench, thats out of bounds. Dont think you are even allowed to install your own plugs for appliances. You shouldnt even be doing your own powerpoints as if the landlord finds out and something "were" to happen regardless weather it is your fault or not, he would pin the blame on you.
Thanks that sounds relatively explanatory. But. So what happens if you get electrocuted changing ab bulb?
Hope u have an rcd or you fall of ladder breaking contact with light bulb. Then probably go to hospital asap explaining you had an electric shock
You really dont see the difference between changing a lightbulb and fitting a new powerpoint???
I can wire the whole house single-handedly. I was born in the ussr! We eat uranium for breakfast 😜
Whats the most common mistakes diy home electricians make?
Assuming they know what they are doing and assuming the guy who installed the apparatus knew what he was doing and was installed to standards. Dangerous working on someone elses wiring because you wouldnt be able to tell if it was done correctly or not.
I have a ceiling fan with LED light, controlled by a remote (Arlec). When I switch on the light using the remote, it made the humming/buzzing electricity sound. But as soon as I switch off the light (with the wall switch still on), the humming sound is gone straight away. Turning on/off the fan does not make any difference. It seems that the light is the trigger of this sound.
Other than the buzzing/humming sound both the light and the fan is working perfectly. Is this just a faulty product where I need to change the whole ceiling fan or changing some part of the LED lights can potentially fix this problem?
I'm assuming its the LED driver causing that harmonic electrical noise. You should probably get an Electrician to either install a new fan or replace the driver (Driver themselves are cheap, only problem is it may not fix the issue and labour is expensive)
Thank you for the inputs
Any tricks to stuffing all the wiring back into ceiling fan shrouds? They seem to be designed for wall switching and dont allow for the extra space the remote receiver takes up?
Of course this question relates to a property in NZ;)
If in signalling what’s your favourite points machine lol
Hard to say, as if you dont have background knowledge, you dont know what to look out for. If there a minor variations here and there and are not hard to adjust, I wouldnt bother charging them. If there are multiple problematic variations that require constant rework and attention, you need to start charging for variations. If you give them an inch, they will take a mile.
Generally the client supplies all materials and gear, if there are add ons or variations to a plan, they create a seperate quote and charge the client for everything (Labour, materials, call out fee, machine hire, permits, admin, etc). Either that or they use a proprietary material/ equipment that is only distributed by themselves and put a insane margin/ markup on.