Connecting fluros to 3pt plugs

[JB]

I've just wired up several fluros to three point plugs, something I've done before, and they are working fine. I would now like to wire three together (piggy back style) leading to a pull switch leading to a three point plug.

I'm aware of the understandable reluctance of forum members to offer electrical advice , but as this is a presumably fairly simple procedure, and if I move I will take the lights with me, would I be foolish to attempt this wiring process? And if so what precautions should I take?

[atregent]

I might be way off here, but I was of the understanding that any non permanant wiring can be done by anyone. After all, Dick Smith sell kits for electronic boffins (yes, I was one once) that contain mains wiring. Even when I went to TAFE we made mains operated doo-dads (but that was quite a number of years ago, so things may have changed since then)

[echnidna]

you could always plug them into a single switched power board.

[Termite]

I did mine like that, just run them in parallel.

[doug the slug]

I might be way off here, but I was of the understanding that any non permanant wiring can be done by anyone.

Correct, i believe. if it plugs into a powerpoint you can wire it up yourself.
thats how ive done my flouros in the shed. i used old 30 metre 15 amp leads with 10 amp plugs and just cut them to length. all you have to do is connect blue to blue and brown to brown and earth to earth. I connected 5 tubes up in parallel for my shed which is less than 200 watts, you could probably put 10 times that many on one lead

[Cliff Rogers]

Apart from getting the plug wired correctly, the only other thing I can think of is that any power outlet/device that can be switched from a distance must be in view of the operator while activating the switch.

Can you see the lights & the power socket that they are connected to from where you pull the cord to activate them?

[JB]

Thanks for the replies.

The wiring difficulty with the arrangement I have in mind is with the pull switch. I've already bought it and it's not at all obvious which wires go where. As I said in the opening post, the arragement is three fluros in a row leading to a pull switch leading to a 3pt plug (which plugs into a power point attached to a roof beam (it's a strange shed).

I probably whouldn't be using a pull switch with this sort of set up, but I have to due to the power point being out of reach (thelights I've already installed run to accessible power points.

[JB]

Can you see the lights & the power socket that they are connected to from where you pull the cord to activate them?

Yes

[Wood Butcher]

Correct, i believe. if it plugs into a powerpoint you can wire it up yourself.

No. If it is mains powered (440v, 240v or 110v) you are supposed to get a licensed electrician to do it. This includes wiring lights that are to be connected to a mains supply. If anything happens and it is found out that you did the wiring connection yourself all liability will be placed on you.

[doug the slug]

I hope it goes without saying that you have the plug fully disconnected when doing any of the wiring. unplug it! dont just turn it off! put the plug in your pocket if you can.

switches usually arent real difficult to work out. they just break the continuity of the circuit when off and reconnect when on. if you cant work out the switch, think twice about wiring up the flouros yourself too. if you need help working out the switch go and get a cheap multimeter from dick smiths or simiular and test teh connections with the switch open ans well as closed, then it should be self-evident (do this with the switch not plugged in of course, using the resistance meter, not voltage

[JB]

I hope it goes without saying that you have the plug fully disconnected when doing any of the wiring.

I'm ultra careful Doug. I turn the power off at the switchboard as well as removing the plug

switches usually arent real difficult to work out.

I can usually get my head around them, but this pull switch is odd, and the workings are concealed so it's hard to see what leads where. Anyway I'll take all the precautions you mentioned and if still in doubt contact an electrician (if I can get one to return my calls, let alone deign to visit me).

[doug the slug]

No. If it is mains powered (440v, 240v or 110v) you are supposed to get a licensed electrician to do it. This includes wiring lights that are to be connected to a mains supply. If anything happens and it is found out that you did the wiring connection yourself all liability will be placed on you.

For items that are hardwired in, that is correct. if it plugs in to a power point you can do it yourself.

how many woodturners have made a standard lamp or bedside light and wired it up themselves? how many of us have replaced the power supply in a PC? If you can post any evidence that you must be licensed to workon a plug-in appliance please do so cos im sure you dont.

[Cliff Rogers]

Now, in Queensland, if it has a removable power cord & you don't go poking around inside the PC power supply, you are OK.
Otherwise, you need at least a restricted license to work on the plug & cord or a power supply or any device with a hardwired cord, even if it has a 3 pin plug on the wall end.
Further to this, if you do this sort of work as a business, the business also has to have a license as well as the employee doing the work. :mad:
Money grubbing, bureau-bloody-cratic mongrels. :mad:

[echnidna]

yerr bin surfin too many seppo sites Doug,
they can play with their eleccy things,
we can't, we gotta use sparkies.

[doug the slug]

yerr bin surfin too many seppo sites Doug,
they can play with their eleccy things,
we can't, we gotta use sparkies.

I dont surf seppo sites

heres a good queensland aussie site
www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/E/ElectricalSA02.pdf

heres the relevant sections

15 Meaning of

electrical installation

(1) An

electrical installation is a group of items of electrical
equipment.
(2) However, a group of items of electrical equipment is an
electrical installation only if—
(a) all the items are permanently electrically connected
together; and...
(4) For subsection (2)(a)—
(a) an item of electrical equipment connected to electricity
by a plug and socket outlet is not permanently
electrically connected...
(n) work performed by a person on electrical equipment
if—
(i) the electrical equipment is not energised

so once its unplugged you can do it

Further to this, if you do this sort of work as a business, the business also has to have a license as well as the employee doing the work. :mad:
Money grubbing, bureau-bloody-cratic mongrels.

Part 4 Licences

Division 1 Requirements for electrical licences

55 Requirement for electrical work licence

.....
(2) Only an individual may be the holder of an electrical work
licence.

so why does the business need a license, Cliff?????