electrical issue!

[kingswood71]

Long long story...But I will cut it short.
I have a fault in the unit I am renting and I just need some help so I can "argue" with the landlord and get him to actually fix it!!
He installed an on demand electric hot water system about 7 months ago (he installed, not a plumber or electrician!). Since then we have had an ongoing issue with a breaking fuse! The fuse breaks when we use the hot tap, causing not only the HWS to fail, but also every power socket in the unit!! When I replace the fusewire, the ceramic fuse is bloody hot to touch!!
I have spoken to him and he blames us for "using to much power and overloading the circuit".
We have had to turn of the TV or some other things in order to wash the dishes or have a shower, otherwise it blows the fuse!!
I agree that it is overloading the circuit, but shouldn't the HWS and the power sockets both be on their own separate circuits?? Is there any code or regulation in WA that says this?? I just need to know so that I can present him with the facts, otherwise he will not fix the issue!. Also, I think it is a major fire hazard!
Cheers

[snowyskiesau]

Your landlord is obligated to fix this problem as it's a safety issue.

If they refuse then you may be within your rights to have the problem fixed and then bill the landlord. Good luck with this though.

If there is an ongong problem, then it may be time to contact the tenants rights group in your state.

[kingswood71]

Thanks mate. I am aware of my rights and will take this as far as needed to protect myself and the missus!!
What I need to know though is if anyone can give me the specific standard, regulation or code that says that, in WA, the 2 things should be on separate circuits...if there is one.

[Travis Edwards]

If you rent through an agency then next time it happens call them and let them know what has happened, and that you are calling an electrician to fix it, or ask them to. If it is a private rental call the sparky to fix the problem and have him send the bill to the landlord and also get the sparky to issue a safety report and get yourself a copy of it so that If the landlord says anything you can tell him that he pays up now or in court. I had a couple of landlords like that in perth and they thought they were above the law until I presented them with the facts and saw them in court. As previously stated it is a safety issue and you shouldn't be replacing fuses because he has done a dodgy. Contact the REIWA (real estate institute of W.A.) contact number should be on your lease agreement or bond reciept.

[kingswood71]

Agreed mate and that is the road I am going down....
I guess what my question is mainly concerned with is with the actual wiring....Is there a standard or code that says that the hot water and the power sockets should be on their own circuits??
The reason I need to know this, is that if there is no standard, then he will say that it was my fault it is blowing the fuse because I have overloaded the circuit... Thus, I need to know that I can argue that the whole F-ing wiring is crap and dangerous!!

[Travis Edwards]

I am not sure if there is a code or standard or what ever but I am sure that the HWS is supposed to be on a seperate setup as usually the elements require 15 amps not the standard 10 amps required to run supplemental appliances such as toasters and lights etc. Your stove should also be on a seperate circuit.

[nihilism]

HWS has been installed ilegally as it should be on a dedicated circiut. Report him to energy safety for doing electrical work without a licence.

The regulation is covered under AS3000 wiring rules.

[olfella]

There is a Standard AS3000 but cannot tell you the exact part just yet. Same as your stove/hot plates must be on a separate circuit. I would contact the local supply authority to come and inspect and provide a report. You should also know that porcelain fuses are now outlawed and should be replaced when fitting new circuits etc. So in summary, if this work was done by a licensed sparky, the whole board would have been upgraded and fitted with mandatory RCD's (safety cutoff switches) and circuit breakers.

[Travis Edwards]

as I say get a sparky in, get him to fill out a safety report and send a copy of it and the bill to the landlord. if it is not up to code, he leaves himself open to litigation and hefty fines for his dodgy wiring. I know that there is a code that says that major wiring like that does require a qualified sparky to sign off on it so you will be well within your rights and if he has a brain he will have it fixed before it gets taken further because he faces large fines and even jail time.

[kingswood71]

You guys are great!! Thanks for the replies.
I would love it if someone could let me know the exact standard so I have better arguing power!!
I suspected that they should be on different circuits but could not find the relevant code or act...Bugger google!!

[snowyskiesau]

I think that trying to prove that the wiring is not legal, is not your responsibility.
As suggested, get an electrician or the local energy authority to make that determination. Once that's done, it's out of your hands and the landlord will be required to make it compliant.

The downside is that if the energy authority decide that it's not compliant and a danger, they may disconnect supply. I nearly had this happen to me and it was only through some quick talking that I managed to get the disconnection delayed for a week while the problem was rectified. Fortunately, my landlords son is an electrician.

[Travis Edwards]

You guys are great!! Thanks for the replies.
I would love it if someone could let me know the exact standard so I have better arguing power!!
I suspected that they should be on different circuits but could not find the relevant code or act...Bugger google!!

if you want better try calling a reputable electrical company and explain the situation to them and they will be able to advise on the best course of action or contact your ombudsman.

[Travis Edwards]

I think that trying to prove that the wiring is not legal, is not your responsibility.
As suggested, get an electrician or the local energy authority to make that determination. Once that's done, it's out of your hands and the landlord will be required to make it compliant.

The downside is that if the energy authority decide that it's not compliant and a danger, they may disconnect supply. I nearly had this happen to me and it was only through some quick talking that I managed to get the disconnection delayed for a week while the problem was rectified. Fortunately, my landlords son is an electrician.

in this situation the landlord is obliged by law to provide accomodation in a suitable environment until a. the prob is rectified or b. new accomodation can be found.

[opelblues]

i
it is very simple, when I was living in WA - 10 years ago for 6 months ( Gas Pipe line) I had a problem with the power in the house that i was renting
It would turn of when the music got loud or when we had a late night BBQ, at first thought I was over loading the fuse
In the end i got the power company that i was supplied by to come and do a safety audit on the mains and the meter board, it was found the landlord had done the nasty thing and was supplying power to the house behind us and there was also off switch, guess who live there.
in the end he had to replace the power board ,mains and after he was charged by the power company with illegal and dangerous wiring (court proven) as well he was charged with common endangerment in company.

IE go to the company that supplies the power and get a electrical safety audit done. It is in there best interest.

[olfella]

AS/NZS 3000-2007
1.9.3 Alterations, additions and repairs
1.9.4.4 Verification

Part 2 - Installation Practices
Section 2
General Arrangement, Control and Protection
2.2.2 Maximum demand
2.5 Protection against overcurrent
2.6.1 Additional protection by Residual Current Devices (30mA)
2.6.3.1 Residential electrical installations

Section 3
Selection and Installation of Wiring Systems

and the bit you are after is in
Appendix C - Circuit arrangements and;
Appendix E - Electrical Installation Requirements in National Building Codes

If you need more specifics then you will have to buy the Standard $158.16 - leave it to the professionals who can interpret these Standards.