have a question re the wiring. First up, I saw it running at the guys place I got it from. It came fitted with a 32A plug because that is what his sockets were. I have 20A sockets so went to change/swap plugs over.and noted that instead of the 4 Core (I am not a technical guy in this respect) instead of the 4 Core I was expecting to see - I see 3 cores with a copper sheath. Is this what they call a screen or neutral screen! Anyway, the 3 cores are green, red and black in color. I noticed that the green wire was not being used as earth - but as one of the phases. The copper screen was being used as the earth. This is wrong aye! I confirmed what i saw by using my multimeter to check and the screen is earthed to the machine and the green isn't. What would a sparky do! I know it will run perfectly alright if I just copy how the 32A was wired to my 20A but why would someone do it this way! Should i change it around! Cheers.
velenski,
Mar 13, 2:24am
get a sparky in. no sparky on here will tell you .
trader_84,
Mar 13, 2:40am
Yeah they might . they always have in the past and I've never had any probs. And this one is even more straight forward than I've asked in the past. tmenz . where are you dude.
kwaka5,
Mar 13, 4:33am
It's been wired in 3 core CBS flex. No it's not the way to do it but it has the same effect. They used to do it that way years ago when you were aloud to sheath a green any colour you liked. Would be better to wire it up with new flex and plug and make sure the machine can run on a 20amp outlet. Get a sparky in to replace the flex and test the machine. Oh and by the way CBS stands for copper braided sheath. A very safe flex to use in industrial situations as it has extra mechanical protection and the earth completly surrounds the conductors so in a cut type fault there will always be an earth there.
210sback,
Mar 13, 5:33am
Will work fine,just run with it.
trader_84,
Mar 13, 6:38am
Ahhhh . yep yep, sheath the green a different color. Ok, ta for the info. It all makes sense now. And chur 210sback, I thought this also.
trader_84,
Mar 13, 6:48am
Another question . in the NZ Electrical Code of Practice it details how to carry out safety checks on cord/flex/plugs etc. I don't really under stand the whys and whats behind the tests but know how to carry them out and what constitutes a pass or fail scenario. I take it the tests are the same for checking out 3Ph cabling/connections also! I am talking about the phase to earth tests, continuity etc. Same logic pretty much well!
kwaka5,
Mar 13, 8:06am
so you have an insulation tester then. and you know where to connect the leads and the test you are actually carrying out. I know you have a multi meter but do you know what readings are for what and why. If not then get someone who does to check it out for you and be safe. Please :)
favouriteseller,
Mar 13, 8:16am
earth continuity , between earth pin on plug and metal frame of equipment , low ohm setting on meter , result less than 1 ohm is required
you won't be able to do a insulation resistance test with your multi meter as you require a insulation ressitance tester which tests at 500 volts dc between phases and earth for leakage minimum 1 mega ohm result required (machine switched on), if there are electronics in machine you will need to bridge all three phases and test all phases to earth at the same time or alternativley do an earth leakage test, but you won't have the equipment for that either
masturbidder,
Mar 13, 8:44am
That's not allowed any more.
trader_84,
Mar 13, 5:50pm
Ok ta. I'm learning all the time. I didn't know there was other tests that required doing and that required specialist equipment to carry out. I just read up on insulation testers. I might get one maybe. I've replugged all but one of my 3Ph machines. The one I didn't do was done by the sparkie I called in who let me watch and explained what her was doing as he did it. I've never had any problems since . but come to think of it - he did have another tester thingy he used, hmmmm.
kwaka5,
Mar 13, 6:09pm
I suppose i shouldn't bother asking if this is at home or at a place of work then!
favouriteseller,
Mar 13, 6:15pm
if you are doing your own testing and electrical tagging in the work place, its a requirment that you are trained and demened competent , otherwise you are at risk of missing an electrical hazard , best leave it to those who know or get some training. by law any other electrical work, requires a qualified and licensed electrical worker
trader_84,
Mar 13, 7:01pm
Yep, I hear you. All of this gear is in my shed. Its not a work place as such. I do machining, welding etc for my own personal use/hobbies and piss money. I'm handy with my hands, have gear and am not afraid to ask when unsure. Ta for the info so far. I'm getting my training on here and from hands on, lol! Its dangerous stuff I know . thats why I am asking instead of guessing. Ta man.
russ18,
Mar 14, 8:22pm
Regardless of it being your personal equipment and not used for work Regulation 79 requires any work carried out under section 80 of the Act (Exemption for maintenance of domestic appliances) to comply with ECP50 which states: "You are ONLY permitted to carry out work on 230 volt, 10 amp AC single-phase domestic electrical appliances, cord sets or extension leads."
trader_84,
Mar 14, 9:37pm
Yeo, thanks for pointing this out . I thought this might be the case. What do you reckon I do then . de plug all the welders, lathe, mill, surfacegrinder, CNC Plasma table etc (that all run with no apparent problems) and call in a sparkie to recconect them all so I fit within the letter of the law! What is your point exactly there, Russ baby . that you need to pay someone to connect 4 wires into a plug! You don't . and I've got a shed full of running gear supporting this fact. Ta for your concern but I was after advice of a more practical nature as opposed to words like you 'can't' - when clearly . 'you can' Chur bro.
russ18,
Mar 14, 11:57pm
My point was to advise you of the legal limits of the electrical work you can do yourself. what you do with that information is up to you.
tmenz,
Mar 15, 2:22am
Ha ha, here I am! The previous posters have pretty much said all that needs to be said. I presume the connectors you have are the PDL 56 series 4 pin plugs/sockets (420 & 432)! To change from one to the other is essentially straightforward as long as the machine current draw is less than 20 Amps. Phase rotation will have to be considered of course ??
trader_84,
Apr 18, 12:02pm
Thanks for this tmenz, all points acknowleged. I've got everything running now but I didn't sleeve that green. I understand what you are saying and will set about getting some sleeving and rectify this point. Its been sitting in industry for years (decades) like this, haha - but not going to be like that in my shed. Cheers.
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