I have 2 outside lights that can be turned on from two single inside switches. I want to add a third light that will turn on along with the other two lights. My question, is this a simple job for DIY’er or will it require an electrician? The light that I want to add is right next to one of the switches , so cable access is very simple. Thanks
ryanm2,
Jul 23, 7:14am
Adding a circuit or fitting is prescribed work so you definitely need a sparky.
comsolve,
Jul 23, 8:09am
He isn't adding a circuit - merely extending an existing one.
Be aware for lighting you must turn the mains off at the MCB before commencing work. The fitting will still be live if the switch is looped from it.
comsolve,
Jul 23, 8:11am
Also note this part- "must get the finished work tested and connected by a licensed electrical inspector who will verify the safety of the completed work before connecting it. It is advisable to have consulted the inspector prior to starting any installation, extension, or alterations."
A "licensed electrical inspector" is a registered electrician but not all electricians are electrical inspectors.
comsolve,
Jul 23, 8:13am
Also be aware any fittings you install must have SDocs or be assumed to be compliant (ie: well known brands like HPM for example). Personally, I'd buy the well known brand regardless.
onl_148,
Jul 24, 1:31am
Given that it sounds like the existing lights are controlled by a 2 way switching set-up it will not be completely straight forward to add a further light to the system by accessing just one of the switches. the most easy way to do it would be by accessing one of the existing lights and just connecting the new one in parallel. it takes a little bit to get your head around what wire is what in a 2 way switching set-up !
socram,
Jul 24, 1:54am
LOL. I wired up lights with two way switches OK and talking to close friend who is a qualified electrician, he claimed that it was more than some of the contractors he dealt with could do! He used to have several teams working for him, but seemed to spend most weekends sorting out their stuff ups, so reverted to just doing his own work.
kitkat66,
Jul 24, 2:18am
Wrong.
ryanm2,
Jul 24, 2:20am
Do you confuse people on purpose or do it accidentally? The OP needs a sparky.
johotech,
Jul 24, 3:21am
It is prescribed electrical work, so not wrong.
vivac,
Jul 24, 3:25am
Im also trying to work that one out. I think its a case of "knows enough to be dangerous".
comsolve,
Jul 24, 3:48am
You are the one who is confused. Your post is weasel words because while fitting a circuit is prescribed work, the scope of the work defined by the OP is not "fitting a circuit". The difference is clearly described in the government link I posted.
If you are gonna present a divergent point of view at least have the decency to back it up and refrain from strawman arguments.
johotech,
Jul 24, 4:16am
Nothing you have posted explains what prescribed electrical work is. The Worksafe page is not legislation.
Prescribed work includes everything to do with electrical installations and appliances, which is more that simply plugging in a jug. And you're probably barely qualified to do that.
Clearly sour grapes because once electricity is demystified the 'need' for an electrician is greatly reduced.
4x and 5x markups on hardware + favorable hourly rates are only supported by a ever expanding list of increasingly-nonsense rules and smoke screens to perpetrate the myth that mains power is in some magickal way, a special form of electricity that only the master-initiates could possibly comprehend.
And you know that yourself because every time they add a new bunch of rules they have to go back and fix the consequential and tangled mess of confusion. So it's good to know, it's not just me.
Hell, you guys have so many rules in your protection racket, I have yet to see a sparky who doesn't fall foul of some regulation.
johotech,
Jul 24, 4:49am
Most people stop digging when they can't see over the top of the hole.
It's nothing to do with anything you said, and everything to do with simply being qualified, licensed and insured to do the work, as required by the law.
Point people at the DIY options if you want to, but as it says in the Worksafe page that you linked to: "Accidents, and sometimes fatalities, can occur because people do not know what they are doing."
comsolve,
Jul 24, 4:51am
The latest load of nonsense is a long list of complicated and increasingly arbitary rules over whether 10mA or 30mA RCD's must be used and whether these must be quick or regular speed.
RCD's save lives for sure, and I only have RCD protected circuits, but who the hell can tell us if there is any precedent at all for the latest round of bureaucratic wet dreams?
Or was someone just looking to justify their job?
Some of the incumbents in this thread should be careful what they say lest they are the ones being grilled one day. Nothing that AS/NZS 3000:2018 has removed a section of *suggestions* lest it be used in court against a sparky.
You know exactly what I mean.
So cut some slack and get off your high horse about jug cords and such nonsense.
comsolve,
Jul 24, 4:57am
Yes. Sometimes people don't know what they are doing and they screw it up. Doesn't make us all thick as a plank of 2x4.
johotech,
Jul 24, 4:58am
You're a perfect example of a little knowledge being dangerous.
comsolve,
Jul 24, 5:02am
So you keep trotting out that mantra - all with no supporting evidence.
johotech,
Jul 24, 5:07am
You are providing all the evidence. With your attempted vague interpretations of the rules.
Have you even read the latest 600+ page version of 3000 that you're trying to comment on?
comsolve,
Jul 24, 5:10am
Yes.
I had to along with the entire 5033 (Solar PV arrays) and another standard (can't recall the number right now and can't be arsed looking it up) applicable to the battery bank.
I am not a sparky and don't profess to be one. But as DIYers go, I know for certain my work on my own place makes the grade.
johotech,
Jul 24, 5:18am
The latest 2018 version that you're commenting on above? Why would have read that to work on your own place?
comsolve,
Jul 24, 5:25am
AS/NZS 3000:2007 was the reference I used for the work I did on my place. Which is far more than most people do. So if you have a compliant about poor quality DIY, nothing to do with me.
tsjcf,
Jul 24, 5:28am
Considering some of the wrong information you have been posting might be worth getting an electrician to check your work.
comsolve,
Jul 24, 5:43am
What "wrong information" is that? Put up or.
I don't want a sparky looking for work, let alone **** something expensive up because he doesn't know what he is doing and doesn't read the signage.
That's why one uses an electrical inspector. Their job is to check compliance, not to tell tales, as I think some on here would do.
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