electau

When was the last time visa fees were increased? 2007? To minimise the cost do ALL the processing of your visa in Thailand. (if practical and possible).

Approx every 5 years expect a visa fee increase. In 1990 it was $285 and the FX rate was about 16THB to the AUD. Labour costs per hour were less than 50% of what they are now.(2012)

Remember your spouse ( the applicant ) is in Thailand so many of the requirements may not be able to be met, but you can supply documents for IMTs from your financial institution, ie bank. telephone calls ( phone account) and selected e-mails as evidence.

DIAC understand that you ( the sponsor) can not be in Thailand on a continuous basis and take into consideration that fact. Different if you were both living in Australia, then you would be living together.

First the applicant ( and the sponsor) must meet the criteria for the visa, in this case sub class 309.

The most important documents are the ones written by your spouse and the sponsor detailing how you met, when you met and when you decided to formalise your relationship.

Her letter ( document) will be in Thai with a translation in English by a translation agency.

The sponsors letter will be in English.

Second. Details of any travel together (if possible) ie. airline tickets, bus tickets, hotel accounts etc.

Third. DIAC want to know if the relationship is genuine and ongoing ( in this case legal marriage).

You should read the booklet from DIAC, downloadable from their website.

An application will be refused if DIAC regard the relationship as not genuine and ongoing at the time of lodgement of the application. Period of time 6 months min for dejure marriage and min 12 months for defacto relationships.

The Migration regulations may be found here.

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_reg/mr1994227/

Where you met, how you met and how long since you decided to get married? Have you been married before?

Make sure that you obtain ALL the correct documentation especially transfers of money to your spouse.

This is where the migration agent can help you, as it appears that some important information was not submitted with the application.

With regard to your post derge#11.

You could take the matter to the Migration Review Tribunal. This is what the Australian migration agent will most probably advise.

You will have 90 days from the date on the refusal letter from DIAC to apply to the MRT. There are costs involved.

Hi mate,

I believe that that is what we will do. I am seeing the immigration lawyer more to assist with preparing everything to ensure we get it right this time.

Not sure if it has changed or not but you now have 70 days from the day of notice to file a dispute claim with the Migration Review Tribunal with the cost associtaed being about $1,500

Allow for mailing times, 7 days within Australia and 21 days if overseas. Total 91 days and include Sat, Sun and all public holidays. Make sure your application is received by the MRT within the timeframe and have an Australia Post tracking number on mail delivery.

With regard to your post derge#11.

You could take the matter to the Migration Review Tribunal. This is what the Australian migration agent will most probably advise.

You will have 90 days from the date on the refusal letter from DIAC to apply to the MRT. There are costs involved.

The actual reason(s) for refusal are in the letter from DIAC and are based on current Australian migration legislation and their PAM ( Procedures Advisory Manual).

bbradsby, are you saying it is better to apply acrylic paint to the rod before making the connection, then after connection apply some more over the connection ?

One method is to use a brass or electro tinned split bolt clamp eg, 18mm. A clamp type connection is also compliant.

Make sure the connection is clean first. Make the connection then apply a metallic based paint over the connection to minimise corrosion. Zinc or Aluminium based is ideal.

The connection should be exposed to the weather and accessable for the purposes of testing and inspection. A compliant connection will last the life of the electrical installation,

Source AS3000.

You should contact DIAC in the state where you normally reside the information is also on on the DIAC website.

http://www.immi.gov.au/

The method that one has mentioned is based on AS3000 and is intended as a guide only.

One when calculating max demand tries to obtain the lowest figure in amps per phase.

Economic cost is very important to consumers with regard to electrical installations.

Different standards may have other methods eg BS, IEC, NEC ( US).

Adding up the amps/watts of each item of electrical equipment to obtain max demand is not a very good method for residential/domestic electrical installations. Yes, there is a clause in AS3000 that maximum demand MAY be calculated by adding up all the ratings of the MCBs on final subcircuits, it does not apply to domestic installations.

Yes, socket outlets should be distributed over 2 circuits ( or more) in a kitchen area, this is required under AS3000.

Thailand does have electricity supply problems on its network, some outages may be due to load shedding and some to equipment failure, some may be attributed to system operator error.

Suspect the PEA actually calculates/ed a mean max demand in designing their network..probably done way before the prevalence of aircon,pumps etc.

cheers

d

Allowing for diversity on the distribution system the calculation is most likely around 10A per phase per individual installation.

First . What is your proposed max demand in amps? 100A, 45A etc.

1.5km is a very long run for a LV distribution spur line. Far more economical is to have the transformer as close as practical to your property boundry, or the PEA may permit it on your property and locate it as close as practicable to the proposed mainswitch board. this way you will have short route length for the LV consumers mains.

Dependant on your max demand you it may be advantageous to you from an economic perspective ( ie cost) to install a 3 phase 4 wire supply in lieu of a 2 wire single phase one.

Smaller conductors mean less cost per metre for your consumers mains.

On the downside you will have to pay for the capital cost of the HV line extension and transformer.

Thanks for making the effort.

I nominated you here by the way last week. I find this stuff really helpful to have int he archives to find when you need it.

The problem with standards in Thailand is that there are very few, and in many cases cannot be legally enforced by legislation. The Thai government takes zero interest into safety for electricity consumers, which could be done through the PEA and MEA.

Unlike Malaysia and Singapore.

Earthing is the primary level of protection and the PE conductors providing they are intact will be the path of any fault current. PE = protective earthing conductor.ME= Main earthing conductor.

Earthing and bonding are not the same, bonding maintains the equipotential value to conductive metal that enter the ground some distance away, that distance is generally regarded as a minimum of 2 meters, ie full arms length. These two points is where the touch voltage exists with an earth fault. Touch voltage only exists under earth fault conditions.

Bonding is NOT required on isolated metal work, ie sinks etc. Isolated metal work is where there is no DIRECT connection with the general mass of earth.

The auto disconnection requirement is to prevent undue temperature rise in the cable under fault conditions and to disconnect supply from the fault.

This disconnection time must be less than 0.4 secs. In practice it will be far less than this.

An RCD/RCBO will provide additional protection where the impedance of the earthing system is not low enough to opert a conventional protective device ie MCB in the required time.

On an MEN (TN-C-S) system the fault path is through the PE conductor to the main neutral back to the source of supply. The current in the main earth is negligible and may be disregarded.

On a TT system the fault path is through the PE conductor , the Main Earth conductor, electrode, any equipotential bonding to the general mass of earth, then to the source of supply by way of the distribution earthing system. As this resistance is generally high ( relative to an MEN connection) a conventional protective device, ie. an MCB, will not operate within the required time and RCD protection MUST be utilised.

The same earthing resistance values apply irrespective of an MEN or TT system within an electrical installation. (less than 1.0ohm in practice 0.5 ohms, PE + ME)

Yes TT systems predominate in Thailand, (and many cases earthing is not utilised at all or it is nor compliant with any recognised standard).

The method that one has mentioned is based on AS3000 and is intended as a guide only.

One when calculating max demand tries to obtain the lowest figure in amps per phase.

Economic cost is very important to consumers with regard to electrical installations.

Different standards may have other methods eg BS, IEC, NEC ( US).

Adding up the amps/watts of each item of electrical equipment to obtain max demand is not a very good method for residential/domestic electrical installations. Yes, there is a clause in AS3000 that maximum demand MAY be calculated by adding up all the ratings of the MCBs on final subcircuits, it does not apply to domestic installations.

Yes, socket outlets should be distributed over 2 circuits ( or more) in a kitchen area, this is required under AS3000.

Thailand does have electricity supply problems on its network, some outages may be due to load shedding and some to equipment failure, some may be attributed to system operator error.

Take a minute too read these 2 examples I post here.

Example 1 has the kitchen sink bonded (earthed) on a TT system, with NO RCD

Example 2 does NOT have the kitchen sink bonded (earthed) on a TT system with an RCD installed.

You are using an appliance near to the sink that now has a fault to earth, so in effect has become live. So whilst you are holding the LIVE appliance, and are not touching anything that has been earhed (kitchen sink), You will NOT get a shcok, as there is no potential difference. On both systems

However once you touch the kitchen sink on system 1 you WILL get a shock, but on example 2 the RCD will trip, and you will not recive a shock. Given that the kitchen sink will have a value of less than 1667 ohm (highly probable). If the value was higher then you would not receive a shock, as the sink is indeed 'floating' and has no path to earth.

So for all you DIYers you must realise how important it is that an RCD is the first line of defence, and that earthing comes afterwards, and indeed needs to done correctly.

That shock ( touch) voltage must not exceed 50VAC in practice it will be far less than that with a compliant earthing system, disconnection time must be less than 0.4 secs.

Earthing first, then fit RCDs. Earthing is the primary protection.

Your chances of being revived with a cardiac arrest is 1% with CPR commenced immediately and 15% with a defibriilator.

Any currrent through over 10mA is hazardous and disconnection must occur in less than 0.4 secs. That time period is important.

The effects of leakage current will be minimised by the earthing system.

With an earth resistance should not exceed 1 ohms from any part of the electrical installation earthing system to the main earth connection. This is a guide only. In practice it will be much less less than 0.5ohms depending on the impedance of the conductors.

There is no protection if you contact a live terminal, bare wire etc.( direct contact) (In certain cases if an RCD is installed on a final sub circuit it will provide protection by disconnecting the supply).

Earthing provides the primary method of protection, an RCD provides additional protection to meet the auto disconection requirements.

If there is NO earthing and the fault current will flow through your body hand to hand or hand to foot or both and the result may be severe injury or cardiac arrest. You may receive up to full line voltage. An MCB will not trip. If an RCD/RCBO is installed to protect the circuit it will trip in less than 0.4 secs, generally 20msecs and you MAY experience a slight shock only. The RCD has protected you.( indirect contact).

With earthing system intact and a earth fault occurs you will most probably not receive shock and MAY receive a mild shock not exceeding 50VAC. Voltages less than 50VAC are not regarded as hazardous. The protective device must auto disconnect and if the impedance is too high RCDs must be employed, eg TT systems.

With residential/domestic type installations earth bonding may be carried out on the steel reinforcing ( re bar) at one point ( during construction if possible) and the metallic water pipe where in enters the building at one point. Bonding conductor to be the same size as the main earth. Thailand tends to use PVC pipe for water so you can dispense with this connection.

Hi again,

This time a question about the supply cable:

My supply cable will be underground from the meter

I have beed told this must be 25mm (copper) - It's very expensive!

The cheapest I can find is in Global at around 8,200 for 100 meters I reckon I need about 30 meters to reach the CU so X 2 (live + neutral) that's 60 meters . Two questions:

1. The cable label says code 4? what does this mean?

2. What size should the earth cable from the CU to the earth rod be and should it be insulated or bare copper

If insulated coiuld I use the black 25mm (I would have 40 meter spare) suitably marked (green electrical tape).

Thanks again

If permitted by the PEA you could use 35sqmm Aluminium. You will have to use the correct terminations Al/Cu links. Copper coductor would be better.

The main earth conductor should be 10sqmm copper insulatedand itentified in this case at each connection by green heatshrink sleeving or other approved means.

Cable should be PVC sheathed PVC insulated single, temp rating 70C.

So what are you saying here?

The inference seems to be that every conductive household item should be bonded ..sound idea perhaps but a bit impractical tying together stainless steel sinks , pipes,taps, hobs, etc.?

With the price of electronics so low one wonders why all appliances do not have mandatory inbuilt LCBs like shower heaters....guess it will come.

Often thought there should be a market for a piggy back LCB plug adapter .maybe they are out there already someplace?

Never seen the replacement outlet versions here...would be a start?

All PE conductors to the earth bar, earth socket outlets 3 pin, HWS, Airconditioners, Hot plate units etc. Light fittings as required.

Bond the metallic water pipe if installed to the main earth bar ( only at one point, the pipe should enter the ground). Install a main earth and electrode or equivalent.

Install RCDs /RCBOs on all final subcircuits at the switchboard.

Isolated items of metal work are not required to be bonded. eg metallic taps, sinks, containers etc.

Ref. AS3000.

Good information.

Could you also highlight how important it is to install an RCD on a TT system (95% of Domestic installations in Thailand), and how one should not rely on just an earth being installed.

RCD/RCBOs should be installed on TT electrical installations as the fault loop impedance will not be low enough in the event of an earth fault to operate a conventional protective device within the required tripping time, 0.4 secs for an MCB.

Where the touch voltage exceeds 50VAC auto disconnection must occur. Touch voltage only exists under earth fault conditions.

Good information electau. One point to make is to inspect appliances that get a lot of human contact to ensure they have an effective ground. It surprises me that many refrigerators, electrical cooking tops, rice makers, and other appliances that are used daily often come with only a two-wire power cord and no ground. Our new Samsung refrigerator was delivered with a green wire in an envelope for grounding. Doubtful many people ever connect them, but you do hear of deaths in Thailand occasionally from refrigerators having a line-to-chassis short. Appliances that have a high frequency of human use should be the first point of concern with a good earthing system.

This is perfectly true, those appliances with a 2 core lead and 2 pin plug top comply with TIS (Thai Industrial Standards) not IEC.

The earth wire supplied is to provide a form of equipotential bonding to earth to minimise the effects of potential leakage currents and mild shocks ( tingling sensation).

This is reason that RCDs need to b e installed as they will provde protection from earth faults where the earth impedance is high.

The figures 4500, 6000, 10000 refer to prospective short circuit current. You do not have to be concerned with this as the actual short circuit current at your switch board will depend on the size of transformer and the impedance of your consumers mains and that of the distribution cables. The firures mean that an MCB has been type tested to a particular value and time anywhere between 0.1 and 1 sec depending on the standard and testing authority.

Your prospective short circuit current will be far below these figures.

Most electrical fatalities and injury by the effects of electric shock are caused by indirect contact, not direct contact.

Direct contact is when a person comes into contact with a live terminal, busbar or bare conductor. Earthing can not protect a person in this circumstance. An RCD under certain conditions will if primary protection methods fail.

Indirect contact is when a person comes into contact with conductive material which is not normally live under normal conditions. eg, an electrical appliance, metallic switchboard, lighting fitting, airconditioner etc. The conductive material becomes live under earth fault conditions, which is caused by insulation failure.

Thus it is essential that continuity of the PE conductor is maintained to all electrical equipment that is required to be earthed and 3 pin socket outlets are used where practicable although this may not always be possible in Thailand.

Because of the risk of possible damage to the PE conductor in portable and semi portable appliances and (inThailand) the use of 2 pin plug tops and 2 core flex RCD/RCBOs should be installed.

With an earth fault the potential (voltage) of the earthing system may rise to line voltage depending on the resistance of the main earth. Where this touch voltage exceeds 50VAC automatic disconnection must occur in less than 0.4secs. If a person is in contact with the earthing system AND conductive metal, eg, a metallic pipe that enters the ground some distance away they may receive a shock.

Equipotential bonding will minimise this risk as the earthing system as the metallic pipe will be at the same potential.

( The difference between bonding and earthing is important. Usually a system relies on bonding to keep exposed conductive parts at the same potential. The earth connection connects the bonded system to the general mass of earth, but the resistance of the earth electrode ( to the general mass of earth) is not controlled, and can be from a few ohms to a thousand ohms).

With the MEN system and with a broken incoming neutral automatic disconnection will not occur, and the installation must be isolated at the main switch.

With the MEN system and reversed polarity, which should NEVER occur if correct polarity testing is carried out prior to initial connection or connection after repairs or alterations, eg. meter replacement, the installation cannot be disconnected from the distribution system at the main switch as the line is connected directly to the earthing system.

The earthing system and electrode maintains the touch voltage to less than 50VAC.

With the TT system a broken neutral does not cause a potentially hazardous situation, but reversed polarity is as lampholders and permanently connected equipment will still have supply connected to them.

Here is a method for calculating number of point on a final subcircuit. Use as a guide only. Based on AS3000.

Lighting and Fan points. 0.25amps each point ( 60W) max number of points per circuit unlimited. Not to exceed the current rating of the cable.

Power 10A socket outlets. Max number per circuit 20. 1A per point, a twin outlet is 2 points.

Minimum cable sizes Lighting and Fans 1.0sqmm 10A, or 1.5sqmm 16A. Power 10A socket outlets 2.5sqmm 20A.

HWS, Airconditioners and permanently connected equipment with a full load rating over 10A. Full load current.

The main neutral should be clearly identified by white sleeving ( eg heat shrink) or othe approved means if the cable is of another colour. Green or green /yellow must NEVER be used as a current carrying conductor under normal operating conditions. An earth conductor only carries current under fault conditions.