bluejets

Better get their finger out and make some moves, 2024 is already here and will be half gone before they stop talking about it and do something.

I seriously doubt that......sounds very much like an across the counter quote on pub night.

The outlet is not controlled via any switch, so in theory, doesn't make any difference. The "tester" is a two bob trinket, while showing active is present in the neutral pin, it does not give any affirmative indication on earth. One illustrated example shows one thing for open ground while another shows it as different indication. I'd be more concerned about the voltage levels shown.

Me too......in the right environment. Simple correctly fitted saddle does the job.

Procedure we would normally use is a j-box with appropriate current handling capability. Earth frame of any metal enclosure. Normally not a problem with the Clipsal giant plastic j-box. Failing that, do away with your fixed screwed terminal block and solder the fixed wiring and oven lead tails together, add appropriate insulated connector (would be unavailable in Thailand) so tape over. One may find some somewhere but I gave up looking a few years back and took 200 of each (single and double screw connector) with me from Aus. Note:- connector shown has ability to terminate 3 x 6mm2 cables in each connector.

One could go that way but the cost difference is massive.

I've seen these run directly from a rooftop solar panel as well. No inverter, connect direct to the dc from the panel. A 250 litre would keep 2 people happy for days.

....and after that..???......... what happens.....don't see why Thai should have to pay for some cheap charlie's insurance. As usual, the devil is in the detail. I always arrange travel insurance for both my wife (even though she is Thai) and myself when coming back to Thailand, part of the cost of the trip. Combo insurance is around 50% extra for both of us compared to just one. (me) In this instance I see the latest fees are around AUD$350 for the 30 days away from Aus. for both of us combined. No way top of the cover range but it does cover basic accident, hospitals etc when we are there up to around $5 mil I think. I'm just curious why it never crossed the minds of the government to make travel insurance compulsory for entry to Thailand.

That will get rid of you...not the termites. They move under cover and under ground. One way to stop them is injecting around any wall that abuts with exterior. We have been setting outside traps, 100mm downpipe around 300mm long buried in the ground with "inviting" pieces of pine inside. Top is capped with removable cap so one can inspect from time to time. When they appear, load baits down inside the tube. They take back to their main nest and kill the queen ant. Apparently queen can live for more than 10 years otherwise. Baits are in the form of a powder one mixes with water. https://www.bunnings.com.au/superway-500g-white-ant-termite-bait_p0287717

Possibly due to their using solid rather than the more flexible, stranded conductors we use in Aus. Either way, 6mm square is the Aus standard as you say, but take a look around you at the rest of Thai wiring. I wouldn't be too quick to condem Aus regs.

6 square mm copper.

No...combo's will trip from either and usually there is a trip indicator showing whether over current or earth leakage. The earth leakage may be 30mA but the trip current would depend on many conditions including current rating and class of breaker. Still waiting for photos of sw board setup from OP to make further educated comment.

These two comments contradict each other. Are the above part of the one breaker or two independant units...?? Photos thanks. Other than that I'd say you are sufferning from effect of voltage drop and your disconnecting the earth is simply nothing to do with the situation. Get PEA to check any and all connections at the pole/meter........(twist and tape territory in Thailand..........aluminium mains capital as well) Use gas where mains cover long distances and you insist on using undersize mains as per Vdrop calculations.

I don't really see the need to run battery operated spotlights for 12 hours at a time. That would really be "some" battery, especially at 2000w as they tend to run up around 40 to 80v dc. If you need to run that amount, fit mains lights, unless of course you are out in the never-never. Other than that, probably best to go and buy a couple and try them out, navigate away from the el-cheapos naturally. You'll find most are over-rated on what they say the performance would be. Just don't expect to get what is written on the pack, either run time or life expectancy. As an added note on the latter, one used to see ridiculous claims on thousands of hours life....all been removed down under here at least...never see it on the box anymore. Always said it was crap.Maybe the LEDs would hold out but the drivers tend to shit themselves and replacing any part is not even considered anymore.

Yes, to be fair and clear in the description, earth grids are used here as well BUT not in what would be considered "standard" installations, be it domestic, commercial or industrial. Grids, as you point out, only have the one MEN connection but are largely confined to supply authority HV transformer yards. There is no need or requirement to have ground resistance included in any installation inspection etc. Bit off subject but only variation on that was the install of a lighting protection system with isolated earths at a local hospital. Interesting to note that this was 20 years ago and checking the strike counter some weeks ago has revealed a zero strike count. I think it was more related to the architect trying to score brownie points with design. I have seen/installed earth grids in coal mining situations where the ground resistance is upta crap........they are restricted to mine systems which are not connected to what is normally considered the supply authority grid, usually at punch mine with generator supply but this has more to do with coal mine strict requirements regarding any above earth voltage rise (for obvious reasons).

Would be frowned upon in many countries due to requirements for one main earth point only. Would interfere with certain test proceedures and leave the test technician scratching their head. A big no-no down under and probably many other places as well. A bit like the "manual" float switch we had as temporary during a PLC fitout on the Dawson River pump station a few years ago. Old German programmer was about to begin to re-write all his software thinking there was an error. As for main earth cabling size, it is regulated the size of the mains. So if copper and 16 square mm , earth would be 6 square mm. I very much doubt any domestic install would need to be any larger than that. After all, in the MEN system, it's a means of pegging the supply to ground potential. The portion between the n/l and the ground rod, as long as no sub circuit earths are connected between, carries no fault current.

They won't be around long enough. Always used them previously but now all gone. Reason for booking Thai Airways.

You've already been told. Be aware it does not need to be some extra large commercial/industrial site for this to happen. Consumer mains are fed with ability to drive thousands of amps fault current. Video link below for your convienience and education. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hpE5LYj-CY

Intend to book and pay local Thailand travel for early next year with Thai Airways from Australia using Paypal. Forsee any problems there given there now exists some form of "not allowed anymore" within Thailand itself.

One needs to first test for live at the consumer board and then, test for dead after turning off all loads. Otherwise, risk of electrical burns (at best) from ionisation as one draws out the inevitable "flash" as cables are withdrawn from the meter. Granted, at higher loads but .....who knows what is connected and runnng at the time. Best advice, don't fug with it, get the PEA. There is a proper proceedure to follow when re-connecting as well to ensure correct polarity regardless of how many photos one takes.

Always the Chinese or Europeans...what about everybody else? When they made the temporary change from 30 to 45 days, it was great. Always find loosing the day of arrival and day of departure as part of the 30 days is a right pain. 45 days gave just that bit extra all-be-it a massive jump in travel insurance cost (non-proportional). Notice airlines tend to do the latter as well if one makes the arrival departure dates more than the limited 30 days.

Or....use the combos which use a separate neutral cable for the input. Advantage is only one pole spacing.

Been trying to look for bookings for flight times etc. for this coming February on Thai Smile web site from Aus, Suvarnabhumi to Udon Thani flight but it keeps returning as "not available". Flights to Khon Kaen come up ok. Dropped a line to them near on a week ago thinking maybe they have discontinued the Udon Thani flights and only received the standard reply, "we'll take a look and get back to you" (twice) Just wondered if anyone there has had problems along the same line by locally booking. Cheers

Yes, I'd tend to forget the WD40 also. It's not going to help anything one bit, only cause a mess. If the motor uses a centrifugal switch, this might require attention after all the years, however, leave well alone until the new cap is fitted. If all ok then forget it. You'll more than likely cause more damage than do any good trying to get to it so if it looks like it may need attention, take it to a good repair shop. As above, forget the fan caps as they will not work.

No, you have it correct. Now as the label shows, better if you come from Asia Pacific............. Anyhow, something to consider, given the input power is a conventional transformer (must be old unit)...consider as I have done in the past in a squeeze. Some will complain like a stck pig, however..........I have in the past used a triac style dimmer of appropriate VA rating on transformer primary to control output. Note that this will NOT work on smps units. Given the output of your device is transformer / rectifier smooth to DC, perhaps no problem. It might, given the fact that it is phase control, perhaps create noisy environment for an audio amp. Try it at your own risk though as you would not have any control/monitoring equipment available or the knowledge to do it. Then again you could also series up a 550W incandescent bulb...........shock horror..... If it was me, I'd cut my losses and simply chuck it and buy a new unit to be honest.