Tuvoc Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 (edited) Our house is 2 years old and I want to find a properly qualified electrician to check everything over. I wasn't here when it was built and my wife doesn't know enough to have made sure everything was as it should be. We are in-between Chiang Rai and Mae Sai geographically. I have a number of devices with UK plugs and currently use the 3-prong adaptors to plug them in. Some adaptors only have 2 prongs and I avoid those, however I do wonder if the earth is actually connected on those 3 prong adaptors ? If I'm standing on a tile floor in bare feet, and I touch my laptop, I get a mild shock, (static electricity ?) same if I touch the HDMI connector on the external monitor. That should not happen should it ? Or maybe it is just static electricity and normal. We are a bit rural so I guess the main power may not be that reliable, it does cut completely sometimes for a few minutes and you can hear the air conditioner fan speed reduce briefly on occasion, and the lights flicker although in one room they can just go out for a period of time while there is still power to the electrical sockets in the room. Very odd. I also want to replace those UK plugs with Thai plugs. That shouldn't be a problem should it ? I've wired UK plugs before and I know the wiring colours, just have to find the layout of a Thai plug. That way I'll know the plug at least has the earth, which I'm currently not sure that the adaptors have even though the prong is there. Edited February 5, 2021 by Tuvoc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirocco Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 Hello, A skilled worker ???? Thais are anything but skilled, and when you find one, keep it tight. I had a thai who came, on several occasions, to repair the water pump located in the kitchen. Nothing to do. Finally, it had to be changed. And there they came together. The worst part is that the worker was working in the puddles, without shoes and the device plugged in. At each of his visits, I expected to find a corpse in my kitchen. For the slightest job, they slap everything, leave everything lying around and often they have to be called back. Why not ask the farangs around you if there isn't someone competent (see a restaurateur, a shopkeeper, etc.) It is too important and risky work to leave it in the hands of Sunday handymen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuvoc Posted February 5, 2021 Author Share Posted February 5, 2021 (edited) 15 minutes ago, sirocco said: Why not ask the farangs around you if there isn't someone competent (see a restaurateur, a shopkeeper, etc.) It is too important and risky work to leave it in the hands of Sunday handymen. Ah yes, there is a big expensive farang house just down the road and I know he supervised the build and was probably in the building trade at some point abroad. Time to introduce myself and ask him ! Edited February 5, 2021 by Tuvoc 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossy Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 Get one of these https://www.lazada.co.th/products/i316566794-s634644285.html?urlFlag=true&mp=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuvoc Posted February 5, 2021 Author Share Posted February 5, 2021 51 minutes ago, Crossy said: Get one of these https://www.lazada.co.th/products/i316566794-s634644285.html?urlFlag=true&mp=1 Brilliant, just ordered one. Will report back once I get it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossy Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 You may also want to post a photo of your consumer unit (distribution board) with the lid off (care please). We can get an idea of just what you have and what (if anything) needs doing to improve your safety. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xylophone Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 2 hours ago, Tuvoc said: That way I'll know the plug at least has the earth, which I'm currently not sure that the adaptors have even though the prong is there. Well the plug may well have an earth pin on it, but does it connect to anything on the socket outlet, because in my experience here many of the socket outlets, even though they can accommodate 3 pins, have nothing connected to what should be the earth pin in the socket itself. In that case it's a whole different ball game for you. But then again, like Crossey has said, a pic of your consumer unit would tell him/us more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuvoc Posted February 5, 2021 Author Share Posted February 5, 2021 Consumer unit is as attached. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossy Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 3 hours ago, Tuvoc said: Consumer unit is as attached. OK, I did ask for a photo with the lid off. But my immediate observation is that there is no earth leakage protection (unless you have an external "Safe-T-Cut" unit). Some form of earth leakage protection has been required for new installations for a number of years, has this installation passed the PEA inspection for a permanent supply (how much per unit are you paying)? I also see all 32A breakers, what are they supplying? If Thai outlets then the max should be 20A. If lighting I'd expect 10A or so. The only things on larger breakers should be water heaters and BIG aircons, these should also be on appropriately sized cables. EDIT I missed it in your first post, but getting a tingle from your PC suggests lack of grounding which, in conjunction with no earth leakage protection, put's your installation firmly in the "unsafe" bracket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuvoc Posted February 5, 2021 Author Share Posted February 5, 2021 (edited) I don't know if a PEA inspection was required, or how much we pay, I'll have to check with my wife. It is just a three bedroom single story house, very little in the way of electrical items, i.e. no oven in the kitchen for example. Fridge/Freezer, microwave, 2 x TVs, one power shower and one airconditioning unit, washing machine/dryer combo, and a couple of computers. Very light loading I'd have said. Edited February 5, 2021 by Tuvoc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuvoc Posted February 5, 2021 Author Share Posted February 5, 2021 43 minutes ago, Crossy said: OK, I did ask for a photo with the lid off. Was there something else I should have done ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuvoc Posted February 5, 2021 Author Share Posted February 5, 2021 (edited) Just pulled out a monthly bill from the Provincial Electricity Authority, it is just under 4 baht per unit before the 7% tax. So that means there was an inspection ? I'm not getting that tingle just now from the laptop or the HDMI connector, but I definitely was earlier. Maybe just a build-up of static electricity ? Edited February 5, 2021 by Tuvoc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenslegs Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 18 minutes ago, Tuvoc said: Was there something else I should have done ? Take the lid off so that Crossy can see the gubbins inside. Be careful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuvoc Posted February 5, 2021 Author Share Posted February 5, 2021 1 minute ago, chickenslegs said: Take the lid off so that Crossy can see the gubbins inside. Be careful. Is that the two screws on the front in the pic ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenslegs Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 Just now, Tuvoc said: Is that the two screws on the front in the pic ? Yes. Undo those and the casing should just pull off easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuvoc Posted February 5, 2021 Author Share Posted February 5, 2021 1 minute ago, chickenslegs said: Yes. Undo those and the casing should just pull off easily. I'll do that in the daylight tomorrow, carefully. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenslegs Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 Just now, Tuvoc said: I'll do that in the daylight tomorrow, carefully. Good idea. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elliss Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 7 hours ago, Tuvoc said: Ah yes, there is a big expensive farang house just down the road and I know he supervised the build and was probably in the building trade at some point abroad. Time to introduce myself and ask him ! Ask him about .? Homs law ...555 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossy Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 10 hours ago, Tuvoc said: I'll do that in the daylight tomorrow, carefully. Turn off the main switch first. Take a couple of decent photos then put the lid back on before turning on the main. Having a few things that need fixing to throw at your chosen sparks should get you on an advantage before he starts will the BS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatOngo Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 18 hours ago, sirocco said: A skilled worker ???? If khun Daeng has a pair of pliers, he's as qualified as you'll get! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossy Posted February 6, 2021 Share Posted February 6, 2021 2 hours ago, PatOngo said: If khun Daeng has a pair of pliers, he's as qualified as you'll get! Yours has pliers? The local man in Madam's village has big scissors, two screwdrivers (+ & -), a neon and a big roll of tape. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatOngo Posted February 6, 2021 Share Posted February 6, 2021 3 minutes ago, Crossy said: Yours has pliers? The local man in Madam's village has big scissors, two screwdrivers (+ & -), a neon and a big roll of tape. Obviously over qualified! Bet he has a BSc degree from Chula! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuvoc Posted February 7, 2021 Author Share Posted February 7, 2021 Some pics here, hope they are good enough 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossy Posted February 7, 2021 Share Posted February 7, 2021 OK, looks like some form of earth is in place, hopefully the fat green/yellow goes to a rod somewhere. I would certainly consider replacing that main breaker with an RCBO, I think Schneider ones fit if you can't get Chang. I also worry about all your circuits being on 32A breakers, apart from maybe your water heater the biggest should be 20A. I would invest in one of these outlet testers https://www.lazada.co.th/products/i316566794-s634644285.html?urlFlag=true&mp=1 they will tell you if your outlet is wired correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuvoc Posted February 7, 2021 Author Share Posted February 7, 2021 1 hour ago, Crossy said: I would invest in one of these outlet testers https://www.lazada.co.th/products/i316566794-s634644285.html?urlFlag=true&mp=1 they will tell you if your outlet is wired correctly. Yes I've ordered one of those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuvoc Posted February 7, 2021 Author Share Posted February 7, 2021 (edited) 7 hours ago, Tuvoc said: Yes I've ordered one of those. It arrived. I've plugged it into two recessed sockets, which were part of the original build, and I get one red light which according to the leaflet means "OPEN GROUND". The voltage is 195V and 50 Hz. Another socket which was added later (cable down from the ceiling and it juts out from the wall) and it shows all 3 lights and 205V. Edited February 7, 2021 by Tuvoc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ripstanley Posted February 7, 2021 Share Posted February 7, 2021 Ask the mods to transfer the thread to Chiang Rai forum. You may get some local knowledge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossy Posted February 8, 2021 Share Posted February 8, 2021 14 hours ago, Tuvoc said: It arrived. I've plugged it into two recessed sockets, which were part of the original build, and I get one red light which according to the leaflet means "OPEN GROUND". The voltage is 195V and 50 Hz. Another socket which was added later (cable down from the ceiling and it juts out from the wall) and it shows all 3 lights and 205V. Do any of your outlets test as "correct"? I would check them all and note the results. Then when you find a sparks you can send him in the right direction. The CU installation looks ok (apart from my earlier comments) so it's time for some deeper investigation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuvoc Posted February 8, 2021 Author Share Posted February 8, 2021 (edited) Yes, good news is that most of the sockets are CORRECT ! So the earth is there and functioning. Just three sockets that aren't. I'm more relaxed now, next job is to convince my wife to get those fixed. Do you think the earth wire would be there for those and just not connected ? In the typical Thai way, they are working so no need to do anything. Same sort of attitude many take to getting their cars serviced ! Voltage is also reading 244 volts today compared to 195 volts yesterday ! Edited February 8, 2021 by Tuvoc 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossy Posted February 8, 2021 Share Posted February 8, 2021 26 minutes ago, Tuvoc said: Yes, good news is that most of the sockets are CORRECT ! So the earth is there and functioning. Just three sockets that aren't. I'm more relaxed now, next job is to convince my wife to get those fixed. Do you think the earth wire would be there for those and just not connected ? In the typical Thai way, they are working so no need to do anything. Same sort of attitude many take to getting their cars serviced ! Voltage is also reading 244 volts today compared to 195 volts yesterday ! Good news indeed, with the mains off just pop the outlets that are incorrect off the wall and have a look, it could be as simple as a wire popped out. Then time to address the consumer unit ???? 220V +- 10% is 198V - 242V so not really a worry at present. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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