Need Qualified Electrician

[Retired2]

Recently, I received a new Distribution Panel or Service Panel from Sweden.

It is very High Tech and will replace the existing panel in my condo.

Where can I find a qualified electrician to install this thing ???

I live near Ban Phe/Rayong. Cost and travel expenses are no object.

Happy New Year, everyone.

[doglover]

Problem solved. I know of a very qualified electrician who speaks fluent english that could use a holiday. He lives in Issan so travel expenses would not be cheap but you already stated that is a non-issue. He assumes you are talking about the service panel for a single condo unit and not the main distribution panel for the entire condo complex. If the existing service panel is recessed into the wall then any cutting or reworking of the wall to accomodate the new panel size would be performed by others of your choice. If the existing panel is surface mounted then only new anchor points will be needed which the electrician can take care of. If you are interested just provide your contact details and he will be in touch. Happy New Year!!!

[Crossy]

Before jumping in to get the beast installed, are you 100% certain it's compatible with Thailand's 3-phase 4-wire (star) system? I know some Northern European countries are 3-phase 3-wire (delta) and a panel designed for that system may lack certain features that a local sparks will be expecting to see and have additional features that he won't understand.

The above will be important even if you're only on single phase.

It IS possible to use such a panel safely, provided one knows what one is doing.

[Retired2]

Before jumping in to get the beast installed, are you 100% certain it's compatible with Thailand's 3-phase 4-wire (star) system? I know some Northern European countries are 3-phase 3-wire (delta) and a panel designed for that system may lack certain features that a local sparks will be expecting to see and have additional features that he won't understand.

The above will be important even if you're only on single phase.

It IS possible to use such a panel safely, provided one knows what one is doing.

Good points.

The Swedish guy that brought the unit over from Sweden has installed the identical system in his condo

below mine. His brother in law (from Sweden) installed it for him.

By the way Crossy, I have read your on line articles with MUCH interest. Highly recommended reading.

[Retired2]

Problem solved. I know of a very qualified electrician who speaks fluent english that could use a holiday. He lives in Issan so travel expenses would not be cheap but you already stated that is a non-issue. He assumes you are talking about the service panel for a single condo unit and not the main distribution panel for the entire condo complex. If the existing service panel is recessed into the wall then any cutting or reworking of the wall to accomodate the new panel size would be performed by others of your choice. If the existing panel is surface mounted then only new anchor points will be needed which the electrician can take care of. If you are interested just provide your contact details and he will be in touch. Happy New Year!!!

I must be a lot more dense than I thought. I have done several "replies" or e mails to you and Crossy but have

received no answer. I don't like the idea of putting my e mail address or phone number on an open forum.

Am I doing something wrong with the reply feature???

[Crossy]

Hmmm, I've received no messages from your good self. How did you communicate?

By the way, do NOT put your email on the open forum, the best way to communicate privately is via the messenger (the little envelope thingy under the members avatar).

[doglover]

Before jumping in to get the beast installed, are you 100% certain it's compatible with Thailand's 3-phase 4-wire (star) system? I know some Northern European countries are 3-phase 3-wire (delta) and a panel designed for that system may lack certain features that a local sparks will be expecting to see and have additional features that he won't understand.

The above will be important even if you're only on single phase.

It IS possible to use such a panel safely, provided one knows what one is doing.

In a 3 phase system this would definitely be an issue. With the single phase panel in his condo unit this will not be a concern. And yes a local sparky very likely will be confused with something new as they are confused with equipment they have worked with for years. All the high tech features will already be integrated into the panel and the electrician really just has to disconnect the wires from the existing panel and reconnect the wires to the appropriate locations in the newly installed panel (true that one has to know what they are doing to understand the appropriate landing points). Any high tech panel will also contain a schematic wiring diagram for reference.

[Crossy]

Before jumping in to get the beast installed, are you 100% certain it's compatible with Thailand's 3-phase 4-wire (star) system? I know some Northern European countries are 3-phase 3-wire (delta) and a panel designed for that system may lack certain features that a local sparks will be expecting to see and have additional features that he won't understand.

The above will be important even if you're only on single phase.

It IS possible to use such a panel safely, provided one knows what one is doing.

In a 3 phase system this would definitely be an issue. With the single phase panel in his condo unit this will not be a concern. And yes a local sparky very likely will be confused with something new as they are confused with equipment they have worked with for years. All the high tech features will already be integrated into the panel and the electrician really just has to disconnect the wires from the existing panel and reconnect the wires to the appropriate locations in the newly installed panel (true that one has to know what they are doing to understand the appropriate landing points). Any high tech panel will also contain a schematic wiring diagram for reference.

The issue I was thinking of is that even a panel intended for single-phase from delta (like mine was in Belgium) will have double pole beakers and no neutral bar (since both lines are actually phases), if you've not seen one before could be most confusing.

[doglover]

Before jumping in to get the beast installed, are you 100% certain it's compatible with Thailand's 3-phase 4-wire (star) system? I know some Northern European countries are 3-phase 3-wire (delta) and a panel designed for that system may lack certain features that a local sparks will be expecting to see and have additional features that he won't understand.

The above will be important even if you're only on single phase.

It IS possible to use such a panel safely, provided one knows what one is doing.

In a 3 phase system this would definitely be an issue. With the single phase panel in his condo unit this will not be a concern. And yes a local sparky very likely will be confused with something new as they are confused with equipment they have worked with for years. All the high tech features will already be integrated into the panel and the electrician really just has to disconnect the wires from the existing panel and reconnect the wires to the appropriate locations in the newly installed panel (true that one has to know what they are doing to understand the appropriate landing points). Any high tech panel will also contain a schematic wiring diagram for reference.

The issue I was thinking of is that even a panel intended for single-phase from delta (like mine was in Belgium) will have double pole beakers and no neutral bar (since both lines are actually phases), if you've not seen one before could be most confusing.

[doglover]

Before jumping in to get the beast installed, are you 100% certain it's compatible with Thailand's 3-phase 4-wire (star) system? I know some Northern European countries are 3-phase 3-wire (delta) and a panel designed for that system may lack certain features that a local sparks will be expecting to see and have additional features that he won't understand.

The above will be important even if you're only on single phase.

It IS possible to use such a panel safely, provided one knows what one is doing.

In a 3 phase system this would definitely be an issue. With the single phase panel in his condo unit this will not be a concern. And yes a local sparky very likely will be confused with something new as they are confused with equipment they have worked with for years. All the high tech features will already be integrated into the panel and the electrician really just has to disconnect the wires from the existing panel and reconnect the wires to the appropriate locations in the newly installed panel (true that one has to know what they are doing to understand the appropriate landing points). Any high tech panel will also contain a schematic wiring diagram for reference.

The issue I was thinking of is that even a panel intended for single-phase from delta (like mine was in Belgium) will have double pole beakers and no neutral bar (since both lines are actually phases), if you've not seen one before could be most confusing.

Indeed. You certainly know what you are talking about Crossy. And by utilizing a jumper for the double pole breaker and installing a neutral bar the panel can be used. Not that I think there is any need for panels from any other country. The panels available in Thailand have all the high tech one needs for safety. Problem is the lack of knowledge, testing and certification of the local electricians installing them. I was away working during the electrical "rough in" installation phase of our house. The local sparky has worked for years as an electrician with experience installing and maintaining electrical in the local schools. And he wasn't cheap! When it came time to check the work the issues were:

-undersized conductors

-oversized breakers

-multiple conductors terminated into single breakers

-reversed polarity on various receptacles and ceiling fan/lights

-pvc only used in the walls and then single conductors free aired as the crow flies up in the attic

-overloaded dimmer switches

-ceiling fans hung with steel wire which rusts over time

-splices hidden inside raceways

'Retired 2' I have a suggestion which you may have already considered. If you know that the brother-in-law of the fellow Swiss in the unit below you whom installed the identical panel to yours was a competent qualified electrician you could just hire a local sparky with some good references to copy the installation. At the least a locally qualified electrician should understand proper wire termination practices.

[Crossy]

Add to that list ^^^ 'twist-and-tape' joints and wire colours 'whatever was in the van' and you have pretty well any Thai domestic installation

[doglover]

Add to that list ^^^ 'twist-and-tape' joints and wire colours 'whatever was in the van' and you have pretty well any Thai domestic installation

Sad but true...lol. I have a few questions which you may be able to answer Crossy.

-Is there a Thai electrical code book or the like?

-Is there a formal electrical apprenticeship available anywhere in Thailand?

-Can a foreigner work as an electrician in Thailand after proving his credentials, etc.?

[Crossy]

-Is there a Thai electrical code book or the like?

-Is there a formal electrical apprenticeship available anywhere in Thailand?

-Can a foreigner work as an electrician in Thailand after proving his credentials, etc.?

1 and 2 yes, but only for industrial installations (I've not actually seen the TIS document but am assured it exists), anyone who's gone through formal training enters the industrial sector where the money is, the industrial electricians I've worked with have been highly competent. Sadly, none of them would dream of doing domestic as the pay is poor and there is zero regulation to force decent standards.

This is a list of restricted occupations http://www.thaivisa.com/330.0.html (anyone got an updated version if there is one?), sparking isn't explicitly mentioned but could be inferred under 'construction works'. There are many ways to skirt round the regulations, the use of the word 'consultant' was popular at one time.

[doglover]

Thanks for the info Crossy.