Neeranam Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 My house's electrical system has no ground due to workers trying to save money. They are coming back to redo the whole thing. I know nothing about electricity. I am trying to find out more as it is so important that it is done properly. Are there any obvious things that I should be checking for? How can I trust the electricians when there are no safety standards here(that I know) and no compensation if I get electrocuted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 Moved electrical sub forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forkinhades Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 Good starting point here http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693630-how-to-make-your-thai-electrical-system-safe/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossy Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 A thorough visual inspection should be first check:- There is some form of RCD in the distribution board http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/693823-faq-and-useful-documents/ Outlets have 3 wires They are on the right terminals (colours?) The grounds appear to be connected to the distribution board There is an earth rod It appears to be connected to the distribution board Do you have a multimeter? Know how to use it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neeranam Posted April 4, 2014 Author Share Posted April 4, 2014 Thanks for the thread Forkinhades, thanks for the list Crossy. What does an RCD look like? What is the Thai word for it? Here's my current box(no pun intended) and sockets. I'll buy a multimeter today if I see one, Any recommendtions? Black is live and green is earth. Is this correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neeranam Posted April 4, 2014 Author Share Posted April 4, 2014 FOrget that question about RCD, I see your link Croosy - wow, thanks a lot , what an excellent thread! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transam Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 Be careful, I just put some "trips" on my showers and A/C switches to find the individual wall switches were NOT wired through the consumer box . God knows where the feed is, but a good job I am now protected and was not electrocuted during the installation . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigermonkey Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 If you can't be there to periodically check all that is being done, you need to do a very thorough inspection with the appropriate tools - before you pay the 'electricians'. You can do it all with a decent multi-meter if you are comfortable using it. A plug-in polarity checker is also a great assistance. After having our new storehouse and office wired, I did just that - it all appeared to be very well done well done, other than the location of the ground rod. I checked everything. Sure enough the ground rod, which had been driven down between two cement pads in the middle of the building was not an effective ground, which was not surprising since that area was nowhere near any ground moisture. I pulled on it and out came a 6" ground rod. Of the receptacles, 3 had no ground and 5 were reverse polarity. The 'isolated' computer circuit still showed current draw with all the computer gear off; there were also lights wired into the circuit. When I checked the lighting, every circuit /socket was still live with the wall switch off. Every light was switched on the neutral wire. As I say, it all "looked" good. You need to take the time to check thoroughly. The electrician was furious when I asked him to correct everything, and wanted to fight me ( I'm age 70). He disappeared in a huff and his assistant patiently fixed everything. I paid the 10% holdback to the assistant and he was very happy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigermonkey Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 Thanks for the thread Forkinhades, thanks for the list Crossy. What does an RCD look like? What is the Thai word for it? Here's my current box(no pun intended) and sockets. CYMERA_20140404_122619.jpgCYMERA_20140404_122655.jpg I'll buy a multimeter today if I see one, Any recommendtions? Black is live and green is earth. Is this correct? Don't trust only the colour code of the wire - use your multi-meter to check. You have no idea what has been done between your panel and the outlet/socket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossy Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 Despite the box saying 'Consumer Unit and RCBO' I see no earth leakage protection (the giveaway is a 'test' button). Thai sparks will understand 'Safe-T-Cut' in the context of an RCD / RCBO. You NEED one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IMHO Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 If you don't have a multimeter or any other test equiment, just ask around for an old steel cased desktop PC - then just plug it into each socket and see if you get a zap from chassis - no zap = earth good, zap = earth bad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike45 Posted April 5, 2014 Share Posted April 5, 2014 How do you test that the circuit is being switched on and off with the live/hot wire instead of the neutral? Sent from my HUAWEI MT1-U06 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigermonkey Posted April 5, 2014 Share Posted April 5, 2014 (edited) How do you test that the circuit is being switched on and off with the live/hot wire instead of the neutral? Sent from my HUAWEI MT1-U06 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app First you turn off the wall switch, which theoretically means there is no live wire at the fixture - remove the bulb/tube and then insert a "voltage tester pen" ( about 200 baht at Home Pro) into the socket . If the lamp glows, you still have a live wire there, and the switch is on the neutral wire. Voltage test pens, however, can be unreliable. If you want to be sure, open up the switch box ( turn off juice at the panel first) . When you can access the wires, turn on the juice and test with your multi-meter. The wire going into the switch should be 'live'. Edited April 5, 2014 by tigermonkey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnniey Posted April 6, 2014 Share Posted April 6, 2014 My sparky told me that the safe T cut would cut out too frequently so never put one in! Sent from my GT-I9152 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forkinhades Posted April 6, 2014 Share Posted April 6, 2014 ^ So on his advice did you not install one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnniey Posted April 6, 2014 Share Posted April 6, 2014 (edited) Yes, I'm not an electrician. It does have a circuit breaker. Sent from my GT-I9152 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app Edited April 6, 2014 by Johnniey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forkinhades Posted April 6, 2014 Share Posted April 6, 2014 It is actually a regulation by PEA that a SafetyCut is installed. A circuit breaker in Thailand with the way the supply system is implemented will not save your life under fault conditions. Sent from my GT-P5210 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transam Posted April 6, 2014 Share Posted April 6, 2014 My sparky told me that the safe T cut would cut out too frequently so never put one in! Sent from my GT-I9152 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app Cos they usually wire it all wrong.............................. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forkinhades Posted April 6, 2014 Share Posted April 6, 2014 ^ If it was wired wrong, yes indeed it will never hold in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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