Burl Ives Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 Hi folks, bought and installed a safe-t-cut 5 years ago when I moved in. Has worked fine, but now after installing a 6kW water heater my Thai "electrician" says it has died. Is this possible, I thought these things were supposed to last a lifetime? Or is he just trying to annoy me? (he already wrongly wired up to my old water heater connection as follows: Earth green to red wire Live red to white wire and neutral black to black wire he also refused to use terminal connector saying they will melt and catch fire! so I don't have a lot of confidence in him ( he now has changed the wires to the correct colours after I refused to pay if he didn't!) But seriously do Safe-t Cuts die after a period of use?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forkinhades Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 Any electronic device will eventually fail over time. Once a Safe-T-Cut is installed, the installer should test it with the right equipment. To make sure it conforms to the manufactuers requirements. Once this is done, then a 5 year warrantee should be good. However these devices need to checked on a regular basis, most manufactuers recommend every 3 months, after the initial test, using the test button. After 5 years the device should be tested thoroughly with the right test equipment. Then tested every 2 years after that. Sent from my SM-G900F using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossy Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 +1 Forky. Failing that, does it trip if you press the "Test" button? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JesseFrank Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 Any electronic device will eventually fail over time. Once a Safe-T-Cut is installed, the installer should test it with the right equipment. To make sure it conforms to the manufactuers requirements. Once this is done, then a 5 year warrantee should be good. However these devices need to checked on a regular basis, most manufactuers recommend every 3 months, after the initial test, using the test button. After 5 years the device should be tested thoroughly with the right test equipment. Then tested every 2 years after that. Sent from my SM-G900F using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app Do manufacturers offer a 5 year warranty on these devices, or do I read this wrong. What is to be tested if it conforms manufacturers requirements? A safe T cut can't be modified or wrong installed I would think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pdavies99 Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 Well if you reverse wire most equipment, what can you expect? He has direct shorted the cut out and burnt it out! (at a guess) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burl Ives Posted July 27, 2014 Author Share Posted July 27, 2014 Any electronic device will eventually fail over time. Once a Safe-T-Cut is installed, the installer should test it with the right equipment. To make sure it conforms to the manufactuers requirements. Once this is done, then a 5 year warrantee should be good. However these devices need to checked on a regular basis, most manufactuers recommend every 3 months, after the initial test, using the test button. After 5 years the device should be tested thoroughly with the right test equipment. Then tested every 2 years after that. Sent from my SM-G900F using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app OK thanks for that, but where to find someone competent to do what you say in Pattaya? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pdavies99 Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 Any electronic device will eventually fail over time. Once a Safe-T-Cut is installed, the installer should test it with the right equipment. To make sure it conforms to the manufactuers requirements. Once this is done, then a 5 year warrantee should be good. However these devices need to checked on a regular basis, most manufactuers recommend every 3 months, after the initial test, using the test button. After 5 years the device should be tested thoroughly with the right test equipment. Then tested every 2 years after that. Sent from my SM-G900F using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app OK thanks for that, but where to find someone competent to do what you say in Pattaya? Once you find a "competent" electrician ask him to get a volt meter and check all inputs ie Red lives are actually live side etc, or it will just pack up again. Ie He needs to check polarity etc! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burl Ives Posted July 27, 2014 Author Share Posted July 27, 2014 +1 Forky. Failing that, does it trip if you press the "Test" button? Sorry can't do that he has removed the wires from the safe t cut! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noahvail Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 The possibility does exist that he simply wanted to sell you a new one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnotherOneAmerican Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 Well if you reverse wire most equipment, what can you expect? He has direct shorted the cut out and burnt it out! (at a guess) This one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooked Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 I wat proud of my SafeTcut until I noticed there was no test button. Cheap solution please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnotherOneAmerican Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 I wat proud of my SafeTcut until I noticed there was no test button. Cheap solution please? Spark the live and earth coming out of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rimmer Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 I see our resident expert Crossy has already replied but in any event this should be in the Electrical Forum to get the best coverage. //Moved// Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bankruatsteve Posted July 27, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted July 27, 2014 +1 Forky. Failing that, does it trip if you press the "Test" button? Sorry can't do that he has removed the wires from the safe t cut! Oiy. What are the wires connected to at this point? A photo would help. So far, it sounds like incompetence oblivious to the fact.. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burl Ives Posted July 27, 2014 Author Share Posted July 27, 2014 The possibility does exist that he simply wanted to sell you a new one! No chance he's a Thai wire twister! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossy Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 +1 for Steve. I think at this point we need photos of what's been done (lid off of course, CAREFUL). EDIT It's pretty difficult to fry an RCBO by connecting it or its load incorrectly. How did it 'fail' (wouldn't stay 'on' perhaps), maybe it's actually doing its job and the heater install (or the heater) is faulty. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lopburi3 Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Believe have to manually switch to full off position before they will lock back in on position? Perhaps a trip and he did not know how to reset? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlyai Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 In pattaya there is a guy named sompan who works for securitas alarm monitoring mob in pattaya. Sorry cant find his card at moment. Securitas bkk no is 021687400-1. He installed one in my place when we went through on rechecked all my earths etc. We also installed a new earth rod as the other rod and earths were not installed correctly. We also connected an men link in the consumer box that caused the safety cut to continuously trip. He persisted and contacted the saftey cut help line and we paitently worked out the problem and finished late in the day with everything working and tested. At 6pm it would have been easy for him to blame something else and remove the men link but he didnt. We also dug up the earth rod and tested leakage etc which again he didnt have to do unless he is a good tradesman. His rates are good and he has 2 of his family as apprentices. I give u this extra info as many contractors wouldnt make the effort he makes. He is not a qualified electrician and still joins earths but with connectors. He is one of the better contractors . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dellboy218 Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 +1 Forky. Failing that, does it trip if you press the "Test" button? Exactly! I did that a few months ago and it failed after 10 years+ service. Now Replaced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucifer666 Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 (edited) Thai to English translation "Because your 5KW heater was overloading your safety cut, I jammed it in the on position until the contacts inside had welded themselves together" Edited July 28, 2014 by lucifer666 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlyai Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 If i can remember sompans rates are equipment costs plus b 500 for him and 300 for the others per day on a sunday. We started about 9 and finished about 8 pm. This was not just for the safety cut install. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burl Ives Posted July 28, 2014 Author Share Posted July 28, 2014 In pattaya there is a guy named sompan who works for securitas alarm monitoring mob in pattaya. Sorry cant find his card at moment. Securitas bkk no is 021687400-1. He installed one in my place when we went through on rechecked all my earths etc. We also installed a new earth rod as the other rod and earths were not installed correctly. We also connected an men link in the consumer box that caused the safety cut to continuously trip. He persisted and contacted the saftey cut help line and we paitently worked out the problem and finished late in the day with everything working and tested. At 6pm it would have been easy for him to blame something else and remove the men link but he didnt. We also dug up the earth rod and tested leakage etc which again he didnt have to do unless he is a good tradesman. His rates are good and he has 2 of his family as apprentices. I give u this extra info as many contractors wouldnt make the effort he makes. He is not a qualified electrician and still joins earths but with connectors. He is one of the better contractors . Thanks for that! Is that the security company bottom right on Pattaya Tai just before 3rd road? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaiguzzi Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Just replaced mine, lasted 9 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlyai Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Not sure where the company is located and my paperwork is a mess at moment but if you ring the company and ask for sompan u should get him. He does the aftet hours work and non alarm stuff on his own not part of the company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluetongue Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 Mine didn't make 4 years, can you buy the trip switches for these things or do you have to buy a whole new unit, anyway I'm wired open at the moment and no safety. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forkinhades Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 New unit im afraid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rakkenes Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 out safe-t-cut is 30A, and is connected to our main breaker, which is not enough (think the main breaker is 100A, so I was thinking of upgrading to 64A, but when I went to Bontawan, they say they no longer sell the separate Safe-t-Cut boxes, and only sell these earth fault breakers as part of a new safe-t-cut electrical box (basically have to take out the entire box with all breakers and replace them with sefe-t-cut branded breakers... does anyone know what is going on here? have they totally stopped making these big separate boxes? are the in-electrical box types as safe? are they standard, or safe-t-cut spesific? I have had a hard time finding electricians who knows what these boxes are for in Bangkok (the last guy said, no need, jut take it out). so, any tips on a good reliable guy in Bangkok would be nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forkinhades Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 All in one enclosure is the way to go IMO. Your safety-cut will be rated at 30 milli Amps. Main switch is fine at 100A Im sure you can still buy the "old' and 'ugly' separate safety-cut devices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chao Lao Beach Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Forky, thanks for you imput, I am curious what equipment should be used and realistly if any one has ever seen a Thai sparky that has one, actually has anyone ever seen a decent Thai sparky working domestically that has not been snapped up by oil/gas commercial etc ? I strongly URGE anyone, even renting to install these devices, I have seen 2 peoples lives saved with my own eyes in Thailand, both were thrown, I can also give a little thanks to Crossy for explaining so many times how to so simply install one of these units. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lopburi3 Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 100114 004.JPGMine didn't make 4 years, can you buy the trip switches for these things or do you have to buy a whole new unit, anyway I'm wired open at the moment and no safety. You have unit turned on for safety (green at 20ma) in photo - have you tried turning to the red area and see if breaker trips then? It may be working and you have a fault at 20ma setting causing it to trip. I am still using unit bought in 1978 (although have several other box type additional units from another company). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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