Bangkok Electrical Inspection & Testing

[FiberOptic]

Hi All

Due to the possible early retirement from the O&G construction industry next year I was thinking about buying a complete set of Ground Earth Tester, RCD Meter & Insulation Resistance Tester to provide a service as the title suggests. Give me something to do and a small income.

Would this be a good idea? What would the pro's &,con's of such a service? Any feedback, suggestions greatly welcome.

I have a neighbor who owns a large local Electrical Contracting Business who has more than once said I should do some sort of partnership with him. He has about 50+ employees so I think a work permit would be possible (Are foreign Inspection Engineers allowed in Thailand)?

Maybe someone in the past has asked this question but cannot see anything in search function.

Thanks

[choppychugger]

Hi fiber optic,

I'm not sure about Bangkok but in Phuket I recently used a German company to do an inspection on my house. The chaps company was in high demand mainly due to the fact that the Thai electrical standard is somewhat sketchy on the island. Not able to answer your questions but am sure if you got setup you won't be short of work.

Choppy

[h90]

Work Permit is for sure no problem....Just find a good name for the job.

I told "Technical Manager" they told me "no good" that is somehow regulated. Would it be OK, if they just write Manager. There are no restrictions or so on what I actually do.

So now I am Manager without Technical....

Good luck!

[Crossy]

As H90 notes getting the correct job description will be an interesting, but minor issue.

Doing it as a one-man-band with a Thai assistant or two isn't going to make you millions but I believe there is a market for "Western Style" inspections and associated rectification work.

If you already have a potential partner and are in an expat-heavy area go for it.

[FiberOptic]

Thanks for the so far positive replies.

Once I get home from this hitch I will discuss further with my Neighbour.

I had a WP before as an Operations Supervisor which caused no problems. It was for an MNC in O&G though.

http://th.rs-online.com/web/p/rcd-testers/7125746/

http://th.rs-online.com/web/p/earth-ground-resistance-testers/0489670/

The items in the links would be the type of equipment I would purchase. Not too big a layout if you think about it. An additional cost would also be to calibrate them annually. If I could only market the importance of having a safe Electrical Installation to Thai households as catering for only expats might not even let me break even. Not too may expats out where I am in Prawet but plenty of Moobans.

Anyhow's, thanks for the feedback and I will chew on this a bit more.

[Forkinhades]

Personally I do prefer meggar, and they work much better than flukes here in LOS, as they can handle the 'noise' on the earths and you can still get readings.

However not too sure of your choice of model number, especially the RCD, which I cannot be certain can 'test' modern day RCDs. I would go for an MFT 1730 which is a very robust machine and it can do all your tests. Also with MEN being implented do you really need to test earth rods in Bangkok? Way out in sticks maybe, and of course there is more than 1 way to test rods, and the MFT 1700 range will do it, quite happy to advise on that.

As regards to the work, I think you might be a little challenged domestically, but commercially would be good, if you could couple that insurances.

Good Luck

[Forkinhades]

Thanks for the so far positive replies.

Once I get home from this hitch I will discuss further with my Neighbour.

I had a WP before as an Operations Supervisor which caused no problems. It was for an MNC in O&G though.

http://th.rs-online.com/web/p/rcd-testers/7125746/

http://th.rs-online.com/web/p/earth-ground-resistance-testers/0489670/

The items in the links would be the type of equipment I would purchase. Not too big a layout if you think about it. An additional cost would also be to calibrate them annually. If I could only market the importance of having a safe Electrical Installation to Thai households as catering for only expats might not even let me break even. Not too may expats out where I am in Prawet but plenty of Moobans.

Anyhow's, thanks for the feedback and I will chew on this a bit more.

Personally I do prefer meggar, and they work much better than flukes here in LOS, as they can handle the 'noise' on the earths and you can still get readings.

However not too sure of your choice of model number, especially the RCD, which I cannot be certain can 'test' modern day RCDs. I would go for an MFT 1730 which is a very robust machine and it can do all your tests. Also with MEN being implented do you really need to test earth rods in Bangkok? Way out in sticks maybe, and of course there is more than 1 way to test rods, and the MFT 1700 range will do it, quite happy to advise on that.

As regards to the work, I think you might be a little challenged domestically, but commercially would be good, if you could couple that with insurances.

Good Luck

[Crossy]

I too would go with an all-in-one installation tester. Many "16th Edition" units for sale at very reasonable prices on ebay.

Calibration? Thailand?

[FiberOptic]

Personally I do prefer meggar, and they work much better than flukes here in LOS, as they can handle the 'noise' on the earths and you can still get readings.

However not too sure of your choice of model number, especially the RCD, which I cannot be certain can 'test' modern day RCDs. I would go for an MFT 1730 which is a very robust machine and it can do all your tests. Also with MEN being implented do you really need to test earth rods in Bangkok? Way out in sticks maybe, and of course there is more than 1 way to test rods, and the MFT 1700 range will do it, quite happy to advise on that.

As regards to the work, I think you might be a little challenged domestically, but commercially would be good, if you could couple that insurances.

Good Luck

Morning Forkinhades,

Thanks for the reply. I did mean to send link to a combination RCD/ Loop tester http://sg.rs-online.com/web/p/loop-impedance-rcd-combined-testers/7125749/

In regards to the combined TN-C-S/ TT Thai systems I would still like to know how good my Earth is, if there is a broken Neutral, back to TX. The TT system will allow the RCD to operate if required. The Loop Tester can measure the Ze with the Earth Electrode isolated & using the Electrode only as path back to TX.

For measuring Ground resistance there is other ways ie 24v & calculating ohms law. Maybe customers might not like me rocking up with a home made tester....

On what Crossy mentioned about 17th Edition. I am still 16th (been back to UK approx. 20 days in 12 years) but if it would help marketing it would be easy to do. Study online & 2hr test... Of course different if I was in the UK. Unless a customer asked for BS7671 (2008) certificate and maybe the new Part P.....

I would like to start domestically and see how things go. Is there any inspection regulations in Thailand similar to the above BS? Any guideline to follow. I know there is an IET code but not sure where to get that. Do commercial companies & Industry try to get the BS standard or do they follow Thai standards?

Thanks again

[Forkinhades]

This piece of kit will cover everything you need, and I highly recommend it.

http://www.test-meter.co.uk/megger-mft1735-multifunction-tester/

The Thai electrical code is arguably more stringent than BS7671 17th ammendment 3, if you are to believe what people say. However I have not seen a fully translated copy.

For testing I use Amtech software, which produce Electrical Inspection Condition Reports, Electrical Installations Certs, Fire Alarms, and Emergency Lighting. All the max Zs values are generated for you, which is handy after ammendment 3, as a factor of 0.95 has been introduced on values.

Not much to know about 17th edition really, as it is mainly circuits thar require RCD protection, and special locations, and of course Thai code states front end RCD protection which covers all your circuits.