Thread: Higher current single phase 240V?

maybe a diesel generator will solve the problem
AGR Machinery | Genpower 8KVA Diesel Generator

then I could source a 3-phase plasma cutter, and run everything else from the mains

You might be able to get the supply upgraded to three phase and run it straight to the shed. They might not have to look at the house.

I spoke to two sparkies about getting 2x 20a in my workshop. Both said full rewire and sorry but too busy... It seems it really isn't work that anyone is interested in when there are complete houses to be done or other more simple work.

We used to have a switch board like that, with a cast iron switch for the main power. Our house has farm power as in two phase four hundred volts. Was a couple of big porcelain fuses for the four hundred volts. Found when the board was replaced a house circuit coming of the four hundred volt fuses. Was not cheap to get replaced.
Cheers Hall

Hmmm. Not pretty.... Still happy to have a look and advise what would be required, but as mentioned, could be a full rewire. Doesn't look like anything has been done to that board in decades.

Even if you don't look at doing it now, I would start saving and look to do it at some stage. If there is split conduit still kicking about, it is a potential death trap. At the very least I would be looking to see if you still have a solid earth on the house. If the old gal pipe has ever been replaced to the house you may not have an earth at all. I have come across this on more than one occasion in houses that old.

PM me if you want me to have a peak.

Originally Posted by bacicat

Hmmm. Not pretty.... Still happy to have a look and advise what would be required, but as mentioned, could be a full rewire. Doesn't look like anything has been done to that board in decades.

Even if you don't look at doing it now, I would start saving and look to do it at some stage. If there is split conduit still kicking about, it is a potential death trap. At the very least I would be looking to see if you still have a solid earth on the house. If the old gal pipe has ever been replaced to the house you may not have an earth at all. I have come across this on more than one occasion in houses that old.

PM me if you want me to have a peak.

there is a separate circuit that has been put in for the split system air conditioner that was installed in the past 6 or 7 years, other than that, it all looks original i guess

i'll pm you after i get back from holiday in a couple of weeks, i'd really appreciate some advice

When we had our fuse board replaced the electrician said that the old cloth wiring was ok so long as it was not exposed to sun light as the rubber was not uv stable. He also noted that there is nothing wrong with the old steel conduit. He did do a thorough check of the wiring and we got the safety certificate. Did from memory get a bit of wiring from the( also replaced )junction box to fuse board. In our case it was the junction box that failed and when the electrician came to replace it he could not unless we replaced the fuse board as well as he could not sign of on the job with the old board still in use. So junction box is also some thing else you may need looked at.
Cheers Hall

Originally Posted by Hall

When we had our fuse board replaced the electrician said that the old cloth wiring was ok so long as it was not exposed to sun light as the rubber was not uv stable. He also noted that there is nothing wrong with the old steel conduit. He did do a thorough check of the wiring and we got the safety certificate. Did from memory get a bit of wiring from the( also replaced )junction box to fuse board. In our case it was the junction box that failed and when the electrician came to replace it he could not unless we replaced the fuse board as well as he could not sign of on the job with the old board still in use. So junction box is also some thing else you may need looked at.
Cheers Hall

Depends on the conduit. Solid screwed steel conduit can be fine, but not often found in a domestic residence. We are talking about the old split conduit, which is dangerous and illegal as it carries no earth wire - the conduit is used as the earth, and it rusts and doesn't provide a good (or any) earth path for any fault current.

The regulations also require that certain wiring is removed and upgraded to modern standards and all old wiring to be removed. That includes RCD's being installed that are proven life savers.

At the very least on Jassa's place I would be looking to replace the switchboards, but if the existing cables don't carry an earth and/or have woven insulation, then that will need replacing as well.

What one Electrican is prepared to do compared to the next can be very different. It depends on their point of view and their interpretation of the regs - which can be taken in various ways at times, but there are certain cut and dried regs that cannot be mis interpreted.

Leaving split conduit in situ with powered wires still in them is negligent IMO...