EKAS 2 19 30 Flexible cords and plugs

EKAS 2. 19. 30 Flexible cords and plugs to 250 V UEE 31307 Certificate III in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Stage 2 A Units: UEENEEPOO 2 B Chris Hungerford *

Flexible cords Ordinary Duty Light Duty 2. 19. 30. A Heavy Duty

How is a flexible cord different from other cables? • The conductors in a flexible cord are made up of many more strands of finer wire than an ordinary cable (0. 3 mm). This allows the cord to flex without breaking the conductors. • The maximum cross-sectional area (CSA) of a conductor in a flexible cord is 4 mm 2. • Finally, the maximum number of insulated conductors (or cores) in a single cord is five. 2. 19. 30. A

Maximum length of flexible cords 2. 19. 30. A

2. 19. 30. A Maximum current rating of flexible cords NOTES: 1 Where a flexible cord is wound on a drum, multiply current-carrying capacity by the appropriate factor, as follows: Number of layers: 1 2 3 4 Derating factor: 0. 76 0. 58 0. 47 0. 40 2 Flexible cords having tinsel conductors with a nominal cross-sectional area of 0. 5 mm 2 have a current carrying capacity of 0. 5 A. 3 The current-carrying capacity is based on a cable maximum conductor operating temperature of 60°C in order to limit the surface temperatures for the expected use of such cables. Where flexible cords are used as fixed wiring, the current ratings are given in Tables 4 to 15 and 17. (Refer to Clause 3. 3. 2). 4 To determine three-phase voltage drop, refer to the appropriate value in Table 46, Table 47 or Table 48. To determine the single-phase voltage drop, multiply the three-phase value by 1. 155.

Electrical cables 3 Core & Earth Circular An electrical cable is identified by its: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Conductor material e. g. copper or aluminium Conductor size e. g. 1. 5 mm² CSA Insulation material e. g. rubber, glass, PVC Number of cable cores e. g. 7/0. 50 – i. e. 7 strands of 0. 50 mm circular diameter Voltage grading e. g. 0. 6 / 1 KV; 250 V / 440 V Sheathing Protection Strand 2. 19. 30. A Conductor Steel Wire Armoured SWA

Ratings of cables • Voltage rating, all cables have a maximum operating voltage. This is directly related to the type and thickness of the insulation material. • Temperature rating, table 3. 2 AS 3000: 2007. • Cables are NOT rated in Current Carrying Capacity. A cable's current carrying capacity is determined buy how it is installed as per AS/NZS 3008. 1. 1 (Australian). 2. 19. 30. A

Selecting a cord • Current carrying capacity of the cable. • Operating conditions; – temperature – voltage – installation factors such as in direct sunlight, mechanical protection, & thermal installation. • Number of conductors. 2. 19. 30. A

Plugs and sockets • There are many types of plug tops, the most common being the 10 A three-pin plug. 2. 19. 30. A

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2. 19. 30. A International Protection Numbers

AS/NZS-3000: 2007 SAA Wiring Rules 3. 7. 2. 8 Flexible cords Joints shall not be made in flexible cords. Exceptions: Joint in flexible cords may be made (a) Where used as installation wiring (b) By means of suitable couplers Any flexible cord shall be installed so that undue stress on its connections due to a pull on the cord is alleviated by a pillar, post, grip, tortuous path, or other effective means. Knotting of the flexible cord shall not be acceptable for this purpose. 2. 19. 30. C

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Accessories • All accessories must be suitable and as per Australian standards. • All accessories must be suitable for the application. • Wide variety of accessories can be accessed via suppliers catalogues. 2. 19. 30. C

A=Excellent B=Good 2. 19. 30. C C=Fair D=Poor

AS/NZS-3000: 2007, SAA Wiring Rules 3. 7 ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS 3. 7. 1 General Connections between conductors and other electrical equipment shall provide electrical continuity and adequate mechanical strength. • Solder less lugs • Crimps • Compression terminals • Soldered connections 2. 19. 30. C

AS/NZS-3000: 2007 SAA Wiring Rules 3. 7. 2. 2 Preparation for connection The insulation on a conductor shall not be removed any further than is necessary to make the connection. For connections between insulated conductors the connection shall be insulated to provide a degree of insulation not inferior to that of the conductors. Any damaged insulation shall be reinstated. 2. 19. 30. C

Insulation of conductors Yes • Electrical insulation tape • Epoxy kits • Heat shrink 2. 19. 30. C No • Masking tape • packing tape • sticky tape • silicon mastic

Conductor colouring AS/NZS 3000 Table 3. 4 Function Colour Earth/bonding Green/yellow Neutral Black Active 2. 19. 30. C Light blue Red Brown, dark Blue, Grey, White, any colour other than green/yellow, green, black, yellow or light blue

Terminations and connections • Connections must not be soft soldered before compression terminations. • Must be seated correctly. • Free of dirt and oxides. • Use a suitable lug or connector. • Insulated to the equivalent of the original insulation. • Earth connection must be painted if exposed to weather 2. 19. 30. C

AS/NZS-3000: 2007 SAA Wiring Rules 3. 7. 2. 6 Mechanical stress All cables and conductors shall be installed so that there is no undue mechanical stress on any connection. 3. 7. 2. 3. 1 Loosening of connections Connections shall be made so that no loosening is likely because of vibration, alteration of materials or temperature variations to which the connections are likely to be subjected in normal service. 2. 19. 30. C

The eight visual checks recommended are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 2. 19. 30. D Check for obvious damage or defects. Check that flexible cords are properly anchored Check for any damage to flexible cords. Check that maximum load warning labels are intact. Check that any controls such as switches are in working order. Check that covers and guards are properly secured as intended. Check that any safety devices are in good working order. Check that vents or exhausts are unobstructed.

Earth Continuity Test • Any Class I equipment with exposed metal parts must have its protective earth checked to ensure it is continuous from the earth pin of the plug to any exposed metal. The resistance must not be greater than 1Ω. Instrument Low reading ohmmeter. 2. 19. 30. D

Earth Continuity Earth Pin To Earth Socket 1 What is the value of earth continuity? 2. 19. 30. D Instrument Low reading ohmmeter.

Earth Continuity “Class 1” Earth Pin To Exposed Metal 1 What is the value of earth continuity? 2. 19. 30. D Instrument Low reading ohmmeter.

Insulation Resistance Test: • All equipment must be tested to ensure the integrity of the insulation, no electricity must be allowed to escape from the conductors or the appliance. 2. 19. 30. D

Insulation Resistance “Class 1” Switch ON Active & Neutral To Exposed Metal 1 M 1 Q What is the value of insulation resistance? 2. 19. 30. D Megohmmeter

Insulation Resistance “Class 2” Switch ON Active & Neutral To 1 M 1 M 1 Exposed Metal Q What is the value of insulation resistance? 2. 19. 30. D Megohmmeter

Insulation Resistance “extension lead” Active & Neutral To Earth Pin 1 M 1 M 1 Q What is the value of insulation resistance? 2. 19. 30. D Megohmmeter

Polarity Active Pin To Active Socket 1 low What is the value of continuity? 2. 19. 30. D Instrument Low reading ohmmeter.

Polarity Neutral Pin To Neutral Socket low 1 M 1 What is the value of continuity? 2. 19. 30. D Instrument Low reading ohmmeter.

2. 19. 30. D Is this correct? What should the voltage be? V 2 = ? V 1 240 v V 2 240 v V 3 0 v 240 v V 3 = ? V 1 = ? Is this correct? 0 v Reversed polarity A-N 0 v 0 v No Supply Is this correct? 240 v 0 v Is this correct? 0 v 240 v Correct 240 v Reversed polarity A-E

Minimum records that should be completed and maintained • A record of the inspection and test results. • A record of faulty electrical equipment (has it been repaired or destroyed). Date of inspection Appliance Visual inspection Earth continuity Insulation resistance Polarity a RCD test current 30 MA trip time Milliseconds 0 h 180 h Test butt = Correct M 2/7/09 Refrigerator ( LG model R 100020 Serial 1004039832) O. K 0. 3 75 M N/A N/A 2/7/09 Safetypac (Clipsal mod 56 B, serial 9987987) o. K. 0. 8 187 M a 22 18 a 2. 19. 30. D

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Energising supply • Only after the visual inspections and safety testing as per AS/NZS 3000: 2007 has proven that the circuit is fit for purpose are you to energise the circuit. • Remove only your Danger tag. If another worker has their danger tag on the isolated point then you can not energise. • If clear: Energise the circuit. • Test for the correct and safe operation of the circuit, i. e. rotation, system performance, current draw, voltage, etc. • Prepare all your safety and performance documentation. 2. 19. 30. D