Arborcamp 2018
For all the latest energy safety news visit www . esv . vic . gov . au
Summer 2018 energysafe issue 49
07
Advertorial
New Electric Motor School Opens in Clayton
By Andrew Wilson , Managing Director , Technical Training Australia Pty Ltd .
An Electrician ’ s professional development is key to a successful career as an A Grade electrician .
Your career can be more exciting than being a general light and power installation electrician . It ’ s the electrical equipment hanging on the cables that drives industry . In particular , electric motors and technology driven machinery . Throughout my experience , as a mature electrician , trainer and assessor , it ’ s disappointing what little knowledge , if any , that most newly qualified electricians know about electric motors , motor starting , variable speed motor drives and programmable logic controllers . So , I started Melbourne Motor School .
Electricians don ’ t need to know the engineering behind an electric motor . But they do need to know how to wire , connect , test and commission an electric motor . The best way to teach electricians is with hands on experience . At Melbourne Motor School , our guiding principle is ‘ Learning by doing ’.
At my newly formed school , we teach electric motors , variable speed drives and programmable logic controllers that are most often used in Australian workplaces . Consequently our students are more employable as an Industrial Electrician .
Gain the knowledge that you need to work on electrical motors , hands on !
Check out our website for more information at TechnicalTrainingAustralia . com . au
Testing space heaters for spillage of carbon monoxide and a warning for electricians
By Enzo Alfonsetti , Manager Type A Gas Appliances and Component Safety
With winter fast approaching and an increasing need for consumers to have their gas space heaters tested for spillage of combustion products and carbon monoxide ( CO ), gasfitting practitioners must ensure they are familiar with the correct procedure for conducting this testing .
There are a number of ESV gas information sheets that assist with obtaining a comprehensive understanding of what gasfitting practitioners are expected to know when undertaking work that can mean the difference between life and death for consumers .
For instance , information sheet no . 37 provides details for the correct use of measuring equipment , whilst information sheet no . 38 details the procedure for testing for spillage of carbon monoxide . Information sheet no . 44 provides valuable information for the welfare of practitioners who undertake this work .
Various energysafe articles in the past have discussed the correct use of measuring equipment . Unfortunately , we still encounter situations where equipment is exposed to excessive temperatures resulting in incorrect or false readings .
When testing space heaters for spillage , your best option is to use equipment with a sampling probe , so that the equipment itself is not subjected to excessive temperatures . If you are unsure , contact the supplier of your equipment .
Much has been said in the past about open flued heaters with draught diverters and the impact a lack of ventilation and operation of bathroom exhaust fans or kitchen rangehoods can have on the safe operation of heaters .
ESV gas information sheet no . 38 outlines the procedure for testing of open flued heaters with the operation of these exhaust fans and rangehoods . The gas installation Standard
Silent but deadly : two occupants very nearly died as a result of CO spilling from this heater .
AS / NZS5601.1 also includes a normative Appendix R with the same procedure and a flow chart .
Electricians , on the other hand , need to be reminded that when installing or replacing kitchen rangehoods and bathroom exhaust fans , these products can impact on the safe operation of open flued space heaters .
As open flued space heaters rely on indoor air for correct operation , the operation of these extraction fans along with inadequate ventilation can cause negative pressure to develop within the home .
Consequently , exhaust gases including carbon monoxide , can then be drawn back into the home through the open flued space heater ’ s flue or chimney . Room sealed space heaters do not experience this problem as air is drawn from outside when operating .
While it is not expected that electricians should know whether a gas space heater is open flued or room sealed , it is important that electricians do advise their customers that they have their gas space heater checked by a licensed gasfitter following the installation of a kitchen rangehood or bathroom exhaust fan .
“ I can ’ t change the world , I can only do it , one electrician at a time .” Andrew Wilson ( A 18756 )
Arborcamp 2018
By Dan Tulen , Advisor , Line Clearance Assurance
Over the weekend ESV sponsored the Victorian Tree Industry Organisation ( VTIO ) Arborcamp 2018 in Ballarat .
This year ’ s event saw attendees from all over Victoria enjoy a wide range of presentations and events including Technology in Arboriculture , Victorian Law Reform , WorkSafe and tree industry business experiences and Climbing Master Classes .
A highlight of the weekend was ESV ’ s interaction with Certificate III students from both Melbourne Polytechnic and Wodonga TAFE .
As relative new comers to the industry , these students had plenty of questions and where keen to get a hold of any information ( and freebies ) they could .