Kenfab HQ (Australia)

[Kenfab]

Liked

Thanks mate! no website yet though. I should make one I guess!

 

[Kenfab]

Shed update:

Only a small one, front half of my shed has no power points which is fairly annoying.

I ran some 4mm2 from my sub board to the first point. Then 2.5mm2 from point to point.

Gumby says welcome to the shed

Hopefully finish the circuit tomorrow and do a bit more tidy up tomorrow. Got a paying plasma job too, hopefully.

 

[Grumblebum]

Power is nice. Can never have too many power points. Are you allowed to make the first GPO a 15 amp one ? I have a few dedicated 4mm circuits to 15 amp sockets for the welder and air compressor.

Cheers GB.

 

[Kenfab]

Thanks mate. I dont think your supposed to, a 15a circuit should be the one point on its own breaker I think. I have 3 15amp points at the moment anyway which is pushing the limit of my 32a feed. I dont use more than 1 at a time. I ran the circuit in 4mm2 cos i got a 100m drum off the sparkies at work for a box of beer.

I wanna upgrade my house from 63a to 80a. Then pull a new 16mm2 feed to the shed and put a 50a breaker on that.

 

[Grumblebum]

Man that was a good score for a carton.

 

[1/2 Cup]

We will make a sparky out of you yet, I have a similar circuit arrangement with 3 x 15 amp pendant plugs, 4mm feed on a 20 amp RCD.

You have done well with the cable, my guess is that you got the wire fore about 1/3 of the trade price.

Regards

 

[theoldwizard1]

I ran some 4mm2 from my sub board to the first point. Then 2.5mm2 from point to point.

Can anyone covert square mm to AWG ? I'm guessing 4mm2 is about 12 AWG and 2.5mm2 is about 14 AWG. In the US, it is recommended (required ?) that if you start with a heavier gauge wire, you should continue with it.

What are those screws "stored" inside for ? What holds the face plate/receptacle (2 separate pieces here) to the box ? Are the "buttons" switches and/or breakers ?

Interesting that your ground wire is insulated (ours is bare).

 

[Kenfab]

Man that was a good score for a carton.

Haha you should see the deals i normally get. This was top dollar in my books haha.

We will make a sparky out of you yet, I have a similar circuit arrangement with 3 x 15 amp pendant plugs, 4mm feed on a 20 amp RCD.

You have done well with the cable, my guess is that you got the wire fore about 1/3 of the trade price.

Regards

Oh ok cool didnt know you could do that. I try to learn as much electrical at work as i can. Commercial plumbing is boring i have to keep my brain learning somehow. Ill have to post up some other deals i got from the sparkies on the last job thanks mate

Can anyone covert square mm to AWG ? I'm guessing 4mm2 is about 12 AWG and 2.5mm2 is about 14 AWG. In the US, it is recommended (required ?) that if you start with a heavier gauge wire, you should continue with it.

What are those screws "stored" inside for ? What holds the face plate/receptacle (2 separate pieces here) to the box ? Are the "buttons" switches and/or breakers ?

Interesting that your ground wire is insulated (ours is bare).

4mm2 would be 11awg and 2.5mm2 would be 13awg. Prob weird sizes to you guys. Umm yeah not too sure if we have the rule on heavier gauge. Makes sense. I went down to the 2.5mm2 because its easier to work than the 4mm2 circ. The screws inside are to hold the power point to the box. The cover trim clips over the screws to look nice. Yeah they are switches, ive noticed this isnt as common in the us.

I think older wiring the ground wire is inside the white sheath but not coated.not sure why they changed it, maybe for double insulation standards.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Yeah they are switches, ive noticed this isnt as common in the US.

Almost never. They do make a combination switch/outlet but you have to wire the back side yourself to get it to function that way.

I have to admit, I wish 240V was more common around here. The only time it is used in a residence is for a stove/water heater/clothes dryer. Not common in most garages/sheds either (which is why there are so many questions on GJ !)

FYI - In the US, cable like that is called NM-B (industry terminology) or Romex™. 14 gauge has a white outer sheath and 12 gauge has a yellow outer sheath.

 

[Kenfab]

Almost never. They do make a combination switch/outlet but you have to wire the back side yourself to get it to function that way.

I have to admit, I wish 240V was more common around here. The only time it is used in a residence is for a stove/water heater/clothes dryer. Not common in most garages/sheds either (which is why there are so many questions on GJ !)

FYI - In the US, cable like that is called NM-B (industry terminology) or Romex™. 14 gauge has a white outer sheath and 12 gauge has a yellow outer sheath.

Ah ok. Would you want to have switches? I guess im just used to it.

Yeah i dunno how you guys cope with 110v? Must make it hard in the shed with welders, compressors, air cons etc.

Ah k i have read romex alot on the forums. And from watching a few shows on netflix i heard that knob and tube is bad haha.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Thanks mate. I dont think your supposed to, a 15a circuit should be the one point on its own breaker I think. I have 3 15amp points at the moment anyway which is pushing the limit of my 32a feed. I dont use more than 1 at a time. I ran the circuit in 4mm2 cos i got a 100m drum off the sparkies at work for a box of beer.

I wanna upgrade my house from 63a to 80a. Then pull a new 16mm2 feed to the shed and put a 50a breaker on that.

Kenfab,

Do you have an RCD/CB combo on the feed to the outlets?

I would be a little inclined to fit a 20 or 25 amp unit on that circuit as that will protect the lowest rated cable which is the 2.5 mm. I suspect you would never use all the three outlets at once and even if you do I don't think you would ever draw 25 amps.

Great idea to upgrade your service, in Victoria we would struggle to do this under the current Service and Installation rules.

Regards

 

[Kenfab]

Kenfab,

Do you have an RCD/CB combo on the feed to the outlets?

I would be a little inclined to fit a 20 or 25 amp unit on that circuit as that will protect the lowest rated cable which is the 2.5 mm. I suspect you would never use all the three outlets at once and even if you do I don't think you would ever draw 25 amps.

Great idea to upgrade your service, in Victoria we would struggle to do this under the current Service and Installation rules.

Regards

There will be 5x gpos on the circuit i have the choice of 16a rcd or 20a cb. I definitely wont run everything at once mostly battery chargers, shed radio etc. im just sick of extension leads and power boards.. Was leaning towards the 20a cb.

Apparently i can just get my fuse changed in the pit and change my main switch to 80a. Pulling the new feed to the shed will be the worst. only have 6mm tps at the moment so ill need a new conduit.

Ill put up some pics of my sub board when i connect the circuit. I need 2x gpos to finish it off.

 

[1/2 Cup]

There will be 5x gpos on the circuit i have the choice of 16a rcd or 20a cb. I definitely wont run everything at once mostly battery chargers, shed radio etc. im just sick of extension leads and power boards.. Was leaning towards the 20a cb.

Apparently i can just get my fuse changed in the pit and change my main switch to 80a. Pulling the new feed to the shed will be the worst. only have 6mm tps at the moment so ill need a new conduit.

Ill put up some pics of my sub board when i connect the circuit. I need 2x gpos to finish it off.

20 amps will be the go.

What size conduit do you have the 6mm in?

Looking forward to seeing your pics.

Funnily enough I am adding a USB charger outlet in the shed today, I already have one in the house and it is one of those projects that has been on the books for the last six months.

View media item 42293
Cheers.

 

[Kenfab]

Its run in 25mm and 34mm i think. I reckon they ran the cable at the same time as the conduit it has 6 elbows by my count. 2 are definitely not long radius. Be a hard pull. Ill run a new conduit through my new carport that can take 16mm2 5 core 3 phase incase i want to upgrade.

Those usb chargers are cool! Is that a clipsal one?
I need one badly except i keep snapping my ****** phone charger cables

 

[1/2 Cup]

You will struggle even getting the old cables out, plan B sounds great.

Yes they are Clipsal and I included a switch so that they are not on all the time.

Regards

 

[theoldwizard1]

Ah ok. Would you want to have switches? I guess im just used to it.

"Appliances" have On/Off switches. You can always unplug it. We get 2 outlets in a smaller space.

Yeah i dunno how you guys cope with 110v? Must make it hard in the shed with welders, compressors, air cons etc.

Yes and no. If you plan for it, it is not really a big deal.

Different voltage and currents use different plugs. Plus, there is a whole second set of "twist lock" plugs. Not common, but used in a lot of industrial application.

Ah k i have read romex alot on the forums. And from watching a few shows on netflix i heard that knob and tube is bad haha.

This is what knob and tube looks like



Those are individual conductors. The "knob" hold the wire away from the wood. The "tub" allows the wire to pass through the wood. The insulation was cotton and rubber. This was installed pre-1930-1940(?). The stuff is so old now, in most cases, it has fallen off.

 

[GiantCranium]

"Appliances" have On/Off switches. You can always unplug it. We get 2 outlets in a smaller space.





Yes and no. If you plan for it, it is not really a big deal.



Different voltage and currents use different plugs. Plus, there is a whole second set of "twist lock" plugs. Not common, but used in a lot of industrial application.





This is what knob and tube looks like







Those are individual conductors. The "knob" hold the wire away from the wood. The "tub" allows the wire to pass through the wood. The insulation was cotton and rubber. This was installed pre-1930-1940(?). The stuff is so old now, in most cases, it has fallen off.

American power points are the same size. After using both I'd rather have the switches like in Australia. A lot of things I'd rather switch of than unplug

 

[Kenfab]

You will struggle even getting the old cables out, plan B sounds great.

Yes they are Clipsal and I included a switch so that they are not on all the time.

Regards

Thats awesome i reckon ill purchase one!

I have a question Mr Cup!
I have a 20a breaker feeding my plasma on 4mm2 with a 16m run.
It tripped several times today cutting. Im running 117v and 45a does this mean i need a supply capable of 117 x 45a = 5265w when i only have 4800w available

My maximum cut specs are 132v x 45a = 5940w

Is that roughly right? And should i go with a 25a breaker? 25a x 240v = 6000w
Am i right with these maths or is that not really how it works?

"Appliances" have On/Off switches. You can always unplug it. We get 2 outlets in a smaller space.


Yes and no. If you plan for it, it is not really a big deal.

Different voltage and currents use different plugs. Plus, there is a whole second set of "twist lock" plugs. Not common, but used in a lot of industrial application.

Those are individual conductors. The "knob" hold the wire away from the wood. The "tub" allows the wire to pass through the wood. The insulation was cotton and rubber. This was installed pre-1930-1940(?). The stuff is so old now, in most cases, it has fallen off.

Ah yeh thats no good that stuff.

American power points are the same size. After using both I'd rather have the switches like in Australia. A lot of things I'd rather switch of than unplug

Good point! Where did you use the aussie ones? Over here?

 

[GiantCranium]

Good point! Where did you use the aussie ones? Over here?

I'm from sydney, i moved to NYC because my wife was offered a job here.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Thats awesome i reckon ill purchase one!

I have a question Mr Cup!
I have a 20a breaker feeding my plasma on 4mm2 with a 16m run.
It tripped several times today cutting. Im running 117v and 45a does this mean i need a supply capable of 117 x 45a = 5265w when i only have 4800w available

My maximum cut specs are 132v x 45a = 5940w

Is that roughly right? And should i go with a 25a breaker? 25a x 240v = 6000w
Am i right with these maths or is that not really how it works?

Spot on Kenfab

http://www.rapidtables.com/calc/electric/Volt_to_Watt_Calculator.htm

The calculation assumes your power factor is 1 in reality yours could be .8 or .9

The bottom line is using 4mm you could legally put in a 32 amp breaker.

What rating is the socket outlet that you are using?


Regards

 

[Kenfab]

Spot on Kenfab

http://www.rapidtables.com/calc/electric/Volt_to_Watt_Calculator.htm

The calculation assumes your power factor is 1 in reality yours could be .8 or .9

The bottom line is using 4mm you could legally put in a 32 amp breaker.

What rating is the socket outlet that you are using?


Regards

Thanks mate! It seemed to easy haha. The socket is rated to 15a haha. I have been looking at clipsal 56 series outlets. Should i be changing that asap?

 

[Kenfab]

I'm from sydney, i moved to NYC because my wife was offered a job here.

Thats awesome! How do you like it?

 

[1/2 Cup]

Thanks mate! It seemed to easy haha. The socket is rated to 15a haha. I have been looking at clipsal 56 series outlets. Should i be changing that asap?

56 series are great I would go a 32 amp single phase three round pins and you will need a plug top as well.

Regards

 

[GiantCranium]

Thats awesome! How do you like it?

It's interesting. It's a very process driven place where they don't think out of the box, America also believe that they are at the cutting edge for everything but they aren't. Other than that the city is amazing and Americans have to be the most welcoming people I've ever met. Unless you are wanting customer service (hopeless and rude, they would rather point you in the wrong direction than tell you they don't know)

 

[G20-Budo]

Gumby says welcome to the shed

Ken,

Your Gumby is all smiling and happy, but I noticed your power plugs have sad faces.. our power plugs in the US look like this.

At least for the normal 110V.

Cheers..

 

[Kenfab]

Ken,

Your Gumby is all smiling and happy, but I noticed your power plugs have sad faces.. our power plugs in the US look like this.

At least for the normal 110V.

Cheers..

Hahaha! Your power points looked shocked like they dont wanna get stabbed in the face

 

[HOTFR8]

Whilst on the subject of power points. This is what greeted me in China a few years ago.
Still 240 Volt just fitted the other way up.

Proving the point they are the other way down under.

 

[jon72vega]

Shed update:

Only a small one, front half of my shed has no power points which is fairly annoying.

I ran some 4mm2 from my sub board to the first point. Then 2.5mm2 from point to point.

Gumby says welcome to the shed

Hopefully finish the circuit tomorrow and do a bit more tidy up tomorrow. Got a paying plasma job too, hopefully.

Kenfab,
Good on you for the electrical outlet additions.
My departed father-in-law was an electrician. After he retired he bought remodeled, & flipped houses. He told me you can never have too many electrical outlets.

 

[Kenfab]

picked this up today, forgot to buy the ****** power points.

25a circuit for the plasma, no more tripping the breaker wee

Cut and wired up some led light strip to this sign i cut.

26 solder joints onto led light strip *****

hopefully a decent power update tomorrow or wednesday

 

[1/2 Cup]

Good one Ken.

 

[Kenfab]

Good one Ken.

Thanks mate!

Hopefully youll give me passing marks on my electrical install

The switchboard i installed a few months back. Sorry about the bunnings box and RCD.

It passed the "fire test" haha it didnt catch fire when i livened it up

Hopefully its ok haha i really enjoy doing this sorta thing, shame im only a simple plumber.

 

[Kenfab]

Haha oh ****, just noticed that i didnt even install the 25a breaker. I must have put a 20a back in. Good thing i put the pics up !

 

[1/2 Cup]

Kenfab, as I said we will make a sparky out of you yet.

Just a couple of tips:

1. run a timber batten say a 2 x 1 beside the conduit down to the floor as this will provide some mechanical protection to the conduit. Presumably this is the submain from your house that you are going to upgrade?

2. I couldn't make out the size of you main isolator looks like a 32 amp unit? If so when you upgrade your submain you should upgrade that as well.

3. Can you post some pics of you house main switchboard as I need to sus out what feeds your submain?

4. Your main isolator is an RCD/MCB combo that protects the whole installation and I see that you have another down stream of that. In practice you would not need to have the later as the main isolator ( RCD/MCB) affords the protection in the first instance, quite often you do get nuisance tripping in a situation like you have.

I trust this helps.

 

[Kenfab]

Kenfab, as I said we will make a sparky out of you yet.

Just a couple of tips:

1. run a timber batten say a 2 x 1 beside the conduit down to the floor as this will provide some mechanical protection to the conduit. Presumably this is the submain from your house that you are going to upgrade?

2. I couldn't make out the size of you main isolator looks like a 32 amp unit? If so when you upgrade your submain you should upgrade that as well.

3. Can you post some pics of you house main switchboard as I need to sus out what feeds your submain?

4. Your main isolator is an RCD/MCB combo that protects the whole installation and I see that you have another down stream of that. In practice you would not need to have the later as the main isolator ( RCD/MCB) affords the protection in the first instance, quite often you do get nuisance tripping in a situation like you have.

I trust this helps.

1. Ok will do!
2. Yes its a 32a rcd, yes i will be going to a 50a when i eventually upgrade.
3. A 32a mcb feeds the sub board with about 30m of 6mm2 tps.
4. I was a bit limited, i got all the nhp gear from the sparkies at work for free. I
Didnt realise they were so cheap though.

I will change the 20a plasma cb to the 25a i bought then hopefully im all good for a bit.
Thanks for the tips!

 

[1/2 Cup]

1. Ok will do!
2. Yes its a 32a rcd, yes i will be going to a 50a when i eventually upgrade.
3. A 32a mcb feeds the sub board with about 30m of 6mm2 tps.
4. I was a bit limited, i got all the nhp gear from the sparkies at work for free. I
Didnt realise they were so cheap though.

I will change the 20a plasma cb to the 25a i bought then hopefully im all good for a bit.
Thanks for the tips!

Done well

 

[metalhead140]

Wow, heaps of updates here! Love the cnc plasma, and great work on those benches. Nice Mazdas too...

 

[G20-Budo]

Making some quick progress there Ken! Keep up the good work!

 

[Kenfab]

Wow, heaps of updates here! Love the cnc plasma, and great work on those benches. Nice Mazdas too...

Thanks mate!

Making some quick progress there Ken! Keep up the good work!

Thanks Kyle!

 

[Kenfab]

Long 2 weeks, been very busy.

Bit of progress:

Father in law trying to lop down a tree in the yard, we got a bit nervous and didn't get it down.

started to paint my fascias

4.2m permapine beams for cantilever section (these feel pleasant when you drop on your foot.. got me right above the steel cap)

Not sure if i put any pics up of the trusses when we built the frame

Cantilevered beam

I also did a bit of plumbing on the weekend out of work hours. Then after doing an 11 hour saturday and a 6 hour sunday, now the guy doesn't want to pay. Time for some debt collecting i think. Mostly annoyed because I wanted to finish my roof!

 

[Kenfab]

Its been about 4 years since i did any roofing at trade school.

Gutter overlap

Im pretty rusty but it went together

String lined the brackets

Great view of the storm coming in