bbabythai Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 I have zero electrical knowledge and thus asking questions about a proposed new air con system. We have to install a few new 48,000 btu air con machines. The electricians have done all wiring for this and lights in the ceiling now and the next step is to run the pipes etc for the new machines in the ceiling before the gypsum is installed. The sparkie installed 5 wires for each new air con system which goes back to the big elec box on the 2nd floor. They said there is no 'safety cut' on that big box for the proposed air con machines. I think he said it was 3 phase or something going back to the box The air con guy said 'its normal in thailand'. Most of the systems he installs dont have safety cuts he said. Is this ok? Any risks? If an electrical anomaly happens then can it cause an incident at the big elec box. I dont want anyone getting hurt. Obviously any user will be using an air con remote to turn on/off the machine. thanks again for helping me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bankruatsteve Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 Unless the main breaker is RCBO, aircon usually not protected by RCD. They should be earthed though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossy Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 Aircon, very small risk of shock, no need for an RCD/RCBO. Water heater, outdoor lighting or outlet, significant risk of shock, RCD/RCBO highly recommended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephenterry Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 (edited) I completely disagree. IMO, in Thailand it's essential to fit a SafeTCut 12 Way big box circuit breaker (or better) to meet above RCD/RCBO standards, because I would normally mistrust ANY Thai electrician, especially an Air Con fitter, to be completely qualified to western standards. Even if the Aircon is minimal risk, there could be some point in the future when you'll need additional or replacement electrical wiring and switches. As for the present box - if I read it correctly - you're at risk with your current electricity supply not being set up to safety cut other installations - and as stated above, earthing is essential. Bottom line, if you're going to all this trouble setting up an aircon palace, do it properly, and get a recommended qualified electrician expert - preferably an ex-pat - to advise on the wiring installation. Edited August 2, 2020 by stephenterry add Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossy Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 I certainly would NOT install a whole-house Safe-T-Cut on a big 3-phase system. One hiccup, dodgy iron etc. and off goes the entire supply. Much better would be individual RCBO's on "risky" circuits, you or your expert can define "risky". I'd certainly leave an unprotected circuit (maybe 1 or 2 outlets) for the fridge / freezer. We have four 30mA RCDs in our consumer unit and a couple of 10mA units on things like the pool pump. @bbabythai Are those monster aircons 3-phase? (5 wires) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bankruatsteve Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 35 minutes ago, stephenterry said: I completely disagree. IMO, in Thailand it's essential to fit a SafeTCut 12 Way big box circuit breaker (or better) to meet above RCD/RCBO standards, because I would normally mistrust ANY Thai electrician, especially an Air Con fitter, to be completely qualified to western standards. What are you disagreeing with? What "western standards" do you think Thailand electricians should be qualified for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossy Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 @stephenterry our OP has a meaty 3-phase supply which has a Safe-T-Cut device protecting some of the circuits. Sub-boards on different floors. https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1169154-should-we-replace-the-big-electric-box/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lopburi3 Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 15 minutes ago, bankruatsteve said: What are you disagreeing with? What "western standards" do you think Thailand electricians should be qualified for? Perhaps AC being a small risk of shock - it may be small but it is there - every filter cleaning you are close or making contact with metal which is often both wet and dirty and has electric wires very close. But agree three phase whole house would not be a good option in this large a setup. As for Western standards in the case of RCCB believe use in Thailand should be higher due to bare feet on conductive floors as a starter - no grounds is also a huge issue. Would never advise not using RCCB here - even for fridge (better loss of food than life). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephenterry Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 19 minutes ago, bankruatsteve said: What are you disagreeing with? What "western standards" do you think Thailand electricians should be qualified for? A friend of mine has been in the building trade in the UK for decades. His opinion of thai workmanship is that they're 'okay', but not really up to western standards - whatever that is in today's world. I also know from my home building experiences that pipes, wires, and the usual 'chinese' rubbish tools etc are just adequate. As far as electricity is concerned, it's a life threatening risk, IMO, that needs expert attention, not a bob a job man. And that's not disparaging any thai workers - it's just a fact that the educational system lacks behind the EU/UK standards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodga Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 I dont like anything without an rccb but then i dont have a large house and only have 1 aircon, this is my incoming box which is next to the main supply from the road I also covered the bare screw down ends with a plastic cover as looked too easy for someone to open this box and touch them. This then goes to my house via 16mm nyy cable and into the house consumer unit, After a lightning strike nearby a few years back i added the surge protection and voltage regulator which ha s stopped my led lights failing way too often as voltage could be all over the place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbabythai Posted August 2, 2020 Author Share Posted August 2, 2020 3 hours ago, Crossy said: @stephenterry our OP has a meaty 3-phase supply which has a Safe-T-Cut device protecting some of the circuits. Sub-boards on different floors. https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1169154-should-we-replace-the-big-electric-box/ Yes crossy, thats where the new 48k btu mitsubishi air cons will be connected to. Its the big box on the 2nd floor. You asked me 'Are those monster aircons 3-phase? (5 wires)' the mitsubishi guy said its 3 phase (5 wire) for each machine wired back to the big box but no safety cut. It sounds like its ok?? We will be also installing a smaller air con that requires 3 wires that will be connected down to the smaller new box on the ground floor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossy Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 2 hours ago, bbabythai said: It sounds like its ok?? I would be happy with it wired like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now