Thread: requirements for a 15a circuit

Hi all I am going to cut the plug down on my new welder to fit it into a 10a GPO cos I have heard its safe.......just kidding.

I am going to run a dedicated 15A circuit for my welder in the garage. What diameter wire is required by law, 2.5mm or 4mm?

I want to buy all the requisite cable and conduit so I can do the run etc before getting my brother in law to wire it up (he is a qualified sparky).

What else do I need to buy besides cable, a 15A GPO and a 20A circ breaker (20A is standard yeah?)

Brendan

Your brother in law will be able to tell you. He'll probably get it cheaper too.

Not helpful. He is a busy man and I want to do all the laborious work before hand.

So your plan is to ask on an Internet forum what you need, go buy it, install the cable and then ask your BIL to hook it up? What are you going to do if he tells you you bought the wrong cable and you have to pull it out? Wouldn't it be smarter, since he is the one who is putting his license on the line to do it, to ask him what you need to buy and how he wants it done? Or is he too busy to even talk to you?

My brother in law is halfway thorugh wiring my 3 phase, half way through wiring my kitchen and halfway through replacing my fuse box with circuit breakers....for the grand price of Love. I do not want to lump another job on him that I dont have to when I can do it myself. Now, what size cable do I need to use so that I can buy it, run it and have everything ready for him knock over next time he turns up to finish one of the afor mentioned 3 jobs that he has started.

Its a simple question. If you dont know the answer to it, dont post.

Ask him. If he is a sparky, he will know. It will take him 10 seconds to answer.

Thanks for nothing.

For those interested in knowing a helpful sparky on another forum I am a member of told me the minimum requirement is

- 2.5mm twin and earth. A 15A outlet on a 20A C/B

This is only enough for one GPO

You're welcome.

Also you might be interested to know that doing your own wiring, unless you are under the direct supervision of a licensed contractor, is illegal in NSW and no doubt the ACT too.

Im not wiring anything. Im merely fastening some conduit to my shed and storing a length of cable in it until my brother in law can wire it for me.

Yes, that is illegal. In NSW anyway. Not sure about ACT but I imagine it would be the same or similar legislation. You can't run cables unless you are supervised and the person supervising you has to be on site. Also if your BIL is a licensed sparky and he hooks it up for you, he is responsible for your work too. If he willingly connects it without checking your work then he is also breaking the law. Might be stupid but that's the law. I looked it all up a couple of years ago. Just so as you know.

I daresay the law will be the same in ACT and NSW, and probably around the whole country. The standard is Australian I think.

Anyway, im not plugging in the GPO or doing anything at the box. If I somehow f*ck up running 1 length of cable through 1 length of conduit, then I will fair dinkum give up all DIY projects including changing a lightbulb.

Actually, it's not the wiring standard, it's the Electrical Safety Act (in NSW) and there is a different set of legislation for each state and territory. The standard covers how the job should be done, not who does it. Some people reckon the legislation is aimed at making electrical work a closed shop and there should be scope for people to do their own wiring like there is in the US and the UK. I don't really agree because there are plenty of nongs out there and I wouldn't want to buy a house that had been wired up by someone who got their information off the Internet

I don't suppose you'll muck it up, it's not rocket science. It's really just a matter of whether you should be admitting to doing it on a public forum

But thanks, it's been fun. Haven't had one of these for ages since they moved the renovation forums away to another site. Best of luck with it.

Look out, he's off out of the blocks and building up a fine head of steam.

I reckon between 25-30 posts for SC alone.

Nah, most of the electrolocuters have gone to the new forum (that's probably where Brendan got his advice).

Originally Posted by Geoff Dean

I reckon between 25-30 posts for SC alone.

He's a bit touchy on this topic