Housing Projects

aznyron wrote:Aussie in my country we have a GFCI meaning ground fault circuit interrupter and also they put them on the wall outside the toilet so if what you say happens it trips the GFCI and all electric power is shut off also I have circuit breakers which is suppose to trip when there is a electrical problem
even high moisture could trip the power

Circuit Breakers are not designed to protect FARANG, they are only designed to protect the circuit, from overloading, if the circuit (wires) get to much current in them they will melt, so the CB or fuse weather it is a old type wire replacement fuse or a self resetting switch , will trip out and protect the expensive wiring, so you just replace the fuse wire or the more modern reset switch, and not the wiring in the house

A circuit breaker/ fuse will protect the wiring,
RCD will protect Farang,
some RCD have both types built into them
you need both types
RCD have a milli/second rating to trip the switch varies from 5-30msec
CB has a Amp rating 10Amp for lights and 16-25-32 Amp for other appliances

In aircraft talk a "RCCB" is a "Remote Controlled Circuit Breaker" and we were using these long before the various "interrupter" devices became popular. Interestingly I have 2 water heaters one 6000w and the installation instructions recommend installing an interrupter as close to the unit as practical, but the 3500w one doesn't mention it. There is a wealth of info on the internet about these devices and although they do provide an extra margin of safety I will take a pass as I feel my heaters are safe enough as is.

Pakawala wrote:Aussie Boy, how about just taking a tube or 2 of RTV and completely encasing the electrical connections inside the unit? Then, if/when the leak occurs, the electrical connections would be protected from the spraying water... hmmm

Also, what does the 'R' in the RCB acronym, stand for? Just curious. I'm asking because I have installed a thermal type circuit braker prior to my HW heater... same as I have prior to my A/C unit.

See above, you are protecting the circuit wiring from overloading and burning out, you are not protecting the holder of the golf clubs, or any other person from getting a shock

Please install a RCD to protect your most valued prosession, YOU

Yes you can seal water tight the conection inside the unit with RTV silicon Room Temperature Vulcanizing, Air drying rubber

Power on in life

As we say in OZ " First of the month is safety switch day" , test you rcd first of the month

AussyBoy, I can't figure out how you knew I took my golf clubs to the shower with me..???

Aussie I am with you I strongly believe in safety regardless of what the other poster may say
if they choose to live in a place were the electric work is substandard that there business
but I have spent my money correcting problems in place.s I RENTED because I want to sleep at night also I spent 26 years as a Vol firemen in Nassau County New York and most of all house fires was due to faulty electric whether is was appliance or some one used aluminum wire instead of copper or they disconnected the ground some were or the job was done improperly I remember years ago when you removed the fuse and put a copper penny under it so it by past the fuse and it did not blow out to save the price of fuses when the fire inspectors saw that heavy fines thank goodness for that I also posted my opinion on a different thread in here

jetdoc wrote:In aircraft talk a "RCCB" is a "Remote Controlled Circuit Breaker" and we were using these long before the various "interrupter" devices became popular. Interestingly I have 2 water heaters one 6000w and the installation instructions recommend installing an interrupter as close to the unit as practical, but the 3500w one doesn't mention it. There is a wealth of info on the internet about these devices and although they do provide an extra margin of safety I will take a pass as I feel my heaters are safe enough as is.

That's your choice, but sooner or later the heaters all break down , and it 's zap time, no different to seat belts, you can wear them or not,

Every one has a different life safety risk, I work on the NASA principal, if it can go wrong it will, take no risk on the design

The Astronauts have said their biggest concern is that the vehicle they are taking into space was built by the lowest bidder.

"That's your choice, but sooner or later the heaters all break down" But not catastrophically as AB espouses most failures are of the oozing or dripping nature giving notice of replacement time.

jetdoc wrote:The Astronauts have said their biggest concern is that the vehicle they are taking into space was built by the lowest bidder.

"That's your choice, but sooner or later the heaters all break down" But not catastrophically as AB espouses most failures are of the oozing or dripping nature giving notice of replacement time.

Imagine what they would think and feel if they knew a Thai company won the bid??

Then if they survived ,they would be asked to pay for the wear and tear as the parts break!Of course they would feel good about the smile

So can anyone tell me what the Thai for "RCD" is, i.e. how you explain or say it in Thai language, or will they understand RCD, if I tell them I want one in my mains fuse box?

I forgot to ask can an RCD be fitted when there is no earth wire in the system?

Yes/ the RCD will detect the Feed wire power and the return Ground wire power , if its not the same power returning , then there is a leak to ground/ you/ other items/ some loss of power returning to the RCD, the unit will detect this loss.

So the little RCD farang life saver will trip out

arjay wrote:So can anyone tell me what the Thai for "RCD" is, i.e. how you explain or say it in Thai language, or will they understand RCD, if I tell them I want one in my mains fuse box?

Safety switch is understood, make sure it no just a circut breaker, look for RCD/ ELCB and the test button most are in english

Home pro have a good display of the units

AB, Thank you for your help and information.

I will have a look in Home Mart first as there is one near me.

Am I right in thinking then that the RCD unit is earthed?

I have been following this discussion with interest. If it is of any help, I was curious about many of the electrical installation work throughout Thailand and still have a few questions. However, I do have a pic of one of the "Safety Switches...RCD's" used there. Hope it helps. (Electrician here in Aus)