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Satch: Hi,
I am interested in hearing from someone who knows the rules around home electrical work and what work I can do myself without a registered electrician.
I understand that I can replace light switches and power outlets myself. Is it also ok to replace downlights?
I want to change my old incandescent downlights with LED downlights. Is it legal for me to do this work myself?
Cheers.
Regulation 64 Exemption for domestic electrical wiring work
(1) A person who carries out prescribed electrical work in reliance on the exemption in
section 79
of the Act (exemption for domestic electrical wiring) must carry it out, and test the work, in accordance with ECP 51.
(2) For the purposes of
section 79(1)(a)
of the Act, the domestic electrical wiring work that an owner of premises may do is as follows:
(a) work on a domestic installation that has a maximum demand at or below 80 amperes single phase, or 50 amperes per phase in multi-phase, and is within
the work described in any of paragraphs (b) to (f):
(b) installing, extending, and altering subcircuits (including submains), but only if—
(i) the person does not enter (whether directly, or by holding any material or equipment, or otherwise) any enclosure where live conductors are likely to
be present; and
(ii) the work is tested and certified in accordance with Part 2 of AS/NZS 3000, before being connected to a power supply, by a person authorised to inspect
mains work:
(c) removing and replacing any of the following kinds of fittings, but only if the work does not involve work on any switchboard:
(i) switches, socket-outlets, and light fittings:
(ii) permanent connection units, ceiling roses, cord-grip lampholders, and flexible cords connected to any of them:
(iii) batten holders:
(iv) water heater switches:
(v) thermostats:
(vi) elements:
(d) removing and replacing fuse links:
(e) connecting and disconnecting fixed-wired appliances:
(f) relocating existing switches, socket-outlets, and lighting outlets that are supplied with electricity by tough plastic-sheathed cables.
Bascally, turn the power off 1st, you must be the "Owner", you can't do the work for a close relative, and you can't do it for reward money, tea and biscuits etc unless you are registered and have a current practsing lic.
The 10 item list details what you are allowed to do without it been tested and certified, if you start altering subcircuits (re-locating power points or lights) then it will need to be tested and certified buy an electrician, any half way good electrician would usually not test and certify work someone else has done as they would not be able to tell how cables were run in walls/ceiling space.
Snowflake
