From the Publisher's Letter, Silicon Chip magazine, March 2003

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Victoria to stop DIY mains wiring?

  This issue just won't go away. A recent issue of the Melbourne
Herald-Sun notes that "Electrical goods such as cabling, power
points and safety switches will be banned from public sale under
proposals to be presented to the State Government this week.
Electricians, tired of having their lives endangered by 'dodgey'
cabling installed illegally by home handymen, have called for a
new code of practice that would restrict the sale of cabling and
switches to licenced operators."

  In fact, the proposed code of practice is already part of a new
Enterprise Agreement between the Victorian branch of the ETU and
the National Electrical Contractors association. Isn't it nice
and cosy? This has nothing to do with safety.

  Electricians aren't in danger from DIY wiring. Check the
website of the Office of Chief Inspector 
and click on incidents. Not only does it show that fatalities
over the last ten years have been very low, it also shows that
members of the public have very low fatalities. We doubt whether
any electrician has ever been killed by DIY wiring. If an
electrician is in danger, he shouldn't be practicing -- he is not
competent.

  In fact i have seen plenty of dodgey wiring done by licenced
contractors installing dishwashers, air conditioners and hot
water systems. DIY wiring is not a safety issue. In fact if sales
of cables, switches, etc., are banned, safety will be prejudiced.
Whereas before, if a power point or wall switch failed, the
competent handyman would just replace it, now it is likely to be
left in the unsafe state. And if an appliance cord frays it will
left unsafe; if you can't buy the cord, you can't do the repair.

  And will most lighting stores close their doors. After all,
most light fittings are fitted by the home handyman, aren't they?
So if you have been quietly and happily doing your own 240VAC
wiring up until now, you can forget it. We did mount a campaign
to make it legal but apathy got in the way. Once again, if you're
not happy about this revolting development, contact your local
MP and make a lot of noise.

  Finally, in an encouraging development, a group is being
formed in Queensland to have the Electrical Safety Act changed or
repealed. If you are a technician repairing anything from air
conditioners to sewing machines, computers, or anything else
powered by 240VAC, contact the AETA (All Electronics Technicians
Association) by fax on 07 4093 9700 or email
cairnscommms{at}lprimus.com.au

                                        Leo Simpson
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The background is that about 18 months ago, the Australian state
of Queensland was pressured by the electrical industry to enact
legislation making it illegal for anyone not being a licenced
electrician to do _ANY_ work on any electrical wiring or any
electrical equipment powered from the 240VAC mains. Despite a
campaign by Silicon Chip and others, there was insufficient
reaction against the proposal and it was passed into law.

This law applies to everyone, whether professional or hobbyist.
It is now illegal for anyone in the state of Queensland who is
not a licenced electrician to build up a hobby kit powered from
the mains. Or to repair his portable "ghetto blaster" radio, if
it has an internal mains power supply.

Honestly, would you want a licenced electrician repairing your
colour TV or video recorder? I'd certainly prefer a qualified
ELECTRONICS technician, not a wire jockey.

As one correspondent pointed out: He was an electrical and
electronics engineer with 40 years experience in designing,
building, installing and maintaining high powered radio
transmitting equipment, yet the law did not permit him to fit a
power cord to a battery charger. He asked how he might get
licenced as an electrician and was told that he would have to
complete a three year apprenticeship.

I understand that the same applies in all Australian states as
being the only way to get licenced.

It is said that the law in Queensland has been altered in this
respect. It is claimed that it is possible to get an electrician's
licence without serving as an apprentice, but the conditions are
so complex that nobody has been able to work out exactly what one
has to do to qualify.

Where will this legislative madness stop? Who knows....

    Laws give the weak new burdens, and the strong new powers;
    they irretrievably destroy natural freedom, establish in
    perpetuity the law of property and inequality, turn a clever
    usurpation into an irrevocable right, and bring the whole
    future race under the yoke of labour, slavery, and money.
                        Rousseau

From Greg Mayman, in beautiful Adelaide, South Australia

... How did my wild oats turn into Shredded Wheat?
___ Blue Wave/386 v2.30

--- FLAME v2.0/b