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How to become a licensed commercial or industrial electrician
With skilled electricians very much in demand across all industries, pursuing a career in the trade offers scope for variety and progression, good remuneration and the opportunity to specialise in a range of areas. Below we set out the most straightforward pathway to becoming a commercial or industrial electrician, specifically referring to gaining your license in NSW.
Working as an electrician requires a high level of technical and mathematical skills alongside physical fitness and good eyesight (e.g. you cannot be colour blind as you need to be able to distinguish between colour coded wires). It is a job that demands a keen attention to detail and safety procedures and the ability to manage risk. You also need to be able to read and interpret complex electrical diagrams.
While there are a number of pathways to becoming a licensed electrician, according to the NSW Department of Fair Trading the most direct route is as follows:
- Completion of Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician AND all of the following:
- A Certificate of Proficiency as an Electrician or an Electrical Mechanic from the Department of Education and Communities (DEC) or the Vocational Training Tribunal (VTT).
- At least 12 months relevant electrical wiring work experience* utilising knowledge and understanding of the AS/NZS 3000:2007 in the residential, commercial and/or industrial areas required by NSW Fair Trading ‘Referee’s Statement Electrical Work’ form current at the date of the application.
*‘Experience’ means experience that is lawfully gained by the applicant (whether during or after completion of an apprenticeship) as a bona fide employee who has been paid during the relevant period of employment in accordance with an award or enterprise agreement.
Once you have been attained your electrician’s license, going on to specialise in commercial or industrial electrotechnology often means a combination of on-site training and further study.
Firstly, look for a role with a Level 2 Accredited Service Provider (ASP) that specialises in commercial and industrial services, giving you the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field. Working alongside electricians who are highly skilled in the industrial and/or commercial sector is the best way to learn what’s required in the role and to discover where your strengths and interests lie.
You may also want to consider further study while you’re working, in order to enhance your skills in a particular area, such as photovoltaic systems, electrical machine repair or data & communications, to name just a few of the specialisations on offer.
Although becoming an electrician takes some time and commitment, it is one of the most secure trades on offer and is only going to become more crucial as electrical systems evolve. If you’re interested in applying for an apprenticeship or a role at Caslec, visit our Careers page.
The 6 types of fire extinguisher & when to use them
All Australian workplaces must comply with the fire safety standards set out in the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011, with many states having their own additional regulations around fire safety and emergency training. Yet, according to research, only 13% of people know what class of extinguisher to use on what kind of fire.
In the following we set out the 6 basic types of extinguisher installed in industrial and commercial premises in Australia and the class of fire they can be used on. It is important to understand that using the wrong type of extinguisher on a fire can be highly dangerous.
Class A extinguishers are used on fires that involve paper, fabrics and textiles, wood-based products, plastics and rubber-based products.
Class B extinguishers are used on fires that started as a result of flammable or combustible liquids, such as chemical-based cleaning products, electrical contact cleaner and lubricants.
Class C extinguishers are used on fires started by flammable gases and can potentially extinguish the fire before pressure builds.
Class D extinguishers are used for fires started by combustible metals, such as sodium, potassium, uranium, lithium, plutonium and calcium, and are often used in laboratories. The most common Class D fires involve magnesium and titanium.
Class E extinguishers are used to stop fires in electrically energised equipment, including fires in equipment that requires electricity or a circuit to operate.
Class F extinguishers (fire blankets) help to control fires caused by cooking oils and fat-based products, such as could occur in a commercial kitchen.
To meet Australian Standards and workplace OH&S regulations, you must have the correct portable extinguishers installed in your workplace and personnel who are trained in their use. This training must be refreshed every two years.
One way to protect your business and employees against the risk of electrical fire is to ensure you adhere to a regular test-tagging schedule, where the safety of any electrical equipment is assessed by qualified electricians. If you work in a ‘high-risk operating environment’, such as a kitchen, warehouse or factory, you need to have your equipment test-tagged every 12 months.
To book your electrical equipment safety test, call the experts at Caslec on 1300 659 273 today.
Cat 5e, Cat 6 & Cat 6A Cable: which is best for your network?
One of the most common questions asked when it comes to industrial and commercial network design and data cable installation is, which category of cable is best suited to my needs? In the following we describe the differences between Cat 5e, 6 and 6a cable, and why you might choose one over the other.
All three categories of cable look the same from the outside and they all have the same RJ-45 end, which can plug into the Ethernet jacks on your computers, routers and switches. This, however, is where the similarity ends, as each has distinct differences that can impact on which one you decide to install.
Firstly, there is a noticeable difference in price, with each category costing more per metre than the previous category. However, just because later categories are more advanced in terms of performance, doesn’t necessarily mean you have to install the more expensive cable; this very much depends on the current and future demands placed on your network.
Category 5e
About 15 years ago, when it was first released, Cat 5e cable (the ‘e’ stands for ‘enhanced’) was the first glimpse of the potential of a 1 Gigabit network, although at that time, the hardware required to support it was prohibitively expensive for the average user. Over time, as the cost of the hardware decreases, 5e has become the minimum standard in data cable, eventually rendering Cat 5 obsolete.
Made up of 24 gauge twisted pair wires, the 5e delivers 1 Gigabit network speed at distances up to 328 feet. While Cat 5 was potentially capable of 1 Gigabit speeds (dependent on the network connections), 5e incorporated improvements in isolation between the wires, reducing the level of ‘crosstalk’ — the interference between the wires — and increased the frequency of the cable up to 100MHz.
Category 6
Although Cat 6 cables have been around for just for a few years less than Cat 5, historically the 10 Gigabit cable has been used for the backbone of networks, with 5e being run to individual workstations. This is not only due to cost but also because the bandwidth of the Cat 6 can only run to 164 feet. Beyond this distance, the bandwidth can rapidly decrease to 1 Gigabit, the same as the 5e.
Physically, the Cat 6 is made up of either 23 or 24 gauge twisted pair wires, with 2 plus twists per centimetre (as compared to 1.5–2 in the 5e). The frequency in the Cat 6 has increased to 200MHz, which can also potentially increase crosstalk. For this reason, the Cat 6 cable has an internal nylon spline and is contained within a thick exterior sheath. In some cases, this can eliminate crosstalk completely.
Category 6a
The Cat 6a (‘a’ stands for ‘augmented’) is the most advanced version of data cable, anticipating a future where the 10G network is the standard. It not only has a bandwidth distance of the full 328 feet of Ethernet cable, but its frequency has doubled to 500MHz, which further improves its range. That said, Cat 6a is also the most expensive of the cable options.
Which cable should you choose?
Generally, the consensus seems to be that Cat 5e 1GB cable is currently adequate for a network where most servers are based in the Cloud, but may not support network demands in the future. Again, this is very much dependent on your business or industry’s needs in terms of network design and use.
Cats 6 and 6a clearly future-proof your network in terms of faster data speeds, greater range and reduced crosstalk, but gaining these benefits relies on your router being gigabit-compatible and your computers being gigabit-capable. It’s also important to point out that data speed is not the same as Internet speed. Upgrading your data cable to 6a is not going to have an impact on the speed of your internet; rather it will improve data transfer, upload and download times. Therefore, the choice of cable really boils down to what you’re using your network for, and how you think you’re going to use it in the future.
Before making any decisions about data cable installation or upgrade, talk to an expert Caslec electrician and we’ll help you find the right solution for your business or industry’s network needs. Call us on 1300 659 273 today.
How to reduce your business’ energy use & save money
Keeping costs down is a concern for any business. Effective management of costs means increased cash flow, and that can only mean good things for the company. As it turns out, one of the most effective ways to cut costs for your business is to keep your energy use down.
Who’s Your Supplier?
If you are looking to reduce your energy costs, you might want to consider changing suppliers. Check out some of the deals being offered by suppliers in your area, most of which will have negotiable tariff rates. Do a bit of research and talk to a consultant or two about your particular business’ energy use, so you can work out a plan that not only meets your needs but reduces your costs.
Office Practices
Most of what you can do to reduce your energy usage relies on making a number of simple changes within the workplace. There are probably many habits you and your colleagues have, which are increasing business energy costs. For instance, if you routinely keep computers and other electronics on at night, make it a rule that everything is switched off at the socket when the office is empty. Or engage your commercial electrician to install motion sensors to switch the lighting on and off when staff enter or leave a room. These simple steps will dramatically reduce energy consumption and save on your power bills..
Electrical Installation
A particularly effective means of reducing the power usage in your business is having an energy efficient electrical installation. If you use a professional team of electricians who really know what they’re doing, you’ll find yourself with an installation that is set up from the start, to be much more efficient in its use of energy. This means that most of the hard work is done for you. Along with concerted efforts to reduce your energy usage, you can
save your business a great deal of money in the long-term.
What’s the difference between an industrial & a commercial electrician?
What is an industrial electrician?
Industrial electricians are highly skilled specialists who are trained to install, maintain and repair electrical and data & communications systems for manufacturing and production facilities, power plants and other large industrial projects. Their role requires them to ensure the safety and efficiency of large electrical systems and maintain and repair complex equipment, such as industrial motors, fans and control systems.
Industrial electricians are called in at the construction phase of any industrial facility, to install and test new equipment and systems to ensure they meet the relevant regulations and standards. At Caslec, our industrial electricians are regularly re-trained and tested in order to meet the demands of an industrial landscape where the technology and related standards are always evolving. This includes our ability to design and install a Programmable Logic Control System that incorporates Variable Speed Drives and Soft Starters to suit any industry’s processes and drive greater efficiency.
What is a commercial electrician?
A commercial electrician installs, maintains, repairs and tests electrical and communication systems in businesses or public facilities such as hospitals, schools, shopping centres, restaurants and retail outlets, to name just a few. Fundamentally, commercial electricians are responsible for wiring the instruments that control the power, lighting, heating, air conditioning and refrigeration units in commercial buildings.
At Caslec, our commercial electricians are highly qualified in working with security and communications systems, the installation of commercial lighting, including energy efficient options such as LED, and the installation, testing and inspection of commercial/workplace electrical equipment so it meets Australian Standards.
Like an industrial electrician, commercial electricians are called in at the installation phase of new buildings and commercial projects. At Caslec, our commercial electricians work with you to determine the best electrical and lighting solution for your business or project, ensuring that you are provided with the highest standards of safety and efficiency.
Most importantly, whether you’re an industrial or commercial business, government workplace health & safety regulations require you to have your electrical equipment tested on a regular basis. Call Caslec on 1300 659 273 to book your industrial or commercial Test Tagging today.
Call us on (02) 9604 4488 for a free consultation.
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