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General Plumbing and Gasfitting Talk => Ask Plumbers (Public) => Plumbing => Q & A - Hot Water Cylinders => Topic started by: Jayp on June 04, 2012, 11:08:33 PM

Title: Where do I find documentation for replacing a hot water cylinder element
Post by: Jayp on June 04, 2012, 11:08:33 PM: Hi there,

Ive been trying to find something to go buy regarding where plumbers draw the line in terms of HWC element replacement. I know from my own experiences that other company's will just "do the re-wire" to save on time and not have to get a licensed electrician in to do it correctly. But as a plumber your not qualified to "do it".
Really its a fine line, if the element is blown then obviously it needs replacing and the HWC drained etc. But in terms of disconnection and reconnection where is the regulation for this. It must go under the radar all the time. I know some companys do have there own electrician which makes great sense but I know many dont as well.
Title: Re: Where do I find documentation for replacing a hot water cylinder element
Post by: o2b007 on June 05, 2012, 12:16:27 PM: Hi Jayp

The wiring must be done by a registered electrician. no exceptions on this one at all.
An electrician Is legally allowed to drain and refill the cylinder as long as it does not include them disconnecting or altering any pipework.

I do have it somewhere but will have to look it up
Title: Re: Where do I find documentation for replacing a hot water cylinder element
Post by: Jaxcat on June 05, 2012, 07:04:53 PM: We always get a sparky to come and do the disconnect and then the reconnect and we do the plumbing parts in between. We factor this in to our job costs. By not getting a sparky and trying to do it yourself - who are you doing the favour for? We all moan on here about other people carrying out plumbing or gasfitting or drainlaying when they are not ticketed, well this is no different. We can't have it all one way and then start undertaking work that another regulated trade should be doing. If you did the reconnect for instance and something went wrong - are you jepordising the customer's insurance as the work was not carried out by a properly licensed person i.e. sparky. Lety's leave the wiring to them and the plumbing etc to us - and just tell the customer straight that this is legally and safely the way it has to be done. End of story.
Title: Re: Where do I find documentation for replacing a hot water cylinder element
Post by: mini g on July 03, 2012, 04:02:53 PM: Plumbers can change elements, and rewire back to the wall if they hold an "tradesperson electrical licence" think its a two day course at polytechs.
Title: Re: Where do I find documentation for replacing a hot water cylinder element
Post by: Jaxcat on July 03, 2012, 11:14:08 PM: But why would you want to? Just who are you doing the favour for? Leave sparkying to the sparkies and plumbing the plumbers.