By law, many home automation tasks must be carried out by a licensed electrician; however, legality isn’t the only reason home integrators should work with a qualified professional. Kate Jordan explains.

A licensed electrician is essential to any home automation company, whether on staff or a sub-contractor. In addition to complying with the law, a licensed professional ensures the safety of staff and clients, and offers long term benefits to profits and reputation.

When should a licensed electrician be used? The short answer is: for any wiring over 50V. The long answer is a bit more complicated.

While much of the wiring that systems integrators install is extra low voltage – such as telephone or NBN lines – all wiring work the connects back to the mains should be done by a licensed electrician.

“As these lines frequently run alongside the house’s 240V wiring, it is recommended that these too are taken care of by a licensed electrician, as there is a risk of electricity leaking across lines,” says National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) Queensland executive director Mick Logan.

Master Electricians Australia (MEA) project manager Michael Thompson agrees.

“Home automation systems may require the installation of low voltage electrical components that need to be incorporated into the existing or new electrical installation, or have components installed in close proximately to existing electrical equipment which will require the expertise and qualifications of a licensed electrician.”

As the name suggests, the connected home has increased the interconnectedness of all aspects of the home, including the electrical wiring. Mick describes this situation as ‘totality’.

“Because it all works together, there’s a high potential for electricity to flow through the wires in a house,” he explains. This in turn increases the potential for hazards, mishaps and malfunctions.

Given the interconnectedness of a home, therefore, a licensed electrician should be used to prevent injuries and fatalities.

“Performing unlicensed electrical work is not only illegal and will result in prosecution from the state electrical regulator, but the risk of serious injury or death to either the home owner or untrained worker is high. Hidden electrical dangers can be as simple as accessing a roof space or wall cavity without taking the proper precautions,” Michael says.

Using a licensed electrician also ensures a job done well and a good business’ reputation going forward.

“The apprenticeship to become a licensed electrician is the hardest of all apprenticeships,” Mick says. It begins with a stringent aptitude test to ascertain whether the candidate has the requisite numeric and analytical skills. Then there’s four years of training, covering 66 competencies. Electrical work is a complex area and candidates must understand the whole installation and interaction between various factors.

Once qualified, all licensed electricians are subject to a disciplinary system. If their work is found to not be up to standard, they can be fined or lose their licence altogether.

As part of their ongoing training and education, licensed electricians have thorough knowledge of which equipment is safe to install. Australia only makes up 1% of the worldwide electrical market; the vast majority of products are made for the United States and Europe and are not suitable for Australian homes. With many of the home integration products coming from overseas producers, it pays to have access to the latest information. Through the ‘Does It Comply?’ campaign, licensed electricians are well-informed.

In addition to offering clients a safer system of higher quality, custom installers that use an electrician can also do so for less.

“The use of a licensed electrical contractor with such qualifications as a security licence and cabling registration will reduce overall cost as other trades do not need to be engaged, saving time and ensuring the work is performed safely and correctly,” says Michael.

By using a licensed electrician, system integrators ensure their work is properly insured. As Mick states: “Building owners can rest assured that when they use a licensed electrical contractor these businesses carry adequate business insurances as a condition of their licence. This then ensures the owner does not unwittingly void their own insurance by using an unlicensed contractor to do licensed work or by hiring a contractor without adequate insurance.”

For additional benefits, systems integrators can consider going one step further than a licensed operator and work with someone from a national association such as NECA or MEA.

As Mick explains, the main advantages of using a NECA member include:

• The electricians are better informed of current developments
• A code of conduct ensures honesty and transparency
• Good business systems mean contractors are unlikely to go broke halfway through the job.

To find a member of NECA or MEA to work with, visit their respective website.

When it comes to systems integration, using a licensed electrician is more than just a case of abiding by the law – it’s taking responsibility for the safety and lives of staff and clients and optimising the profit that can be received from each job.