NSW Electrical Licence case studies
NSW Electrical Licence · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The NSW electrical licence is the authorisation a person needs to carry out electrical wiring work in New South Wales, and SafeWork NSW is the state regulator that administers electrical licences and licence examinations. This independent study page is for candidates preparing for the licensing examination - typically electricians who have completed their trade training and are moving from supervised work to holding their own licence, plus overseas-trained or interstate practitioners who need to demonstrate current knowledge of NSW requirements. The NSW Electrical Licence case studies are 5 cases and about 2,235 words.
1Warehouse Sub-board Voltage Drop and Cable Selection
A 400 V three-phase sub-board supplies a new workshop 62 m cable-route away from the main switchboard. Connected load is 55 A per phase at 0.85 power factor, with a design allowance that the load may grow to 70 A.
502 words, about 3 min2RCD Nuisance Tripping on a Wet-Area Circuit
A licensed electrician attends a bakery where a 30 mA RCD protecting four socket-outlets in a wash-down area trips intermittently, usually when the floor is hosed down. Each outlet has an appliance plugged in: a refrigerated display, a dough mixer, a bench grinder and a stainless bench light.
443 words, about 2 min3Testing a New Installation Before Energisation
You have completed a new single-phase domestic installation: a distribution board with a main switch, two 20 A RCDs, six final sub-circuits (lights, power, oven, hot water, shed, and a spa pump). The client wants it energised the same day.
423 words, about 2 min4Switchboard Upgrade in an Older Building
A 1970s block of six flats has a shared main switchboard with porcelain fuses, no RCD protection on the common-area lighting or the landlords' circuits, and a single main earth conductor to a water pipe electrode. The body corporate asks you to add a new common-area power circuit and 'bring it up to standard'.
445 words, about 2 min5Apprentice Supervision and Safety on a Live Board
You are a licensed electrician supervising a first-year apprentice on a commercial fit-out. The task is to add a circuit to a live distribution board in a tenancy that cannot be shut down during trading hours.
422 words, about 2 min