ECN Forum
Posted By: Norwester Just an intro............ - 01/16/04 09:10 AM
G'day people,

Just a quick post to introduce myself. I have been lurking around here for a couple of weeks and have really enjoyed reading all these posts, so much in fact that I decided to register.
I came here originally looking for some "defect" type photos for some issues that we were having at work and didn't really expect to be typing this right now...... [Linked Image]
I'm not quite up with all the localised "lingo" but I'm sure if I ask nicely some one will explain if needed.
And just so you know, I'm an Aussie ( don't all throw rocks at once... ) and currently live in the Northwest of Western Australia.
Did my time as an Electrical Fitter ( specialising in Rail Signals and Communications ), dual traded to Electrical Mechanic, left the rail industry to work as an REC ( registered electrical contractor ), did that for six years, left that to work in underground construction ( electricty, water and tunneling....great combination ).
I currently work in the mining rail systems up here doing what I started out doing...Signalling and Communications.
So yes full circle I gues. Hope that hasn't bored you all to much....)

Anyway just thought I would say hello before I started posting.

Q) What the hell is a "disco". A disconnect point?


ciao
Posted By: electure Re: Just an intro............ - 01/16/04 12:45 PM
Norwester,
Welcome!
Yes, a disco (also sometimes referred to as an EXO) is a disconnect switch.
They are available in fusible and non-fusible versions, and in normal building wiring, 250V or 600V ratings.
Posted By: pauluk Re: Just an intro............ - 01/16/04 12:59 PM
Welcome to ECN!

As you've no doubt already seen,we have a non-U.S. area, in which there are discussions relating to Australian wiring from time to time. We have a few members from Australia and New Zealand already, a well as several European countries, so we're a pretty mixed bunch. [Linked Image]
Posted By: sparky Re: Just an intro............ - 01/16/04 02:00 PM
hello Norwester
[Linked Image]
yeah the dialect may vary, yet we get the 'lectrical jist across with minor focus on technical translations ...

so how's the work outlook down under?

~S~
Posted By: Ryan_J Re: Just an intro............ - 01/16/04 02:40 PM
Welcome to the forum, I'm sure you'll enjoy it here...I certainly have.

BTW: I didn't know what a disco was either!
Posted By: Bill Addiss Re: Just an intro............ - 01/16/04 04:04 PM
Norwester,

Welcome to our little corner of the Internet. [Linked Image]

There are some abbreviations and slang terms listed in the following thread that might help decipher some of the odd terminology here. Don't be bashful about asking, if you don't know what something is I'm sure you're not alone.
https://www.electrical-contractor.net/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001308.html

[Linked Image]
Bill
Posted By: DougW Re: Just an intro............ - 01/16/04 06:00 PM
G'day, Mate, welcome to the site!

Some of the lingo might be strage, but I'm sure you'll fit in fine.

(Hey, worse comes to worse, call on Trumpy, or one of our other "offshore" brethern!) [Linked Image]
Posted By: Trumpy Re: Just an intro............ - 01/16/04 10:09 PM
Norwester,
Welcome to ECN, mate!.
Good lord, you have done some varied work. [Linked Image]
Post ahead, my friend!. [Linked Image]
Posted By: Norwester Re: Just an intro............ - 01/18/04 04:04 PM
Thanks very much for the welcome and the helpout with the terminology.

The work outlook down under seems pretty good at the moment The mining sector ( particularly iron ore ) is pretty flat out, not quite sure how the rising Aussie dollar will affect things, but everybody seems to be ramping up production to counter the loss of export income.
The housing sector seems to be coming off the boil as interest rates go up but seems fairly steady at the moment. I still keep in contact with a lot of the guys I used to work with and they still seem pretty flat out.

Trumpy, yes I suppose I could be considered a bit of a "drifter" in the trade. Even when contracting my business was very generalised ( never did settle down into that big money making specialist niche market... [Linked Image])

Once again thanks for the welcome.

ciao

( just call me Nor...every one else does )

My little place in the Northwest:
http://www.kisser.net.au/ashburton/towns/tompricetown.htm
http://www.cciwa.com.au/training/introprc.pdf



[This message has been edited by Norwester (edited 01-18-2004).]
Posted By: electricman2 Re: Just an intro............ - 01/19/04 01:41 AM
Nor
welcome to the forum. I too have learned a lot of trade slang along with many other things. Feel free to join in any time [Linked Image]
Posted By: Scott35 Re: Just an intro............ - 01/20/04 10:25 AM
Norwester;

Welcome to ECN.

First off, I have compiled a "Work In Progress" Glossary of terms we commonly use here in the Forum.
It can be found in the Technical Reference Section under the Topic / Name:

ECN Glossary

Click the "Colored Text" above (ECN Glossary) to go directly to that page.

Next thing, I see you were an Electrician with a Railroad, within the Signals Department and Communications.
There's quite a few Members here - including Myself, who will enjoy discussing Railroad things with you.
I have a few questions of my own - such as what types of Signals did you deal with (Block / ABS, Crossings, Detectors, etc.), did these Signals use AFO detection, Control equipment - Relay Logic or ?, and a few things about Communications (Radio, Hard-Wired, Cab Signal + Trackside Detectors, etc.).

Hope this doesn't scare you away [Linked Image] ... joking.

Have some Railroad Pictures + a few documents regarding some C1 North American RRs, posted in the Technical Reference Section also.
Use the "Menu" to find those linked pages by clicking on this following link:

Menu For Technical Reference Section

Scott35
Posted By: Norwester Re: Just an intro............ - 01/20/04 03:10 PM
Scott,

Thanks for the pointers with regard to the technical section and that "lingo".

The amount of work that has been put into that technical section is priceless...definite thumbs up there.

With regard to the signaling gear ask away. When I get the chance and get a clearance from my "super" ( as this is public domain and some systems may be "commercial in confidence" ) I'll send over or post up some photos of the systems and equipment that we use here.

Currently work on a mixture of Microtrax and MicrolokII signaling systems( US&S - Ansaldo ). Radio Base station type SCADA telemetery systems.
Full cab signalling system incorporating ATP protection ( ATSS - active and passive transponders ).


Safetran GCP systems, Southern Technologies HBD and car tag reading gear...etc etc etc.

And a multitude of other gear that would take too long to mention... [Linked Image]

When ever you've got to time, just start another post if you want to have a yack about rail stuff...won't be a problem at all.

ciao
Posted By: Scott35 Re: Just an intro............ - 01/21/04 11:42 PM
Norwester;

Thanks for the nice words regarding the reference area!

Will blast some Railroad talk at you ASAP, but right now I have to log-off and leave.
[Linked Image]

Scott35
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