Electrical Standards have changed as of January 2019.
The new Wiring Rules AS/NZS 3000:2018 Electrical installations known as the Wiring Rules was published in June 2018 and taken into affect as of January 2019.
The rewrite of the standard was based on:
(a) new technology, new equipment and improved installation techniques;
(b) industry feedback regarding readability and compliance;
(c) identification and clarification of normative (mandatory) requirements and informative guidance material throughout the document; and
(d) experience gained in the application of the previous edition as expressed to Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand.
The new Wiring Rules (AS/NZS 3000: 2018) will be mandated in Victoria on the 1st January 2019, industry needs to be aware of the major changes that will affect how they complete electrical installation work.
Energy Safe expectation is that everyone working in the electrical installation industry has purchased a copy, read the standard and will comply with all requirements as of 1st January 2019.
Although there are a large amount of changes to the standard, the key areas are as follows:
Contents, a new comprehensive contents section down to 3 levels assisting a reader to easily find the information they are looking for.
Section 1, Clause 1.9.3 Alterations & Repairs.
Section 2, Clause 2.2.1.2 Origin of submains and final subcircuits, Clause 2.5.5.1 Protection against switchboard internal arcing fault currents, Clause 2.6.3 Residual Current Devices which is separated into Australia and New Zealand requirements respectively, Clause 2.10.2, Switchboard Accessibility and emergency exit facilities.
Section 3, Clause 3.8.2 Sleeving requirements for existing Earthing and bonding conductors and Sleeving requirements for existing Live conductors, Clause 3.9.4 Protection against mechanical damage.
Section 4, Clause 4.1.3 External influences (figure 4.1 & 4.2), Clause 4.5.2.3 Recessed luminaires, Clause 4.7.3 Clearance from open cooking surfaces (Figure 4.17), Clause 4.8.2.3 Water heaters-Isolating switch, Clause 4.19 Air-conditioning and Heat pump systems and Clause 4.20 Lifts.
Section 5, Clause 5.5.3.1 Earthing of outbuildings (figure 5.4 & 5.5), Clause 5.6.2.6 Swimming Pools and Spas.
Section 6, Clause 6.2.4.7 Electricity generation systems, Clause 6.3.4.7 Electricity generation systems, Clause 6.3.4.8 Electricity distributor’s electrical equipment, Figure 6.8 Enclosed shower with hinged door and Figure 6.5 & 6.6 shower with fixed plumbing connection in ceiling.
Section 7, Clause 7.2 Safety Services – totally restructured and additional requirements, Clause 7.3.4.1 General, Clause 7.3.8.1 Alternative supplies and Clause 7.8.2 Standards containing additional requirements.
Section 8, minor changes to structure of clauses, requirements remain the same and the addition of 6 new appendices for further guidance and information.
