EnergySafe Magazine Autumn 2016, issue 43 | Page 16

16
Electrical Q & A

Your electrical questions answered !

Compiled by ESV ’ s Electricity Technical Advisor , John Stolk
EnergySafe continues its regular series featuring some of the questions that ESV receives on a range of electricity installation issues , some of them relating to gas installations . Also provided are the answers together with references to the Acts , Standards , Regulations and Clauses that apply to them .
Question Answer Standard Clause
What am I required to do when replacing an emergency or exit light with a different type of emergency or exit light ? Clause 1.7 of AS / NZS 2293.1 requires the installation of a test switch that is very onerous . Is there an alternative method to comply ?
I am an electrician , but not a registered electrical contractor and would like to replace the electrical switchboard at my parent ’ s home . Can I do the work ?
Can non-prescribed electrical work be included on a Prescribed Certificate of Electrical Safety ?
Am I required to issue a Certificate of Electrical Safety for minor repair work such as the replacement of a socket outlet or an architrave switch ?
Yes , as an alternative you can install a fitting that incorporates a self-test facility that self-tests at the intervals specified in AS / NZS 2293.2 and provides indication of the test results .
Yes , work can be carried out by a licensed electrical worker ( LEW ) for no financial profit on a gratuitous basis on condition that prior to the commencement of the work the LEW advises the person for whom the work will be carried out that he or she is not a registered contractor and does not hold the prescribed insurance . The replacement of the main switchboard is prescribed electrical installation work and a mandatory inspection is required .
Yes , only when the non-prescribed electrical installation work is completed at the same time as prescribed electrical installation work .
Yes , performing minor repairs is electrical installation work . The person who is responsible for the carrying out of electrical installation work must ensure that a Certificate of Electrical Safety is completed with respect to that work and in the required timeframe give the completed copy of the Certificate to the person for whom the work was carried out and provide a copy to Energy Safe Victoria .
AS / NZS 2293.1 Clause 43.2.3
Electricity Safety Act 1998
Electrical Safety Act 1998
Electricity Safety Act 1998
Order in council — Victorian Government Gazette G17 April 1999
45A ( 2 )( a )
Section 45A ( 1 )
When I install a cooking appliance am I required to install a switch for the cooking appliance ? If I am , where should it be located ?
Yes , a switch or isolation device is required for the following :
Electric cooking appliances A circuit for a fixed or stationary electric cooking appliance having an open cooking surface incorporating electric heating , eg . a cooktop , deep fat fryer , barbecue griddle or similar , shall be provided with a switch , operating in all active conductors ( this requirement does not apply to enclosed cooking appliances such as in-built ovens and microwave ovens ). The switch shall be readily accessible and should be installed not further than two metres from the appliance and not installed in a position that the user has to reach over or across the open cooking surface . and should be marked to identify the appliance it controls . The electric cooking appliance can be connected : by a plug to an accessible socket outlet controlled by a switch in a readily accessible position ; or directly ( fixed wired ) and controlled by a switch in a readily accessible position .
Combination gas and electric cooking appliances Additional requirements for combined gas / electric cooking appliances incorporating both gas and electric open cooking surfaces — the switching device shall operate in all live ( active and neutral ) conductors .
Gas cooking appliances A gas cooking appliance connected to an electricity supply shall be provided with a means of electrical isolation that is adjacent to the appliance in an accessible location . The means of isolation can be : a plug connected into an accessible socket-outlet ; or a plug connected into a switched socketoutlet that is installed in an inaccessible location . This inaccessible socketoutlet shall be controlled by a switch that is located in an accessible position and operates in all live ( active and neutral ) conductors .
Note : “ Readily accessible ” means within direct view and “ accessible ” means within the cupboard or behind drawers .
AS / NZS 3000:2007
Clause 4.7