EnergySafe Magazine Spring 2014, issue 37 | Page 19

19 For all the latest energy safety news visit www.esv.vic.gov.au  electrical Your questions answered! Spring 2014 energysafe issue 37 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 I have been issued a defect notice from my electricity distributor stating that the one pole of my two pole private overhead electric line only has 30mm of sound wood. Yes, a private overhead electric line that is to be constructed or substantially reconstructed in a hazardous bushfire risk area must be placed underground. Substantial reconstruction means in case of a private overhead electric line the replacement of more than 20 per cent of the wiring or more that 20 per cent of the poles in a line supporting the wiring. The replacement of one pole of a two pole overhead private electric line is 50 per cent and exceeds the 20 per cent. Electricity Safety (Installations) Regulations 2009 Regulation 220 I have been asked to install an enclosed spray painting booth. I have been told there are no electrical components installed directly in the hazardous area but it does have electrical control equipment installed for the protection of the hazardous area. Is the installation non-prescribed? No, all electrical equipment installed within the hazardous area and all electrical equipment installed outside the hazardous area that is associated with the protection of the hazardous area is prescribed electrical installation work. Electricity Safety (Installations) Regulations 2009 Regulation 238(1) (h) Can I install underground consumer’s mains at a depth of 300mm under a concrete driveway in compliance with clause 3.11.3 of AS/NZS 3000:2007? No, consumer’s mains are required to be installed with a minimum depth of cover of 500mm from the top of the additional protection to the surface of the ground. Electricity Safety (Installations) Regulations 2009 Regulation 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, doing minor repairs is electrical installation work, and the person who is responsible for the carrying out of electrical installation work must ensure that a Certificate of Electrical Safety is completed in the required timeframe in respect of that work and give the completed copy to the person for whom the work was done and provide a copy to ESV. Electricity Safety Act 1998 Section 45A (1) I recently bought a quantity of 1mm2 3 core double insulated cable and found it has a solid 1mm2 earth condu