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Your electrical
questions
answered!
Winter 2015
energysafe issue 40
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 components can be replaced on a
private overhead electric line that is not
considered substantial reconstruction?
Any component beside the pole and conductors, such as but not
limited to a bracket, bolt, cross arm, cable termination clamp or
fitting, cable tie, insulator, stay or circuit breaker.
Electricity
Safety
(Installations)
Regulations
2009
Clause 220
Is there a checklist that provides a guide to
what’s required to be assessed for a visual
inspection?
Yes, there is a detailed list in AS/NZS 3000:2007 that provides a
guide to the matters to be checked during a visual inspection to
assess that the relevant requirements are satisfied. The checklist
covers:
(a) General requirements—basic protection against live parts,
fault protection, protection against hazardous parts, protection
against the spread of fire and the condition of the electrical
equipment; and
(b) consumers mains; and
(c) switchboards; and
(d) wiring system; and
(e) electrical equipment; and
(f) earthing.
AS/NZS
3000:2007
Clause 8.2.2
Can a socket outlet be installed in a cupboard
within zone two of a bathroom?
Yes, but only where the circuit is protected by an RCD with a fixed
residual current not exceeding 30mA; and the cupboard maintains
the enclosure during normal operation of the connected equipment.
This may be arranged with a switching device that disconnects the
supply when the cupboard door is opened.
AS/NZS
3000:2007
Clause
6.2.4.2(b)
I understand that the earth fault loop
impedance test is mandatory. What is the
earth fault loop?
The earth fault loop is the path for circulation of fault current.
The earth fault loop in a MEN system comprises the following:
(a) The active conductor as far as the point of the fault, including
the supply from the transformer, service lines, consumers
mains, submains (if any) and the final subcircuit.
(b) The protective earthing conductor (PE), including the main
earthing terminal or bar and MEN connection.
(c) The neutral-return path, consisting of the neutral conductor
between the main neutral terminal or bar and the supply from
the transformer, service lines and consumer mains.
AS/NZS
3000:2007
Clause 5.7.3
Certain electrical installations or portions
of an electrical installation, because of their
unusual requirements, applications
or intended use cannot meet part 2 of
AS/NZS 3000:2007. Is there a process where
this electrical installation can be verified?
Yes, through compliance by specific design and installation
(Part 1 solution). Such installations may be deemed suitable
providing that, having due regard to all the circumstances
associated with the intended application, they—
(a) satisfy the fundamental safety principles of part 1
of AS/NZS 3000:2007; and
(b) will result in a degree of safety from physical injury, fire and
electric shock not less than that which, in other circumstances,
would be achieved by compliance with the particular
requirements of clause 1.9.4. of AS/NZS 3000:2007; and
(c) comply with Regulation 204 of the Electricity Safety
(Installations) Regulations 2009; and
(d) the remaining portions of such installations fully
comply with part 2 of AS/NZS 3000:2007.
A part 1 solution cannot be used in a domestic installation.
AS/NZS
3000:2007
& Electricity
Safety
(Installations)
Regulations
2009
Clause 1.9.4
Regulation
204