Wiring Rules Standard – Amendment 1 published

Standards New Zealand has published Amendment 1 to AS/NZS 3000:2007 Electrical installations (known as the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules).

AS/NZS 3000:2007 provides requirements for the selection and installation of electrical equipment, and design and testing of electrical installations, especially to meet the essential requirements for safety of persons and livestock from physical injury, fire or electric shock. Part 1 provides uniform essential elements that constitute the minimum regulatory requirements for a safe electrical installation. Part 2 provides installation practices that achieve certainty of compliance with the essential safety requirements of Part 1.

Amendment 1 to AS/NZS 3000:2007 will make minor modifications to the original requirements of AS/NZS 3000:2007 to suit the linkages with the proposed Electrical (Safety) Regulations 2009.

Details of changes made by Amendment 1 include the following.
• Deleting the original requirement in AS/NZS 3000:2007 for residual current device (RCD) protection for circuits supplying socket outlets and lighting points up to 20 amps in non-domestic installations, in New Zealand only.
• Adding a provision for New Zealand only, for 10 mA RCD protection for socket outlets in areas normally accessible by young children (in kindergartens, daycare centres for preschool children, and primary schools.
• Clause 2.6.2.4 has been amended and the limitation of the three final subcircuits per RCD will only apply to domestic installations (the limitation of three final subcircuits per RCD in non residential installations has been deleted).
• Correcting minor cross reference errors in the text of the Standard.
• A number of clauses and figures have been revised to clarify the intent; these revisions are the result of use of AS/NZS 3000:2007 as the only mandated document in Australia since July 2008.

The requirements for RCD protection of AS/NZS 3000:2000 of all new socket outlets and lighting final subcircuits in domestic installation, and socket outlets in residential type areas, is being retained, and will be a requirement in AS/NZS 3000:2007, when mandated by the proposed Electrical (Safety) Regulations 2009.

‘The existing method of connection by a 32 amp socket outlet ,with no RCD protection, for free-standing stoves or ranges required by AS/NZS 3000:2000 is being retained in the recently revised AS/NZS 3000:2007,’ says Alan Cuthbert, Chair, Electrical Installations Coordination Committee.

AS/NZS 3000:2007 including Amendment 1 is planned to be formally cited in New Zealand by the revised Electrical (Safety) Regulations later in 2009. Please note that certain sections of AS/NZS 3000:2000 remain mandatory and must be complied with until the current Electrical (Safety) Regulations are revised.

Tables are included with the 2007 version of AS/NZS 3000 that relate to the mandatory clauses and the means of compliance clauses in the 2000 version.
To download Amendment 1 to AS/NZS 3000:2007 for free, or to order AS/NZS 3000:2007 with Amendment 1 incorporated, please visit www.standards.co.nz and enter ‘3000’ in the search area, email enquiries@standards.co.nz, or call 0800 782 632 during business hours.

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ENDS