AUTUmN/WiNTER 2010 ISSUE 20 (PDF) - Energy Safe Victoria

Guidance notes for the electricaltrades and electrical inspectors onthe Electricity Safety (Installations)Regulations and other issues28www.energysafe.vic.gov.auThe following information was preparedby ESV for guidance and information onthe new Electricity Safety (installations)Regulations and other issues foreveryone involved in the electricaltrades and in particular licensedelectrical inspectors.Guidance notes such as these are preparedperiodically and published on the ESV website.A reminder: up until 1 July this year, ESVproposes to use its discretion in enforcing thenew installations regulations unless safety iscompromised. ESV is suggesting that all LEIsshould use similar discretions.When is it necessary or required to install acurrent limiting device (circuit breaker) to protectthe consumers mains?Clause 2.5.1.1 of AS/NZS 3000:2007 requiresthe consumers mains to be protected againstover current in the following method:1. Short-circuit protection and overloadprotection at the origin; or2. Short-circuit protection at the origin andoverload protection at the switchboard; or3. Short circuit protection need not be providedwhere the consumers mains are installed withadditional mechanical protection and overloadprotection is provided at the switchboard.1 Short circuit and overload protection atthe origin.The service fuse provided by the distributor insupplies up to 100 amps will only provide shortcircuitprotection not overload protection.For consumers mains greater than 100 ampsoverload protection would only be providedwhen the protection at the origin is fixed(not adjustable) and is rated at the capacityof the consumers mains conductors andarranged that the overload protection cannotbe increased.For existing installations where additionalload is connected such as a split system airconditioningunit the circuit breaker to protectthe consumers mains conductors will onlybe required if the maximum demand of theinstallation and added load exceeds the currentcarrying capacity of the consumers mains.SOLAR INSTALLATIONS.Isolation of dc supply at the photovoltaicarrays.The DC solar supply requires an appropriatelyrated DC isolator at the commencement of theDC circuit this requirement complies with clause1.5.2 and 7.3.4.1 of AS/NZS 3000:2007 andClause 5.5 of AS 4777.1. It is important to havethis isolating device installed so emergencyservices can isolate supply under emergencyconditions.Solar main switch –plug in circuit breakers.Clause 5.3.3 of AS/NZS 4777.1 requires themain switch for the solar supply to be a lockableswitch.Where solar energy systems are being installedand the installation has semi enclosed rewirablefuses the installation of a plug in circuitbreaker will not meet the requirements.Solar main switch – domestic installationswith multiple main switches.In domestic installations where the protectiondevice for each final subcircuit is a mainswitch and as additional main switch for thesolar energy systems is being installed theswitchboard is required to be altered to complywith Clause 2.3.3.2 of AS/NZS 3000:2007where only one main switch is allowed persupply and to conform with the connectionmethod shown in the AS/NZS 4777 series.PREMISES WITH CONSUMERELECTRICITY GENERATION SYSTEMS.In premises where electrical generation systemsare installed or connected additional signageis installed stating:This sign must be placed at the fire indicatorpanel, main switchboard and all switchboardsthat will be energised by that consumersgenerating system.The sign must be clear, durable and permanentand white lettering no smaller that 5mm on adark green background to comply with AS 1319emergency information signs. This sign does notreplace the requirements AS/NZS 4777 or theelectricity distributor’s signage requirements.LIFTS IN PRIVATE RESIDENCES.A lift installed within a SINGLE private residenceinstalled in accordance with AS/NZS 1735.18need not comply with the requirements ofClause 7. 2. of AS/NZS 3000:2007.PRESCRIBED ELECTRICALINSTALLATION WORK.Regulation 238 of the Electricity Safety(Installations) Regulations 2009 has addedsafety services and equipment operating atextra low voltage installed in a patient areaas prescribed electrical installation work.SAFETY SERVICES.Circuit protective devices, switchgear, controlgear,wiring systems and accessories (otherthan fire detection and alarm systems) installedto provide control and protection for passengerlifts, fire pumps and air handling systemsintended to exhaust and control the spreadof fire and smoke.Inspection requirements for.Lifts – from the point of supply to the liftswitchboard.Air handling systems that control thespread of fire and smoke – from the pointof supply to the connection of the air handlingsystems control switchboard and all theassociated wiring to equipment for control offire and smoke.2 & 3 Short-circuit protection at theorigin and overload protection at theswitchboard or where no short circuit andoverload protection at the switchboardwhere additional mechanical protection isprovided as per Clause 3.9.7.1.2 of AS/NZS3000:2007 for the consumers mains.Installations connected from 1 July 2008 (whenAS/NZS 3000:2007 became mandatory) statesthat if the sum of the current capacity of thecircuit breakers is greater than the currentcarrying capacity of the consumers mainsconductors the consumers mains must beoverload protected with an appropriate sizecircuit breaker.This also applies to existing installations wherethe consumers mains and/or switchboards arereplaced.ORWarningThis premise contains an electricity generation system.The isolation switch is located WarningThis premise contains an electricity generation systems.The wind generation isolation switch is located The solar isolation switch is located