as/nz wiring rules 3000:2007 (PDF) - Energy Safe Victoria

electrical homesafety inspectionTHESE ORIGINAL VACUUM VOLTAGE SENSING RELAYS ACHIEVED UNDER ANDOVER VOLTAGE PROTECTION. IF THEY TRIPPED, THEY WOULD BRING ON THEGENERATOR SUPPLY. INSTALLED IN 1960, THEY WERE CRITICALLY IMPORTANTFOR THE SUPPLY TO THE HOSPITAL. THIS TECHNOLOGY WAS REPLACED IN 2006.Mike and Bev Ballagh with the certificate ofelectrical inspection issued after the installationof their new meter.brings peace of mindfor Victorian couple24www.energysafe.vic.gov.auThe following is an article prepared by ESV forpossible publication in specialist newspapersavailable for Victorian holders of the SeniorsCard. It is hoped the article will further promoteESV’s electrical Home Safe Inspection Schemeand the $50 rebate available for Seniors Cardholders who book and pay for an inspection.East Doncaster couple, Mike and Bev Ballagh, now have peace of mindthat their home is electrically safe thanks to an authorised electrical HomeSafety Inspection of their property arranged through Victoria’s electricityand gas safety regulator, Energy Safe Victoria (ESV).ESV introduced the scheme in 2005 to help address concerns about thepoor and sometimes possibly dangerous state of electrical wiring systemsand other installations existing in many homes across Victoria.The electrical Home Safety Inspections are conducted by experts– licensed electricians and/or licensed inspectors who have undergonefurther training and assessment to become authorised for the task byESV.Last year ESV introduced a new initiative – a $50 rebate for SeniorsCard holders, who arrange and pay for inspections.“We read about the scheme in ‘The Senior” newspaper and thought itwas a great idea particularly for people in our position. We now have asafe home electrically and at our stage of life such peace of mind is veryimportant,” said Mike, a retired Tattersall’s employee.The couple built their home 38 years ago and to make more room for theirthree sons, a daughter and an aged mother, who was living with them,they added an additional storey to the property some 15 years later.They arranged the inspection through the ESV website atwww.esv.vic.gov.au“When the extension was built, the electrical installation was not upgradedin any way. After reading the article about the scheme we did not knowif we had any problems but decided it would be a good idea to find out.After all one often hears about house fires put down to electrical causes.”Following the inspection, the couple received a comprehensive reporton the state of the electrical installation with a follow-up email from theinspection company explaining in “layman’s” terms what issues neededto be addressed. The report recommended that some remedial workshould be undertaken as soon as reasonably practical.Mike said: “A significant problem detected during the inspection was aninadequate supply of electricity to the house. When the house was builtwe had one television and nothing like the electrical equipment whichwe have obtained over the years. The inspection detected heat damagebecause of overloading of the electrical installation.“It was recommended that we needed a new consumers mains, mainswitchboard with surge and safety switch protection and main earth,and we were happy to arrange for the work to go ahead.“I would strongly recommend that other home owners arrange anelectrical Home Safety Inspection. I would even go so far as suggestingthat people have a social responsibility to ensure their property iselectrically safe.“Receiving the $50 rebate off the cost of an inspection for Seniors Cardholders was certainly a bonus as far as we were concerned, and hopefullyit will be for others.“I think ESV does a great job promoting the electrical Home SafetyInspection scheme and providing the rebates. The scheme providespeace of mind for older people,” said Mike.In particular, ESV encourages everyone with a property that is 25 yearsold or more to arrange an inspection. The electrical wiring needed forlights, cookers, televisions and other appliances may no longer be upto scratch.Government inquiries into the Yallourn Mine collapseIn early December last year, Minister for Energyand Resources Peter Batchelor announced twoinquiries into the collapse at the Yallourn opencut mine.The northern wall of TRUenergy’s minecollapsed on 14 November 2007 resulting in theLatrobe River flowing directly into in the mineuntil a diversion could be put in place.Although the incident disrupted mining andpower production at the Yallourn W powerstation, power supplies to the state were notdisrupted.The Minister said the inquiries would separatelyinvestigate the facts and causes of whatoccurred and compliance with mining licenceobligations.“This was a major incident resulting in potentialsignificant environmental impacts and while noonewas hurt, we need to ensure the highestsafety standards are in place across theindustry.“It is crucial that we understand what causedthis incident, so we can prevent further incidentsof this kind.“Achieving maximum safety and protecting theenvironment during mining activities is a toppriority for this Government, and I know it is alsoa top priority for the industry,” said the Minister.The first investigation by Department of PrimaryIndustries’ (DPI) inspectors into TRUenergy’sperformance against its mining licenceobligations started at the end of last year.A second inquiry into the facts and causesof the mine wall collapse was scheduled tostart early this year. It will be independentlyconducted by a person with specialist expertisewho will be appointed as Mining Warden by theGovernor in Council.“There are two investigations because DPIis responsible for regulation of the miningindustry under the Mineral Resources(Sustainable Development) Act and willtherefore investigate the compliance issues.“A Mining Warden, however, has broaderpowers of investigation including the abilityto enter any land, summons a person to giveevidence on oath and require the productionof documents.“By setting up this second inquiry we aremaking sure that all the facts can be thoroughlyinvestigated independently of government.The DPI investigation team will cooperate fullywith the mining warden’s investigation,”said Mr Batchelor.The investigations are expected to becompleted during the first half of this year.