Revised AS/NZS 3000 electrical wiring rules out for public comment

Whilst this standard doesn’t address telecommunications cabling, many BICSI members would be impacted by the revision of this standard, so BICSI encourages its members to review the draft before it is formally published.

The standard has been thoroughly redrafted, including new definitions and changes for additional clarity.

“The proposed changes are significant,” said Gary Busbridge, chair of the Australian and New Zealand committee responsible for the revision. “We are interested in receiving feedback from consumers and individuals across the industry. The public comment period is a key opportunity to ensure everyone can be involved with this revision.”

Proposed changes to the draft include:

• A restructure of the ‘Safety Services’ Clause in Section 7;
• A number of new definitions including ‘main switch’, ‘arc fault detection device’ and ‘combined outbuilding’;
• Provisions related to Residual-Current Devices (RCDs) have been changed substantially;
• Clarity on exclusion zones in wet areas and clearances around switchboards;
• New appendices providing guidance on:
  • Switch gear and control gear;
  • Loss of supply;
  • Conduiting;
  • Arc Fault Detection Devices;
  • Electric vehicle socket outlets and charging stations; and
  • DC installations.

Explanatory information on changes is included at the end of the draft.

The draft standard is available for public comment through Standards Australia’s website at https://sapc.standards.org.au/sapc/public/listOpenCommentingPublication.action until June 20, 2016.

Following the 9-week public comment period, the committee will consider all comments in detail and if necessary further drafting will be undertaken.

Dr Bronwyn Evans, CEO of Standards Australia, added that the technical committee EL-001 is seeking broad-based feedback from all stakeholders who use and are affected by the Wiring Rules.

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