Revised Wiring Rules released

The new edition of the Australian/New Zealand Standard for Wiring Rules (AS/NZS 3000:2007) has officially been released.

Produced by the joint Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand committee EL-001, the revised edition expands on issues relating to electrical installations, improves safeguards and addresses the needs and expectations of stakeholders through this concise and comprehensible two-part publication.

Colin Blair, Deputy CEO of Standards Australia, said the Wiring Rules Standard plays an important role in setting out specifications and procedures to ensure electrical installations, services and systems are safe and reliable: "Recognised as the benchmark for safe and efficient electrical installations, Wiring Rules is one of the most widely used standards in Australia and has played an important role in reducing the incidences of electrical mishaps and injuries."

"The ongoing contribution of expertise by our committee members has meant the Wiring Rules standard has long been considered a vital tool for anyone working in the electrical industry. The new edition will be no exception, it is a 'must have' for electricians, electrical contractors, design consultants, inspectors, regulators, industry training bodies as well as manufacturers, importers, wholesalers and retailers of electrical equipment and accessories."

"Of note in the new edition is an increased emphasis on common, practical, cost-effective and flexible methods to achieve safety compliance, fitness for purpose and a level of good practice."

"Changes in the new edition reflect the increasing use of residual current devices (RCDs) to all socket outlets and lighting circuits rated up to 20 A and include restricting the number of circuits that can be connected to any one RCD and the required division of lighting circuits over RCDs."

"Taking into consideration the experience gained through the application of the former edition and a survey of the electrical industry, the new edition flows more logically, is easier to understand, reinstates much of the supporting information omitted in the previous edition and contains more diagrammatic representations of concepts and more real-life examples."

The new edition, encompassing 450 pages, is now in a two-part format with improved layout:

• Part One outlines fundamental safety principles and provides an 'outcomes oriented' approach to allow flexibility in design.
• Part Two details 'deemed to comply' solutions to satisfy the Part One fundamental safety principles for the majority of electrical installation work.

Making this industry 'bible' more flexible, user friendly and easier to read, the new edition includes both revised and new definitions including the following terminology:

• electrical installation;
• circuit;
• basic protection (protection against direct contact);
• fault protection (protection against indirect contact);
• outbuilding;
• isolation; and
• competent person.

Other key changes to the Wiring Rules standard include:

• the extended application of residual current devices (RCDs) and testing for correct operation;
• protection against arcing faults;
• requirements for selectivity (discrimination) between circuits;
• strengthening of requirements for the prevention of the spread of fire;
• enhanced requirements for recessed luminaires;
• requirements for sanitisation areas in the food processing industry;
• inclusion of detailed guidance material removed from the 2000 edition; and
• a more intuitive index, additional appendices, illustrations and background information.

The 2007 edition of the Wiring Rules standard is available in Australia from Standards Australia's distributor SAI Global at www.saiglobal.com/shop or 131 242; and in New Zealand from Standards New Zealand at www.standards.co.nz.