Upcoming ban on Type AC RCDs

Queensland’s Electrical Safety Office is reminding electrical contractors that Type AC RCDs will be banned in Australia from 30 April 2023.

The Electrical Safety Office will be applying the wiring rules published in AS/NZS 3000 amendment 2 from 30 April 2023, with no exemptions for existing projects.

Installing an incorrect safety switch type, or installing fixed equipment without checking if the safety switch on the circuit is suitable, may leave the electrical installation unsafe. If this occurs, electrical contractors have not met their duties under the Electrical Safety Act 2002 and will face enforcement action.

AS/NZS 3000 amendment 2 was published 30 April 2021. For a period of 24 months from the publication date, Cl 2.6.2.2.2 of the wiring rules provided that either a Type AC RCD (marked with the symbol) or a Type A RCD (marked with the symbol) could be installed. After that period, Type AC RCDs must not be installed.

Electrical contractors should review their current projects to ensure RCDs installed after 30 April 2023 comply with this requirement — they are responsible for selecting and installing a suitable safety switch for the equipment connected to the circuit.

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