• Aug 4, 2023

AS/NZS 3000:2018 (Wiring Rules)

Have you been asked to install an electrical appliance that your customer purchased online? Was it likely from overseas? Perhaps lights, wall ovens, cooktops or air conditioning units?

Electrical contractors, are responsible for the installation and selection of equipment, and must comply with section 1.7 of AS/NZS 3000:2018 (Wiring Rules), even if supplied by a customer.

1.7 SELECTION AND INSTALLATION OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

1.7.1 General
Electrical equipment forming part of an electrical installation shall be—

(a) selected and installed to operate in a safe and reliable manner in the course of normal operating conditions;

(b) selected and installed so as not to cause a danger from electric shock, fire, high temperature or physical injury in the event of reasonably expected conditions of abnormal operation, overload, fault or external influences that may apply in the electrical installation; and

(c) electrical equipment shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of this Standard and the additional requirements as specified in the manufacturer’s instructions.

1.7.2 Installation work practice
In order to address the requirement of Clause 1.7.1, electrical equipment shall be installed in accordance with safe and sound work practices, including the following:

(a) Appropriate construction and operating characteristics of the equipment to protect against the mechanical, environmental or other external influences, including condensation, to which it is likely to be exposed at the intended point of installation. The means of protection, which shall not be impaired in the process of installation, may be integral to the equipment or an additional enclosure provided as part of the electrical installation.

(b) Installation instructions provided by the equipment supplier.

(c) Adequate and safe access or working space is provided to equipment requiring operation or maintenance.

(d) Adequate strength and durability of fixings, fastenings and supports.

(e) Particular needs of the user/operator.

* (f) Installation wiring conductors shall be clearly identified to indicate their intended function as active, neutral, main earthing, protective earthing (PE) or equipotential bonding (EPB) conductors.
Conductors with a green or green/yellow (G/Y) combination core insulation colour or sleeving colour are strictly reserved for identifying the main earthing conductor, protective earthing (PE) conductor, or the equipotential bonding (EPB) conductor.
Live conductors shall not be insulated or sheathed with green, yellow or green/yellow combination colours in installation wiring.

1.7.3 Equipment selection
Electrical equipment shall be selected to comply with the requirement of Clause 1.7.1. Equipment is deemed to satisfy that requirement if it satisfies one or more of the following conditions:

(a) The safety requirements for low voltage electrical equipment specified in AS/NZS 3820.

(b) The safe design, construction, installation and performance provisions of—
(i) an Australian, New Zealand or Australian/New Zealand Standard that is appropriate and relevant to the type of electrical equipment;

The Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) is a trade mark owned by the electrical regulator (Regulatory Authorities (RAs)) and Australian Communications Media Authority (ACMA).