Electrical wiring rules updated by Standards Australia

A new edition of the Wiring Rules will be published later in 2017.

Standards Australia AS/NZS3000 is currently in the process of being updated.

Transitioning from one edition of the Wiring Rules to the next can impact on the compliance requirements for an electrical installation.

To enable a smooth transition, the enforcement date for the new edition of the Wiring Rules will be six months after the publication date of the standard. For example, if the new standard is published in December 2017, the enforcement date will be July 2018.

The following exceptions will allow the 2007 Wiring Rules to be applied beyond the enforcement date:

• Electrical work commenced prior to the publication date of the new standard where the project will continue beyond the enforcement date.
• Electrical work quoted for prior to the publication date of the new standard, and for which a contract has been awarded, may continue beyond the enforcement date.
• Electrical work costed and designed prior to the publication date for projects such as shopping complexes and large residential and industrial buildings that may not commence construction until after the enforcement date.

The Electrical Safety Office will notify industry of the enforcement commencement date and any further transitional arrangements for the new Wiring Rules, once they are finalised by Standards Australia.

A short film is also available, which summarises the transition arrangements.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Phuchit Aunmuang