Updated electrical wiring rules now available

A new edition of the Wiring Rules (AS/NZS 3000:2018) has now been released.

The changes cover installation requirements for electrical equipment and specify approaches to secure the high quality, reliability and safety levels expected in Australia and New Zealand.

Changes made to the previous 2007 edition include:

• New requirements for safety switches
• Enhanced requirements for MEN earthing systems, including bonding of pool structures and wet areas
• Increased mechanical protection for cables installed within a ceiling space
• Additional installation requirements for electrical appliances, accessories and equipment
• Enhanced safety requirements for electrical equipment installed in locations exposed to water.

“The Australian-New Zealand Standard (AS/NZ 3000:2018 Electrical Wiring Rules) is the most significant review of the code in over two decades,” said Ai Group Chief Executive Innes Willox.

“Committee members from Australia and New Zealand, including representatives from industry and regulators, worked together to ensure that the standard reflected leading electrical safety practices and facilitated new technologies. Ai Group members played a significant role in this work.”

Gary Busbridge, Chair of the EL001 Wiring Rules standards committee and Ai Group member, said, “During the review process stakeholders were consulted through a series of roadshows and events to ensure that their views were understood by the committee.

“The standard will improve electrical protection for consumers with a new requirement that safety switches are installed not just on power and lighting circuits, but on all final circuits.

“AS/NZS 3000 continues to be a critical standard for the technical harmonisation of electrical installation requirements throughout Australia and New Zealand and is called up by the electrical safety Acts in all jurisdictions.”

The new standard can be purchased on SAI Global’s website.

Image credit: ©mariusz szczygieł/Dollar Photo Club