Dictionary
"arm's reach" means 2.5 m vertically upwards, and 1.25 m sideways or downwards, from any point on a surface where persons usually stand or move about.
"circuit breaker" means a switch suitable for opening a circuit automatically, as a result of predetermined conditions, such as those of over-current or under-voltage, or by some form of external control. Circuit breakers are most often mounted on switchboards, and are used to protect the circuits that are supplied from a switchboard. Circuit breakers are not the same as safety switches.
"class 1 equipment" means equipment in which protection against electric shock does not rely on basic insulation only. It includes an additional safety precaution in that accessible conductive parts are connected to the protective earthing conductor in the fixed wiring of the electrical installation in such a way that accessible parts cannot become live in the event of a failure of the basic insulation.
Notes:
- Class 1 equipment may have parts with double insulation or parts operating at SELV (safety extra low voltage).
- For equipment intended for use with a flexible cord or cable, this provision includes a protective earthing conductor as part of the flexible cord or cable.
"competent person" means a person who has acquired, through training, qualifications, experience or a combination of these, the knowledge and skill enabling the person to inspect and test electrical equipment.
"conductive" means able to transmit electricity. Examples of conductive objects are any metallic substance, concrete, water or wet or damp objects.
"cord extension set" means an assembly of:
- a three-pin plug;
- a sheathed flexible cord; and
- a cord extension socket.
A cord extension set is commonly referred to as an extension lead.
Fig. 16 - A cord extension set
"cord extension socket" (referred to as a 'socket') means a device arranged for attachment to a flexible cord and having contacts whereby a detachable connection can be made with pins of a plug.
Fig. 17 - A cord extension socket
"earthed situation" means a place where a person can touch electrical equipment while still in contact with the earth or metal or other conductive thing touching the earth. All parts of a bathroom, laundry, lavatory, toilet or kitchen are earthed situations.
An example of an earthed situation is an external concrete area from which you can touch a light fitting.
"electrical equipment" means any apparatus, appliance, cable, conductor, fitting, insulator, material, meter or wire:
- used for controlling, generating, supplying, transforming or transmitting electricity at a voltage greater than extra low voltage; or
- operated by electricity at a voltage greater than extra low voltage; or
- that is, or that forms part of, a cathodic protection system.
However, electrical equipment does not include any apparatus, appliance, cable, conductor, fitting, insulator, material, meter or wire forming part of a vehicle if:
- it forms part of a unit of the vehicle that provides propulsion for the vehicle; or
- its source of electricity is a unit of the vehicle that provides propulsion for the vehicle.
Examples of things that are not electrical equipment:
- the headlights of a motor vehicle
- ignition spark plugs of a motor vehicle
- the interior lighting system of a vehicle, if powered from a battery charged by the engine that drives the vehicle or by the vehicle's movement.
Examples of things that are not prevented from being electrical equipment:
- interior lighting or a socket outlet in a caravan, if the lighting or outlet is operated by a low voltage generating set or connected to low voltage supply
- a refrigeration unit in a food delivery vehicle operating at low voltage from a source separate from the propulsion unit for the vehicle.
"electrical installation" means a group of items of electrical equipment.
However, a group of items of electrical equipment is an electrical installation only if:
- all the items are permanently electrically connected together; and
- the items do not include items that are works of an electricity entity; and
- electricity can be supplied to the group from the works of an electricity entity or from a generating source.
An item of electrical equipment can be part of more than one electrical installation.
Please note—an item of electrical equipment connected to electricity by a plug and socket outlet is not permanently electrically connected.
Examples of an electrical installation:
- the switchboard, wiring, lighting, motors, controls and other electrical equipment permanently connected for an irrigation plant
- the switchboard, wiring, lighting, socket outlets and other electrical equipment permanently connected for a dairy.
- in relation to a person, the risk to the person of death, shock or injury caused directly by electricity or originating from electricity; or
- in relation to property, the risk to the property of:
- damage caused by a cathodic protection system; or
- loss or damage caused directly by, or originating from, electricity.
- for a person or property, that the person or property is free from electrical risk;
- for electrical equipment or an electrical installation, that all persons and property are free from electrical risk from the equipment or installation;
- for the way electrical equipment, an electrical installation or the works of an electricity entity are operated or used, that all persons and property are free from electrical risk from the operation or use of the equipment, installation or works;
- for the way electrical work is performed, that all persons are free from electrical risk from the performance of the work;
- for the way a business or undertaking is conducted, that all persons are free from electrical risk from the conduct of the business or undertaking; and
- for the way electrical equipment or an electrical installation is installed or repaired, that all persons are free from electrical risk from the installing or repairing of the equipment or installation.
"electrical safety" for a person or property, means the person or property is electrically safe.
"electrical safety examination" means a procedure which includes:
- an inspection to identify visually identifiable defects that cause the equipment to be electrically unsafe;
- an operational test of safety switches; and
- an indicative earth continuity test of parts within arm's reach that are required to be earthed.
"exposed live part" means a part of the electrical installation or electrical equipment which is exposed, and that, if touched could cause an electric shock.
"fixed electrical equipment" means electrical equipment that is a permanent part of the workplace, such as poles, switchboards, wiring, power points, and other equipment that cannot be unplugged. For example, an electrical motor driving a refrigeration plant in the milk room of a dairy would be fixed electrical equipment.
"free from electrical risk" for a person or property means that the electrical risk to the person or property is as low as reasonably achievable, having regard to the likelihood of harm and the likely severity of harm.
"hazardous area" means an area where an explosive atmosphere is present or may be present.
"inspected and tested" in relation to specified electrical equipment means that the equipment is tested and inspected by a competent person, and if the competent person decides the equipment is safe to use, a durable tag has been attached to the equipment that shows the day by which the equipment must be re-inspected and retested.
"licensed electrical person" means a licensed electrical worker or licensed electrical contractor.
"live part" means a conductor or parts of electrical equipment that can become electrically energised in normal use and which are dangerous to touch. Live parts are normally enclosed or otherwise protected by the design of electrical equipment so that they cannot be touched by persons.
"plug" means an accessory having pins designed to engage with the contacts of a socket-outlet and incorporating means for the electrical connection and mechanical retention of flexible cables or cords.
Fig. 18 - A plug
"safety switch" or residual current device means a device intended to isolate supply to protected circuits, socket outlets, or electrical equipment in the event of a current flow to earth which exceeds a predetermined value. Safety switches used to prevent serious injury to persons must have a tripping current not exceeding 30 mA, and a tripping time not exceeding 300 mS.
"specified electrical equipment" for rural industry work means:
- a cord extension set with a current rating of not more that 20 amps; or
- a portable outlet device with a current rating of not more than 20 amps; or
- electrical equipment other than a portable safety switch that:
- has a current rating of not more than 20 amps; and
- is connected by a flexible cord and plug to low voltage supply.
"stated electrical risk factor" means any of the following:
- use of plug-in electrical equipment in an unroofed area or wet area (e.g. a hose down area);
- use of personally supported electrical equipment if the electricity supply cord is subject to flexing while the equipment is being used; or
- use of plug-in electrical equipment that is exposed to environmental factors that subject the equipment to abnormal wear or deterioration.
Example of environmental factors that subject equipment to abnormal wear or deterioration:
- corrosive or other damaging dusts, for example, metal dust
- corrosive chemicals in the air.
"voltage" means differences of potential normally existing between conductors and between conductors and earth as follows:
- extra low voltage not exceeding 50Va.c. or 120V ripple free d.c.;
- low voltage exceeding extra low voltage but not exceeding 1000Va.c or 1500Vd.c.; and
- high voltage exceeding low voltage.
Last updated July 16, 2009
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