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AS/NZS 3000: 2007 – new Wiring Rules

AS/NZS3000: 2007 (the Wiring Rules) was published on Monday 12 November 2007 by SAI Global (View the SAI Global web site on the standard and/or order a copy (non-Queensland government site)).

The document is separated into two parts, within the one cover. Part 1 (Scope, application and fundamental principles) provides uniform essential elements that constitute the minimum regulatory requirements for a safe electrical installation, and Part 2 (Installation practices) provides installation practices that achieve certainty of compliance with the essential safety requirements of Part 1.

The main changes from the former Wiring Rules (AS/NZS 3000: 2000) include:

extended application of safety switches / RCD's;
protection against arcing faults;
requirements for selectivity (discrimination) between circuits;
installation couplers recognised as a suitable means of connection;
strengthening requirements for the prevention of the spread of fire;
enhanced requirements for recessed luminaires;
requirements for sanitisation areas in the food processing industry;
mandatory requirement for testing safety switches for correct operation;
bonding of bathroom slabs;
new requirements for identification of underground wiring;
reinstatement of guidance material; and
additional appendices, an improved index, and a more logical layout with further illustrations and background information.

The Preface to the new Wiring Rules recommends that "it not be applied on a mandatory basis before a date at least six months after publication". Based on consultation with other Australian electrical safety regulators the Electrical Safety Office will enforce compliance with the new Wiring Rules from I June 2008.

The Electrical Safety Office will be using the new Wiring Rules as a basis for ensuring compliance with the electrical safety legislation on electrical work performed from 1 June 2008 with the following exceptions:

electrical work commenced under the former Wiring Rules (AS/NZS 3000:2000) prior to 1 June 2008 may continue;
electrical work quoted under the former Wiring Rules (AS/NZS 3000:2000) and for which a contract has been awarded may be performed under the former Wiring Rules;
electrical work designed under the former Wiring Rules (AS/NZS 3000:2000) for projects (e.g. like shopping complexes, large residential & industrial buildings), may be performed under the former Wiring Rules; and
the new Wiring Rules (AS/NZS 3000: 2007) may be applied to the above circumstances where it does not cause onerous changes or costs.

Section 66 of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2002 requires:

"66 – Licensed electrical worker to comply with wiring rules
A licensed electrical worker who performs electrical work on an electrical installation must ensure that the electrical installation, to the extent it is affected by the electrical work, is in accordance with the wiring rules.”

Seminars

The seminars ran throughout Queensland between January and July 2008 and are now concluded.

The slides and speaking notes (PPT, 1 MB) used at the seminar are available for download. This is to enable seminar attendees to report to work mates who did not attend, on a "train-the-trainer" basis.

Last updated 22 July 2008

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