Reprint
as at 1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
(SR 1997/60)
PURSUANT to section 169 of the Electricity Act 1992, His Excel­
lency the Administrator of the Government, acting by and with the
advice and consent of the Executive Council, makes the following
regulations.
Contents
Page
Part 1
Preliminary provisions
1
2
3
Title and commencement
Interpretation
Application
8
8
17
Part 2
Registration and licences
Registration
4
Requirements for registration and provisional licences
18
Examinations
5
Holding of examinations
18
Note
Changes authorised by section 17C of the Acts and Regulations Publication Act 1989
have been made in this eprint.
A general outline of these changes is set out in the notes at the end of this eprint, together
with other explanatory material about this eprint.
These regulations are administered in the Ministry of Commerce.
1
Electricity Regulations 1997
6
7
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Eligibility to sit examinations
Applications for examination and re­marking
19
19
Notices
8
Receipt of notices
20
Registers
9
10
11
Registers
Entries in registers
Inspection of registers
21
21
21
Practising licences
12
13
Practising licences
Conditions for issue of practising licences
21
22
Replacement certificates and licences
14
Replacement certificates and licences
22
Recognition of overseas workers
15
Persons qualified overseas
22
Employer licences
16
Requirements prescribed for employer licences
23
Part 3
Prescribed electrical work and worker safety
Prescribed electrical work
17
Prescribed electrical work
25
Restrictions on prescribed electrical work
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
2
Prescribed electrical work registered electrical service
technicians may do
Prescribed electrical work registered line mechanics may
do
Prescribed electrical work registered electricians and
registered electrical inspectors may do
Prescribed electrical work qualified engineers may do
Prescribed electrical work holders of provisional licences
may do
Prescribed electrical work trainees may do
Work on live high voltage overhead electric
lines [Revoked]
28
29
29
29
29
30
30
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Competency requirements and safety tuition, etc
25
26
27
Competency requirements for electrical workers
Safety tuition for electrical workers
Assistance for work on certain live high voltage
fittings [Revoked]
30
31
31
Requirements in relation to work on or near overhead
electric lines
28
29
30
31
Work on live high voltage conductors of overhead electric
lines
Work on live conductors of low voltage overhead electric
lines in electrical installations
Safe approach distances
Construction of overhead lines on existing poles or other
supports
32
32
32
33
Temporary earthing requirements
32
33
Temporary earthing requirements
Further provisions relating to temporary earthing
requirements [Revoked]
33
34
Warning notices, safety locks, and safety instructions
34
Warning notices, safety locks, and safety instructions
34
Associated equipment
35
36
Responsibility of employers for safety of employees
Safety responsibilities of person who carries out work
35
36
Testing, certification, and inspection
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
43A
44
Testing of prescribed electrical work
Testing electrical appliances
Certification of prescribed electrical work
Further provisions relating to certification of prescribed
electrical work
Inspection of prescribed electrical work
Further provisions relating to inspection of prescribed
electrical work
Forms for certificates of compliance other than under
employer licences
Connection of electrical installations to electricity
Suppliers of electricity to new or recommissioned
electrical installations and switchboards
36
37
37
39
40
42
43
44
44
3
Electricity Regulations 1997
45
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Connection of power supply for testing, certification, or
inspection purposes
45
Safety checks for particular installations
46
Safety checks for particular electrical installations and
electrical appliances
45
Limits of home­owners’ and tradespersons’ work
47
48
49
Home­owners’ electrical wiring work
Maintenance of domestic appliances
Limits and requirements of exemption for tradespersons
47
48
48
Notification to Secretary
50
Notification to Secretary
50
Offences
51
Offences
51
Part 4
Systems of supply
Systems in general
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
Systems in general
Voltage
Meter accuracy
Frequency
Quality of supply
Change in supply characteristics
Electrical interference with telecommunications lines, etc
Keeping of records and plans
52
52
53
53
54
54
54
55
Earthing, protection measures, warning notices, etc
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
Earthing requirements for works
Protective fittings
Protection against fault currents
Further provisions relating to protection against fault
currents [Revoked]
Protection against overload current
Isolation fittings for works and electrical installations
Strength of works and warning notices
56
56
56
57
57
58
58
Offences
67
4
Offences
59
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 5
Safety of works, electrical installations, fittings, and
electrical appliances
General provisions
68
69
69A
69B
69C
Works, electrical installations, fittings, and electrical
appliances in existence on 1 April 1993
Electrical safety
Electrical installations
Compliance with regulation 69(1)
Compliance with design, construction, and installation
requirements of regulation 69(1)
60
60
61
61
62
Cables, conductors, switches, plugs, etc
70
71
72
73
74
75
Cables and conductors
Identification of conductors [Revoked]
Position of switches and protective fittings
Storage capacitors [Revoked]
Plugs and socket outlets
Residual current protection devices [Revoked]
63
64
64
64
64
65
Electrical appliances
76
76A
77
78
78
Fittings and electrical appliances
Non­complying fittings and electrical appliances
Handheld appliances
Compliance with Conformity Cooperation Agreement
marks
Isolation of fixed wired appliances and ranges [Revoked]
65
66
67
68
68
Electric motors
79
Particular requirements for electric motors [Revoked]
69
Switchboards
80
81
82
83
Switchboards [Revoked]
MEN switchboards [Revoked]
Linked busbar switchboards [Revoked]
Distribution switchboards [Revoked]
69
69
69
69
Earthing requirements
84
85
86
Earthing in general
Fittings that must not or need not be earthed [Revoked]
Earthing system for MEN electrical installations
69
70
70
5
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Miscellaneous provisions
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
93A
94
95
96
97
98
99
Construction of works and electrical installations
Further provisions relating to construction of works and
electrical installations [Revoked]
Electricity generation facilities and substations
Damp situations
Extra­low voltage installations
Conductor insulation for overhead electric lines
Safety distances from electric lines
Interference with, or movement of, works
Protection against direct and indirect electrical contact
Notification of existence of particular types of electrical
installations [Revoked]
Notification of construction of or additions to electric
lines [Revoked]
Connectable installations
Supply of electricity to connectable installations
Arbitrators
71
73
73
73
74
74
74
75
75
76
76
76
78
79
Offences
100
Offences
79
Part 6
Miscellaneous provisions
Declared articles
101
101A
Declared articles
Specified fittings or electrical appliances
81
83
Prohibitions, exemptions, and urgent instructions
102
103
104
105
Prohibition of fittings and electrical appliances
Secretary’s exemptions from requirements
Chief executive responsible for Building Act 2004 may
grant exemptions
Issuing of urgent instructions
83
84
85
85
Accident reports
106
Details to be provided in reporting accidents
86
Offences
107
6
Offences
87
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Transitional provisions
108
Approvals, modifications, permissions, etc, under earlier
regulations
87
Fees
109
Fees
89
Revocations
110
Revocations
89
Schedule 1
Qualifications for registration as electrician
90
Schedule 2
Qualifications for registration as electrical service
technician
96
Schedule 3
Qualifications for registration as line mechanic
100
Schedule 4
Qualifications for registration as electrical inspector
104
Schedule 5
Conditions to be fulfilled by applicants for practising
licences
107
Schedule 6
Overseas qualifications
108
Schedule 7
Subject­matter for course of tuition for tradespersons
117
Schedule 8
Declared articles
[Revoked]
119
Schedule 9
Prescribed fees
119
7
Part 1 r 1
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Part 1
Preliminary provisions
1
(1)
(2)
2
(1)
8
Title and commencement
These regulations may be cited as the Electricity Regulations
1997.
These regulations come into force on 9 May 1997.
Interpretation
In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires,—
a.c. means alternating current
Act means the Electricity Act 1992
all practicable steps has the same meaning as in section
2(1) of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992
arm’s reach means 2.5 m vertically upwards, and 1.25 m side­
ways or downwards, from any point on a surface where per­
sons usually stand or move about
AS means Australian Standard
AS/NZS means a joint Australian and New Zealand Standard
caravan park means an area of land—
(a) that is used, or intended to be used, to site 2 or more ve­
hicles or relocatable buildings containing connectable
installations; and
(b) on which are installed fittings to supply electricity to
those installations
certificate of compliance means a certificate issued in accord­
ance with regulation 39
certificate of verification means a document certifying that
any inspection, checking, and testing necessary to verify com­
pliance with section 5 of NZS 3019 has been successfully com­
pleted
conductor means a wire, cable, bar, or tube, used or placed in
position for the conveyance of electricity; but does not include
the wire of an electric fence
Conformity Cooperation Agreement means the Agreement
between the Government of New Zealand and the Govern­
ment of the People’s Republic of China on Cooperation in
the Field of Conformity Assessment in Relation to Electrical
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 1 r 2
and Electronic Equipment and Components, which is Annex
14 of the Free Trade Agreement between the Government of
New Zealand and the Government of the People’s Republic of
China done at Beijing on 7 April 2008
Conformity Cooperation Agreement marks means the
marks that are required by the Conformity Cooperation
Agreement
d.c. means direct current
direct contact means contact, by any person or animal, with
live parts, including contact by any thing being carried or worn
by that person or animal
earthed means effectively connected to the general mass of
earth
electric line means all conductors (including fittings support­
ing, or connected to, those conductors), whether above or be­
low ground, that are used, or intended to be used, in, or in con­
nection with, the supply of electricity from the outgoing ter­
minals of a generating station, a building, enclosure, or other
structure to—
(a) the incoming terminals of another building, enclosure,
or other structure; or
(b) an electrical appliance, in any case where the electrical
appliance is supplied with electricity other than from a
terminal in a building, enclosure, or other structure
electrically safe has the same meaning as in regulation 69(2)
employer licence means an employer licence issued under
section 101 of the Act
extra­low voltage means any voltage normally not exceeding
50 volts a.c. or 120 volts ripple­free d.c.
generating station means those parts of works that are used
principally for the generation of electricity
hazardous area means an area in which an explosive atmo­
sphere is present, or may be expected to be present, in quan­
tities that require special precautions for the construction, in­
stallation, and use of electrical equipment
high voltage means voltage exceeding 1,000 volts a.c. or
1,500 volts d.c.
9
Part 1 r 2
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
IEC, when immediately followed by a number, means a stan­
dard of that number set by the International Electrotechnical
Commission
IEC shock currents standard means the magnitude and du­
ration of shock currents specified in Zones AC­1 and AC­2 of
Figure 14 of IEC 60479­1 for a.c. currents, and Zones DC­1
and DC­2 of Figure 15 of IEC 60479­1 for d.c. currents
indirect contact means contact, by a person or animal, with
exposed conductive parts that are live under fault conditions,
including contact by any thing being carried or worn by that
person or animal
insulated, in relation to conductors and other fittings, means
that the conductors or fittings are covered with insulation in
such a manner that a person may safely handle them when they
are live
isolated, in relation to fittings or electrical appliances, means
that the fittings or appliances are deliberately disconnected
from any source of electricity
isolating transformer means a transformer that has its in­
put and output windings electrically separated to limit hazards
that may occur due to accidental simultaneous contact between
earth and—
(a) live parts; or
(b) metal parts that may become live in the event of an
insulation fault
live or alive means charged with electricity so that a difference
in voltage exists to earth or between conductors
low voltage means any voltage exceeding 50 volts a.c. or 120
volts ripple­free d.c. but not exceeding 1,000 volts a.c. or
1,500 volts d.c.
main earthing system means an earthing system of an elec­
trical installation—
(a) that operates at standard low voltage; and
(b) that incorporates both an earth electrode and an earthing
lead that is connected at that earth electrode and at the
switchboard
main switchboard, in respect of an electrical installation,
means the switchboard that is used by the consumer to provide
10
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1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 1 r 2
the greatest degree of control of the supply of electricity to
that installation
mains means those fittings forming part of an electrical instal­
lation that are used for the supply of electricity to the main
switchboard of that installation
mains parallel generation system means fittings that—
(a) are used or intended for use by any person in the gener­
ation of, or in connection with the generation of, elec­
tricity for that person’s use; and
(b) are capable of supplying electricity to fittings that, at
the same time, are supplied with electricity from other
systems of electrical supply
MEN switchboard means a switchboard that has a connection
to an earth electrode via an earthing lead, and a connection
between earth and neutral made by a removable link, for the
purposes of a MEN system
Multiple Earthed Neutral System or MEN system means
a system of supply of electricity in which the neutral is con­
nected to the earth—
(a) at the source of supply; and
(b) at points on the supply system; and
(c) at every electrical installation connected to that system
NZS means New Zealand Standard
personal protective equipment means items of apparel and
equipment worn by a person that are intended either to prevent
the occurrence of harm to the person or to minimise any harm
that may occur from hazards that are present in the workplace
or hazards that may arise in the course of work
prescribed electrical work has the same meaning as in regu­
lation 17
residual current device or RCD means a device for isolating
supply to protected circuits, socket­outlets, or electrical appli­
ances in the event of a current flow to earth that exceeds a
predetermined level
safety extra­low voltage means extra­low voltage in a circuit
that is isolated from the electricity supply mains by means such
as a safety isolating transformer
11
Part 1 r 2
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
safety isolating transformer means an isolating transformer
designed to supply safety extra­low voltage circuits
service protective fitting means a fitting that can interrupt the
supply of electricity to an electrical installation
shock currents means electrical currents that pass through the
body of a person or animal, and that have characteristics that
are likely to cause disorders of physiological processes of the
body
source of supply means either the generating station or the
substation from which electricity, at the voltage at which it is
delivered to the consumer, is derived
standard low voltage means,—
(a) in respect of electricity supplied by either a single­phase
MEN system or a multiple­phase MEN system, a nom­
inal voltage of 230 volts a.c. between phase and neutral;
or
(b) in respect of electricity supplied by any other system, a
nominal voltage,—
(i)
in relation to single­phase supplies, of 230 volts
a.c. between conductors; or
(ii) in relation to two­phase supplies, of 400 volts a.c.
or 460 volts a.c. between conductors; or
(iii) in relation to multiple­phase supplies, of 400
volts a.c. between conductors
submain means those fittings forming part of an electrical
installation that are used for the supply of electricity from
the main switchboard to another switchboard, whether or not
through intermediate switchboards
substation means those parts of works or electrical installa­
tions, being a building, structure, or enclosure, incorporating
fittings that are used principally for the purposes of the control
of the distribution of electricity
suitably qualified auditor suitably qualified auditor means—
(a) a person who holds a relevant audit qualification recog­
nised under the Joint Accreditation System­ Australia
New Zealand; or
12
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 1 r 2
(b)
(2)
(3)
a person who satisfies the Secretary that the person is
competent to assess a system or operation referred to in
section 101 of the Act and regulation 16
telecommunications line means a line within the meaning of
section 5 of the Telecommunications Act 2001
telecommunications network voltage, in relation to telecom­
munications lines or equipment, means a voltage that is not
greater than the limits specified in AS/NZS 60950.
Unless the context otherwise requires, terms used in these
regulations that are not defined in subclause (1) or in the Act
have the meaning given to them (if any),—
(a) in the case of electrical installations, in AS/NZS 3000;
and
(b) in all other cases, in IEC 60050.
In these regulations,—
ECP 34 means the New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice
for Electrical Safe Distances (NZECP34:2001) issued on 9
August 2001
ECP 35 means the New Zealand Electrical Code of Prac­
tice for Power Systems Earthing (NZECP35:1993) issued on
4 February 1993
ECP 36 means the New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice
for Harmonic Levels (NZECP36:1993) issued on 4 February
1993
ECP 41 means the New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice
for Single Wire Earth Return Systems (NZECP41:1993) is­
sued on 4 February 1993
ECP 50 means the New Zealand Electrical Code of
Practice for Repair of Domestic Electrical Equipment
(NZECP50:1993) issued on 4 February 1993
ECP 51 means the New Zealand Electrical Code of Prac­
tice for Electrical Wiring Work in Domestic Premises
(NZECP51:1993) issued on 4 February 1993
ECP 52 means the New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice
for Retrofit Heaters for Spa­Pool Installations (NZECP 52:
1996) issued on 15 May 1996
13
Part 1 r 2
(4)
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
ECP 54 means the New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice
for Electrical Installations of Recessed Luminaires and Auxil­
iary Equipment (NZECP 54:2001) issued on 5 April 2001
ECP 60 means the New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice
for Inspection, Testing and Certification of Low Voltage AC
Railway Signalling Control Circuits (NZECP 60: 1997) issued
on 6 July 1997.
In these regulations,—
AS/NZS 2381.1 means the Joint Australian/New Zealand
Standard known as AS/NZS 2381.1:1999 (Electrical equip­
ment for explosive atmospheres ­ Selection, installation, and
maintenance – General requirements)
AS/NZS 2500 means the Joint Australian/New Zealand Stan­
dard known as AS/NZS 2500:1995 (Guide to the safe use of
electricity in patient care); and includes the amendment to that
standard known as Amendment A: 2003
AS/NZS 2500: this definition was substituted, as from 8 January 2004, by regu­
lation 3(1) Electricity Amendment Regulations 2003 (SR 2003/355).
AS/NZS 3000 means the Joint Australian/New Zealand Stan­
dard known as AS/NZS 3000:2000 (Australia/New Zealand
Wiring Rules); and includes the amendment to that standard
known as Amendment 3: 2003
AS/NZS 3000: this definition was substituted, as from 8 January 2004, by regu­
lation 3(1) Electricity Amendment Regulations 2003 (SR 2003/355).
AS/NZS 3001 means the Joint Australian/New Zealand Stan­
dard known as AS/NZS 3001:2001 (Electrical installations –
Movable premises (including caravans and their site installa­
tions))
AS/NZS 3002 means the Joint Australian/New Zealand Stan­
dard known as AS/NZS 3002:2002 (Electrical installations –
Shows and carnivals)
AS/NZS 3003 means the Joint Australian/New Zealand Stan­
dard known as AS/NZS 3003:2003 (Electrical installations –
Patient treatment areas of hospitals and medical and dental
practices)
AS/NZS 3003: this definition was substituted, as from 8 January 2004, by regu­
lation 3(1) Electricity Amendment Regulations 2003 (SR 2003/355).
14
Reprinted as at
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Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 1 r 2
AS/NZS 3004 means the Joint Australian/New Zealand Stan­
dard known as AS/NZS 3004:2002 (Electrical installations –
Marinas and pleasure craft at low voltage)
AS/NZS 3012 means the Joint Australian/New Zealand Stan­
dard known as AS/NZS 3012:2003 (Electrical installations –
Construction and demolition sites)
AS/NZS 3012: this definition was substituted, as from 8 January 2004, by regu­
lation 3(1) Electricity Amendment Regulations 2003 (SR 2003/355).
AS/NZS 3014 means the Joint Australian/New Zealand Stan­
dard known as AS/NZS 3014:2003 (Electrical installations —
Electric fences).
AS/NZS 3551: this definition was inserted, as from 8 January 2004, by regula­
tion 3(2) Electricity Amendment Regulations 2003 (SR 2003/355).
AS/NZS 3016 means the Joint Australian/New Zealand Stan­
dard known as AS/NZS 3016:2002 (Electrical installations –
Electric security fences)
AS/NZS 3016: this definition was substituted, as from 8 January 2004, by regu­
lation 3(1) Electricity Amendment Regulations 2003 (SR 2003/355).
AS/NZS 3112 means the Joint Australian/New Zealand Stan­
dard known as AS/NZS 3112:2000 (Approval and test speci­
fication – Plugs and socket­outlets)
AS/NZS 3350.2.98 means the Joint Australian/New Zealand
Standard known as Humidifiers AS/NZS 3350.2.98:1998
(Safety of household and similar electrical appliances ­ Par­
ticular requirements)
AS/NZS 3551 means the Joint Australian/New Zealand Stan­
dard known as AS/NZS 3551:1996 (Technical management
programmes for medical devices); and includes the amend­
ment to that standard known as Amendment A: 2003.
AS/NZS 3551: this definition was substituted, as from 8 January 2004, by regu­
lation 3(1) Electricity Amendment Regulations 2003 (SR 2003/355).
AS/NZS 3760 means the Joint Australian/New Zealand Stan­
dard known as AS/NZS 3760:2001 (Inservice safety inspec­
tion and testing of electrical equipment)
AS/NZS 3820 means the Joint Australian/New Zealand Stan­
dard known as AS/NZS 3820:1998 (Essential safety require­
ments for low voltage electrical equipment)
15
Part 1 r 2
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
AS/NZS 3832 means the Joint Australian/New Zealand Stan­
dard known as AS/NZS 3832:1998 (Cold cathode illumination
systems)
AS/NZS 4249 means the Joint Australian/New Zealand Stan­
dard known as AS/NZS 4249:1994 (Electrical safety practices
­ Film, video, and television sites)
AS/NZS 4417 means the Joint Australian/New Zealand Stan­
dard known as AS/NZS 4417:1998 (Marking of electrical
products to indicate compliance with regulations (all parts))
AS/NZS 4701 means the Joint Australian/New Zealand Stan­
dard known as AS/NZS 4701:2000 (Requirements for domes­
tic electrical appliances for reconditioning or parts recycling)
AS/NZS 60950 means the Joint Australian/New Zealand Stan­
dard known as AS/NZS 60950:2000 (Safety of information
technology equipment)
BS 196 means the British Standard known as BS 196:1961
(Specification for protected type non­reversible plugs, socket­
outlets, cable couplers, and appliance couplers with earthing
contacts for single phase a.c. circuits up to 350 volts)
IEC 60050 means the International Electrotechnical Commis­
sion Standard known as IEC 60050 (International Electrotech­
nical Vocabulary)
IEC 60309 means IEC 60309­1988, Plugs, socket­outlets, and
couplers for industrial purposes
IEC 60479­1 means IEC 60479­1:1994, Effects of current on
human beings and livestock ­ Part 1: General
NZS 1989 means the New Zealand Standard known as NZS
1989:1965 (Specification for protected type non­reversible
plugs, socket­outlets, cable couplers and appliance couplers
with earthing contacts for single phase a.c. circuits up to 350
volts)
NZS 3003.1 means the New Zealand Standard known as NZS
3003.1:2003 (Electrical installations – Patient treatment areas
of hospitals and dental practices)
NZS 3003.1: this definition was inserted, as from 8 January 2004, by regulation
3(3) Electricity Amendment Regulations 2003 (SR 2003/355).
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Reprinted as at
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Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 1 r 3
NZS 3019 means the Interim New Zealand Standard known
as NZS 3019 (Int):2002 (Electrical installations ­ In­service
testing).
Regulation 2(1) Conformity Cooperation Agreement: inserted, on 1 October
2008, by regulation 9 of the Electricity (China Free Trade Agreement) Regula­
tions 2008 (SR 2008/223).
Regulation 2(1) Conformity Cooperation Agreement marks: inserted, on 1
October 2008, by regulation 9 of the Electricity (China Free Trade Agreement)
Regulations 2008 (SR 2008/223).
“ECP 3”: this definition was substituted, as from 18 November 1999, by regu­
lation 2(1) Electricity Amendment Regulations 1999 (SR 1999/369).
“ECP 52” and “ECP 60”: these definitions were inserted, as from 18 Novem­
ber 1999, by regulation 2(2) Electricity Amendment Regulations 1999 (SR
1999/369).
Regulation 2 was substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 3 Electricity
Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
3
Application
These regulations do not apply to—
(a) Fittings of any road vehicle (excluding any vehicles or
relocatable buildings containing connectable installa­
tions) used for propulsion, lighting, or heating of the
vehicle, or used for self­contained lifting or hoisting
equipment, provided that those fittings do not receive
a supply of electricity from an external power supply
and do not supply electricity to any premises; or
(b) Fittings or electrical appliances manufactured solely for
export or imported solely for re­export; or
(c) Fittings of any conveyance, being a ship (excluding
pleasure vessels containing connectable installations),
aircraft, vessel, train, locomotive, tram, or trolley
bus,—
except in so far as any requirement in these regulations specif­
ically applies to any matter or thing covered by this regulation.
Paragraph (c) was amended, as from 18 November 1999, by regulation 3 Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 1999 (SR 1999/369) by substituting the word
“of” for the word “on”.
17
Part 2 r 4
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Part 2
Registration and licences
Registration
4
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Requirements for registration and provisional licences
The qualifications for registration as an electrician are those
set out in Schedule 1.
The qualifications for registration as an electrical service tech­
nician are those set out in Schedule 2.
The qualifications for registration as a line mechanic are those
set out in Schedule 3.
The qualifications for registration as an electrical inspector are
those set out in Schedule 4.
An application for a provisional licence must be made on the
form approved by the Board for the purpose, and must be ac­
companied by the prescribed fee.
Examinations
5
(1)
(2)
(3)
18
Holding of examinations
The Board may, from time to time at such places as it may
determine, hold or arrange for the holding of examinations of
candidates for registration.
The Board must, by such means as the Board thinks fit, give
notice of—
(a) The dates and places at which examinations are to be
held; and
(b) The date by which applications for entry to the examin­
ations must be made; and
(c) The minimum standard required in order to pass the
examinations; and
(d) The materials that candidates will require for the exam­
inations; and
(e) Any restrictions on the use, in the examinations, of writ­
ten and other materials.
The Board may decline to hold or arrange for the holding of
any examination where the Board considers that the total num­
ber of candidates is insufficient.
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
(4)
(5)
6
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
7
(1)
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 2 r 7
The Board may appoint persons as examiners for the conduct
of the examinations.
After the examination, the Registrar must notify each candi­
date by post of—
(a) The candidate’s marks; and
(b) Whether or not the candidate has met the minimum
standard required to pass the examination; and
(c) The date on which the notification takes effect; and
(d) The time by which the candidate may apply for a
re­examination of answers to the written examination.
Eligibility to sit examinations
Subject to subclause (2), a person who has completed the rele­
vant courses in respect of which examinations are to be held
is entitled to sit the examinations.
The Board may allow a person to sit an examination if it is sat­
isfied that the person has completed a relevant part of a course
in respect of which an examination is to be held, or has re­
ceived alternative tuition in the subject­matter of the examin­
ation that is equivalent to that in the relevant course.
The Board may require that a candidate satisfy the Board of
the candidate’s identity.
Where a candidate arrives at the place where an examination is
to be held, the supervisor of the examination may require that
candidate to provide such proof of the candidate’s identity as
the supervisor thinks fit.
Where the Board is not satisfied that the person who applied to
sit the examination is the person that sat the examination, then
the Board may declare the examination results of that person
invalid.
Applications for examination and re­marking
Subject to subclause (2), applications for entry to examinations
must be—
(a) Made on the form approved by the Board for the pur­
pose; and
19
Part 2 r 8
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
(b)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Accompanied by the prescribed fees for the written
examination and either the practical assessment or the
practical examination; and
(c) Sent so as to reach the Registrar not later than the date
specified by the Board in the notice given pursuant to
regulation 5(2).
The Board may, if it thinks fit, on application made on the
form approved by the Board for the purpose, accompanied by
the prescribed fee,—
(a) Permit entry to an examination if the application is
made not later than 14 days from the date specified by
the Board pursuant to regulation 5(2)(b); or
(b) Permit the applicant to have a special examination at a
particular place or under particular conditions agreed to
by the Board.
An application for the re­marking of a person’s answers to a
written examination must be—
(a) Made on the form approved by the Board for the pur­
pose; and
(b) Accompanied by the prescribed fee; and
(c) Sent so as to reach the Board not later than 21 days after
the date on which the notification of the examination
results takes effect, as notified by the Registrar pursuant
to regulation 5(5).
Any person who has sat any examination to which this Part
applies is entitled to the return of that person’s examination
scripts upon payment of the prescribed fee.
Notices
8
(1)
(2)
20
Receipt of notices
Every person making application for registration under the
Act, and every person so registered, must notify the Board
forthwith of any change of address to which notices may be
sent to that person.
Notices given by the Registrar under this Part are sufficient
if signed by the Registrar, addressed to the applicant at the
address stated in the applicant’s application (or any change of
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
(3)
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 2 r 12
address notified in accordance with subclause (1)), and sent to
that address.
Notices to which subclause (2) applies are deemed to be re­
ceived 3 days after the date on which they are sent.
Registers
9
Registers
The registers maintained by the Board in accordance with sec­
tion 87 of the Act must contain the following information for
each registered person:
(a) name and address:
(b) class of registration:
(c) date of registration:
(d) whether the person holds a current practising licence:
(e) any limits imposed by the Board under section 86 of the
Act on the work that the person may undertake.
Regulation 9 was substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 4 Electricity
Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
10
(1)
(2)
11
(1)
(2)
Entries in registers
Entries in each register must be made in the order in which
directions to make the entries are received by the Registrar
from the Board, or as directed by the Board.
A direction of the Board to make any entry in any register is
sufficient if signed by the Presiding Member and given to the
Registrar pursuant to a resolution of the Board.
Inspection of registers
Any person may, without charge, inspect any register.
Any person may, on payment of the prescribed fee, obtain a
copy certified under the hand of the Registrar of the particulars
entered in respect of any person in any register.
Practising licences
12
(1)
Practising licences
An application for a practising licence must be on the form
approved by the Board for the purpose.
21
Part 2 r 13
(2)
(3)
(4)
13
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Every application for a practising licence must specify—
(a) Whether the applicant is, at the date of the application,
actively engaged in the class or classes of work in re­
spect of which the applicant is registered; and
(b) Whether the applicant has fulfilled those conditions spe­
cified in Schedule 5 that are relevant to the applicant;
and
(c) Where, at the date of the application, the applicant is
not actively engaged in the class or classes of work in
respect of which the applicant is registered,—
(i)
The date when the applicant last carried out pre­
scribed electrical work; and
(ii) The type of prescribed electrical work that the
applicant last carried out.
An application for a practising licence must be accompanied
by the prescribed fee.
A holder of a practising licence must carry that licence when
carrying out prescribed electrical work for payment or reward.
Conditions for issue of practising licences
Before a practising licence may be issued to applicants for a
practising licence, the applicants must fulfil those conditions
specified in Schedule 5 that are relevant to them.
Replacement certificates and licences
14
Replacement certificates and licences
The Registrar may, on application made on the form approved
by the Board for the purpose and on payment of the prescribed
fee, issue a replacement certificate or licence where the appli­
cant—
(a) Returns to the Registrar the certificate or licence to be
replaced; or
(b) Satisfies the Registrar that the certificate or licence to
be replaced has been lost or destroyed.
Recognition of overseas workers
15
(1)
22
Persons qualified overseas
For the purposes of section 81(a) of the Act,—
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 2 r 16
(a)
(2)
(3)
The qualifications specified in the first column of Part
A of schedule 6 are recognised certificates for the pur­
poses of registration as an electrician; and
(b) The conditions (if any) specified in the second column
of Part A of Schedule 6 in relation to any such qualifi­
cation must be fulfilled by the holder of such a qualifi­
cation before that person may be registered as an elec­
trician.
For the purposes of section 81(a) of the Act,—
(a) The qualifications specified in the first column of Part
B of Schedule 6 are recognised certificates for the pur­
poses of registration as a line mechanic; and
(b) The conditions (if any) specified in the second column
of Part B of Schedule 6 in relation to any such qualifi­
cation must be fulfilled by the holder of such a quali­
fication before that person may be registered as a line
mechanic.
For the purposes of section 81(a) of the Act, the qualification
specified in Part C of Schedule 6 is a recognised certificate for
the purposes of registration as an electrical service technician.
Employer licences
16
(1)
Requirements prescribed for employer licences
For the purposes of section 101(1)(a) of the Act, the require­
ments for the system of operation which must be maintained
by the holder of an employer licence are as follows:
(a) That the holder of the licence maintains a manual that
identifies—
(i)
The prescribed electrical work that the holder
undertakes pursuant to the licence:
(ii) The employees or categories of employees of the
holder of the licence who are to carry out that
work:
(iii) The aspects of that work that may safely be
undertaken by a particular employee or category
of employees:
(iv) Procedures for the carrying out of tasks within
the work so identified:
23
Part 2 r 16
Electricity Regulations 1997
(v)
(vi)
(2)
(3)
24
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Skill requirements for the work:
The training and instructions necessary for each
employee or category of employees before carry­
ing out any work, and any on­going training:
(vii) Procedures for supervision of the performance of
the work:
(viii) Procedures for recording the completion of any
work and the persons responsible for that work:
(ix) Procedures for monitoring the work:
(x) Procedures for recording and investigating in­
juries to employees or any other persons, or dam­
age to any property, occurring as a result of the
carrying out of the work:
(xi) Remedial and preventative action in relation to
subparagraph (x):
(xii) The location and address of each place of work
from which the holder of the licence operates and
that is intended to be covered by the licence:
(xiii) The person on the staff of the holder of the licence
who is the contact person for the purposes of the
licence; and
(b) That the holder of the licence has in place in that per­
son’s organisation the procedures outlined in subpara­
graphs (iv), (vii), (viii), (ix), and (x).
Every application for an employer licence must be on the form
approved by the Secretary for the purpose, and must be accom­
panied by—
(a) A manual, or a copy of the manual, that sets out, in re­
lation to the system of operation that the applicant pro­
poses to maintain, the matters referred to in subclause
(1)(a); and
(b) A report prepared by an independent and suitably qual­
ified auditor certifying that the manual covers the re­
quirements listed in subclause (1)(a) and that the appli­
cant has in place the procedures referred to in subclause
(1)(b).
Before the grant of an employer licence, the applicant must
pay the prescribed fee.
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
(4)
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 3 r 17
The holder of an employer licence must, at intervals of not
more than 12 months beginning on the date of the grant of the
licence, supply a copy of a certificate from an independent and
suitably qualified auditor that the manual is being adhered to
and that the procedures are being maintained, and are effect­
ive, and remain appropriate.
Part 3
Prescribed electrical work and worker
safety
Prescribed electrical work
17
(1)
(2)
Prescribed electrical work
Subject to subclause (2), the following work is prescribed elec­
trical work:
(a) In relation to works and electrical installations,—
(i)
The installation of conductors:
(ii) The installation of fittings that are connected, or
are intended to be connected, to conductors:
(iii) The maintenance of conductors:
(iv) The maintenance of fittings that are connected, or
are intended to be connected, to conductors:
(b) The maintenance of electrical appliances:
(c) In relation to works, electrical installations, and elec­
trical appliances, the connection or disconnection of
conductors to or from a power supply, other than by
means of—
(i)
A plug; or
(ii) An appliance inlet; or
(iii) A pin—
that is inserted into a socket outlet.
The following work is deemed not to be prescribed electrical
work:
(a) Work on—
(i)
Electrical installations; or
(ii) Fittings or electrical appliances—
that are intended solely for connection to, or are associ­
ated with, electricity supplies not exceeding extra­low
voltage:
25
Part 3 r 17
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
26
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Repairs or adjustments to works, electrical installations,
fittings, or electrical appliances or the replacement of
extra­low voltage or mechanical fittings in electrical in­
stallations or electrical appliances, provided (in each
case) that the work can be undertaken without remov­
ing any screens, covers, or the like designed to prevent
inadvertent contact with fittings intended to be supplied
at voltages above extra­low voltage:
The operation of works, electrical installations, or elec­
trical appliances:
The operation or switching of works, electrical instal­
lations, or electrical appliances, including the manual
connection or disconnection of temporary earthing or
bonding fittings, for the purpose of isolating and earth­
ing those works, installations, or appliances:
The construction of overhead electric lines as part of
any works, where the electric lines are not connected or
attached to any pole or support carrying any fittings that
are connected to a power supply:
The construction of underground electric lines as part
of any works, where the electric lines are not connected
to any fittings that are connected to a power supply:
The permanent removal, dismantling, or demolition
of—
(i)
Any works; or
(ii) Any electrical installation—
that has been permanently disconnected from a power
supply:
The installation, adjustment, alteration, repair, or re­
moval of the conductors, supports, or insulators of any
electric fence, and their connection to, or disconnection
from, an electric fence controller:
The connection or disconnection of a temporary bond­
ing conductor to or from any metal pipe or tube that
forms, whether by design or not, part of an earthing sys­
tem, where the temporary bonding conductor is for the
purpose of maintaining a continuous path to earth dur­
ing work on the pipe or tube:
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
(j)
(k)
(l)
(m)
(n)
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 3 r 17
The rewinding of coils and armatures, but not including
the reassembly, testing, and connection of any electrical
appliance:
Experimental work on radio transmitters, receivers, and
electronic apparatus, provided the work is not carried
out for payment or reward:
Work done on or in connection with any electrical
installation, fittings, or electrical appliance, used for
telecommunications purposes, where—
(i)
The electrical installation, fittings, or electrical
appliance operates at telecommunications net­
work voltage; or
(ii) Shock currents and their duration cannot exceed
the IEC shock currents standard,—
provided that the work may be undertaken without re­
moving any screens, covers, or the like designed to pre­
vent inadvertent contact with fittings operating at sup­
ply voltages in excess of extra­low voltage or telecom­
munications network voltage, as the case may be:
Work done on or in connection with any telecommuni­
cations line or any telecommunications network equip­
ment (other than that to which paragraph (l) applies)
which is associated with telecommunications lines, pro­
vided that the work may be undertaken without remov­
ing any screens, covers, or the like designed to pre­
vent inadvertent contact with fittings operating at sup­
ply voltages in excess of extra­low voltage or telecom­
munications network voltage, as the case may be:
Work done on low voltage fittings, where—
(i)
The work consists of—
(A) The replacement of a fuse link with a fuse
link or plug­in miniature circuit breaker of
an appropriate rating; or
(B) Affixing a fitting (being a plug, an adaptor,
a cord extension socket, or an appliance
connector) of an appropriate rating to a
flexible cord that is designed to have such
a fitting affixed to it; and
27
Part 3 r 18
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
(ii)
(o)
(p)
There is in force in respect of the work a standard
set by the Secretary for the purpose; and
(iii) The work is done in a competent manner, without
payment or reward, and in accordance with that
standard:
The assembly and repair of radio apparatus, fire control
equipment, or searchlights, where the apparatus, equip­
ment, or searchlights are used solely for defence pur­
poses under the control of the New Zealand Defence
Force, and an officer or a non­commissioned officer
having control of the apparatus, equipment, or search­
light has directed the conditions of security that must be
observed in the assembly or repair:
The installation of any temporary conductors between
fittings, or between electrical appliances, or between
fittings and electrical appliances, where the fittings or
electrical appliances are used for experimental testing,
demonstration, teaching, or research purposes in any
electrical engineering workshop, electrical test room,
laboratory, hospital, research project, or teaching insti­
tution.
Restrictions on prescribed electrical work
18
(1)
28
Prescribed electrical work registered electrical service
technicians may do
Subject to any limits imposed by the Board pursuant to sec­
tion 86 of the Act, a registered electrical service technician
may do the following kinds of prescribed electrical work un­
supervised:
(a) The maintenance of electrical appliances:
(b) The maintenance or replacement of fittings of works
or electrical installations, other than the installation of
conductors:
(c) The connection or disconnection of an electrical appli­
ance to or from a conductor that is to supply electricity
to that electrical appliance:
(d) The replacement of fuse links:
(e) The construction, repair, or replacement of flexible cord
sets.
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 3 r 22
(2)
A registered electrical service technician may assist in doing
any other prescribed electrical work if that technician is super­
vised by a supervisor of electrical work whose registration al­
lows that supervisor to do that work.
19
Prescribed electrical work registered line mechanics may
do
Subject to any limits imposed by the Board pursuant to section
86 of the Act, a registered line mechanic may do prescribed
electrical work that involves the construction or maintenance
of electric lines.
A registered line mechanic may assist in doing any other pre­
scribed electrical work if that mechanic is supervised by a
supervisor of electrical work whose registration allows that
supervisor to do that work.
(1)
(2)
Subclause (1) was amended, as from 1 April 2003, by regulation 5 Electricity
Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413) by omitting the words “to regu­
lation 24 and”.
20
Prescribed electrical work registered electricians and
registered electrical inspectors may do
Subject to any limits imposed by the Board pursuant to section
86 of the Act, registered electricians and registered electrical
inspectors may do any prescribed electrical work.
Regulation 20 was amended, as from 1 April 2003, by regulation 6 Electricity
Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413) by omitting the words “to regu­
lation 24 and”.
21
Prescribed electrical work qualified engineers may do
Qualified engineers may do any prescribed electrical work.
Regulation 21 was substituted, as from 1 April 2003, by regulation 7 Electricity
Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
22
Prescribed electrical work holders of provisional licences
may do
The holder of a provisional licence may do the prescribed elec­
trical work that is specified in the licence.
29
Part 3 r 23
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
23
Prescribed electrical work trainees may do
A trainee who is being trained for the purposes of obtaining
registration may assist in doing any prescribed electrical work
that is relevant to the particular class of work for which regis­
tration is sought, if the trainee is supervised by—
(a) A supervisor of electrical work whose registration al­
lows that supervisor to do the work; or
(b) A registered person whose registration allows that per­
son to do the work, where the registered person is under
the supervision of a supervisor of electrical work whose
registration allows that supervisor to do the work.
24
Work on live high voltage overhead electric lines
[Revoked]
Regulation 24 was revoked, as from 1 April 2003, by regulation 8 Electricity
Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
Competency requirements and safety tuition, etc
25
(1)
(2)
(3)
30
Competency requirements for electrical workers
This regulation applies to the following work:
(a) Prescribed electrical work, other than—
(i)
Prescribed electrical work carried out in accord­
ance with section 110 or section 111 of the Act:
(ii) Prescribed electrical work carried out in accord­
ance with section 112 of the Act:
(b) Work of a kind referred to in any of paragraphs (b), (e),
(f), (m), (o), and (p) of regulation 17(2):
(c) Inspections carried out pursuant to regulation 41 or
regulation 46:
(d) The issue of warrants of electrical fitness pursuant to
regulation 97.
No person may carry out or assist in carrying out any work to
which this regulation applies unless that person is competent
to do that work or is under the supervision of a person who is
competent to do that work.
Every employer must take all practicable steps to ensure that
any employee of that employer who is carrying out or assisting
in carrying out any work to which this regulation applies is
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 3 r 27
competent to do that work or is under the supervision of a
person competent to do that work.
26
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
27
Safety tuition for electrical workers
This regulation applies to work to which regulation 25(1) ap­
plies.
No person may carry out or assist in carrying out, for the first
time, work to which this regulation applies unless that person
has satisfactorily completed tuition in the following subject­
matter:
(a) Safe working practices that are appropriate to the type
of work being undertaken:
(b) Testing to ensure safety before commencing the work,
and to ensure safety during and after the completion of
the work:
(c) Basic first­aid:
(d) Cardio­pulmonary resuscitation.
Except where subclause (4) applies, every person continuing
to carry out or to assist in carrying out work to which this
regulation applies must, at intervals not exceeding 24 months,
complete refresher courses in the subject­matter specified in
subclause (2).
Every person continuing to carry out work to which this regu­
lation applies must, where that work involves the construction
or maintenance of works,—
(a) Complete refresher courses in the subject­matter speci­
fied in paragraphs (a) to (c) of subclause (2) at intervals
not exceeding 14 months; and
(b) Complete refresher courses in cardio­pulmonary resus­
citation at intervals not exceeding 7 months.
Assistance for work on certain live high voltage fittings
[Revoked]
Regulation 27 was revoked, as from 1 April 2003, by regulation 8 Electricity
Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
31
Part 3 r 28
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Requirements in relation to work on or near
overhead electric lines
28
Work on live high voltage conductors of overhead electric
lines
Work on live high voltage overhead electric lines must be—
(a) managed and carried out only in accordance with any
standard set by the Secretary for that purpose; and
(b) carried out only by a person who complies with any
standard set by the Secretary for the competency and
qualifications of persons who carry out that work.
Regulation 28 was substituted, as from 1 April 2003, by regulation 9 Electricity
Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
29
(1)
(2)
Work on live conductors of low voltage overhead electric
lines in electrical installations
This regulation applies to work on live conductors of low volt­
age overhead electric lines in electrical installations—
(a) that have exposed live metal; or
(b) if there is a likelihood of accidental contact with any
other conductor or bare earthed metal.
A person may only carry out the work if he or she uses the
associated equipment and personal protective equipment that
is necessary to ensure his or her safety and the safety of other
persons in the vicinity of the work.
Regulation 29 was substituted, as from 1 April 2003, by regulation 10 Electricity
Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
30
(1)
(2)
Safe approach distances
Every person working near an exposed live fitting or conductor
must—
(a) maintain a safe approach distance; and
(b) comply with ECP 34.
This regulation does not apply to a person working—
(a) near conductors or fittings of extra­low voltage; or
(b) on a live electric line; or
(c) on a live substation.
Regulation 30 was substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 11 Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
32
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
31
(1)
(2)
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 3 r 32
Construction of overhead lines on existing poles or other
supports
Where any additional conductors are to be strung between
poles or other supports and those poles or other supports al­
ready hold conductors, the person carrying out the work of
stringing those additional conductors must ensure that—
(a) The existing conductors so held by the poles or other
supports are isolated and earthed before the work is
commenced, and remain isolated and earthed until the
work is completed; or
(b) The additional conductors are earthed before the work
is commenced, and remain earthed until the work is
completed, and any applicable associated equipment re­
ferred to in regulation 35(2) is available and used during
the carrying out of that work.
Except when working on towers, no person may be on any
cross­arm of poles or supports used to carry additional conduc­
tors while the conductors are being pulled up and tensioned.
Temporary earthing requirements
32
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Temporary earthing requirements
A person who works on a high voltage conductor or fitting
that is disconnected from a supply of electricity must, before
beginning work, ensure that the conductor or fitting—
(a) is earthed; and
(b) remains earthed until the work is completed.
The conductor or fitting must be sufficiently earthed to protect
any person working on the conductor or fitting from exposure
to a significant risk of electric shock or other injury.
A temporary earthing connection of a conductor or fitting must
be adequate to carry any short circuit current that may flow.
A person may remove an earthing connection to test a conduc­
tor or fitting, but must take all practicable steps to ensure his
or her own safety, and the safety of others in the vicinity.
A person who works on a high voltage conductor or fitting that
is disconnected from a supply of electricity need not comply
with subclause (1) if—
33
Part 3 r 33
(a)
(b)
(c)
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
the high voltage conductor or fitting is isolated but not
earthed; and
the person carries out the work using the procedures
approved by the employer (if any); and
the person uses the associated equipment and personal
protective equipment necessary to ensure his or her own
safety, and the safety of others in the vicinity.
Regulation 32 was substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 12 Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
33
Further provisions relating to temporary earthing
requirements
[Revoked]
Regulation 33 was revoked, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 12 Electricity
Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
Warning notices, safety locks, and safety
instructions
34
(1)
(2)
(3)
34
Warning notices, safety locks, and safety instructions
Subject to subclause (2), where any person is carrying out
work on works or an electrical installation, that person must
cause to be affixed, at the means of disconnection of the sup­
ply of electricity to the works or electrical installation, suitable
warning notices to safeguard against unintentional connection
of the supply of electricity to the works or electrical installa­
tion.
Where the works or electrical installation has a locking facil­
ity for the disconnection of the works or electrical installation
from the power supply, then that facility must be used to lock
the disconnection.
On all premises where electricity is being or is to be used
at high voltage, durable notices providing instructions on the
treatment of electric shock must be provided, and be installed
and maintained in a conspicuous position, by the owner of the
works or electrical installation using that high voltage electri­
city.
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 3 r 35
Associated equipment
35
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Responsibility of employers for safety of employees
An employer who employs a person to carry out work referred
to in regulation 17(1) or (2)(d) to (f) must take all practic­
able steps to ensure the safety of the employee while carrying
out the work, and must take the steps described in subclauses
(2) and (3) in particular.
The employer must take all practicable steps to—
(a) provide safe working procedures for employees to fol­
low when carrying out the work; and
(b) ensure that any associated equipment and personal pro­
tective equipment used by an employee is arranged, de­
signed, made, tested, inspected, and maintained so that
it is safe for the employee to use.
The employer must take all practicable steps to ensure that the
employee who carries out the work—
(a) has adequate knowledge and experience of the type of
work being carried out; and
(b) has been adequately trained in the safe use of the associ­
ated equipment, the personal protective equipment, and
the procedures for carrying out the work; and
(c) immediately before the start of the work, checks that
the associated equipment and personal protective equip­
ment is in good order and condition; and
(d) uses the equipment and the procedures that the em­
ployer has approved for the work.
Subclause (3)(a) does not apply if the employee is in train­
ing and the employer ensures that the employee is adequately
supervised to ensure the safety of the employee.
The responsibilities of the employer set out in this regulation
are in addition to, and do not limit, the responsibilities of the
employer under the Health and Safety in Employment Act
1992.
Regulations 35 and 36 were substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
13 Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
35
Part 3 r 36
36
(1)
(2)
(3)
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Safety responsibilities of person who carries out work
A person who carries out work referred to in regulation
17(1) or (2)(d) to (f) must take all practicable steps to ensure
his or her safety while carrying out the work, and must take
the steps described in subclause (2) in particular.
That person must take all practicable steps,—
(a) before beginning the work, to check that any associ­
ated equipment and personal protective equipment to be
used by that person is in good order and condition, and
is safe for its intended use; and
(b) to follow the procedures approved by the employer (if
any) for the work to be carried out; and
(c) to use the associated equipment and the personal pro­
tective equipment provided in a competent manner.
The responsibilities set out in this regulation of a person
carrying out work are in addition to, and do not limit, the
responsibilities of that person under the Health and Safety in
Employment Act 1992.
Regulations 35 and 36 were substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
13 Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
Testing, certification, and inspection
37
(1)
(2)
36
Testing of prescribed electrical work
A person who carries out prescribed electrical work on works
or electrical installations must ensure that—
(a) the conductors or fittings on which the work was done
are tested to ensure the operational safety of the com­
pleted work; and
(b) in the case of maintenance, alterations, or additions, the
work does not reduce the safety of existing works or
electrical installations; and
(c) during testing, all practicable steps are taken to ensure
the safety of persons, property, and the works and elec­
trical installations.
Except as provided in regulation 45, the requirements in sub­
clause (1) must be completed before the conductors or fittings
on which the work has been done are connected to a supply of
electricity.
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
(3)
(4)
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 3 r 39
Except as provided in subclause (4), a person who carries out
prescribed electrical work on a low voltage electrical installa­
tion must ensure that work is tested and verified in accordance
with section 6 of AS/NZS 3000 after the work is complete and
before the installation is connected to a supply of electricity
(unless the installation is connected solely for the purpose of
testing, certification, or inspection under these regulations).
A person who carries out work on low voltage a.c. railway
signalling equipment must ensure that the work is tested in
accordance with ECP 60.
Subclause (1) was amended, as from 18 November 1999, by regulation
4(1) Electricity Amendment Regulations 1999 (SR 1999/369) by substituting
the expression “NZS 3000, ECP 11, or ECP 60 (which applies to Low Voltage
AC Railway Signalling equipment)” for the expression “ECP 11”.
Subclause (2) was substituted, as from 18 November 1999, by regulation
4(2) Electricity Amendment Regulations 1999 (SR 1999/369).
Regulations 37 to 39 were substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
14 Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
38
(1)
(2)
(3)
Testing electrical appliances
A person who carries out prescribed electrical work on, or
work that may affect the electrical safety of, an electrical appli­
ance must verify that the appliance is electrically safe before
releasing it from his or her control or returning it to service.
However, subclause (1) does not apply if the repairs are—
(a) made in accordance with section 111 of the Act or regu­
lation 48; or
(b) repairs to a medical electrical appliance.
A person may comply with this regulation by testing the elec­
trical appliance in accordance with AS/NZS 3760.
Regulations 37 to 39 were substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
14 Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
39
(1)
Certification of prescribed electrical work
This regulation applies to prescribed electrical work—
(a) that is carried out on an electrical installation; and
(b) that involves the placing or positioning, or the replac­
ing or repositioning, of conductors, including fittings
attached to those conductors.
37
Part 3 r 39
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
38
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
However, this regulation does not apply to the following kinds
of prescribed electrical work:
(a) the repair or replacement of a faulty or damaged con­
ductor:
(b) the replacement of a fuse carrier with a circuit breaker
appropriate to the rating of the electrical circuit in which
the replacement is being made:
(c) the replacement of any fitting with a fitting of an appro­
priate size, type, and rating for the electrical circuit.
(d) the installation of revenue meters and associated load
control fittings of mains.
A person who carries out prescribed electrical work must en­
sure that the work is certified in accordance with subclauses
(4) to (7).
The work must be certified by one of the following persons,
subject to any limits that may be prescribed by the Board under
section 86 of the Act or any limits specified in a provisional
licence:
(a) a registered electrical inspector:
(b) a registered electrician:
(c) a registered line mechanic, if the work certified is work
in relation to electric lines:
(d) a qualified engineer:
(e) a provisional licence holder:
(f)
a person authorised to certify the prescribed electrical
work under an employer licence.
The certificate must be completed within 1 day of comple­
tion of the work or termination of the contract for the work,
whichever is sooner.
A person who certifies prescribed electrical work that has been
completed must, before completing the certificate of compli­
ance,—
(a) test any fittings in respect of the work in accordance
with regulation 37; and
(b) be satisfied that those fittings are safe to operate.
The certificate of compliance for prescribed electrical work
that has been completed must certify that—
(a) the fittings on which the work has been done have been
tested and are electrically safe; and
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 3 r 40
(b)
(8)
the work has been done in accordance with the Act and
these regulations; and
(c) in the case of work done under an employer licence, the
work has been done in accordance with the licence.
A person who certifies prescribed electrical work that has not
been completed must—
(a) identify—
(i)
the status of the work; and
(ii) what tests have been completed; and
(iii) the outcomes of those tests; and
(b) certify that the work that has been done complies with
the Act and these regulations to the extent that they ap­
ply to the work; and
(c) certify that the work has been left safe.
Regulations 37 to 39 were substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
14 Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
Subsection 2(d) was inserted, as from 8 January 2004, by regulation 4 Electricity
Amendment Regulations 2003 (SR 2003/355).
40
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Further provisions relating to certification of prescribed
electrical work
Every certificate of compliance issued pursuant to regulation
39 must be on the form approved for the purpose by—
(a) The Board, in the case of work not carried out under an
employer licence; and
(b) The Secretary, in the case of work carried out under an
employer licence.
Where a certificate is issued pursuant to regulation 39, then,
subject to subclause (3), that certificate must be given within
20 working days of its completion to—
(a) The owner of the fittings in respect of which that work
was carried out; or
(b) The occupier of the premises where that work was car­
ried out.
Subclause (2) does not apply if the certificate is to be given
pursuant to regulation 42.
A copy of the certificate must be retained for a period of 3
years—
(a) By the person certifying the work; or
39
Part 3 r 41
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
(b)
(5)
(6)
Where the person certifying the work is acting under an
employer licence, by that person’s employer.
Instead of being retained in accordance with subclause (4),
copies of certificates may be returned—
(a) To the Board, in the case of work not carried out under
an employer licence; or
(b) To the Secretary, in the case of work carried out under
an employer licence.
Where, in accordance with subclause (4), a person certifying
work retains a copy of the certificate, that person must, within
20 working days of any written request for such a copy by the
Board, supply a copy of that certificate to the Board.
Subclause (2) was amended, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 14 Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413) by inserting the words
“within 20 working days of its completion” after the word “given”.
41
(1)
40
Inspection of prescribed electrical work
The following kinds of prescribed electrical work to which
regulation 39 applies must be inspected by a registered elec­
trical inspector, or by a person authorised to inspect the par­
ticular kind of prescribed electrical work under an employer
licence, before connection to a power supply:
(a) Work on electrical installations that operate at high volt­
ages (other than high voltage discharge lighting, where
that lighting was installed in accordance with AS/NZS
3832):
(b) Work in hazardous areas:
(c) Work (other than work on fittings of a kind referred to in
paragraph (b) of the definition of electrical installation
in section 2(1) of the Act) that involves—
(i)
The mains, main switchboards, or main earthing
systems of an electrical installation that is to be
connected to a power supply for the first time; or
(ii) The replacement of existing mains with mains
comprising larger conductors; or
(iii) The extension, shortening, or replacement of
mains due to the relocation of a main switch­
board or point of supply; or
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 3 r 41
(iv)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
The alteration of mains or a main switchboard for
the purpose of relocating metering and associated
load control fittings; or
(v) The replacement of a main switchboard with a
main switchboard of a different size or type; or
(vi) The alteration of a main switchboard to increase
the current rating of that switchboard; or
(vii) The relocation of a main switchboard; or
(viii)
(ix)
(x)
(d) Work on the installation of mains parallel generation
systems:
(e) Work on the installation of medical fittings and medical
electrical appliances in patient care areas of hospitals
and patient care premises:
(f)
Work on fittings of animal stunning electrical appli­
ances or meat conditioning electrical appliances.
Where an inspection of work to which subclause (1) applies is
proposed to be carried out in accordance with AS/NZS 3003
or AS/NZS 2381.1 or NZS 3003.1, the inspection must be in
accordance with all requirements for inspection provided for
in the relevant standard.
The inspection of work to which subclause (1)(c) applies,
where it relates to low voltage electrical installations, must be
carried out in accordance with section 3 of NZS 3019.
The person carrying out the inspection must, if satisfied that
the work complies with the requirements of the Act and these
regulations, complete the appropriate section of the certificate
of compliance and sign it.
No person may inspect work under this regulation if that per­
son has—
(a) Personally carried out the work; or
(b) Supervised the carrying out of the work by another per­
son; or
(c) Certified the work under regulation 39.
A certificate of compliance issued pursuant to this regulation,
in respect of an inspection of prescribed electrical work to
which regulation 39 applies, certifies that—
41
Part 3 r 42
(a)
(b)
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
The fittings on which the work has been carried out are
electrically safe; and
The inspection has been carried out in accordance with
these regulations.
Subclause (1) was amended, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 16(1) Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413) by substituting the expres­
sion “regulation 39” for the expression “regulation 39(1)”.
Subclause (1)(a) was amended, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
16(2) Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413) by substituting
the expression “AS/NZS 3832” for the expression “ECP 5”.
Subclause (1)(c)(viii) to (x) was revoked, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
16(3) Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
Subclause (2) was amended, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 16(4) Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413) by substituting the words
“AS/NZS 3003 or AS/NZS 2381.1” for the words “ECP 12 or ECP 24”.
Subclause (2) was amended, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 16(5) Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413) by substituting the word
“standard” for the word “code”.
Subsection (2) was amended, as from 8 January 2004, by regulation 5 Electricity
Amendment Regulations 2003 (SR 2003/355) by inserting the words “or NZS
3003.1” after the expression “2381.1”.
Subclause (3) was amended, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 16(2) Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413) by substituting the expres­
sion “section 3 of NZS 3019” for the expression “ECP 11”.
Subclause (6) was amended, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 16(7) Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413) by substituting the expres­
sion “regulation 39” for the expression “regulation 39(1)”.
42
(1)
(2)
42
Further provisions relating to inspection of prescribed
electrical work
Where a certificate of compliance is issued pursuant to regula­
tion 41, that certificate must be given within 20 working days
of its completion to—
(a) The owner of the fittings in respect of which that work
was carried out; or
(b) The occupier of the premises where that work was car­
ried out.
A copy of the certificate must be retained for a period of 3
years—
(a) By the person inspecting the work; or
(b) Where the person inspecting the work is acting under
an employer licence, by that person’s employer.
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
(3)
(4)
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 3 r 43
Instead of being retained in accordance with subclause (2),
copies of certificates may be returned—
(a) To the Board, in the case of work not carried out under
an employer licence; or
(b) To the Secretary, in the case of work carried out under
an employer licence.
Where, in accordance with subclause (2), a person inspecting
work retains a copy of the certificate, that person must, within
20 working days of any written request for such a copy by the
Board, supply a copy of that certificate to the Board.
Subclause (1) was amended, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 17 Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413) by inserting the words
“within 20 working days of its completion” after the word “given”.
43
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Forms for certificates of compliance other than under
employer licences
For the purposes of regulations 39 to 42, the Board may pre­
scribe a form or forms for the certification of prescribed elec­
trical work.
Any person who certifies work in accordance with regulations
39 to 42 (other than a person who carries out work under an
employer licence) must use the forms prescribed under sub­
clause (1).
A person (other than the Board) who supplies a form pre­
scribed for the certification of commercial or electrical work
that is part of a continuing building project or ongoing indus­
trial work for which more than 1 certificate would otherwise
be necessary must stamp the form with the date of the supply
of the form. The form is valid for use for a period of 6 months
from that date.
Each form supplied for the purposes of this regulation must
have a unique identifier determined by the Board.
The fee payable in respect of the supply of a form prescribed
under this regulation is the prescribed fee.
Subclause (1) was substituted, as from 18 November 1999, by regulation 5 Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 1999 (SR 1999/369).
Subclause (3) was substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 18 Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
43
Part 3 r 43A
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
43A Connection of electrical installations to electricity
Except as provided in regulation 45, a person who connects or
reconnnects an electrical installation to a supply of electricity
either on which prescribed electrical work has been carried out
or that has been disconnected from the supply of electricity for
6 months or longer must, at the time of making the connec­
tion,—
(a) in the case of a low voltage electrical installation that
has been disconnected for 6 months or longer, and
whether or not work has been carried out on it, sight
a certificate of verification for that installation issued
by—
(i)
a registered electrical inspector; or
(ii) a person authorised under an employer licence to
issue it; and
(b) in the case of a new electrical installation or an installa­
tion on which prescribed electrical work has been car­
ried out, sight the requisite certificate of compliance;
and
(c) ensure that the polarity and phase rotation of the supply
is correct; and
(d) ensure that the protection of the supply is correctly
rated; and
(e) verify the safety of revenue meters and associated load
control fittings of mains; and
(f)
verify that there is a main earthing system, if the supply
is from a MEN system.
Regulation 43A was inserted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 19 Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
44
44
Suppliers of electricity to new or recommissioned
electrical installations and switchboards
Subject to regulation 45, every person supplying or proposing
to supply electricity to—
(a) New electrical installations, or existing electrical instal­
lations that have been disconnected from the supply of
electricity for more than 6 months; or
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 3 r 46
(b)
New main switchboards, or main switchboards upon
which prescribed electrical work has been carried
out,—
must ensure that all applicable testing requirements of regu­
lations 37 and 38, all applicable certification requirements of
regulation 39, and all applicable inspection requirements of
regulation 41, have been carried out before supplying electri­
city to those installations or switchboards.
45
Connection of power supply for testing, certification, or
inspection purposes
Nothing in these regulations prevents the connection, to any
power supply, of any works, electrical installation, or electrical
appliance, or the supply of electricity to any works, electrical
installation, or electrical appliance, where that connection or
supply is solely for the purposes of carrying out any testing,
certification, or inspection required by these regulations.
Safety checks for particular installations
46
(1)
(2)
Safety checks for particular electrical installations and
electrical appliances
This regulation applies to—
(a) High voltage electrical installations and high voltage
electrical appliances (other than high voltage discharge
lighting, where that lighting was installed in accordance
with the requirements of AS/NZS 3832); and
(b) Electrical installations and electrical appliances in any
of the following areas:
(i)
Hazardous areas:
(ii) Medical­electrical locations:
(iii) Caravan parks:
(iv) Boat marinas:
(v) Construction and demolition sites:
(vi) Carnivals and fair grounds:
(vii) Areas where electrical animal stunning or elec­
trical meat conditioning occurs.
Owners and operators of electrical installations and electrical
appliances to which this regulation applies must ensure that
45
Part 3 r 46
(3)
(4)
46
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
those installations and appliances are periodically inspected
in accordance with the following requirements to determine
whether they are electrically safe and whether they otherwise
comply with these regulations:
(a) For high voltage electrical installations (other than ani­
mal stunning electrical appliances and meat condition­
ing electrical appliances), at intervals not exceeding 5
years, by a registered electrical inspector or by a person
authorised to carry out such inspections under an em­
ployer licence:
(b) for hazardous areas in electrical installations, in accord­
ance with AS/NZS 2381.1:
(c) for medical­electrical installations, in accordance with
AS/NZS 3003 or NZS 3003.1, at intervals not exceed­
ing 4 years:
(d) for medical­electrical appliances, in accordance with
AS/NZS 3551:
(e) for caravan parks or boat marinas, in accordance with
section 6 of NZS 3019, at intervals not exceeding 5
years, by a registered electrical inspector or by a person
authorised to carry out the inspection under an employer
licence:
(f)
for electrical installations on construction or demolition
sites, in accordance with AS/NZS 3012, by a registered
electrical inspector or by a person authorised to carry
out the inspection under an employer licence:
(g) at carnivals or fair grounds, or for animal stunning elec­
trical appliances and meat conditioning electrical appli­
ances, at intervals not exceding 1 year, by a registered
electrical inspector or by a person authorised to carry
out the inspection under an employer licence.
The results of each periodic inspection carried out under sub­
clause (2) must be recorded on a form approved by the Sec­
retary for the purpose, or, if the relevant standard contains a
form, on that form.
A person who completes a form under subclause (3) must—
(a) give a copy to the person requesting the inspection; and
(b) keep a copy for at least 3 years or send a copy to the
Secretary.
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 3 r 47
Subclause (1)(a) was amended, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
20(1) Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413) by substituting
the expression “AS/NZS 3832” for the expression “ECP 5”.
Subclause (2)(b) to (f) was substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
20(2) Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
Subsection (2)(c) was amended, as from 8 January 2004, by regulation 6 Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2003 (SR 2003/355) by inserting the expression
“or NZS 3003.1” after the expression “3003”.
Subclause (2)(g) was inserted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 20(2) Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
Subclause (3) was substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 20(3) Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
Subclause (4) was inserted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 20(3) Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
Limits of home­owners’ and tradespersons’
work
47
(1)
Home­owners’ electrical wiring work
For the purposes of section 110 of the Act, any person to whom
that section applies may do or assist in doing the following
work on low voltage electrical installations:
(a) Remove and replace any of the following kinds of fit­
tings, where the work does not involve work on any
switchboard:
(i)
Switches:
(ii) Socket outlets:
(iii) Permanent connection units:
(iv) Light fittings:
(v) Batten holders:
(vi) Cord grip lampholders:
(vii) Ceiling roses:
(viii) Flexible cords connected to any permanent
connection unit, ceiling rose, or cord grip lam­
pholder:
(ix) Water heater switches:
(x) Thermostats:
(xi) Elements:
(b) Remove and replace fuse links:
(c) Connect and disconnect fixed wired appliances:
47
Part 3 r 48
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
(d)
(2)
Relocate existing switches, socket outlets, and lighting
outlets that are supplied with electricity by tough­plas­
tic­sheathed cables:
(e) Install, extend, and alter subcircuits (including sub­
mains), provided that—
(i)
The person must not enter (whether personally,
by holding any material or equipment, or other­
wise) any enclosure where live active conductors
are likely to be present; and
(ii) The work is tested by a registered electrical in­
spector, in accordance with NZS 3019, and the
work is certified by that inspector in accordance
with regulation 39, before being connected to a
supply of electricity by such an inspector.
A person who carries out work pursuant to section 110 of the
Act must carry out the work in accordance with the require­
ments of ECP 51.
Subclause (1)(e)(ii) was amended, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
21 Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413) by substituting
the expression “NZS 3019” for the expression “clause 5.2.2 of ECP 11”.
48
Maintenance of domestic appliances
For the purposes of section 111 of the Act, the owner of any
electrical appliance may do any prescribed electrical work, or
assist in doing any prescribed electrical work, in relation to that
appliance, provided that the work is carried out in accordance
with the requirements of ECP 50.
49
(1)
Limits and requirements of exemption for tradespersons
The classes of trades to which section 112 of the Act applies
are—
(a) Registered plumbers:
(b) Registered gasfitters.
Any person who is engaged in any of the classes of trade to
which this regulation applies may apply to the Board, on the
form approved by the Board for the purpose, for a tradesper­
son’s electrical work certificate, and must pay the prescribed
fee before receiving the certificate.
(2)
48
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 3 r 49
The Board may grant a tradesperson’s electrical work certifi­
cate to any person who is engaged in any of the classes of trade
to which this regulation applies, where the Board is satisfied
that the person has—
(a) Completed a course of tuition approved by the Board;
and
(b) Passed any examinations required by the Board—
incorporating relevant subjects from those specified in Sched­
ule 7.
The holder of a tradesperson’s electrical work certificate must
not carry out, or assist in carrying out, any work of the kind
specified in subclause (6) or subclause (7), as the case may be,
unless that holder has—
(a) satisfactorily completed tuition in the subject matter
specified in regulation 26(2)(b) to (d) within 24 months
before becoming the holder of the certificate; and
(b) completed refresher courses in that subject­matter at
intervals not exceeding 24 months.
Where a holder of a tradesperson’s electrical work certificate
fails to satisfactorily complete tuition or refresher courses as
specified in subclause (4), the Board may withdraw that cer­
tificate.
The holder of a tradesperson’s electrical work certificate (be­
ing a registered plumber) may—
(a) Replace storage water cylinder heater elements and
thermostats with elements or thermostats, as the case
may be, that have an electrical rating of not more than
230 volts and 15 amperes; and
(b) Disconnect from and reconnect to fixed wiring the fol­
lowing fittings that have an electrical rating of not more
than 230 volts and 15 amperes:
(i)
Waste disposal units:
(ii) Dishwashing units:
(iii) Electronic water control units:
(iv) Water pressure devices:
(v) Storage water heater cylinders (including the dis­
connection of elements and thermostats); and
(c) Remove and replace fusible links in relation to plumb­
ing work.
49
Part 3 r 50
(7)
(8)
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
The holder of a tradesperson’s electrical work certificate (be­
ing a registered gasfitter) may—
(a) Replace fittings incorporated in gas­fired equipment
that have an electrical rating of not more than 230 volts
and 15 amperes; and
(b) Disconnect from and reconnect to fixed wiring, fittings
incorporated in gas­fired equipment that have an elec­
trical rating of not more than 230 volts and 15 amperes;
and
(c) Remove and replace fusible links in relation to gasfit­
ting work.
Where any work is carried out in accordance with section
112 of the Act,—
(a) That work must be tested in accordance with AS/NZS
3760; and
(b) The fittings in respect of which that work is carried out
must be confirmed as electrically safe—
before connection to a power supply (other than for the pur­
poses specified in section 114(4) of the Act).
Subclause (4)(a) was substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
22(1) Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
Subclause (8)(a) was amended, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
22(2) Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413) by substituting
the expression “AS/NZS 3760” for the expression “AS/NZS 3760:1996”.
Notification to Secretary
50
50
Notification to Secretary
Any registered person, or any person working within the terms
of an employer licence, who is carrying out prescribed elec­
trical work, or inspecting prescribed electrical work, and be­
lieves on reasonable grounds that an electrical installation, a
fitting, or an electrical appliance presents immediate danger to
life or property must, as soon as practicable, advise the owner
or occupier of the property where the danger exists, and the
Secretary, of that danger.
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 3 r 51
Offences
51
Offences
Every person commits an offence and is liable on summary
conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 who,—
(a) Fails to comply with any of the requirements of regula­
tions 25 to 38 or regulation 44 or regulation 46 or regu­
lation 48; or
(b) In respect of prescribed electrical work to which regu­
lation 39 applies,—
(i)
Having carried out that work, fails to ensure that
the work is certified in accordance with that regu­
lation; or
(ii) Certifies that work contrary to that regulation; or
(iii) Having certified that work, fails to comply with
any of the requirements of regulation 40; or
(c) In respect of prescribed electrical work to which regu­
lation 41 applies,—
(i)
Having carried out that work, fails to ensure that
the work is inspected in accordance with that
regulation; or
(ii) Inspects that work contrary to that regulation; or
(iii) Having inspected that work, fails to comply with
any of the requirements of regulation 42; or
(d) Being a registered person or a person working within
the terms of an employer licence, and who—
(i)
Carries out or inspects prescribed electrical work;
and
(ii) Believes on reasonable grounds that an electrical
installation, a fitting, or an electrical appliance
presents immediate danger to life or property,—
fails to comply with any of the requirements of regula­
tion 50.
51
Part 4 r 52
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Part 4
Systems of supply
Systems in general
52
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Systems in general
Subject to this regulation, persons supplying electricity or line
function services may choose the configuration and voltage of
supply systems for electricity.
Electrical installations (other than fittings of a kind referred to
in paragraph (b) of the definition of electrical installation in
section 2(1) of the Act) that operate at standard low voltage
must be supplied with electricity by the MEN system of sup­
ply.
Subject to subclause (5), in any MEN system of supply
the total system neutral impedance to earth, including the
impedance of all connected electrical installations, must not
exceed 10 ohms.
An electrical installation supplied with electricity from a
MEN system of supply must have at least 1 MEN switch­
board, which must be located electrically closest to the point
of supply.
In any MEN system the total system neutral impedance to
earth may exceed 10 ohms in any case where—
(a) It is impracticable to achieve a maximum of 10 ohms;
and
(b) The electricity supplier keeps a record of—
(i)
The actual earthing value obtained; and
(ii) The reason for exceeding 10 ohms.
Subclause (4) was substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 23(1) Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
Subclause (5) was amended, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 23(2) Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413) by substituting the words
“may exceed” for the words “may, before 1 April 1999, exceed”.
53
(1)
52
Voltage
The supply of electricity to electrical installations operating at
a voltage of 200 volts ac or more but not exceeding 250 volts
ac (calculated at the point of supply)—
(a) Must be at standard low voltage; and
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 4 r 55
(b)
(2)
(3)
Except for momentary fluctuations, must be kept within
6% of that voltage.
The supply of electricity to electrical installations operating
at other than standard low voltage (calculated at the point of
supply)—
(a) Must be at a voltage agreed between the electricity re­
tailer and the customer; and
(b) Unless otherwise agreed between the electricity retailer
and the customer, and except for momentary fluctua­
tions, must be maintained within 5% of the agreed sup­
ply voltage.
Electrical installations must be designed, constructed, and op­
erated so that the voltage drop is not more than 5% under maxi­
mum load conditions between the point of supply and—
(a) any socket­outlet within an electrical installation oper­
ating at standard low voltage; or
(b) the supply terminals of any fixed wired appliance con­
nected to an electrical installation operating at standard
low voltage.
Subclause (3) was inserted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 24(1) Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
54
Meter accuracy
Where any person supplies electricity at standard low volt­
age through a revenue meter, that person must ensure that the
meter operates within a margin of error (in excess or defi­
ciency) of 2.5% from complete accuracy.
55
(1)
Frequency
The frequency of electricity supplied by any person must be
maintained within 1.5% of 50 hertz, except for momentary
fluctuations.
The requirement in subclause (1) may be varied for electrical
installations operating at other than standard low voltage, if the
electricity supplier and the person receiving the supply agree.
(2)
Regulation 55 was substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 25 Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
53
Part 4 r 56
56
(1)
(2)
57
(1)
(2)
58
(1)
(2)
54
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Quality of supply
No person may use or continue to use any fittings or electrical
appliance that unduly interferes with the satisfactory supply
of electricity to any other person, or that impairs the safety
of, or unduly interferes with the operation of, any fittings or
electrical appliance.
Compliance with ECP 36 is deemed to be compliance with
subclause (1), in respect of interference from harmonics.
Change in supply characteristics
No person supplying electricity or line function services may
alter the electrical characteristics of the supply system in a way
which may cause danger to persons or property.
Every person supplying electricity or line function services
must take reasonable steps to ensure that the maximum pro­
spective fault currents on the supply system are limited to rea­
sonable levels.
Electrical interference with telecommunications lines, etc
Where any telecommunications lines, or any other structure,
device, or thing, designed or intended for use for telecom­
munications purposes, is being constructed in the vicinity of
any works or electrical installation, the person constructing
the lines, structure, device, or thing must ensure that the lines,
structure, device, or thing is constructed so as to ensure that
electricity conveyed through the works or electrical installa­
tion does not cause any induced voltage, earth potential rise,
or shock currents, that is or are likely to cause damage to the
lines, structure, device, or thing or a hazard to persons.
Where any works or electrical installation is being constructed
in the vicinity of any telecommunications lines, or any other
structure, device, or thing, designed or intended for use for
telecommunications purposes, the person constructing the
works or electrical installation must ensure that the works or
electrical installation is constructed so as to ensure that elec­
tricity conveyed through the works or electrical installation
does not cause any induced voltage, earth potential rise, or
shock currents, that is or are likely to cause damage to the
lines, structure, device, or thing or a hazard to persons.
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
(3)
(4)
(5)
59
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 4 r 59
Shock currents and induced voltages are deemed not to be
likely to cause a hazard to persons where,—
(a) Shock currents and their duration cannot exceed the IEC
shock currents standard; or
(b) In respect of a fault in an ac system of supply of elec­
tricity, induced voltages and their duration do not ex­
ceed—
(i)
430 volts ac, for a duration of 5 seconds; and
(ii) 650 volts ac, for a duration of 0.5 seconds; or
(c) In respect of a fault on a dc system of supply of elec­
tricity, or in respect of a fault on an electrified railway
operating on a dc system of supply of electricity, in­
duced voltages and their duration do not exceed 1000
volts peak.
Induced voltages are deemed not to be likely to cause dam­
age to any telecommunications lines, or to any other structure,
device, or thing, designed or intended for use for telecommu­
nications purposes where induced voltages and their duration
do not exceed,—
(a) In respect of a fault in an ac system of supply of elec­
tricity,—
(i)
430 volts ac, for a duration of 5 seconds; and
(ii) 650 volts ac, for a duration of 0.5 seconds; or
(b) In respect of a fault on a dc system of supply of elec­
tricity, or in respect of a fault on an electrified railway
operating on a dc system of supply of electricity, 1000
volts peak.
Any single­wire earth return system complying with ECP 41
is deemed to comply with this regulation in respect of induced
voltages.
Keeping of records and plans
Every owner of works must keep such records and plans of
those works as will enable that owner, if required, to readily
locate any fittings of those works.
55
Part 4 r 60
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Earthing, protection measures, warning notices,
etc
60
(1)
(2)
(3)
Earthing requirements for works
Every owner of works must ensure as far as practicable that
those works incorporate an earthing system that is designed,
installed, operated, and maintained to ensure—
(a) The effective operation of protection fittings in the event
of earth fault currents:
(b) That the voltage of each conductor is restricted to a
value consistent with the level of insulation applied:
(c) That step voltages, touch voltages, and transferred volt­
ages are controlled to prevent danger to any person.
Earthing systems meeting the requirements of ECP 35 are
deemed to comply with this regulation.
For the purposes of subclause (1), every owner of works
must establish and operate administrative systems (including
records of checks undertaken) that provide periodic safety
checks at reasonable intervals, and monitoring of works.
Subclause (1) was amended, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 26 Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413) by substituting the words
“Every owner of works must ensure as far as practicable that those works” for
the words “Works must”.
61
Protective fittings
Where fittings forming part of any works or electrical instal­
lation are used to protect against overcurrent, short circuiting,
earth fault current, overvoltage, under voltage, and no voltage,
those fittings must be designed, installed, and set to achieve
the maximum practicable sensitivity and minimum practicable
operating times in relation to the characteristics of the circuits
or other fittings that those fittings protect.
62
(1)
Protection against fault currents
Works must have adequate electrical protection against short
circuits and earth faults.
Short circuit and earth fault protective fittings must operate to
disconnect supply from the circuit or other fittings that they
protect.
(2)
56
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 4 r 64
A person who supplies line function services to a consumer
must, in respect of that consumer, provide a service protective
fitting of appropriate rating for protection against short circuits
or earth faults on mains.
In the event of earth fault, earth fault protection in generating
stations must disconnect faulty fittings so that any earth poten­
tial rise is limited to a level and a duration that are safe.
High voltage conductors of overhead electric lines must have
earth fault protection fittings that interrupt fault currents to
earth in 5 seconds or less.
Short circuit and earth fault protective fittings of the auto­clos­
ing type must operate for not more than 3 consecutive closures
during a period not longer than 60 seconds, and must not be
capable of further reclosures unless manually reset.
Regulation 62 was substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 27 Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
63
Further provisions relating to protection against fault
currents
[Revoked]
Regulation 63 was revoked, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 27 Electricity
Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
64
(1)
(2)
(3)
Protection against overload current
A residual current device that is used or intended to be used
for protection against electric shock must limit the duration of
shock currents to the limits specified in the IEC shock currents
standard.
A residual current device used or intended to be used at low
voltage for protection against electric shock must also meet
the limits specified in the IEC shock currents standard when
tested with pulsating d.c. current.
A residual current device for protection of property must have
a maximum operating time not longer than 0.4 seconds.
Regulations 64 and 65 were substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
28 Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
57
Part 4 r 65
65
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Isolation fittings for works and electrical installations
Suitable isolation fittings must be provided to disconnect
works, or parts of them, from a supply of electricity if neces­
sary, including in an emergency.
Regulations 64 and 65 were substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
28 Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
66
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
58
Strength of works and warning notices
All works must be designed, constructed, and maintained to
minimise as far as reasonably possible the risk of injury to per­
sons or damage to property from the expected loading, having
regard to the recognised natural occurrences in the areas that
the works are or are to be situated.
An owner of works must ensure that overhead electric lines are
constructed of suitable conductors and other fittings so that, as
far as is reasonably practicable, the lines—
(a) Are capable of withstanding, without damage, the likely
static and dynamic loading; and
(b) Do not become unsafe or hazardous to the public or to
persons likely to work on them.
Overhead line structures that are found to be incapable of sup­
porting design loads must be marked, and must be repaired or
replaced within 12 months of the finding of the incapability.
Overhead line structures that are found to be at risk of failure
under normal loads with the risk of injury to any person or
damage to any property other than that of the owner of the line,
must be marked, and must be repaired or replaced not later than
3 months after the finding of the possibility of failure.
For the purposes of subclauses (3) and (4), every owner of
works must establish and operate administrative systems (in­
cluding records of checks undertaken) that provide periodic
safety checks at reasonable intervals, and monitoring of works.
Conspicuous durable notices reading DANGER LIVE
WIRES, or reading an equivalent warning, must be affixed
to and maintained in a legible condition on all poles or other
supports that carry uninsulated conductors and that may be
climbed without the use of any equipment.
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 4 r 67
Offences
67
Offences
Every person commits an offence and is liable on summary
conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 who,—
(a) Supplies electricity in a manner that does not comply
with regulation 52 or regulation 53 or regulation 55; or
(b) Supplies electricity at standard low voltage through a
revenue meter, where that revenue meter fails to comply
with regulation 54; or
(c) Fails to comply with regulation 56; or
(d) When constructing any telecommunications lines, or
any other structure, device, or thing, designed or in­
tended for use for telecommunications purposes, in the
vicinity of any works or electrical installation, fails to
comply with regulation 58(1); or
(e) When constructing any works or electrical installation
in the vicinity of any telecommunications lines, or any
other structure, device, or thing, designed or intended
for use for telecommunications purposes, fails to com­
ply with regulation 58(2); or
(f)
Fails to keep records and plans in accordance with regu­
lation 59, or fails to comply with regulation 60(3); or
(g) Owns or operates works that do not comply with regu­
lation 60(1); or
(h) being a person supplying electricity or line function ser­
vices, fails to comply with regulation 57 or regulation
62(3); or
(i)
owns or operates works or electrical installations that
do not comply with any of regulations 61, 62(1) or (2),
or 65; or
(j)
Being an owner of works, fails to comply with regula­
tion 66.
Paragraphs (h) and (i) were substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
29 Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
59
Part 5 r 68
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Part 5
Safety of works, electrical installations,
fittings, and electrical appliances
General provisions
68
(1)
(2)
69
(1)
(2)
1
2
60
Works, electrical installations, fittings, and electrical
appliances in existence on 1 April 1993
This regulation applies to works, electrical installations, fit­
tings, and electrical appliances that were—
(a) Installed, for sale, or in use in New Zealand; or
(b) In transit to New Zealand; or
(c) The subject of an irrevocable purchasing order by a per­
son in New Zealand—
on 1 April 1993.
Notwithstanding anything in this Part, works, electrical instal­
lations, fittings, and electrical appliances to which this regu­
lation applies may continue to be installed, sold, or used, pro­
vided they—
(a) Are electrically safe; and
(b) Complied with the requirements of—
(i)
The Electrical Wiring Regulations 19761 imme­
diately before 1 April 1993; and
(ii) The Electrical Supply Regulations 19842 imme­
diately before 1 April 1993; and
(c) Continue to comply, as a minimum, with the require­
ments outlined in paragraph (b).
Electrical safety
Works, electrical installations, fittings, electrical appliances,
and associated equipment must be designed, constructed,
maintained, installed, and used so that they are electrically
safe.
Subject to subclauses (3) and (4), for the purposes of these
regulations, electrically safe means that there is no significant
risk of injury or death to any person, or of damage to any prop­
erty, as a result of the use of the works, electrical installations
SR 1976/38
SR 1984/167
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
(3)
(4)
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 5 r 69B
fittings, electrical appliances, or associated equipment, or the
passage of electricity through those works, electrical installa­
tions, fittings, electrical appliances, or associated equipment,
as the case may be.
For the purposes of this regulation, fittings and electrical ap­
pliances that are designed and used for medical treatment are
not electrically unsafe merely because that medical treatment
may cause injury to the patient.
For the purposes of this regulation, fittings and electrical ap­
pliances that are designed and used for animal stunning, meat
conditioning, or fishing are not electrically unsafe merely be­
cause they may injure animals or fish, as the case may be.
Subclause (1) was substituted, as from 18 November 1999, by regulation 6 Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 1999 (SR 1999/369).
Subclause (1) was substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 30 Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
69A Electrical installations
(1) Except as provided in regulation 72(3), electrical installations
must comply with clauses 1.6 to 1.10, 2.2, and 3.5.2 of
AS/NZS 3000.
(2) An electrical installation complies with subclause (1) and
regulation 53(3) if it complies with sections 2 to 5 and 7 of
AS/NZS 3000.
(3) Low voltage domestic and residential type areas of electrical
installations must comply with clauses 2.5.3.1 and 2.5.3.2 of
AS/NZS 3000, except in the circumstances described in clause
2.5.3.4 of that standard.
(4) However, subclause (3) does not apply to socket­outlets in
electrical installations covered by AS/NZS 3003 that are in­
stalled in accordance with the requirements of that standard.
Regulations 69A to 69C were inserted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
31 Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
69B Compliance with regulation 69(1)
(1) Works, electrical installations, fittings, electrical appliances,
and associated equipment comply with regulation 69(1) if they
comply with—
61
Part 5 r 69C
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
(a)
(2)
AS/NZS 2500, AS/NZS 3003, AS/NZS 3551, and NZS
3003.1, in the case of electrical installations, fittings,
and electrical appliances located in patient treatment
areas of hospitals or medical or dental practices:
(b) AS/NZS 2381.1, in the case of works, electrical in­
stallations, fittings, electrical appliances, and associated
equipment located in hazardous areas:
(c) AS/NZS 3002, in the case of electrical installations and
electrical appliances located in shows or carnivals:
(d) AS/NZS 3012, in the case of electrical installations and
electrical appliances located in construction or demoli­
tion sites:
(e) AS/NZS 4249, in the case of electrical installations and
electrical appliances in film, video, and television sites.
Fittings or electrical appliances that are imported into New
Zealand in purported compliance with the Conformity Cooper­
ation Agreement comply with regulation 69(1) if they comply
with—
(a) the requirements of the Conformity Cooperation Agree­
ment (including any amendments made to that agree­
ment in accordance with it); and
(b) the standards or rules referred to in the Conformity Co­
operation Agreement (including any standards or rules
that have been amended or replaced in accordance with
that agreement).
Regulations 69A to 69C were inserted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
31 Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
Paragraph (a) was amended, as from 8 January 2004, by regulation 7 Electri­
city Amendment Regulations 2003 (SR 2003/355) by substituting the words
“AS/NZS 3551, and NZS 3003.1” for the words “and AS/NZS 3551”.
Regulation 69B(2): added, on 1 October 2008, by regulation 9 of the Electricity
(China Free Trade Agreement) Regulations 2008 (SR 2008/223).
69C Compliance with design, construction, and installation
requirements of regulation 69(1)
Works, electrical installations, fittings, electrical appliances,
and associated equipment comply with the design, construc­
tion, and installation requirements of regulation 69(1) if they
comply with—
62
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 5 r 70
(a)
AS/NZS 3001, in the case of electrical installations of
caravan parks at low voltage:
(b) AS/NZS 3004, in the case of electrical installations of
marinas at low voltage:
(ba) AS/NZS 3014, in the case of electrical installations of
electric fences:
(c) AS/NZS 3016, in the case of electrical installations of
electric security fences:
(d) NZS 3019, in the case of in­service testing of electrical
installations:
(e) AS/NZS 3832, in the case of electrical installations of
cold cathode illumination systems:
(f)
ECP 54, in the case of electrical installations of recessed
luminaires and their auxiliary equipment.
Regulations 69A to 69C were inserted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
31 Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
Paragraph (ba) was inserted, as from 8 January 2004, by regulation 8 Electricity
Amendment Regulations 2003 (SR 2003/355).
Cables, conductors, switches, plugs, etc
70
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
Cables and conductors
Cables must be—
(a) Located, or provided with mechanical protection of
suitable strength; and
(b) Protected against excess currents—
so that they may operate safely in the particular situation in
which they are being, or are to be, used.
Conductors must be adequately identified.
Subclause (2) was substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 32 Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
Subclauses (3) to (8) were revoked, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
32 Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
63
Part 5 r 71
71
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Identification of conductors
[Revoked]
Regulation 71 was revoked, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 33 Electricity
Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
72
(1)
(2)
(3)
Position of switches and protective fittings
In a 2­wire electrical installation in which neither conductor
is earthed, switches and circuit breakers must be fitted in both
conductors throughout the installation.
Switches, fuse links, or circuit breakers must not be inserted
into an earthed conductor or into any earthing connection.
However, subclause (2) does not apply to the extent that,—
(a) in the case of a traction system or the middle conductor
of a 3­wire direct current system, a circuit breaker may
be inserted into the earthed conductor; and
(b) in the case of an impedance earthed system, the neu­
tral/earth connection may be switched, but only if the
associated transformer starpoint is connected to earth at
all times, either directly or though the neutral earthing
impedance.
Regulation 72 was substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 34 Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
73
Storage capacitors
[Revoked]
Regulation 73 was revoked, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 35 Electricity
Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
74
(1)
64
Plugs and socket outlets
3­pin flat pin socket­outlets that comply with AS/NZS 3112
must be—
(a) used only in, or with, any works, electrical installa­
tions, or electrical appliances that operate at standard
low voltage; and
(b) connected so that the earth­continuity conductor is con­
nected to the slot on the radial line; and
(c) connected so that the order of connection, in a clock­
wise direction when the socket­outlet is viewed from
the front, is—
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
(2)
(3)
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 5 r 76
(i)
earth­continuity conductor:
(ii) active conductor:
(iii) neutral (or other) conductor.
No person may manufacture, import, sell, or offer for sale any
plugs, connectors, or socket­outlets that—
(a) have scraping earth contacts for use in single­phase a.c.
circuits of voltages up to and including 250 volts; and
(b) have rated currents of 5, 10, or 15 amperes; and
(c) are referred to in BS 196:1961 or NZS 1989:1965.
On or after 1 January 2004, no person may manufacture, im­
port, sell, or offer for sale plugs, connectors, or socket­ outlets
that—
(a) have scraping earth contacts; and
(b) are referred to in BS 196:1961 or NZS 1989:1965.
Regulation 74 was substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 36 Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
75
Residual current protection devices
[Revoked]
Regulation 75 was revoked, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 37 Electricity
Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
Electrical appliances
76
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Fittings and electrical appliances
Low voltage fittings and electrical appliances must comply
with AS/NZS 3820.
A low voltage fitting or electrical appliance complies with sub­
clause (1) if it has been tested and verified to a standard listed
in AS/NZS 4417 by a testing laboratory listed in AS/NZS
4417.
A fitting or electrical appliance (other than a medical/electrical
fitting or appliance) that is in­service complies with regulation
69(1) if it has been tested, inspected, and tagged in accordance
with AS/NZS 3760.
An electrical appliance (other than a medical/electrical appli­
ance) being hired out or leased out complies with regulation
69(1) if it has been tested in accordance with AS/NZS 3760
65
Part 5 r 76A
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
before the hire or lease and has passed the tests required by
that standard.
A used electrical appliance (other than a medical/electrical ap­
pliance) that is sold complies with regulation 69(1) if, before
sale,—
(a) it has been tested in accordance with, and meets the
requirements of, AS/NZS 3760, and has been tagged
accordingly; or
(b) it has been disabled and marked in accordance with
AS/NZS 4701.
However, subclause (5) does not apply to a spa­pool heater
that does not comply with ECP 52.
A humidifier electrical appliance for heating liquids that oper­
ates on the electrode boiler principle—
(a) must comply with AS/NZS 3350.2.98; or
(b) must be—
(i)
connected to a supply of electricity by a flexible
cord and plug; and
(ii) protected by a residual current device that forms
part of the plug or is mounted in the supply lead.
However, despite subclauses (1) and (7), fittings or electrical
appliances that are imported into New Zealand in purported
compliance with the Conformity Cooperation Agreement are
exempt from subclauses (1) and (7) in relation to installation,
maintenance, use, inspection, sale, and testing if they comply
with regulation 69(1) as provided in regulation 69B(2).
Subclause (4) was substituted, as from 18 November 1999, by regulation 7 Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 1999 (SR 1999/369).
Regulation 76 was substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 38 Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
Regulation 76(8): added, on 1 October 2008, by regulation 9 of the Electricity
(China Free Trade Agreement) Regulations 2008 (SR 2008/223).
76A Non­complying fittings and electrical appliances
(1) A fitting or electrical appliance does not comply with regula­
tion 69(1) if,—
(a) in normal use, or in the event of abnormal operation,
it functions unsafely so as to cause danger to persons,
property, or animals; or
66
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Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 5 r 77
(b)
(2)
it has inadequate protection against direct contact or in­
direct contact; or
(c) its unearthed conductive parts are separated from live
parts only by basic insulation.
An electrical appliance does not comply with regulation
69(1) if—
(a) the voltage at which the appliance operates is not ad­
equately marked on the appliance; or
(b) it is used for a use other than its normal use, and is
not provided, or used in conjunction, with suitable safe­
guards; or
(c) it is so constructed that it is not safe under both normal
and abnormal conditions of use.
Regulation 76A was inserted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 38 Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
77
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Handheld appliances
Handheld appliances must be connected to a supply of electri­
city by—
(a) a plug or pins for insertion into a socket­outlet of suit­
able capacity; or
(b) a connector of suitable capacity.
The voltage of electricity supplied to a handheld appliance
must not exceed 250 volts to earth.
A handheld appliance used by a person who is partly or wholly
immersed in a conducting substance, or who is in a substan­
tially conductive location, must be used in conjunction with
one of the following safeguards against electric shock:
(a) the appliance is fixed wired and connected through a
continuous flexible cord to a supply of electricity from
a source isolated from earth with a voltage between con­
ductors not exceeding 250 volts:
(b) the appliance is supplied with electricity from a safety
extra­low voltage source:
(c) the appliance is double­insulated and is supplied with
electricity through a residual current device.
Unless subclause (3) applies, a handheld appliance that is used
indoors in a situation that is normally damp, or is used out­
doors, or is used in a building or structure under construction,
67
Part 5 r 78
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
must be used in conjunction with one of the following safe­
guards:
(a) any of the safeguards referred to in subclause (3):
(b) the appliance is supplied with electricity from a moni­
tored earth circuit where the supply to the appliance is
automatically disconnected if the earth to the appliance
is broken or disconnected:
(c) the appliance is supplied with electricity from a source
connected to earth so that the voltage to earth will not
be greater than 55 volts a.c.:
(d) the appliance is supplied with electricity through a re­
sidual current device:
(e) the appliance is supplied with electricity from a source
isolated from earth with a voltage between conductors
not exceeding 250 volts:
(f)
the appliance is double insulated.
Regulation 77 was substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 39 Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
78
Compliance with Conformity Cooperation Agreement
marks
Fittings or electrical appliances that are imported into New
Zealand in purported compliance with the Conformity Cooper­
ation Agreement must—
(a) bear the Conformity Cooperation Agreement marks;
and
(b) comply with the requirements of the agreement in rela­
tion to those marks.
First regulation 78: inserted, on 1 October 2008, by regulation 9 of the Electri­
city (China Free Trade Agreement) Regulations 2008 (SR 2008/223).
78
Isolation of fixed wired appliances and ranges
[Revoked]
Subclause (3) was substituted, as from 18 November 1999, by regulation
86 Electricity Amendment Regulations 1999 (SR 1999/369).
Regulations 78 to 83 were revoked, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
40 Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
68
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1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 5 r 84
Electric motors
The heading “Electric motors” was revoked, as from 1 January 2003, by regu­
lation 40 Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
79
Particular requirements for electric motors
[Revoked]
Regulations 78 to 83 were revoked, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
40 Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
Switchboards
The heading “Switchboards” was revoked, as from 1 January 2003, by regula­
tion 40 Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
80
Switchboards
[Revoked]
Regulations 78 to 83 were revoked, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
40 Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
81
MEN switchboards
[Revoked]
Regulations 78 to 83 were revoked, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
40 Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
82
Linked busbar switchboards
[Revoked]
Regulations 78 to 83 were revoked, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
40 Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
83
Distribution switchboards
[Revoked]
Regulations 78 to 83 were revoked, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
40 Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
Earthing requirements
84
(1)
Earthing in general
In this regulation, metal means metal forming part of works,
electrical installations, fittings, and electrical appliances that
is not in substantial contact with the general mass of earth.
69
Part 5 r 85
(2)
(3)
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Metal must be earthed or connected to earth by a bonding sys­
tem if—
(a) the metal is not fully isolated from both live parts and
earth; or
(b) the metal is located within arm’s reach.
However, metal may be connected to the neutral if the touch
voltages are sufficiently low that shock currents and their du­
ration cannot exceed the IEC shock currents standard.
Regulation 84 was substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 41 Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
85
Fittings that must not or need not be earthed
[Revoked]
Regulation 85 was revoked, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 42 Electricity
Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
86
(1)
(2)
70
Earthing system for MEN electrical installations
The main earthing system of a MEN electrical installation
must consist of,—
(a) An earth electrode; and
(b) An earthing lead; and
(c) An earth continuity busbar for the connection of earth
continuity conductors within the installation; and
(d) Where the installation is operating at standard low volt­
age, bonding of any available metallic water supply
pipes to the earth continuity busbar; and
(e) A removable link between the earth continuity busbar
and the supply neutral.
Subject to subclause (3), any earth electrode of an earthing
system of a MEN electrical installation must consist of—
(a) A rod, being—
(i)
A non­ferrous rod of not less than 12mm diame­
ter, or
(ii) A non­ferrous coated steel rod of not less than
12mm diameter; or
(iii) A stainless steel coated steel rod of not less than
12mm diameter; or
(iv) A galvanised steel rod of not less than 16mm
diameter; or
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 5 r 87
(v)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
A galvanised iron pipe of not less than 20mm
diameter,—
and in each case being driven to a vertical depth of at
least 1.8m; or
(b) A buried electrode consisting of a length of not less
than—
(i)
7.5m of 7mm diameter copper rod, or
(ii) 7.5m of 25mm by 1.6mm section copper strip; or
(iii) 7.5m of 15mm internal diameter galvanised iron
pipe; or
(iv) 7.5m of 15mm copper pipe; or
(v) 7.5m of 35 mm2 bare copper conductor; or
(vi) 15m of 16 mm2 bare copper conductor,—
and in each case buried at a depth of not less than
500mm below ground level; or
(c) A connection made by a suitable means to the metallic
reinforcing of concrete foundations.
Pipes conveying water, gas, or flammable liquids or materials
must not be used as earth electrodes.
A separate lead must be run from an earth electrode to a MEN
switchboard.
The connection of the earthing lead to the earth electrode
must—
(a) Be by means of a suitable corrosion­resistant clamp that
is readily accessible; and
(b) Have a permanent label securely fitted at the connection
point with legible wording reading EARTHING CON­
DUCTOR—DO NOT DISCONNECT.
Fittings of earthing systems must have suitable protection
against mechanical damage and corrosion.
Miscellaneous provisions
87
(1)
Construction of works and electrical installations
Subject to subclause (2), works and electrical installations are
deemed not to be electrically safe for the purpose of regulation
69 where—
(a) The characteristics of any fittings are impaired in con­
struction; or
71
Part 5 r 87
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
(b)
(c)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
conductors are not adequately identified; or
Connections between conductors, and between conduc­
tors and other fittings, are not safe and reliable; or
(d) Fittings are installed in such a way that any designed
cooling conditions are impaired; or
(e) Fittings which cause or are subject to high temperatures
or electric arcs are placed in such a position or are un­
guarded so as to create a risk of ignition of flammable
materials or of injury to persons or damage to property;
or
(f)
Cables, including underground cables, are not ad­
equately protected against the risk of damage by nature
of their covering or their method of installation; or
(g) Cables are bent beyond their design criteria; or
(h) There is insufficient space, access, or lighting to oper­
ate, maintain, repair, test, or inspect all fittings of the
works or electrical installation, other than cables, in a
safe manner.
Works must be constructed so as to minimise the risk of—
(a) electric shock; and
(b) fire and burns.
Subclause (2)(a) is satisfied,—
(a) for power system earthing, if ECP 35 is complied with:
(b) for works, if the supply of electricity within the works is
limited so that shock currents and their duration cannot
exceed the IEC shock currents standard.
Works and electrical installations must be constructed and in­
stalled to take into account any special dangers that they create
to persons and property.
Subclause (4) is satisfied—
(a) for single­wire earth return systems, if ECP 41 is com­
plied with:
(b) for retrofitting heaters into spa­pool installations, if ECP
52 is complied with:
(c) for recessed luminaires and their associated equipment,
if ECP 54 is complied with.
(6)
Subclause (1)(b) was substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
43(1) Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
72
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Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 5 r 90
Subclause (2) was substituted, as from 18 November 1999, by regulation 9 Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 1999 (SR 1999/369).
Subclauses (2) to (5) were substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
43(2) Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
Subclause (6) was revoked, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 43(2) Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
88
Further provisions relating to construction of works and
electrical installations
[Revoked]
Regulation 88 was revoked, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 44 Electricity
Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
89
Electricity generation facilities and substations
All electricity generating facilities of works or electrical in­
stallations, and all substations, must be secured against access
by unauthorised persons.
90
Damp situations
Works, electrical installations, and electrical appliances, when
located in damp situations, are deemed not to be electrically
safe for the purpose of regulation 69 where—
(a) they do not offer protection from the ingress of moisture
which could result in a hazard of electric shock; or
(b) in the case of electrical appliances, they are proposed to
be supplied with electricity from socket outlets in areas
that are to be immersed in or splashed with water, and
those outlets do not have personal electrical protection,
such as an RCD, or such as being supplied by an in­
dividual isolating transformer, or being supplied at ex­
tra­low voltage from an individual transformer; or
(c) unprotected switchboards are located in damp situ­
ations.
Subclause (2) was revoked, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 45 Electricity
Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
Regulation 90 was substituted, as from 8 January 2004, by regulation 9 Electri­
city Amendment Regulations 2003 (SR 2003/355).
73
Part 5 r 91
91
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Extra­low voltage installations
Extra­low voltage electrical installations are deemed not to be
electrically safe for the purpose of regulation 69 where—
(a)
(b) The fault current density of conductors (other than cir­
cuits operating at telecommunications network voltage)
0.5 mm2 or smaller is greater than 1 amp/mm2; or
(c) The supply to the installation is derived from the tap­
ping of a stator of an electric motor, or from an auto­
transformer.
Paragraph (a) was revoked, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 46 Electricity
Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
92
Conductor insulation for overhead electric lines
Any low voltage overhead conductor (other than a neutral) that
is attached to a building, or a structure of a similar nature, must
be insulated for a distance of at least 20m from the building or
structure, or for its whole length where the length is less than
20m.
93
(1)
Safety distances from electric lines
A person who carries out any construction, building, excava­
tion, or other work on or near an electric line must—
(a) maintain safe distances—
(i)
between the conductors and fittings of the electric
line and other electric lines, telecommunications
lines, stay wires, buildings, structures, ground
surfaces, and water surfaces; and
(ii) when building up, removing, excavating, or dis­
turbing ground near the electric line; and
(iii) when operating mobile plant near the electric
line; and
(b) comply with ECP 34.
A person who carries out work upgrading or altering an elec­
tric line in existence on the date on which this regulation comes
into force must comply with ECP 34 only in relation to those
parts of the line that are being upgraded or altered.
(2)
Regulation 93 was substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 47 Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
74
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Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 5 r 94
93A Interference with, or movement of, works
A person must not interfere with, or move or attempt to move,
any works, whether or not the works have been damaged, un­
less—
(a) the person obtains permission from the owner or oper­
ator of the works; or
(b) the person is authorised by an enactment; or
(c) an emergency requires it.
Regulation 93A was inserted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 47 Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
94
(1)
(2)
Protection against direct and indirect electrical contact
A person having control of any works, electrical installation,
electrical appliance, or associated equipment must take all
practicable steps to minimise the risk of direct or indirect
contact with the works, electrical installation, electrical appli­
ance, or associated equipment.
Compliance with any of the following criteria is deemed to be
compliance with subclause (1):
(a) Prevention of the passing of an electrical current
through the body of a person or limiting that current
so that shock currents and their duration cannot exceed
the IEC shock currents standard:
(b) Automatic disconnection of the power supply to the
works, electrical installation, electrical appliance, or as­
sociated equipment, as the case may be, on the occur­
rence of a fault:
(c) Use of screens, barriers, or fittings which prevent direct
or indirect accidental contact with the live fittings or
exposed conductive parts.
(3)
(4)
Subclauses (3) and (4) were revoked, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
48 Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
75
Part 5 r 95
95
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Notification of existence of particular types of electrical
installations
[Revoked]
Regulation 95 was revoked, as from 18 November 1999, by regulation 10 Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 1999 (SR 1999/369).
96
Notification of construction of or additions to electric lines
[Revoked]
Regulation 96 was revoked, as from 18 November 1999, by regulation 11 Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 1999 (SR 1999/369).
97
(1)
Connectable installations
Connectable installations must be manufactured and installed
so that they operate safely if used for their intended purpose.
(2) Connectable installations are deemed to comply with sub­
clause (1) where,—
(a) In respect of those in vehicles or relocatable buildings,
they comply with the requirements of AS/NZS 3001; or
(b) In respect of those in pleasure vessels, they comply with
the requirements of AS/NZS 3004.
(3) Subject to subclause (5), any person may obtain, in respect of
any connectable installation,—
(a) a warrant of electrical fitness in accordance with section
7 of NZS 3019; or
(b) A certificate of compliance.
(4) Every person who hires out or leases out any vehicle, relocat­
able building, or pleasure vessel that contains a connectable
installation must ensure that, before that person hires out or
leases out that vehicle, relocatable building, or pleasure vessel
to any other person, that connectable installation has—
(a) a warrant of electrical fitness in accordance with section
7 of NZS 3019; or
(b) A certificate of compliance that was issued not more
than 4 years before the date of the hiring out or leasing
out, as the case may be.
(4A) For the purposes of subclauses (3) and (4), warrants of elec­
trical fitness are valid for a period of 4 years from the date of
issue.
76
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 5 r 97
(5)
Warrants of electrical fitness may be issued by the following
persons:
(a) A registered electrical inspector:
(b) A person authorised for the purpose by the Secretary,
being a person who has satisfied the Secretary that he
or she is competent to carry out the testing required for
the purpose of issuing a warrant of electrical fitness.
(6) Warrants of electrical fitness must be on the form approved by
the Secretary for the purpose.
(6A) A person who issues a warrant of electrical fitness must—
(a) give a copy of the completed warrant form to the person
requesting the warrant; and
(b) keep a copy of the completed warrant form for at least
5 years or send a copy to the Secretary; and
(c) complete and affix the warrant of electrical fitness
sticker supplied with the warrant form in a prominent
place on the connectable installation.
(7) Forms of warrants of electrical fitness are available from the
Secretary upon payment of the prescribed fee.
(8) Standard low voltage is the prescribed voltage for the purposes
of the definition of connectable installation in section 2(1) of
the Act.
Subclause (2)(a) was amended, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
49(1) Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413) by substituting
the expression “AS/NZS 3001” for the expression “section 3 of ECP 1”.
Subclause (2)(b) was amended, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
49(2) Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413) by substituting
the expression “AS/NZS 3004” for the expression “sections 4 and 5 of ECP
29”.
Subclause (3)(a) was substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
49(3) Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
Subclause (4)(a) was substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
49(4) Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
Subclause (4A) was inserted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 49(5) Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
Subclause (6A) was inserted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 49(6) Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
77
Part 5 r 98
98
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Supply of electricity to connectable installations
Fittings supplying electricity to connectable installations must
be installed and maintained so that they operate safely if used
for their intended purpose.
Fittings to which subclause (1) applies are deemed to comply
with that subclause where,—
(a) In respect of those in caravan park areas, they comply
with the requirements of AS/NZS 3001; or
(b) In respect of those in boat marinas, they comply with
the requirements of AS/NZS 3004.
Socket­outlets for the supply of electricity at standard low
voltage to a connectable installation must,—
(a) in the case of a connectable installation in a caravan
park or boat marina, comply with IEC 60309 or its
equivalent or AS/NZS 3112 and be rated at or above
15 amperes; and
(b) have supplementary protection against electric shock,
unless the socket­outlets are installed in a caravan park
and comply with IEC 60309.
Protective fittings of socket outlets used to supply electricity
at standard low voltage to connectable installations must have
a rating that does not exceed the rating of the socket outlet.
A person who supplies electricity at standard low voltage to
a connectable installation must first verify that the installation
has—
(a) a current warrant of electrical fitness issued in accord­
ance with section 6 of NZS 3019; or
(b) a certificate of compliance, for the whole of the instal­
lation, that is not more than 4 years old.
Subclause (2)(a) was amended, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
50(1) Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413) by substituting
the expression “AS/NZS 3001” for the expression “section 2 of ECP 1”.
Subclause (2)(b) was amended, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
50(2) Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413) by substituting
the expression “AS/NZS 3004” for the expression “sections 2 and 3 of ECP
29”.
Subclause (3) was substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 50(3) Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
Subclause (5) was substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 50(4) Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
78
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
99
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 5 r 100
Arbitrators
The Secretary may from time to time, on request, appoint ar­
bitrators for the purposes of providing opinions on disputes
over whether or not the technical requirements of Part 4 or
Part 5 have been complied with.
The term of appointment of any arbitrator is 2 years, unless
otherwise agreed between the appointee and the Secretary.
The procedure to be used by the arbitrator in carrying out the
functions referred to in subclause (1) may be determined by
the arbitrator.
Arbitrators may be paid remuneration by way of fees or al­
lowances, and travelling allowances and expenses, in accord­
ance with the Fees and Travelling Allowances Act 1951, and
the provisions of that Act apply accordingly as if an arbitrator
were a member of a statutory Board.
The person who requested the arbitration must pay the pre­
scribed fee at the completion of the arbitration.
Offences
100
Offences
Every person commits an offence and is liable on summary
conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 who,—
(a) Manufactures, designs, constructs, installs, sells, hires
out, or leases out any works, electrical installation, fit­
tings, electrical appliance, or associated equipment that
is not electrically safe; or
(ab) installs, sells, hires out, or leases out any fitting or
electrical appliance that is imported into New Zealand
in purported compliance with the Conformity Cooper­
ation Agreement that does not comply with regulation
69(1) as provided in regulation 69B(2); or
(b) Uses any works, electrical installation, fittings, elec­
trical appliance, or associated equipment that is not
electrically safe, knowing that the works, electrical
installation, fittings, electrical appliance, or associated
equipment, as the case may be, is not electrically safe;
or
(c) installs or uses any—
79
Part 5 r 100
Electricity Regulations 1997
(i)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
80
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
cable contrary to the requirements of regulation
70(1); or
(ii) conductor contrary to the requirements of regu­
lation 70(2); or
(iii) switch or protective fitting contrary to the re­
quirements of regulation 72; or
(iv) socket­outlet contrary to the requirements of
regulation 74; or
(v) handheld appliance contrary to the requirements
of regulation 77; or
(vi) low voltage overhead conductor that operates at
standard low voltage contrary to the requirements
of regulation 92; or
fails to—
(i)
comply with regulation 69A(1) or (3): or
(ii) comply with the earthing requirements of regula­
tion 84; or
(iii) comply with the requirements of regulation
87(2) or (4); or
(iv) secure any electricity generating facility, works,
electrical installation, or substation against ac­
cess by unauthorised persons in accordance with
regulation 89; or
(v) comply with the requirements of regulation 93;
or
(vi) comply with the requirements of regulation 93A;
or
(vii) comply with the requirements of regulation 98.
Being a person having control of any works, electrical
installation, electrical appliance, or associated equip­
ment, fails to take all practicable steps to minimise the
risk of direct or indirect contact with the works, elec­
trical installation, electrical appliance, or associated
equipment; or
Manufactures or installs any connectable installation
contrary to the requirements of regulation 97(1); or
Being a person who hires out or leases out any vehicle,
relocatable building, or pleasure vessel that contains a
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
(h)
(i)
(j)
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 6 r 101
connectable installation, fails to comply with the re­
quirements of regulation 97(4); or
Not being a person authorised by or pursuant to regula­
tion 97(5) to issue warrants of electrical fitness, issues
a warrant of electrical fitness under regulation 97; or
Sells, or offers to sell, any fitting or electrical appli­
ance that has a regulatory compliance mark but does not
comply with AS/NZS 4417, or
sells, or offers to sell, any fitting or electrical appliance
that is imported into New Zealand in purported compli­
ance with the Conformity Cooperation Agreement that
does not comply with regulation 78.
Paragraph (a) was amended, as from 18 November 1999, by regulation
12(1) Electricity Amendment Regulations 1999 (SR 1999/369) by inserting,
after the word “installs,”, the word “sells,”.
Regulation 100(ab): inserted, on 1 October 2008, by regulation 9 of the Elec­
tricity (China Free Trade Agreement) Regulations 2008 (SR 2008/223).
Paragraphs (c) and (d) were substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
51(1) Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
Paragraph (h) was amended, as from 18 November 1999, by regulation
12(2) Electricity Amendment Regulations 1999 (SR 1999/369) by adding the
expression “; or”. Paragraph (i) was inserted by regulation 12(2) of those
Regulations.
Regulation 100(i): amended, on 1 October 2008, by regulation 9 of the Electri­
city (China Free Trade Agreement) Regulations 2008 (SR 2008/223).
Paragraph (i) was amended, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 51(2) Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413) by substituting the expres­
sion “AS/NZS 4417” for the expression “AS/NZS 4417:1998”.
Regulation 100(j): added, on 1 October 2008, by regulation 9 of the Electricity
(China Free Trade Agreement) Regulations 2008 (SR 2008/223).
Part 6
Miscellaneous provisions
Declared articles
101
(1)
Declared articles
Subject to subclause (9), the Secretary may from time to time
give public notice that stated types or categories of fittings or
electrical appliances (in these regulations referred to as de­
clared articles) require the Secretary’s approval before being
offered for sale in New Zealand, and any such notice may be
in the same manner amended or revoked at any time.
81
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Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
(2)
(3)
An application for the approval by the Secretary of any de­
clared article must be made on the form approved by the Sec­
retary for the purpose, and must be accompanied by the pre­
scribed fee.
(4) An application made under subclause (3) may be referred by
the Secretary to an experienced person for advice on compli­
ance of the declared article with electrical safety requirements.
(5) The Secretary must notify the applicant in writing of the Sec­
retary’s decision.
(6) The Secretary may,—
(a) On giving an approval under subclause (5), impose any
condition or conditions to which the approval is subject:
(b) At any time, by notice in the Gazette, impose any condi­
tion or conditions to which any deemed approval under
subclause (9) is subject.
(7) The Secretary may, on giving 7 days’ notice in writing to the
applicant,—
(a) Vary or revoke any condition imposed under subclause
(6); or
(b) Specify any additional condition to which the approval
is subject.
(8) Any approval (including any deemed approval under sub­
clause (9)) given by the Secretary under this regulation may
be varied or withdrawn at any time on the giving of 7 days
notice in writing to the applicant.
(9) A declared article is deemed to have the Secretary’s approval
under subclause (1) if the declared article—
(a) Is approved or certified by an organisation, agency, pro­
gramme, or regime recognised by the Secretary under
subclause (10); and
(b) Complies, as required, with any terms or conditions of
approval or certification.
(10) The Secretary may, from time to time, give public notice
recognising an organisation or agency, or a programme or
regime of compliance, for the purposes of subclause (9).
Subclause (2) was revoked, as from 18 November 1999, by regulation
13(1) Electricity Amendment Regulations 1999 (SR 1999/369).
82
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Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 6 r 102
Subclauses (9) and (10) were substituted, as from 18 November 1999, by regu­
lation 13(2) Electricity Amendment Regulations 1999 (SR 1999/369).
101A Specified fittings or electrical appliances
(1) The Secretary may, from time to time,—
(a) Specify fittings or electrical appliances that must not be
sold, or offered for sale, before a declaration of compli­
ance by the supplier is given; and
(b) Prescribe the form of declaration of compliance that
must be used by a supplier.
(2) Decisions by the Secretary under subclause (1)—
(a) Must be made by notice in the Gazette; and
(b) May be amended or revoked, at any time, by notice in
the Gazette.
(3) A declaration of compliance prescribed by the Secretary under
subclause (1) must—
(a) Include a statement, by the supplier of specified fittings
or electrical appliances, that the fittings or electrical ap­
pliances comply with regulation 69; and
(b) Refer to or specify any documents used as the basis for
the statement under paragraph (a).
Regulation 101A was inserted, as from 18 November 1999, by regulation
14 Electricity Amendment Regulations 1999 (SR 1999/369).
Prohibitions, exemptions, and urgent
instructions
102
(1)
Prohibition of fittings and electrical appliances
The Secretary may, in the manner provided for in subclause
(2), prohibit the manufacture, importation, sale, installation,
and use of any fittings or electrical appliance that constitutes
or may constitute an electrical hazard.
(1A) The Secretary may, in the manner provided for in subclause
(2), prohibit the importation, sale, installation, and use of
any fitting or electrical appliance imported into New Zealand
in purported compliance with the Conformity Cooperation
Agreement that does not comply with regulation 78.
(2) A prohibition under this regulation—
(a) Must be made by notice in the Gazette; and
83
Part 6 r 103
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
(b)
(3)
(4)
Takes effect on and from the date specified for the pur­
pose in the notice, which date must be later than the date
of publication of the notice in the Gazette; and
(c) Must adequately describe the fittings or electrical appli­
ance being prohibited; and
(d) must give brief reasons for the belief that the fitting or
electrical appliance,—
(i)
if subclause (1) applies, constitutes or may con­
stitute an electrical hazard; or
(ii) if subclause (2) applies, does not comply with
regulation 78.
Where the Secretary knows the New Zealand address of the
manufacturer, importer, seller, or user concerned, the Secre­
tary must cause notice of the prohibition to be given to that
person before the date specified in the notice in the Gazette as
the date on which the prohibition takes effect.
A prohibition made under this regulation may in the same
manner be varied or revoked.
Regulation 102(1A): inserted, on 1 October 2008, by regulation 9 of the Elec­
tricity (China Free Trade Agreement) Regulations 2008 (SR 2008/223).
Regulation 102(2)(d): substituted, on 1 October 2008, by regulation 9 of the
Electricity (China Free Trade Agreement) Regulations 2008 (SR 2008/223).
103
(1)
(2)
(3)
84
Secretary’s exemptions from requirements
On application, the Secretary may in writing, and for such
period as the Secretary specifies, exempt specific works, elec­
trical installations, fittings, electrical appliances, associated
equipment, persons, or things from any requirement imposed
by any of regulations 28 to 36 or regulation 46, or by any of
the regulations in Part 4 or Part 5.
An application for an exemption under this regulation must be
made on the form approved by the Secretary for the purpose
and be accompanied by the prescribed fee.
The Secretary may amend or withdraw any exemption granted
pursuant to this regulation—
(a) In order to prevent any danger or potential danger to the
safety of any person or property, on giving 20 working
days’ notice to the holder of the exemption; or
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 6 r 105
(b)
(4)
104
(1)
(2)
(3)
Where the holder asks the Secretary to withdraw that
exemption.
The Secretary may impose any condition or conditions to
which the exemption is subject.
Chief executive responsible for Building Act 2004 may
grant exemptions
The chief executive of the department of State responsible for
the administration of the Building Act 2004 may, in writing,
and for any period that the chief executive specifies, exempt
specific works, electrical installations, fittings, electrical ap­
pliances, associated equipment, persons, or things from any
requirement imposed by any regulations in Part 4 or Part 5 in
any case where—
(a) compliance with an electrical code of practice is taken
to be compliance with that regulation; and
(b) that electrical code of practice is approved by the chief
executive for use in establishing compliance with the
provisions of the building code made under the Building
Act 2004.
The chief executive may amend or withdraw an exemption
granted under these regulations—
(a) in order to prevent danger or potential danger to the
safety of a person or property, on giving 20 working
days’ notice to the holder of the exemption; or
(b) if the holder asks the chief executive to withdraw the
exemption.
The chief executive may grant the exemption subject to any
conditions that the chief executive thinks fit.
Regulation 104 was substituted, as from 31 March 2005, by section 414 Build­
ing Act 2004 (2004 No 72). See subpart 4 of Part 5 of that Act (comprising
sections 416 to 451) as to the transitional provisions.
105
(1)
(2)
Issuing of urgent instructions
In any case of urgency, the Secretary may issue instructions,
orders, or requirements for securing the protection of persons
from injuries caused, directly or indirectly, by electricity.
Any instruction, order, or requirement issued by the Secretary
must be,—
85
Part 6 r 106
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
(a)
(3)
(4)
Where the instruction, order, or requirement is specific
to a particular person or persons, by notice in writing to
that person or persons; or
(b) Where the instruction, order, or requirement is of more
general application, by notice in the Gazette.
No instruction, order, or requirement issued under this regula­
tion (and whether or not amended) may remain in force for a
period exceeding 6 months from the date of its issue.
The Secretary may from time to time, in the same manner,
amend or revoke any such instruction, order, or requirement.
Accident reports
106
(1)
86
Details to be provided in reporting accidents
Persons reporting accidents in accordance with section 16 of
the Act must notify the Secretary in writing of the following
particulars of the accident:
(a) The name of the person so notifying and the place at
which that person may be contacted (including where
possible a telephone number and facsimile number):
(b) The place, date, and time of the accident:
(c) A complete description of the accident:
(d) A description of any injuries, damage, or losses result­
ing from the accident:
(e) Where known, the names and contact information of
any witness, investigator at the scene, or other person
who could provide cogent information on the accident:
(f)
Possible causative factors (if any are known):
(g) Any resuscitation applied, including the method, the
length of time applied, the reason for discontinuing, and
the person that applied the resuscitation:
(h) Any associated equipment involved, including the type,
whether or not it operated correctly, and any reasons
why it did not operate correctly:
(i)
The condition of the associated equipment involved, in­
cluding its age:
(j)
Where known, the name, age, sex, occupation, and resi­
dential address of the victim.
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
(2)
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 6 r 108
The reporting of accidents may initially be by telephone or
facsimile, as long as the written report is sent to the Secretary
within 2 weeks of the telephone or facsimile notification.
Offences
107
Offences
Every person commits an offence and is liable on summary
conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 who,—
(a) Sells, or offers for sale, any declared article that has not
been approved in accordance with regulation 101; or
(aa) Sells, or offers to sell, any fittings or electrical ap­
pliances specified by the Secretary under regulation
101A(1)(a) for which there is no declaration of com­
pliance; or
(b) Contrary to any prohibition imposed pursuant to regula­
tion 102, manufactures, imports, offers for sale or sells,
installs, or uses, any prohibited fittings or electrical ap­
pliance; or
(c) Fails to comply with any instruction, order, or require­
ment issued in accordance with regulation 105.
Paragraph (aa) was inserted, as from 18 November 1999, by regulation 15 Elec­
tricity Amendment Regulations 1999 (SR 1999/369).
Transitional provisions
108
(1)
3
Approvals, modifications, permissions, etc, under earlier
regulations
The following approvals, modifications, permissions, prohib­
itions, exemptions, instructions, orders, and requirements con­
tinue in force until their expiry (where an expiry is provided
for in the approval, modification, permission, prohibition, ex­
emption, instruction, order, or requirement):
(a) Modifications under regulation 6 of the Electrical
Wiring Regulations 19763:
(b) Permissions under regulation 7 of the Electrical Wiring
Regulations 1976 (as substituted by regulation 2 of the
Electrical Wiring Regulations 1976, Amendment No 4):
SR 1976/38
87
Part 6 r 108
(c)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
4
5
88
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Declared article approvals under regulation 18 of the
Electrical Wiring Regulations 1976 (as substituted by
regulation 4 of the Electrical Wiring Regulations 1976,
Amendment No 6, and as amended by regulation 3 of
the Electrical Wiring Regulations 1976, Amendment
No. 8):
(d) Modifications under regulation 4 of the Electrical Sup­
ply Regulations 19844 (as amended by regulation 3 of
the Electrical Supply Regulations 1984, Amendment
No 4):
(e) Permissions under regulation 5 of the Electrical Supply
Regulations 1984.
(f)
Approvals under regulation 23(c) of the Electricity
Regulations 19935:
(g) Declared article approvals under regulation 90 of the
Electricity Regulations 1993:
(h) Prohibitions under regulation 91 of the Electricity
Regulations 1993:
(i)
Exemptions under regulations 92 and 93 of the Electri­
city Regulations 1993:
(j)
Instructions, orders, and requirements under regulation
94 of the Electricity Regulations 1993.
From the date of the commencement of these regulations,
regulations 103(3) and 103(4) apply to the permissions,
modifications, and exemptions referred to in subclause (1) as
if they were exemptions granted under regulation 103.
From the date of the commencement of these regulations,
regulations 101(7) and 101(8) apply to the declared article
approvals referred to in subclause (1) as if they were approvals
granted under regulation 101.
From the date of the commencement of these regulations,
regulation 102(4) applies to the prohibitions referred to in
subclause (1)(h) as if they were prohibitions made under
regulation 102.
From the date of the commencement of these regulations,
regulations 105(3) and 105(4) apply to the instructions,
SR 1984/167
SR 1993/75
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Part 6 r 110
orders, and requirements referred to in subclause (1)(j) as if
they were instructions, orders, and requirements issued under
regulation 105.
Fees
109
(1)
(2)
(3)
Fees
The fees specified in Schedule 9 are payable in respect of the
matters specified in that schedule.
The fees prescribed by these regulations are inclusive of goods
and services tax.
The Board may, if it thinks fit, in any of the following cir­
cumstances, waive, refund, or remit the whole or part of any
fee prescribed by these regulations that would otherwise be
payable to the Board by any person:
(a) Where, in any period beginning on 1 April in any year
and ending with the close of 31 March in the following
year, any person makes—
(i)
An application for registration; or
(ii) An application for a practising licence; or
(iii) An application for a written examination, or
(iv) An application for a practical examination,—
and that person has, in that period, already made an
application of that same kind:
(b) Where, in the case of an applicant for a practising li­
cence, the cost to the Board of carrying out the Board’s
obligations under section 149(d) of the Act in respect of
the class of work (or a particular category of the class
of work) in respect of which the applicant is registered
does not justify the charging of the full fee in respect of
that application:
(c) Where a practising licence is issued for any period less
than 1 year:
(d) Where any fee is overpaid or is paid in error.
Revocations
110
Revocations
The following regulations are revoked:
(a) The Electricity Regulations 1993 (SR 1993/75):
89
Schedule 1
(b)
(c)
(d)
Electricity Regulations 1997
The Electricity Regulations 1993, Amendment No 1
(SR 1993/413):
The Electricity Regulations 1993, Amendment No 2
(SR 1994/18):
The Electricity Regulations 1993, Amendment No 3
(SR 1995/59).
Schedule 1
Qualifications for registration as
electrician
1
(1)
90
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Reg 4(1)
Training and experience
Applicants for registration must have—
(a) Completed a formal course of training or apprentice­
ship either in New Zealand or overseas that the Board
accepts as incorporating, or as a satisfactory alternative
to, the skills outlined in subclause (2); or
(b) Had informal off the job and on the job training that the
Board accepts as equivalent, or as a satisfactory alter­
native, to paragraph (a); or
(c) Completed, and had, a combination of the training re­
ferred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) that the Board accepts
as meeting the requirements of those paragraphs,—
and have had either—
(d) Practical on the job experience under a competency
based system, or a similar formal training system, that
incorporates the skills outlined in subclause (2), includ­
ing not less than 2000 hours on the installation of con­
ductors within buildings or structures (including fittings
connected to those conductors), as confirmed by em­
ployers in logbooks, or detailed in references or certifi­
cates; or
(e) Not less than 4 years’ experience in a range of work
which the Board accepts as equivalent to that speci­
fied in paragraph (d) and includes not less than 2000
hours on the installation of conductors within buildings
or structures (including fittings connected to those con­
ductors).
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Schedule 1
(2)
The skills referred to in subclauses (1)(a) and (1)(d) are as
follows:
•­
Electrical isolation procedures
•­
Use of residual current devices and isolating transform­
ers
•­
Selection and correct use of tools
•­
Selection, installation, and connection of—
•­
Cable support systems
•­
Conduits
•­
Cable protection
•­
Tough­plastic­sheathed and neutral screened ca­
bles and PVC conduit wires
•­
Switchboards and fittings connected to those
switchboards
•­
Lighting and lighting circuitry
•­
Single­phase and three­phase circuitry and fit­
tings connected to those circuits
•­
Single­phase and three­phase motors and starters
•­
Earthing and bonding
•­
Use and care of test instruments
•­
Fault diagnosis and repair of circuits, meters, transform­
ers, and electrical appliances
•­
Maintenance of circuit breakers and residual current de­
vices.
2
Examinations
Applicants for registration must have passed theory examin­
ations, regulations examinations, and practical assessments or
practical examinations, containing the following subject­mat­
ter (or, where registration is to be limited under section 86 of
the Act, such parts of the following subject­matter as are rele­
vant), and conducted by the Board or organisations approved
by the Board:
(a) Theory examination:
•­
Systems of supply
•­
Electrical protection of real and personal
property
91
Schedule 1
Electricity Regulations 1997
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
(b)
92
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electrical safety of personnel
Transformers and their applications
Selection of cables
Switchboards and isolation fittings
Semi­conductor fittings
The purpose and use of test instruments
Testing of—
•­
Conductors (including fittings con­
nected to those conductors) of new
works or conductors of electrical in­
stallations
•­
Additions and alterations to con­
ductors (including fittings con­
nected to those conductors)
•­
Works, electrical installations, fit­
tings, and electrical appliances
•­
Record­keeping for test results and self­
certification
•­
Three­phase motors and starters includ­
ing—
•­
Selection and construction
•­
Comparisons for suitability
•­
Calculation of start and run currents
•­
Single­phase motors including—
•­
Selection and construction
•­
Comparisons for suitability
•­
Calculation of start and run currents
•­
Starting methods
•­
Reversal of rotation
•­
Selection and suitability of motor protec­
tion
•­
Alternators
•­
Prescribed electrical work requiring in­
spection under regulation 41
•­
Lighting:
Regulations examination:
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
(c)
Electricity Regulations 1997
Schedule 1
Knowledge, understanding, and application of—
•­
Provisions of the Act and these regulations
that relate to electrical safety, the registra­
tion and licensing of workers, and the test­
ing, certification, and connection of pre­
scribed electrical work
•­
Electrical codes of practice relevant to the
work of electricians
Practical examination or practical assessment:
Stage 1:
•­
Electrical safety
•­
Single­phase plugs, cord connectors, and
socket outlets
•­
Selection and loading of fuse links
•­
Flexible cord selection, identification, and
termination
•­
Soldering techniques for cables and flexi­
ble cords, and for fittings and electrical ap­
pliances connected to such cable and cords
•­
Connection of flexible cords to metal
framed electrical appliances
•­
Connections using the crimp lug methods
•­
Edison screw and bayonet can lamphold­
ers
•­
Switching and control methods for light­
ing circuits and the connection of light fit­
tings
•­
Three­heat switching and energy regulator
control circuits
•­
Testing of electrical appliances
•­
Use of test instruments
•­
Identification and connection of cables and
fittings connected to those cables
•­
Electric motor connections and reversal of
rotation methods
•­
Flexible cords and fittings connected to
those flexible cords
93
Schedule 1
Electricity Regulations 1997
•­
•­
Stage 2:
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
Stage 3:
Section 1
•­
Section 2
•­
94
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Connection and reconnection of fixed
wired appliances
Direct on­line electric motor starters, con­
trol circuits, and protection fittings
Safe working practices and safety rules
Testing:
•­
Of the insulation resistance of con­
ductors and other fittings, and of
electrical appliances
•­
For the polarity of single­phase and
three­phase socket outlets
•­
For circuit continuity
•­
Of earthing and bonding conductors
Live testing of circuits using electrical test
instruments
Installing subcircuits and socket outlets
Make up single­phase extension leads and
three­phase extension leads for industrial
applications and use
Construct a switchboard for a domestic or
light commercial electrical installation
Connection and termination of conductors
Electrical appliance control circuits
Lighting control circuits
Consolidation exercises of the practical
skills detailed in stages 1 and 2
Single­phase and three­phase induction
motors:
••
Carry out winding, fittings, and
connection tests after installing the
necessary wiring
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Schedule 1
••
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
Demonstrate the ability to change
the direction of rotation for each
type of motor
Three­phase cage induction motors (direct
on­line):
••
Carry out the connection of the vari­
ous starter components for motors
of two­wire control, and of three­
wire control, that includes remote
stop/start stations
••
Starting, protection, and adjustment
of over­current and single­phasing
Testing of single­phase and three­phase in­
duction motor installations
Connecting and testing, reversal and speed
control, of any 2 of the following types of
motors
••
Universal single­phase
••
Three­phase cage induction
••
Three­phase slip­ring induction
Testing of existing subcircuits
Recording of test results and the comple­
tion of records
Certification of prescribed electrical work
Testing of fittings and electrical appliances
Safety of personnel
Residual current devices and isolating
transformers
Testing of compliance requirements for
and protection afforded subcircuits and fit­
tings
Motor starters
Selection and loading of fuse links
Lighting circuits and the connection of
light fittings
Basic first­aid.
95
Schedule 2
3
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Safety instruction
Applicants for registration must have received instruction in
the following safe working practices, resuscitation, and test­
ing:
(a) Safe working practices:
Complete instruction in safe working practices relevant
to the work proposed to be undertaken by the applicant,
as outlined in electrical codes of practice, and in any
standards set by the Secretary:
(b) Cardio­pulmonary resuscitation:
Complete training in accordance with the “Electrical
Code of Safety Practice for CPR Training in the Elec­
trical Industry” issued by the Secretary on 6 May 1991:
(c) Testing:
Complete instruction in testing for—
(i)
Personal safety before commencing work; and
(ii) Completed work before connection; and
(iii) Completed work for continuing safety; and
(iv) Compliance with regulatory requirements, in­
cluding polarity and phase rotation (if applic­
able).
Schedule 2
Reg 4(2)
Qualifications for registration as electrical
service technician
1
(1)
96
Training and experience
Applicants for registration must have—
(a) Completed a formal course of training or apprentice­
ship either in New Zealand or overseas that the Board
accepts as incorporating, or as a satisfactory alternative
to, the skills listed in subclause (2); or
(b) Had informal off the job and on the job training that the
Board accepts as equivalent, or as a satisfactory alter­
native, to paragraph (a); or
(c) Completed, and had, a combination of the training re­
ferred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) that the Board accepts
as meeting the requirements of those paragraphs,—
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
(2)
2
Electricity Regulations 1997
Schedule 2
and must have completed, to the satisfaction of the Board, a
range of practical on the job experience in those skills listed in
subclause (2) that are relevant to the range of work for which
applicants will be registered.
The skills referred to in subclause (1) are as follows:
•­
Electrical isolation procedures
•­
Selection and correct use of tools
•­
Use and care of test instruments
•­
Installing and replacing fuse links
•­
Selecting, replacing, repairing, and fitting flexible ca­
bles, flexible cords, and fittings connected to those flex­
ible cords
•­
Fault diagnosis on circuits, conductors, and electrical
appliances
•­
Selecting, replacing, and repairing protection and con­
trol fittings
•­
Selecting and replacing like for like fittings (but not in­
cluding any work on any switchboard or conductor)
•­
Fittings and electrical appliance test procedures
•­
Use of isolating transformers
•­
Use and testing of residual current devices designed for
the protection of personnel using electrical appliances
•­
Use of associated equipment and safety procedures
•­
Electric motors, and fixed wired appliances, including
the following isolation procedures:
•­
Connection and disconnection
•­
Repair and maintenance
•­
Reversing
•­
Assembly of flexible leads, and fittings connected to
those flexible leads.
Examinations
Applicants for registration must have passed theory examin­
ations, and practical examinations or practical assessments,
containing the following subject­matter (or, where registration
is to be limited under section 86 of the Act, such parts of the
97
Schedule 2
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
following subject­matter as are relevant), and conducted by
the Board or organisations approved by the Board:
(a) Theory examination:
•­
Basic knowledge and understanding of
electrical circuits and systems of supply
•­
Understanding of electrical terms, sym­
bols, and values
•­
Electrical safety of personnel
•­
Limits of work and other responsibilities
•­
Circuit protection and safety fittings
•­
Testing and inspection of fittings and elec­
trical appliances
•­
The prescribed tests and the requirements
for compliance with these regulations and
electrical codes of practice
•­
Flexible cords and flexible cables, and fit­
tings connected to those flexible cords and
flexible cables
•­
Protection of live parts for all insulated fit­
tings, double­insulated fittings, earth situ­
ations, and damp situations
•­
Knowledge of these regulations and elec­
trical codes of practice
•­
Safety isolation procedures and systems
•­
Replacing and repairing fittings and elec­
trical appliances (but not including any
work on any switchboard or conductor)
•­
The use and care of test instruments
•­
Work in hazardous locations and environ­
ments and in damp situations
•­
Knowledge and understanding of electric
motors
•­
Principles of electrical operation, and typi­
cal uses of the following types of switches:
•­
Infinitely variable controls
•­
Thermostat
•­
Pressure
98
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
(b)
3
Electricity Regulations 1997
Schedule 2
•­
Limit
•­
Time
•­
The effects of electric shock:
Practical examination or practical assessment of skills
relating to the following:
•­
Electrical safety
•­
Plugs and socket outlets
•­
Fuses
•­
Flexible cords
•­
Soldering
•­
Crimp connections to conductors of flexi­
ble cords
•­
Edison screw and bayonet cap lamphold­
ers
•­
Switching of lamps
•­
Three­heat switching and energy regula­
tors
•­
Supply voltage and current testing of elec­
trical appliances
•­
Testing of fittings and electrical appliances
•­
Identification of conductors, and fittings
connected to those conductors
•­
Electric motors
•­
Plugs and cord connector sockets
•­
Fluorescent lighting connection methods
•­
Disconnection and reconnection of fixed
wired appliances
•­
Electric motor starters
•­
Basic first­aid.
Safety instruction
Applicants for registration must have received instruction in
the following safe working practices, resuscitation, and test­
ing:
(a) Safe working practices:
99
Schedule 3
(b)
(c)
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Complete instruction in safe working practices relevant
to the work proposed to be undertaken by the applicant,
as outlined in electrical codes of practice, and in any
standards set by the Secretary:
Cardio­pulmonary resuscitation:
Complete training in accordance with the “Electrical
Code of Safety Practice for CPR Training in the Elec­
trical Industry” issued by the Secretary on 6 May 1991:
Testing:
Complete instruction in testing for—
(i)
Personal safety before commencing work; and
(ii) Completed work before connection; and
(iii) Completed work for continuing safety; and
(iv) Compliance with regulatory requirements, in­
cluding polarity and phase rotation (if applic­
able).
Schedule 3
Qualifications for registration as line
mechanic
1
(1)
(2)
100
Reg 4(3)
Training and experience
Applicants for registration must have—
(a) Completed a formal course of training or apprentice­
ship either in New Zealand or overseas that the Board
accepts as incorporating, or as a satisfactory alternative
to, the skills listed in subclause (2); or
(b) Had informal off the job and on the job training that the
Board accepts as equivalent, or as a satisfactory alter­
native, to paragraph (a); or
(c) Completed, and had, a combination of the training re­
ferred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) that the Board accepts
as meeting the requirements of those paragraphs,—
and must have completed, to the satisfaction of the Board, a
range of practical on the job experience in those skills listed in
subclause (2) that are relevant to the range of work for which
applicants will be registered.
The skills referred to in subclause (1) are as follows:
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
Electricity Regulations 1997
Schedule 3
Isolation, testing, and earthing of lines and their fittings
Testing of supports, lines, and their fittings
Livening of lines and their fittings, and of electrical in­
stallations and works
Use and maintenance of personnel safety equipment
Use and care of test instruments
Rescue from contact with live fittings or equipment
Resuscitation on the ground, on a structure, and in a
cable pit
Install or replace conductors on supports carrying live
conductors or de­energised conductors, or isolated and
earthed conductors
Replace live low voltage conductors on poles carrying
live high and/or low voltage conductors
Erect supports
Providing support for unsafe supports
Dismantle disused supports and fittings
Select and install stays and guys
Select and fit fittings to supports
Maintain and inspect isolated and earthed overhead
electric lines
Maintain and operate live low voltage overhead electric
lines
Maintain and operate live high voltage overhead elec­
tric lines
Ascertain whether a support is safe to use as a working
platform
Work on underground systems of electricity supply
Fell or trim trees and vegetation in the proximity of live
overhead electric lines
Install and maintain street lights (whether reticulated by
overhead or underground lines)
Install pad mounted, ground mounted, and support
mounted fittings and earthing systems
Install, connect, maintain, and test earthing systems
Install, maintain, and test fittings for transformers
101
Schedule 3
•­
•­
•­
2
102
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Take readings, and record results, from instruments,
meters, and relays
Work from an elevating platform vehicle
Use, maintenance, and storage of tools and associated
equipment.
Examinations
Applicants for registration must have passed theory examin­
ations, regulations examinations, and practical examinations
or practical assessments, containing the following sub­
ject­matter (or, where registration is to be limited under
section 86 of the Act, such parts of the following sub­
ject­matter as are relevant), and conducted by the Board or
organisations approved by the Board:
(a) Theory examination:
•­
Basic electrical principles
•­
Basic mechanical principles
•­
Systems of electricity supply
•­
Types and design considerations of elec­
tric lines
•­
Types and operation of transformers
•­
Types and operation of switchgear and
fuses
•­
Types and operation of substations
•­
Installing and jointing cables, including
fittings connected to those cables
•­
Faults and fault location
•­
Street lights and pilot systems
•­
Care, use, and maintenance of instru­
ments:
(b) Regulations examination:
Knowledge, understanding, and application of—
•­
Provisions of the Act and these regulations
that relate to electrical safety, the registra­
tion and licensing of workers, and the test­
ing, certification, and connection of pre­
scribed electrical work
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Schedule 3
•­
(c)
3
Electrical codes of practice relevant to the
work of line mechanics:
Practical examination or practical assessment:
•­
Install and recover conductors under high
voltage electric lines assumed to be alive
•­
Jointing, termination, and attachment of
copper and aluminium conductors with
commonly used fittings
•­
Operating, locking off, tagging, testing,
and application of airbreak switches
•­
Isolation of transformers from both pri­
mary and secondary circuits
•­
Phasing out checks and tap changing
•­
Pulling, rewiring, and replacing of fuse
links
•­
Knots and splices
•­
Earth resistance testing
•­
Connection of mains and their testing
•­
Basic first­aid
•­
Pole top rescue.
Safety instruction
Applicants must have received instruction in the following
safe working practices, resuscitation, and testing:
(a) Safe working practices:
Complete instruction in safe working practices relevant
to the work proposed to be undertaken by the applicant,
as outlined in electrical codes of practice, and in any
standards set by the Secretary:
(b) Cardio­pulmonary resuscitation:
Complete training in accordance with the “Electrical
Code of Safety Practice for CPR Training in the Elec­
trical Industry” issued by the Secretary on 6 May 1991:
(c) Testing
Complete instruction in testing for—
(i)
Personal safety before commencing work; and
(ii) Completed work before connection; and
103
Schedule 4
Electricity Regulations 1997
(iii)
(iv)
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Completed work for continuing safety; and
Compliance with regulatory requirements, in­
cluding polarity and phase rotation (if applic­
able).
Schedule 4
Reg 4(4)
Qualifications for registration as electrical
inspector
1
(1)
(2)
104
Training and experience
Applicants must have—
(a) Completed a formal course of training either in New
Zealand or overseas chat the Board accepts as incorp­
orating, or as a satisfactory alternative to, the skills out­
lined in subclause (2); or
(b) Had training that the Board accepts as equivalent, or as
a satisfactory alternative, to paragraph (a); or
(c) Completed, and had, a combination of the training re­
ferred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) that the Board accepts
as meeting the requirements of those paragraphs,—
and must have had experience, satisfactory to the Board, in
the exercise of electrical skills and responsibilities, including
carrying out prescribed electrical work, and the testing and
certification of prescribed electrical work.
The skills referred to in subclause (1)(a) are as follows:—
•­
Responsibilities of an inspector
•­
Recording procedures
•­
Legislation likely to affect the work of an inspector
•­
Inspection processes
•­
Certification and testing of electrical installations
•­
Selection and suitability of protection fittings
•­
Knowledge of standards and certification requirements
for electrical installations, fittings, and electrical appli­
ances
•­
Electrical Workers Registration Board audit system
•­
Disciplinary actions following audits/disputes
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
2
Electricity Regulations 1997
Schedule 4
Supervision of apprentices/trainees and any other per­
sons permitted to assist to do prescribed electrical work
Use of test instruments
Ethics—code of conduct
Accident reporting and investigation
Hazardous environments
Maximum demand
Cable selection
Power­factor correction
Metering and meter connections
High voltage electrical installations
Special situations.
Examinations
Applicants for registration must have passed theory examin­
ations, and practical examinations or practical assessments,
containing the following subject­matter (or, where registration
is to be limited under section 86 of the Act, such parts of the
following subject­matter as are relevant), and conducted by
the Board or organisations approved by the Board:
(a) Theory examination:
•­
Legislation relating to safety, worker
registration, audits, disputes, disciplinary
procedures, and accident reporting
•­
Limits of work and other responsibilities
•­
Electrical safety of personnel
•­
The purpose and use of test instruments
•­
Testing of electrical installations
•­
Electrical protection of real and personal
property
•­
Issuing of certificates of compliance and
warrants of electrical fitness
•­
Special conditions, hazardous environ­
ments:
(b) Practical examination or practical assessment:
•­
Use and care of test instruments
105
Schedule 4
Electricity Regulations 1997
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
•­
3
106
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Testing techniques
Polarity verification
Continuity of conductors
Insulation tests
Earthing and bonding
Testing of earthing systems
Recording test results and completing
records
Selection of residual current devices and
isolating transformers
A range of prescribed electrical work re­
quiring inspection under regulation 41
Basic first­aid.
Safety instruction
Applicants for registration must have received instruction in
the following safe working practices, resuscitation, and test­
ing:
(a) Safe working practices:
Complete instruction in safe working practices relevant
to the work proposed to be undertaken by the applicant,
as outlined in electrical codes of practice, and in any
standards set by the Secretary:
(b) Cardio­pulmonary resuscitation
Complete training in accordance with the “Electrical
Code of Safety Practice for CPR Training in the Elec­
trical Industry” issued by the Secretary on 6 May 1991:
(c) Testing:
Complete instruction in testing for—
(i)
Personal safety before commencing work; and
(ii) Completed work before connection; and
(iii) Completed work for continuing safety; and
(iv) Compliance with regulatory requirements, in­
cluding polarity and phase rotation (if applic­
able).
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
1
Electricity Regulations 1997
Schedule 5
Conditions to be fulfilled by applicants
for practising licences
Schedule 5
Reg 13
An applicant for a practising licence who has not previously
held such a licence must have attended courses of instruction
in the following matters:
(a) Safe working practices that are appropriate to work of
the class or classes in respect of which the applicant is
registered:
(b) Testing to ensure safety before commencing work of
the class or classes in respect of which the applicant
is registered, and to ensure safety during and after the
completion of such work:
(c) Basic first­aid:
(d) Cardio­pulmonary resuscitation.
(e) the technical content of problem areas currently identi­
fied by the Board.
Clause 1(e) was inserted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 52(1) Electricity
Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
2
An applicant for a practising licence (being a registered elec­
trical service technician, a registered electrician, or a regis­
tered electrical inspector) who has previously held a practis­
ing licence must have attended courses of instruction in the
following matters within the period of 2 years immediately
before the date of the application:
(a) Safe working practices that are appropriate to work of
the class or classes in respect of which the applicant is
registered:
(b) Testing to ensure safety before commencing work of
the class or classes in respect of which the applicant
is registered, and to ensure safety during and after the
completion of such work:
(c) Basic first­aid:
(d) Cardio­pulmonary resuscitation.
(e) the technical content of problem areas currently identi­
fied by the Board.
Clause 2(e) was inserted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 52(2) Electricity
Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
107
Schedule 6
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
3
An applicant for a practising licence (being a registered line
mechanic) who has previously held a practising licence must
have attended courses of instruction as follows:
(a) within 14 months immediately before the date of the ap­
plication, courses or refresher courses in the following:
(i)
safe working practices appropriate to the work of
a line mechanic:
(ii) testing to ensure safety before beginning, during,
and after completion of that work:
(iii) basic first aid:
(b) within 7 months immediately before the date of the ap­
plication, a course or refresher course in cardio­pul­
monary resuscitation:
(c) the technical content of problem areas currently identi­
fied by the Board.
Clause 3(a) to (c) was substituted, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation
52(3) Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413).
Schedule 6
Overseas qualifications
A
Electricians
Overseas
Qualifications
Further Conditions
AUSTRALIA
LE = Licensed by
Examination
AT = Apprentice
Trained
New South Wales
108
Nil
Reg 15
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Schedule 6
A—continued
Overseas
Qualifications
Further Conditions
Contractor Licence
Electrical (Q), and—
(a) Evidence of
apprenticeship
completion; or
(b) A Tradesman’s
Rights Certificate
Qualified Supervisor
Certificate (Q), and—
(a) Evidence of
apprenticeship
completion; or
(b) A Tradesman’s
Rights Certificate
Northern Territory
Nil
“A” Grade Electrical
Mechanics Licence
endorsed AT or LE
Queensland
Nil
Certificate of
Competency as an
Electrical Mechanic
endorsed AT or LE
Certificate of
Competency as an
Electrical Fitter and
Electrical Mechanic
endorsed AT or LE
109
Schedule 6
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
A—continued
Overseas
Qualifications
South Australia
Further Conditions
Nil
Electrical Worker’s
Registration.
Electrical
Worker/Electrical
Contractor Licence.
Tasmania
Nil
“A” Grade Electrical
Mechanics Licence
endorsed AT or LE
Victoria
Nil
“A” Grade Electrical
Mechanics Licence
endorsed AT or LE or
unrestricted Electrical
Mechanic
Western Australia
Nil
“A” Grade Electrical
Worker’s Licence
endorsed Electrical
Mechanic
“A” Grade Electrical
Worker’s Licence
endorsed Electrical
Fitter and Electrical
Mechanic
Australian Capital
Territory
110
Nil
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Schedule 6
A—continued
Overseas
Qualifications
Further Conditions
Electrician’s Licence
Grade A endorsed
“AT”.
UNITED
KINGDOM
Ordinary or Higher
The following conditions apply to every
National Certificate in United Kingdom qualification specified
Electrical Engineering. in the first column:
City and Guilds
Intermediate Grade
Electrical Engineering
Practice AC and DC.
Provide evidence of having acquired the
skills listed in clause 1(2) of Schedule 1:
City and Guilds Final
Grade Electrical
Engineering Practice
Parts 1 and 2.
Pass a regulations examination in the
subject­matter listed in clause 2(b) of
Schedule 1:
City and Guilds
Electrical Installation
Work Courses B or C
Certificate.
Pass a practical assessment in the
subject­matter listed in stage 3 of clause
2(c) of Schedule 1:
City and Guilds
Provide evidence of having completed
Intermediate Electrical safety instruction in the subject­matter
Technicians Certificate listed in clause 3 of Schedule 1:
City and Guilds
Colliery Electricians
Craft Certificate.
City and Guilds
Full Technological
Certificate.
111
Schedule 6
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
A—continued
Overseas
Qualifications
City and Guilds
Electrician’s
Certificate.
City and Guilds
Electrical Technicians
Part 1 Certificate.
City and Guilds
Electrical Technicians
Part 2 Certificate
in Electrical Power
Equipment.
City and Guilds
Electrical Technicians
Part 2 Certificate
in Electrical Power
Equipment.
City and Guilds
Certificate in Electrical
Installation Work.
City and Guilds
Electrical and
Electronic Craft
Studies Part 2.
City and Guilds
Electrical Installation
Course 2360 Part 2.
City and Guilds
Certificate in
Electrical Installation
Competencies.
112
Further Conditions
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Schedule 6
A—continued
Overseas
Qualifications
Further Conditions
City and Guilds
Installation Work
Certificate B and C
(scheme 236).
City and Guilds
Certificate Part 2,
Certificate in Electrical
Installation Work.
Northern Counties
TEC Electrical
Technicians 2nd Year
Certificate
Welsh Joint Education
Committee Electrical
Engineering
Technicians Part 1
Certificate.
Welsh Joint
Education Committee
Electrical Technicians
Certificate 2nd Year
(Intermediate)
Scottish Technical
Educational Council
Higher Certificate
in Electrical
and Electronic
Engineering.
113
Schedule 6
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
A—continued
Overseas
Qualifications
BTEC (or TEC)
National Certificate in
Electrical Engineering.
BTEC (or TEC)
Higher National
Certificate in Electrical
Engineering.
BTEC (or TEC)
Diploma in Electrical
Engineering:
Provided that the
following subjects
have been passed:
Stage II—Electrical
and Electronic
Applications, or
Electrical and
Electronic Principles
Stage III—Heavy
Current Electrical
Applications.
BTEC National
Certificate in Mining
Engineering (Mining
and Electrical).
114
Further Conditions
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Schedule 6
A—continued
Overseas
Qualifications
Further Conditions
Scotvec (Scottish
Vocational Education
Council) Higher
Certificate in Electrical
and Electronic
Engineering.
NETHERLANDS
Netherlands Electrical
Technician TS1 or
Advanced Craftsmen
EML Certificate.
Provide evidence of having acquired the
skills listed in clause 1(2) of Schedule 1.
Pass a regulations examination in the
subject­matter listed in clause 2(b) of
Schedule 1.
Pass a practical assessment in the
subject­matter listed in stage 3 of clause
2(c) of Schedule 1.
Provide evidence of having completed
safety instruction in the subject­matter
listed in clause 3 of Schedule 1.
FIJI
Wireman’s Licence
Provide evidence of having acquired the
skills listed in clause 1(2) of Schedule 1.
Pass a theory examination in the
subject­matter listed in clause 2(a) of
Schedule 1.
115
Schedule 6
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
A—continued
Overseas
Qualifications
Further Conditions
Pass a regulations examination in the
subject­matter listed in clause 2(b) of
Schedule 1.
Pass a practical assessment in the
subject­matter listed in stage 3 of clause
2(c) of Schedule 1.
Provide evidence of having completed
safety instruction in the subject­matter
listed in clause 3 of Schedule 1.
SOUTH AFRICA
Installation Electrician Pass a regulations examination in the
Licence
subject­matter listed in clause 2(b) of
Schedule 1.
B
Line mechanics
Overseas Qualifications
Further Conditions
AUSTRALIA
New South Wales
Three months prescribed electrical work.
A certificate of service issued under the
Overhead Line (Workers) Regulations
1964.
Refresher courses in safe working
practices and resuscitation.
Queensland
Three months prescribed electrical work.
Certificate of Competency as an
Electrical Linesman
Refresher courses in safe working
practices and resuscitation.
116
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Schedule 7
B—continued
Victoria
Three months prescribed electrical work.
SECV certificate
Refresher courses in safe working
practices and resuscitation.
C
Electrical service technicians
Overseas Qualifications
AUSTRALIA
Victoria
Restricted Licence “S” all categories.
Schedule 7
Subject­matter for course of tuition for
tradespersons
Reg 49(3)
The schedule of subject­matter for the course of tuition for tradesper­
sons is—
(a) Theory list:
•­
Basic knowledge of electrical circuits and sys­
tems
•­
Understanding of electrical terms, symbols, and
values
•­
Electrical safety of personnel
•­
Responsibilities in carrying out prescribed elec­
trical work
•­
Circuit protection and safety fittings
•­
Testing and inspection of fittings and electrical
appliances
•­
Selection, use, and care of electrical test instru­
ments
117
Schedule 7
Electricity Regulations 1997
•­
•­
(b)
118
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Prescribed tests and checks
Flexible cords, flexible cables, and fittings in­
tended for connection to those flexible cords or
flexible cables
•­
Protection of live parts
•­
Isolation procedures
•­
All insulated fittings
•­
Double insulation
•­
Earth situations
•­
Resuscitation and basic first­aid
•­
Special precautions in damp situations and with
work to which regulation 41(1) applies:
Practical instruction and assessment skills list:
•­
Electrical safety
•­
Resuscitation and basic first­aid
•­
Plugs and sockets
•­
Fuses
•­
Flexible cords
•­
Soldering
•­
Crimp connections to conductors of flexible
cords
•­
Switching of lamps
•­
The disconnection and reconnection of fixed
wired appliances
•­
Supply voltage and current testing of electrical
appliances
•­
Testing of electrical appliances
•­
Identification of conductors within buildings and
structures, and fittings connected to those con­
ductors
•­
Replacement of fittings on a like for like basis.
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Schedule 9
Schedule 8
Declared articles
Reg. 101(2)
[Revoked]
Schedule 8 was revoked, as from 18 November 1999, by regulation 16 Electri­
city Amendment Regulations 1999 (SR 1999/369).
Schedule 9
Prescribed fees
Reg 109(1)
Fees Payable under Parts 2 and 3
Matter in Respect Of Which Fees Payable
Provision of the Act or
Fee ($)
these Regulations Under
(GST incl)
Which Fee Payable
Application for registration
69
section 82(2)(b)
Application for registration certificate
34
section 88
Application for provisional licence
34
regulation 4(5)
Application for written examination
(electrical service technician and
tradesperson)
60
regulation 7(1)
Application for written examination
(electrician, line mechanic, electrical
inspector)
85
regulation 7(1)
Application for practical assessment
25
regulation 7(1)
Application for practical examination
220
regulation 7(1)
Application for late examination
68
regulation 7(2)
Application for special written examination
149
regulation 7(2)
Application for re­marking of examination
paper
25
regulation 7(3)
Application for return of examination scripts
25
regulation 7(4)
119
Schedule 9
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Electricity Regulations 1997
Matter in Respect Of Which Fees Payable
Provision of the Act or
Fee ($)
these Regulations Under
(GST incl)
Which Fee Payable
Application for certified copy of entry in
register
25
regulation 11(2)
Application for practising licence
117
section 96(2)(b) and
regulation 12(3)
Application for replacement certificate or
licence
30
regulation 14
Application for employer licence
400
section 101(1) and
regulation 16(3)
Application for restoration of name to
register
34
section 94(1)
(a) Domestic and commercial or industrial
work
6
regulation 43(1)
(b) Ongoing commercial or industrial work
50
regulation 43(1)
Application for tradeperson’s certificate
34
Regulation 49(2)
Application for forms for certificates of
compliance for—
Schedule 9 was amended, as from 18 November 1999, by regulation 17 Electricity
Amendment Regulations 1999 (SR 1999/369) by substituting the table headed “Fees
Payable under Parts 2 and 3”.
Schedule 9 was amended, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 53(1) Electricity
Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413) by omitting from the table headed “Fees
Payable under Parts 2 and 3” from the third column of the item relating to an applica­
tion for a practising licence the expression “regulation 96(2)(b)” and substituting the
expression “section 96(2)(b)”.
Schedule 9 was amended, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 53(2) Electricity
Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413) by omitting from the table headed
“Fees Payable under Parts 2 and 3” from the third column of the item relating to an
application for an employer licence the expression “regulation 101(1)” and substituting
the expression “section 101(1)”.
Schedule 9 was amended, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 53(3) Electricity
Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413) by inserting the item relating to an
application for a tradesperson’s certificate into the table headed “Fees Payable under
Parts 2 and 3”.
120
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Schedule 9
Electricity Regulations 1997
Fees Payable under Part 5
Matter in respect of which fee payable
Forms for warrants of electrical fitness for
connectable installations
Arbitrators
Fee ($) (GST
incl)
Provision of the Act or
these regulations under
which fee payable
1
regulation 97(7)
80 per hour,
plus all
expenses of the
arbitrator that
are paid by the
Secretary
regulation 99(5)
Schedule 9 was amended, as from 1 January 2003, by regulation 53(4) Electricity
Amendment Regulations 2002 (SR 2002/413) by substituting the table headed “Fees
Payable under Part 5”.
Fees Payable under Part 6
Matter in respect of which fee
payable
Fee ($)
(GST
incl)
Provision of the Act
or these regulations
under which fee
payable
Application for declared
article approval
400
regulation 101(3)
Application for exemption
from requirements of any
of regulations 28 to 36 or
regulation 46, or any of the
regulations in Part 4 or Part 5
400
regulation 103(2)
MARIE SHROFF,
Clerk of the Executive Council.
121
Explanatory note
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Explanatory note
This note is not part of the regulations, but is intended to indicate
their general effect.
These regulations, which come into force on 9 May 1997, replace
the Electricity Regulations 1993. The structure and content of these
regulations are broadly similar to the 1993 regulations, however, a
number of substantive changes have been made. This note sum­
marises the major changes when comparing these regulations with
the 1993 regulations. This note also briefly explains the organisation
of these regulations.
The major changes are:
••
the definition of prescribed electrical work has been amended.
It now comprises 3 major categories of electrical work rather
than 6 (regulation 17)
••
the types of prescribed electrical work that must be certified
and inspected have been changed (regulations 39 and 41)
••
there is a new definition of the term electrically safe. It now
takes into account fittings and electrical appliances that are de­
signed and used for medical treatment, animal stunning, meat
conditioning, and fishing (regulation 69)
••
people who hire out or lease out any vehicle, relocatable build­
ing, or pleasure vessel that contains a connectable installation
must ensure that the connectable installation has a warrant of
electrical fitness or a certificate of compliance. Warrants of
electrical fitness are issued by a registered electrical inspector
or a person authorised by the Secretary (regulation 97)
••
the types of electrical work that home­owners may do has been
clarified (regulation 47)
••
the limitation on registered craftsman plumbers and registered
craftsman gasfitters doing certain electrical work has been
changed. Now, any registered plumber or registered gasfitter
may do certain electrical work if the plumber or gasfitter meets
particular requirements and the work is within a prescribed
maximum electrical rating (regulation 49)
••
persons inspecting prescribed electrical work and issuing war­
rants of electrical fitness must be competent to do so and must
meet certain safety requirements (regulations 25 and 26)
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Electricity Regulations 1997
Explanatory note
••
some clearance distances for persons working within the vicin­
ity of live overhead electric lines have been amended (regula­
tion 30)
••
there is a new provision relating to meter accuracy that im­
poses an obligation on people who supply electricity at stan­
dard low voltage through a revenue meter (regulation 54)
••
the provision relating to electrical interference with telecom­
munications lines, or any other structure, device, or thing, de­
signed or intended for use for telecommunications purposes
has been changed (regulation 58)
••
in a main earthing system of a MEN electrical installation op­
erating at standard low voltage, there must be bonding of any
available metallic water supply pipes to the earth continuity
busbar (regulation 86(1))
••
there is a new provision relating to people who move or at­
tempt to move works. A person must obtain the permission
of the owner or operator of those works before moving those
works (regulation 94(4))
••
the terms bonding, direct contact, indirect contact, main
earthing system, mains parallel generation system, shock
currents, standard low voltage, and telecommunications
network voltage are now defined (regulation 2(1))
••
ECP14, ECP19, and ECP25 are now referred to in the regula­
tions and the reference to ECP3 has been updated (regulation
2(3))
••
a number of new offences have been inserted (regulations 51,
67, and 100)
••
the Schedules have been updated (Schedules 1 to 9).
The regulations are organised into 6 parts.
Part 1 sets out the preliminary provisions of the regulations.
Part 2 sets out the requirements for the registration and licensing
of electrical workers. This applies to electricians, electrical service
technicians, line mechanics, and electrical inspectors. This Part also
deals with overseas workers and the requirements for a system of
operation that must be maintained by any person who holds an em­
ployer licence. Regulations 4 to 16 are largely unaltered from their
1993 counterparts.
123
Electricity Regulations 1997
Reprinted as at
1 October 2008
Part 3 deals with prescribed electrical work and worker safety. Regu­
lations 18 to 36 set out who may do prescribed electrical work and
the safety requirements that must be met when a person carries out
that work. Regulations 37 to 45 set out the requirements for the test­
ing of prescribed electric work and, in certain cases, electrical instal­
lations. These regulations also cover the certification and inspection
of certain prescribed electrical work. The certification and inspection
provisions require the issuing of a certificate of compliance in vari­
ous cases. Other provisions in Part 3 relate to the requirement for
periodic inspections of particular electrical installations to determine
whether they are electrically safe, and the limits on home­owners and
tradespersons carrying out electrical work for the purposes of sec­
tions 110 to 112 of the Electricity Act 1992 (regulations 46 to 49).
Part 4 sets out a number of technical provisions that deal with supply
systems for electricity and related concerns. This Part covers systems
in general, voltage, meter accuracy, frequency, quality of supply, and
provisions relating to a change in supply characteristics (regulations
52 to 59)). Part 4 also contains a number of provisions specifying
the earthing, protection measures, warning notices, and other require­
ments for works and electrical installations (regulations 60 to 66)
Part 5 relates to the safety of works, electrical installations, fittings
and electrical appliances. This Part is set out in a similar manner to
Part 4 of the 1993 regulations. As provided for in the 1993 regu­
lations, there is a general requirement that works, electrical instal­
lations, fittings, and associated equipment must be designed, con­
structed, maintained, installed, and used so as to be electrically safe
(regulation 69).
Part 6 contains a number of miscellaneous provisions relating to such
things as declared article approvals, prohibitions, exemptions, urgent
instructions, accident reports, transitional arrangements, and fees.
Offence provisions are contained in regulations 51, 67, 100, and 107.
These offences correspond with a failure to comply with the obliga­
tions created in Parts 3, 4, 5, and 6 respectively.
Issued under the authority of the Acts and Regulations Publication Act 1989.
Date of notification in Gazette: 10 April 1997.
124
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Electricity Regulations 1997
Notes
Contents
1
General
2
About this eprint
3
List of amendments incorporated in this eprint (most recent
first)
Notes
1
General
This is an eprint of the Electricity Regulations 1997. It in­
corporates all the amendments to the Electricity Regulations
1997 as at 1 October 2008. The list of amendments at the end
of these notes specifies all the amendments incorporated into
this eprint since 3 September 2007. Relevant provisions of
any amending enactments that contain transitional, savings,
or application provisions are also included, after the Principal
enactment, in chronological order.
2
About this eprint
This eprint has not been officialised. For more information
about officialisation, please see “Making online legislation of­
ficial” under “Status of legislation on this site” in the About
section of this website.
3
List of amendments incorporated in this eprint
(most recent first)
Electricity (China Free Trade Agreement) Regulations 2008 (SR 2008/223):
regulation 9
125