WARNING: Printed copies of this document ARE DEEMED UNCONTROLLED. The most up-to-date version is located on the Intranet/Internet
NICC 260: Guide for protecting customers’ electrical equipment
NICC 260: Guide for protecting
customers’ electrical equipment
Network Information for Contractors and Customers (NICC)
Published: 21 May 2014
NICC 260
– GUIDE FOR
PROTECTING CUSTOMERS’ ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
SA
Power
Networks
Issued – May 2014
www.sapowernetworks.com.au
The use of this document is subject to the conditions stated in SA Power Networks disclaimer at the front of this document.
 SA Power Networks 2014
Page 1 of 7
NICC 260: Guide for protecting customers’ electrical equipment
Date
Details
Author
Authorised
24 Dec 2010
New Document.
A. Pradhan
J. Ali
21 May 2014
Regular review. Minor changes as indicated on left hand side
only.
F. Hall
J. Ali
To obtain an electronic copy of this technical standard document, please click here to get to our website:
http://www.sapowernetworks.com.au/centric/industry/contractors_and_designers/technical_standards.js
p.
SA Power Networks:
SA Power Networks, ABN 13 332 330 749, a partnership of:
Spark Infrastructure SA (No.1) Pty Ltd, ABN 54 091 142 380
Spark Infrastructure SA (No.2) Pty Ltd, ABN 19 091 143 038
Spark Infrastructure SA (No.3) Pty Ltd, ABN 50 091 142 362
each incorporated in Australia
CKI Utilities Development Limited, ABN 65 090 718 880
PAI Utilities Development Limited, ABN 82 090 718 951
each incorporated in The Bahamas
1 Anzac Highway, Keswick, South Australia, 5035.
SA Power Networks Disclaimer:
1. The use of the information contained in this document is at your sole risk.
2. The information in this document is subject to change without notice.
3. SA Power Networks, its agents, instrumentalities, officers and employees:
a. Make no representations, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy of the information contained in
this document; and
b. Accept no liability for any use of the said information or reliance placed on it; and
c. Make no representations, either expressed or implied, as to the suitability of the said information
for any particular purpose.
4. SA Power Networks and its agencies and instrumentalities do not endorse or in any respect warrant any
third party products or services by virtue of any information, material or content referred to or included
on, or linked from or to this document.
SA Power Networks Copyright©2014:
This publication is copyright protected. SA Power Networks reserves to itself all rights in such material. You
shall not reproduce any content of this document by any process without first obtaining SA Power
Networks permission, except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968.
All rights reserved.
NICC 260 – GUIDE FOR PROTECTING CUSTOMERS’ ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
Issued – May 2014
The use of this document is subject to the conditions stated in SA Power Networks disclaimer at the front of this document.
 SA Power Networks 2014
Page 2 of 7
WARNING: Printed copies of this document ARE DEEMED UNCONTROLLED. The most up-to-date version is located on the Intranet/Internet
Revision notice:
NICC 260: Guide for protecting customers’ electrical equipment
Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 4
2.
Scope ...................................................................................................................................... 4
3.
Further information ................................................................................................................. 4
4.
Potential supply fluctuations and solutions .............................................................................. 5
5.
4.1
General ............................................................................................................................... 5
4.2
Protective measures/devices ............................................................................................. 5
4.3
Troubleshooting.................................................................................................................. 5
Who you should talk to ............................................................................................................ 7
NICC 260 – GUIDE FOR PROTECTING CUSTOMERS’ ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
Issued – May 2014
The use of this document is subject to the conditions stated in SA Power Networks disclaimer at the front of this document.
 SA Power Networks 2014
Page 3 of 7
WARNING: Printed copies of this document ARE DEEMED UNCONTROLLED. The most up-to-date version is located on the Intranet/Internet
Contents
1.
NICC 260: Guide for protecting customers’ electrical equipment
The electricity network is exposed to events out of SA Power Networks control, such as storms and
accidents, which can cause voltage fluctuations and other electricity supply issues. Photovoltaic
systems and other generators feeding into the network from the customer side may also impact on
voltage supplied.
This document provides general guidelines to make contractors, customers and their consultants,
aware of the electrical environment which their equipment may be exposed to and potential supply
fluctuations which may arise within their own installations.
It is highly recommended for both private users and commercial/industrial customers, to get expert
advice for their specific applications on how to avoid damage to their equipment, in addition to using
the methods suggested in this guideline.
2. Scope
The guidelines provided in this document shall be read in conjunction with:





SA Power Networks other Network Information for Customers and Contractors brochures


Network Management Intranet website
SA Power Networks Technical Standards
References supplied in Section 3 of this document
Any other relevant specifications
Obligatory requirements that shall be relevant
All SA Power Networks relevant publications are available via:
SA Power Networks Internet website: www.sapowernetworks.com.au
3. Further information
For further information on this document, always check and refer to current relevant publications for
any amendments before implementing any of the following mentioned references.
Australian Standards:




AS 60038-2012 – Standard Voltages
AS/NZS 61000.1.1:2000: - Electromagnetic Compatibility
AS/NZS 3000:2007 - Electrical Installations - Wiring Rules
Energy Network Association (ENA) - ENA NENS 04 - National Guidelines For Safe Approach
Distances To Electrical and Mechanical Apparatus
SA Legislative Acts & Regulations:
 SA Electricity Act 1996; and SA Electricity (General) Regulations 2012
SA Electricity Codes:

SA Distribution Code
SA Power Networks Documents:

Service and Installation Rules
NICC 260 – GUIDE FOR PROTECTING CUSTOMERS’ ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
Issued – May 2014
The use of this document is subject to the conditions stated in SA Power Networks disclaimer at the front of this document.
 SA Power Networks 2014
Page 4 of 7
WARNING: Printed copies of this document ARE DEEMED UNCONTROLLED. The most up-to-date version is located on the Intranet/Internet
1. Introduction
NICC 260: Guide for protecting customers’ electrical equipment
4.1 General
Customers must be aware that some electrical equipment on the market has inadequate tolerance to
variations in the electricity supply. When customers purchase electrical equipment it is always
important to check whether it meets local voltage standards (for example 230 volts for Australian
households).
SA Power Networks has published standards that set out the usual voltage range supplied to your
premises. Refer to SA Power Networks Supply and Installation Rules.
Some electrical and electronic products have been designed to withstand variations in supply but they
need special protection against the more extreme voltage fluctuations that can come from storms,
lightning and other events. Photovoltaic and systems and other generators feeding into the network
from the customer side also increase the voltage provided.
In some cases, refrigerator motors can be damaged in a brownout. A brownout occurs when the
voltage drops and remains low for more than one second.
Incandescent lights fading to a dim glow in your home are one example of a brownout. If a brownout
occurs, customers should switch off the refrigerator and any other motor appliances on the premises
and only switch them back on when the lights appear normal again.
4.2 Protective measures/devices
A simple surge protective plug on the power lead to sensitive equipment (eg a computer or TV) can
minimise damage when storms or other unexpected events affect the voltage, whether they derive
from the electricity network or from within the customer's own installation.
Three phase motors, such as those in large air conditioning units can suffer damage through loss of a
phase and are best protected by a thermal or phase fail device.
4.3 Troubleshooting
The following table lists various protective devices and measures recommended by SA Power
Networks, which customers should use to avoid or guard against problems due to supply voltage
variations arising either from the electricity supply network or generated within the customer's own
appliances or installation.
Please note that this document is a guide by SA Power Networks only. All users, both private and
commercial/industrial, must seek expert advice if they need to consider additional methods to
protect data or sensitive equipment against variations. There are specialist consultants in the field of
equipment installation, control and protection and power conditioning. Other measures such as
regular maintenance will also need to be considered to ensure continued correct operation of the
protective device.
Good quality equipment and appliances will have a number of these protective measures
incorporated in their design ('built in').
Protective devices can be obtained from hardware stores, electrical supply outlets or specialist
suppliers. If a protective device requires installation, always use a qualified electrician.
NICC 260 – GUIDE FOR PROTECTING CUSTOMERS’ ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
Issued – May 2014
The use of this document is subject to the conditions stated in SA Power Networks disclaimer at the front of this document.
 SA Power Networks 2014
Page 5 of 7
WARNING: Printed copies of this document ARE DEEMED UNCONTROLLED. The most up-to-date version is located on the Intranet/Internet
4. Potential supply fluctuations and solutions
Condition
Protective Measures
Comments
Low volts
Devices will still work on low volts, but motors
in particular might get damaged. Unplug
equipment such as fridges, if necessary.
SA Power Networks will seek to
provide steady state voltage within
the Australian Standards approved
range.
Brownout
Use equipment designed to withstand
prolonged low voltage conditions, or Use an
under-voltage relay and circuit breaker.
Minimises impact of brownouts.
Interrupts power supply to
designated equipment.
High volts
Use equipment designed to withstand high
voltage conditions if necessary.
For example some grid connected PV
inverters have set points at257V
disconnection setting.
Voltage dips
Use equipment designed to tolerate and ride
through voltage dips, or Uninterruptable
Power Supply (UPS) for critical equipment, or
Use equipment with battery back-up.
Minimises impact of voltage dips.
For example: lap-top computers.
Fluctuations
(flicker)
Use Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) in
extreme cases.
SA Power Networks will seek to
restrict customers' disturbing loads to
levels as per Australian Standards.
Lightning surges
Use a surge arrestor on switchboard, and/or a
small surge arrestor in equipment, and/or
power boards or plug-in devices with in-built
surge arrestors for small equipment.
Recommended for sensitive
equipment to protect against over
voltage.
Surges
generated by
customers'
equipment
Use a plug-in surge arresting device at source
appliance and/or at critical equipment.
Minimises impact of surges.
Harmonic
distortion
For sensitive equipment, use a filter or power
conditioning device.
SA Power Networks will seek to
restrict customers' use of equipment
which generates harmonics where
necessary.
Interruptions
for a few
seconds
Use equipment designed to tolerate or ridethrough short interruptions, or
use Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) for
critical equipment, or use equipment with
battery back-up, or use an under voltage relay
to switch off equipment that could be
damaged.
Interruptions
longer than a
few seconds
Use uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS), or
use equipment with battery back-up.
Minimise impact of interruptions
Voltage
unbalance
For 3 phase supplies, the use of thermal single
phase-failure relay or imbalance protection.
Interrupts power supply to avoid
damage to designated equipment.
Minimise impact of interruptions.
Interrupts power supply and
arrangers re-start scenario.
NICC 260 – GUIDE FOR PROTECTING CUSTOMERS’ ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
Issued – May 2014
The use of this document is subject to the conditions stated in SA Power Networks disclaimer at the front of this document.
 SA Power Networks 2014
Page 6 of 7
WARNING: Printed copies of this document ARE DEEMED UNCONTROLLED. The most up-to-date version is located on the Intranet/Internet
NICC 260: Guide for protecting customers’ electrical equipment
NICC 260: Guide for protecting customers’ electrical equipment
5. Who you should talk to




WARNING: Printed copies of this document ARE DEEMED UNCONTROLLED. The most up-to-date version is located on the Intranet/Internet
If you have any further queries then please contact:
Your electrician or electrical contractor
Relevant SA Power Networks Area Asset Manager;
SA Power Networks Builders & Contractors Line Personnel on 1300 650 014; and/or
Office of the Technical Regulator on (08) 8226 5500.
NICC 260 – GUIDE FOR PROTECTING CUSTOMERS’ ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
Issued – May 2014
The use of this document is subject to the conditions stated in SA Power Networks disclaimer at the front of this document.
 SA Power Networks 2014
Page 7 of 7