Version No. 001
Electricity Safety (Stray Current Corrosion)
Regulations 1999
S.R. No. 50/1999
Version as at 3 May 1999
TABLE OF PROVISIONS
Regulation
Page
PART 1—PRELIMINARY
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
1
Objectives
Authorising provisions
Commencement
Revocation
Definitions
Prescribed systems
Existing cathodic protection systems
1
1
1
1
2
2
3
PART 2—CATHODIC PROTECTION SYSTEMS
4
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Design and installation of cathodic protection systems
Operation of cathodic protection systems
Application
Waiver or rebate of fee
Notification to affected persons
Further information
Certificate of registration
Refusal of registration
Register of certificates
Notice of operation
Provision for testing
Audit by the operator
Exemption from requirements
PART 3—MITIGATION SYSTEMS
21.
22.
23.
24.
Installation, operation or use of mitigation systems
Applications
Refusal of registration
Registration
i
4
4
4
5
5
6
6
6
7
7
7
7
8
9
9
9
9
10
Regulation
25.
26.
27.
Page
Modification
Expiry of registration
Register of certificates
10
10
11
PART 4—GENERAL
28.
29.
30.
12
Details of change
Withdrawal of registration
Notification of modification
__________________
12
12
12
SCHEDULES
13
SCHEDULE 1—Regulations revoked
13
SCHEDULE 2—Fees for cathodic protection systems
14
═══════════════
ENDNOTES
15
1. General Information
15
2. Table of Amendments
16
3. Explanatory Details
17
ii
Version No. 001
Electricity Safety (Stray Current Corrosion)
Regulations 1999
S.R. No. 50/1999
Version as at 3 May 1999
PART 1—PRELIMINARY
1. Objectives
The objectives of these Regulations are to—
(a) prescribe standards for the operation of
cathodic protection systems and mitigation
systems;
(b) provide procedures for the registration of
cathodic protection systems and mitigation
systems;
(c) protect metallic structures from damage
associated with stray current corrosion and
cathodic protection and mitigation systems.
2. Authorising provisions
These Regulations are made under sections 155
and 157 of the Electricity Safety Act 1998.
3. Commencement
These Regulations come into operation on 3 May
1999.
4. Revocation
The Regulations listed in Schedule 1 are revoked.
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Part 1—Preliminary
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5. Definitions
In these Regulations—
"Cathodic Protection Standard" means
Australian/New Zealand Standard 'Cathodic
protection of metals—Part 1: Pipes and
cables, AS/NZS 2832.1:1998', published
jointly by Standards Australia and Standards
New Zealand as amended from time to time;
"electrolysis drainage bond" means the path by
which stray traction current from an
underground or underwater metallic structure
is returned to its originating source;
"galvanic anode" means an electrode used to
protect a structure by galvanic action;
"impressed current" means direct current
supplied by an external power source;
"stray current" means current flowing through
paths other than an intended circuit;
"stray traction current" means current flowing
through the ground or water as a result of the
operation of any railway or tramway system
by a path other than the intended circuit;
"the Act" means the Electricity Safety Act
1998.
6. Prescribed systems
(1) For the purposes of the definition of "cathodic
protection system" in section 3 of the Act, the
following systems are prescribed systems—
(a) a system which uses galvanic anodes; or
(b) a system which uses impressed current.
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(2) For the purposes of the definition of "mitigation
system" in section 3 of the Act, a system which
uses electrolysis drainage bonds and associated
apparatus, cable and drainage equipment is a
prescribed system.
7. Existing cathodic protection systems
If permission was granted for a cathodic
protection system under the State Electricity
Commission (Cathodic Protection) Regulations
19881 and that permission was in force
immediately before commencement of these
Regulations, the cathodic protection system is to
be taken on that date to be registered under these
Regulations until a date which is 10 years after the
date on which the permission was granted.
_______________
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Part 2—Cathodic Protection Systems
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PART 2—CATHODIC PROTECTION SYSTEMS
8. Design and installation of cathodic protection
systems
The owner of a cathodic protection system must
ensure that the system is designed and installed in
accordance with the Cathodic Protection Standard.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
9. Operation of cathodic protection systems
For the purposes of section 93(2) of the Act a
cathodic protection system must be operated in
accordance with the Cathodic Protection Standard.
10. Application
(1) A person may apply to the Office for registration
of a cathodic protection system.
(2) An application must—
(a) be in writing; and
(b) include the name and address of the owner
and the operator of the cathodic protection
system; and
(c) be accompanied by—
(i) a map showing the location of the
proposed cathodic protection system,
the metallic structure it is to protect and
all metallic structures likely to be
affected by the proposed system; and
(ii) drawings detailing the proposed
system; and
(iii) the relevant prescribed fee set out in
Schedule 2.
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11. Waiver or rebate of fee
The Office may waive or rebate the relevant
prescribed fee in respect to a cathodic protection
system if that system has been registered under
these Regulations.
12. Notification to affected persons
(1) An applicant for registration of a cathodic
protection system with a total output over
250 milliamperes must notify all persons whose
metallic structures are likely to be affected by
stray current from that system.
(2) The notice must—
(a) give details in writing of the proposed
system; and
(b) be accompanied by two copies of a map
showing the location of the proposed
cathodic protection system and the metallic
structure it is to protect.
(3) A person who is notified under sub-regulation (1)
may, within 20 business days from receipt of the
notice—
(a) return to the applicant one copy of the map
showing the location of any metallic
structure of that person which is likely to be
affected by the proposed system; and
(b) inform the applicant in writing that—
(i) the person agrees to the proposed
system; or
(ii) the person objects to the proposed
system and give reasons for that
objection.
(4) On expiry of the period referred to in subregulation (3) the applicant must advise the Office
in writing of—
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(a) any objection made under sub-regulation
(3)(b); and
(b) any additional metallic structure identified
by a person under sub-regulation (3) that is
likely to be affected by the proposed system;
and
(c) correction required to the map given to the
Office under regulation 10(2)(c).
13. Further information
The Office may require any other information
relating to the application that it considers
necessary from the applicant.
14. Certificate of registration
(1) If the Office is satisfied with a cathodic protection
system, the Office may register the system and
grant a certificate of registration for the system to
the owner of the system.
(2) Registration under this Part expires—
(a) 10 years after the date it is granted; or
(b) when it is withdrawn under these
Regulations—
whichever occurs first.
15. Refusal of registration
The Office may refuse to register a cathodic
protection system until testing or modifications
have been carried out on the system to the
satisfaction of the Office if the Office has reason
to believe that any metallic structure, other than
the one to which the system is or will be
connected, may have its electrical potential with
respect to earth changed due to the operation of
the system.
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Part 2—Cathodic Protection Systems
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16. Register of certificates
(1) The Office must keep a register of cathodic
protection systems.
(2) The register must contain the names and addresses
of the owner and the operator of registered
cathodic protection systems and particulars of
each system.
17. Notice of operation
A person who is the operator of a registered
cathodic protection system must give the Office at
least 5 business days notice of intention to
commence operation of the system.
18. Provision for testing
(1) The owner of any cathodic protection system
which uses impressed current must make
provision for the insertion of a time switch to
enable the power supply to be interrupted for test
purposes.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
(2) The owner of any cathodic protection system
which does not use impressed current must make
provision for the circuit between any anode of the
system and the metallic structures to be protected
to be readily disconnected for test purposes.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
19. Audit by the operator
(1) An operator of a registered cathodic protection
system must inspect and record the operating
current of the system annually.
(2) The operator must ensure that the record is
available for inspection at all reasonable times by
the Office and persons whose metallic structures
are affected or likely to be affected by that
cathodic protection system.
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Part 2—Cathodic Protection Systems
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(3) This regulation does not apply to cathodic
protection systems using galvanic anodes with a
total output up to and including 250 milliamperes.
20. Exemption from requirements
The Office may exempt an applicant for
registration of a cathodic protection system from
the requirement of regulations 10(2)(c)(i),
10(2)(c)(ii) and 12.
_______________
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Part 3—Mitigation Systems
r. 21
PART 3—MITIGATION SYSTEMS
21. Installation, operation or use of mitigation systems
A person must not install, operate or use a
mitigation system unless the system is registered
by the Office and the person has been granted a
certificate of registration for that mitigation
system.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
22. Applications
(1) A person may apply to the Office for registration
of a mitigation system.
(2) An application must—
(a) be in writing; and
(b) include the name and address of each person
whose metallic structure is connected or is to
be connected to the mitigation system; and
(c) be accompanied by—
(i) a map showing the location of each
metallic structure to be connected to the
mitigation system; and
(ii) evidence of the effects on the metallic
structures of the leakage of stray
traction current.
(3) The Office may require any information about the
application and the mitigation system that it
considers necessary from the applicant.
23. Refusal of registration
The Office may refuse to register a mitigation
system until testing or modifications have been
carried out on the system to the satisfaction of the
Office if the Office has reason to believe that any
metallic structure, other than the one to which the
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Part 3—Mitigation Systems
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system is or will be connected, may have its
electrical potential with respect to earth changed
due to the operation of the system.
24. Registration
(1) If the Office is satisfied with a mitigation system,
the Office may register the system and grant a
certificate of registration to each person whose
metallic structure is or is to be connected to the
system.
(2) A certificate of registration may be granted on any
conditions (including conditions as to testing) as
the Office thinks fit.
25. Modification
(1) Any person may apply to the Office to modify a
registered mitigation system to permit a metallic
structure to be connected to or removed from the
system.
(2) Regulations 22 and 23 apply to an application
under sub-regulation (1) as if it were an
application for registration of the system.
(3) If the Office is satisfied that the modification
should be made to the mitigation system, it may
register the modification to the system and issue a
new certificate of registration to all persons who
are the owners of metallic structures connected or
to be connected to the system.
26. Expiry of registration
(1) Subject to sub-regulation (2) registration under
this Part expires—
(a) 10 years after the date it is granted; or
(b) if the system is modified, 10 years after the
date that the latest modification is registered
under regulation 25.
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Part 3—Mitigation Systems
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(2) If a registration is withdrawn under these
Regulations, the registration expires.
27. Register of certificates
(1) The Office must keep a register of mitigation
systems.
(2) The register must contain details of all registered
systems and certificate holders including the
names and addresses of all persons owning
metallic structures connected to a mitigation
system and particulars of each connection.
_______________
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Part 4—General
r. 28
PART 4—GENERAL
28. Details of change
A certificate holder must give the Office details of
a change of name or address within 20 business
days of the change occurring.
29. Withdrawal of registration
(1) The Office may withdraw the registration of a
cathodic protection system or a mitigation system
if a person to whom a notice is given under
sections 95 or 96 of the Act fails to comply with
the directions in that notice.
(2) The Office must notify a certificate holder in
writing 10 business days before it withdraws the
registration.
30. Notification of modification
If a person—
(a) changes or becomes aware of any change in
the operation of a cathodic protection system
or a mitigation system that is likely to
damage any metallic structure; or
(b) removes a cathodic protection system
altogether—
that person must notify the Office verbally within
4 business days and in writing within 10 business
days.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
__________________
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Electricity Safety (Stray Current Corrosion) Regulations 1999
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Sch. 1
SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 1
REGULATIONS REVOKED
S.R. No.
Regulations Title
207/1988
State Electricity Commission (Cathodic Protection)
Regulations 1988
251/1993
State Electricity Commission (Cathodic Protection)
(Amendment) Regulations 1993
_______________
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Sch. 2
SCHEDULE 2
Fees
FEES FOR CATHODIC PROTECTION SYSTEMS
Examination of cathodic protection system with a total
output up to and including 250 milliamperes
$125
Examination of cathodic protection system with a total
output over 250 milliamperes and up to and including
2 amperes
$250
Examination of cathodic protection system with a total
output over 2 amperes
$500
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Electricity Safety (Stray Current Corrosion) Regulations 1999
S.R. No. 50/1999
Endnotes
ENDNOTES
1. General Information
The Electricity Safety (Stray Current Corrosion) Regulations 1999,
S.R. No. 50/1999 were made on 28 April 1999 by the Governor in Council
under sections 155 and 157 of the Electricity Safety Act 1998, No. 25/1998
and came into operation on 3 May 1999: regulation 3.
The Electricity Safety (Stray Current Corrosion) Regulations 1999 will
sunset 10 years after the day of making on 28 April 2009 (see section 5 of the
Subordinate Legislation Act 1994).
15
Electricity Safety (Stray Current Corrosion) Regulations 1999
S.R. No. 50/1999
Endnotes
2. Table of Amendments
There are no amendments made to the Electricity Safety (Stray Current
Corrosion) Regulations 1999 by statutory rules, subordinate instruments and
Acts.
16
Electricity Safety (Stray Current Corrosion) Regulations 1999
S.R. No. 50/1999
Endnotes
3. Explanatory Details
1
Reg 7: S.R. No. 207/1988.
——
Table of Applied, Adopted or Incorporated Matter Required by
Subordinate Legislation Regulations 1994
Note that the following table of applied, adopted or incorporated matter is
included in accordance with the requirements of regulation 6 of the
Subordinate Legislation Regulations 1994.
Statutory Rule
Provision
Title of applied, adopted or
incorporated document
Matter in
applied,
adopted or
incorporated
document
Regulation 8 and 9
Australian/New Zealand
Standard 'Cathodic protection
of metals—Part 1: Pipes and
cables, AS/NZS 2832.1:1998',
published jointly by Standards
Australia and Standards New
Zealand, as amended from
time to time
Whole
17