Which Standards apply and where can I find them?

Find out which Standards apply to you and where to find them.

  • Regulations

Overview

Knowing which standards apply to the area of electrical work you are involved in is important. The regulations cite that certain standards that must be followed for that work to comply with the regulations and wiring rules.

For example, people involved in in-service testing and repairs of appliances should at least be familiar with and have access to Standards AS/NZS 5761, 5762 and 3760.

Inspectors, electrical engineers, electricians, electrical installers who do work, inspect or test general Installations, should be familiar with and have access to the New Zealand Wiring Rules AS/NZS3000:2007. 

People that do work on, or inspect, or assess, construction, medical, caravans, boats, PV solar, explosive atmospheres or other special installations have further standards they need to follow.

How to get copies of the Standards

As a licenced electrical worker you can access many of the required electrical Standards through the  web portal at no cost.

Log in with RealMe® to access the NZ Standards(external link)

These Standards are only available in PDF version and have strict conditions associated with their use.

When to reference Standards

All electrical work on an installation is required to comply with AS/NZS3000:2007.

AS/NZS 3000 also cites other Standards that need to be complied with depending on the type of installation.

When tendering or quoting a job where the work is required to be done to a specific Standard, then a thorough understanding of the requirements is important to ensure the work and costs associated with the of the Standard are taken into account.

Listing of relevant Standards

Schedule 2(external link) of the New Zealand Electricity Safety Regulations 2010(external link) lists all Standards cited or quoted in the regulations.

Photovoltaic generation systems

PV generation systems can comprise different combinations, and may include a combination of extra low voltage (ELV) and low voltage (LV)and be;

  • parallel grid connected system that provides AC mains power through an invertor or
  • a stand-alone system that provides DC power only or AC power through an invertor or
  • a battery storage system supplying DC

Training should include familiarity with all the standards below as more than one standard may be applicable to a PV system. More supporting information on certification and inspection requirements of PV systems is available in What paperwork do I need to complete?

Note: The Electrical (Safety) Regulations 2010 Regulation 60(external link) states compliance is required with both AS/NZS 3000 and the relevant standards

Photovoltaic generation systems standards

AS/NZS 5033: Installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic (PV) arrays

AS/NZS 4509.1: Stand-alone power systems - Safety and installation

AS/NZS 5139: Electrical installations - Safety of battery systems for use with power conversion equipment

AS/NZS 4777.1: Grid connection of energy systems via inverters - Part 1: Installation requirements

AS/NZS 4777.2: Grid connection of energy systems via inverters - Part 2: Inverter requirements

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Electrical Installations: AUS/NZ wiring rules

AS/NZS 3000:2007: Electrical installations (known as the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules): including Amendments 1 and 2.

AS/NZS 4836:2011: Safe working on or near low-voltage electrical installations and equipment.

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Electrical Installations: Construction and demolition sites

AS/NZS 3012:2010: Electrical installations—Construction and demolition sites.

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Electrical Installations: Explosive atmospheres

AS/NZS 60079.0:2012: Explosive atmospheres—Part 0: Equipment - General requirements.

AS/NZS 60079.11:2011: Explosive atmospheres—Part 11: Equipment protection by intrinsic safety.

AS/NZS 1826:2008: Electrical equipment for explosive gas atmospheres—Special protection—Type of protection ‘s’.

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Electrical Installations: Generating sets

AS/NZS 3010:2005: Electrical installations—Generating sets.

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Electrical Installations: Marinas and recreational boats

AS/NZS 3004.1:2008: Electrical installations—Marinas and recreational boats—Part 1: Marinas.

AS/NZS 3004.2 AS/NZS 3004.2:2008: Electrical installations—Marinas and recreational boats—Part 2: Recreational boats.

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Electrical Installations: Patient areas

AS/NZS 2500:2004: Guide to the safe use of electricity in patient care..

AS/NZS 3009:1998: Electric installations—Emergency power supplies in hospitals.

AS/NZS 3820:2009: Essential safety requirements for electrical equipment: including Amendment.

AS/NZS 3003:2011 Electrical installations - Patient areas.

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Electrical Installations: Shows and carnivals

AS/NZS 3002:2008: Electrical installations — Shows and carnivals, subject to the variation that references to AS/NZS 3439.4 must be read as references to AS/NZS 3439.4:2009.

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Electrical Installations: Testing and verification

AS/NZS 3017:2007 Electrical installations - Verification guidelines.

AS/NZS 3019:2007: Electrical installations—Periodic verification.

AS/NZS 3190:2011: Approval and test specification—Residual current devices (current-operated earth-leakage devices).

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Electrical Installations: Transportable structures and vehicles

AS/NZS 3001:2008: Electrical installations—Transportable structures and vehicles including their site supplies: including Amendment 1.

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In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment

AS/NZS 3760:2010: In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment: including Amendments 1 and 2.

AS/NZS 5762:2011: In-service safety inspection and testing—Repaired electrical equipment.

AS/NZS 5761:2011: In-service safety inspection and testing—Second-hand electrical equipment prior to sale.

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Standards New Zealand

Copies of all AS/NZS electrical Standards are also available to purchase from Standards New Zealand. Specialist Standards will generally need to be purchased.

Current standards(external link) can be found on the Standards New Zealand website.

New Zealand Electrical Codes of Practice

In addition to Standards, there are some New Zealand Electrical Codes of Practice that are also quoted in the New Zealand Electricity Safety Regulations 2010.

Current codes of practice(external link) can be found at Energy Safety website.