Electrical contractors must not install Type AC RCDs from 30 April 2023. Temporary power boards which contain type AC RCDs can not be installed on site until they are replaced with a compliant type A RCDs.
The Electrical Safety Office will be applying the wiring rules published in AS/NZS 3000 amendment 2 from 30 April 2023, with no exemptions for existing projects.
AS/NZS 3000 amendment 2 was published 30 April 2021. For a period of 24 months from the publication date, Cl 2.6.2.2.2 of the wiring rules provided that either a Type AC RCD (marked with the symbol) or a Type A RCDs (marked with the symbol) could be installed. After that period, Type AC RCDs/RCBOs must not be installed.
Installing an incorrect safety switch type, or installing fixed equipment without checking if the safety switch on the circuit is suitable, may leave the electrical installation unsafe. If this occurs, you have not met your duties under the Electrical Safety Act 2002 and you will face enforcement action.
Electrical contractors should review their current projects to ensure RCDs installed after 30 April 2023 comply with this requirement.
RCDs may have any number of poles. As a minimum, RCDs shall interrupt all active conductors.
NOTE: Other Standards may require the interruption of all live (active and neutral) conductors.
RCDs located beside a socket-outlet or incorporated into a socket-outlet (SRCDs) shall interrupt all live (active and neutral) conductors.
RCDs shall be of the type for which tripping is ensured —
(a) for residual sinusoidal alternating current; or
(b) for residual sinusoidal alternating current and residual pulsating direct current.
For 24 months from the date of publication of Amendment No. 2, either Item (a) or (b) may apply. Following that time, Type AC RCDs as described in Item (a) shall not be installed.
Design Switchboards and Distribution has already transitioned the majority RCDs, to ensure that this is complete before the Amendment is in place.
Temporary Power Boards currently in use/storage potentially contain Type AC RCDs and must be reviewed before installing or reconnection elsewhere onsite.
If contractors require Type A replacement switchgear we have a solution suitable for the D.S.D Temporary Power Boards.
D.S.D Temporary Power Boards have been designed, constructed and tested using LENA Switchgear, which we are exclusive suppliers in the Australian market.
As these boards have been tested and issued conformity using LENA Switchgear we would recommend using the same to ensure the same level of electrical safety is maintained.
Reasons we choose LENA Switchgear;
Tested within the assembly for AS/NZ 3012 & 61439 Compliance test report – ACETE202102190
Relevant tests
We have not type tested the enclosure using alternate brands and contractors should carefully consider the impact of using alternate brands to LENA in D.S.D Temporary Power Boards whilst still maintaining compliance with AS/NZ3012/AS/NZ61439.4
List of Verification and tests to be performed by ACS as per AS/NZ 61439.4./3439.4
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