CHANGES TO THE WA ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS
WA BRANCH
FROM 1 JULY 2021
BUILDING AND ENERGY HAS UNDERTAKEN A REVIEW OF THE WA ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS (WAER) AND RELEASED A DRAFT OF THE UPDATED VERSION, WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR IMPLEMENTATION ON 1 JULY 2021. When does the WAER apply? The WAER applies to all electrical installations, whether connected to networks or stand-alone electricity supplies, at voltages up to 330kV. Electrical installation designs commenced after 1 July 2021 must comply with the updated version. Designs started before then, and projects under construction or for which building contracts are signed at that date, may comply with the earlier July 2014 version. Amendments to the WAER are not required to be implemented retrospectively. Compliance with the WAER is mandatory under Regulation 49 of the Western Australia Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991. The WAER should be read with the Electricity Regulations 1947, Part VIII, and the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991. The Regulations take precedence.
What are the changes?
Below is a summary of some of the main changes:
Throughout Section 3, changes have been made to reflect the use of energy generation and storage systems. The existing Clause 3.2 Earthing Systems has been removed and subsequent clauses have been re-numbered. Clause 3.2 On Site Generation (previously clause 3.3) reference to AS/NZS 5139 and AS/NZS 3000 has been added, along with notification requirements.
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Clause 3.3.2 is a new clause relating to strata connections. Clause 3.3.3 is a new clause referring to redundant connections. Clause 5.3 Service Connection Equipment has been amended to reflect current Network Operator terminology. A reference to Regulation 55 in the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991 has been added to Clause 6.2.1.
REMINDER – WHEN TO SUBMIT A NOTICE OF COMPLETION TO WESTERN POWER The WA Electrical Inspectors area of Western Power continues to receive a large number of Notices of Completion for non-notifiable work. This is resulting in unnecessary inspection jobs.
Definition of Notifiable Work: Notifiable work means all electrical installing work other than – a) maintenance work, unless that maintenance work requires the disconnection and reconnection of the supply of electricity to the electrical installation concerned or the replacement of service apparatus; or b) the addition or alteration of one final subcircuit including the addition or alteration of its protective device; or c) the alteration of one or more final sub-circuits. Visit our Technical Knowledge Base to access an easy to understand table that clearly indicates which types of electrical work require a Notice of Completion. The table also shows when Electrical Safety Certificates (ESC) are required.
Clause 6.2.2 General Requirements has been amended in relation to Service Protection Devices (SPDs). A new clause has been added - Clause 6.4 Test Reports and Measurement Accuracy of LV CTs. Section 7 has been renamed as Large Scale Installations. This section has also been reworded and includes additional clauses. Clause 8.1 Emergency Disconnection includes removal and operation of SPDs. In Clause 9.2.1, the minimum cable size for consumer mains has increased to 16 square millimetres for single phase and 10 square millimetres for three phase.
Clause 9.5 now includes mechanical protection for DC cables within brick veneer. Clause 9.10 (previously Clause 9.12) includes additional requirements for PV, inverter and battery installations.
To see a full list of changes and access a copy of the updated WAER, visit the Technical Updates section of the NECA WA Member Area. Alternatively, you can log into our Technical Knowledge Base (TKB).
Malcolm Scott Technical Services Advisor ECA WA www.neca.asn.au/wa
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