The use of either AS/NZS 3439 or AS/NZS 61439 for low-voltage switchgear and control gear assemblies has been extended by Queensland’s Electrical Safety Office (ESO).

The extended transition period for the sale and installation of these switchboards will allow either AS/NZS 3439 or AS/NZS 61439 to be used until the date of application of any amendment to AS/NZS 3000 that clarifies the installation requirements.

In December 2021, the ESO issued advice of an extended transition time for the installation and sale of switchboards using compliance to either AS/NZS 3439 or AS/NZS 61439 to 25 November 2022.

In Queensland, electrical contractors must ensure installation criteria for switchboards are met before they are installed, and suppliers must ensure that sale of equipment criteria for switchboards are met before they are sold.

AS/NZS 3439 was superseded by AS/NZS 61439 on 24 May 2021, five years after the latter was published, to allow switchboard manufacturers time to update switchboard equipment to the new standard.

During the transition period, the ESO will not prevent switchboards compliant to AS/NZS 3439 being sold, unless specific safety issues are identified.

Suitable evidence of compliance for an electrical contractor or electricity entity would be a declaration by the switchboard manufacturer/importer that they have a test report or compliance folder proving the switchboard complies with AS/NZS 3439 or AS/NZS 61349.

If requested, the switchboard manufacturer or importer should be able to produce the test report or compliance folder used to make the declaration of compliance.