In the following series of articles, Peter Vandenheuvel and his cohorts from EL001 run a fine-tooth comb through the latest AS/NZS3000 Standard.

We live in a world of constant change, most of which is incremental and improves existing methods or work practices.

This also involves keeping up with changes in product design and people’s lifestyles.

However, sometimes changes occur that are more disruptive and not as readily accepted.

The Wiring Rules have mirrored change since they were introduced through an act of parliament and published in 1931. Since then, the prescriptive ‘how to’ model first developed by a 60-person drafting committee has been regularly fine-tuned as electrotechnology and lifestyle changes required.

As the year 2000 was approaching, there was opinion in the industry that the prescriptive model was too restrictive and stifled industry innovation.

So, when the development of the first combined Australian and New Zealand Standard was proposed there was a desire for a more outcome-based Standard.

The result – the AS/NZS3000:2000 edition – proved to be one of those more disruptive changes that was not as readily accepted as hoped.

Although there was perceived benefit, based on substantial industry feedback, much of the omitted prescriptive content needed to be restored.

This led to publishing AS/NZS3000:2007 to satisfy required outcomes and prescriptive detail.

To separate the outcome-based and prescriptive parts, the Standard was split into two parts: Part 1 became outcome based and Part 2 prescriptive.

Part 1 has a single section, Section 1; Part 2 has Sections 2 to 8. Both parts are in the one document.

The considerable changes in emerging technology, electrotechnology products, work practices and lifestyle requirements have resulted in the development of AS/NZS3000:2018, which has now been published.

To optimise its user-friendliness, users should be aware of the many ‘2018’ user-friendly aspects (the user ‘go-to’ features):

• word-searchable in PDF;
• layout and arrangement similar to the 2007 edition;
• all substantial changes listed in the preface (from p2 on);
• table of contents with an extra level of detail (from p9 on);
• list of tables (from p20 on);
• list of figures (from p23 on);
• all substantial changes from the 2007 edition identified by a red asterisk * in the margin; and,
• a ‘word or terminology’ searchable index at the back (from p578 on).

If you know the topic you are looking for is in a table or figure, or is described by a certain word or term, your first go-to is the list of tables, list of figures or the index – and continues from there.

All current users are advised to archive their 2007 copy immediately and use the 2018 edition exclusively. It will be mandated in many jurisdictions by the end of December 2018 (six months from being published).

Also, you are urged to get up to speed with the changes as soon as possible, particularly new requirements (above all, those applying to your typical work types). Study these articles, the list in the preface and identify the changes by the * margin markers. You may avoid considerable rework.

It is much quicker, cheaper and less stressful to do a quick search.

The articles in this issue of Electrical Connection are set out as Sections 1 to 8. All you need do is get your AS/NZS3000:2018 open it and start following the bouncing-ball * marker while referencing the articles in this issue.

READ ON:

• An introduction from EL001 chairman Gary Busbridge
• Part 1, Section 1 by Peter Vandenheuvel
• An introduction to Part 2 by Peter Vandenheuvel
• Part 2, Section 2 by Peter Vandenheuvel
• Part 2, Section 2 by Dennis Galvin
• Part 2, Appendix O by Lindsay Lucas
• Part 2, Section 3 by Peter Vandenheuvel
• Part 2, Section 4 by Peter Vandenheuvel
• Part 2, Section 4 by Dennis Galvin
• Part 2, Section 5 by Peter Vandenheuvel
• Part 2, Section 6 by Peter Vandenheuvel
• Part 2, Section 7 by Peter Vandenheuvel
• Part 2, Section 8 by Peter Vandenheuvel
• Part 2, Section 8 by Vincent Law

Acknowledgment: Standards Australia, AS/NZS3000:2018