Scope, applications and fundamental principles set the scene.

The importance of Section 1 is expressed in the title – it is the foundation for the whole document, stipulating the minimum that users must achieve in order to comply.

This section may be the least used in everyday situations, but without it the Standard could not exist.

The section is crucial because:

• It sets out all underlying principles for what is required. It is what Part 2, Sections 2-8 (the detailed how-to or prescriptive ‘deemed to comply’ parts) are based on and underpins the ‘why’ for Part 2 practices to confirm compliance.
• It also provides the opportunity and mechanism for dealing with unique situations, such as the need to remedy a non-compliance that is unable to be done practically by a Part 2 solution, or the introduction and use of new or innovative technology. It provides the option to use a Part 1 solution.

However, it should be noted that the use of a Part 1 solution is (or may be) subject to the following of certain stringent processes, procedures and verification requirements in different jurisdictions.

Such solutions should never be undertaken in a cavalier manner, because they must always meet the high-level fundamental requirements.

Yet used correctly, such solutions can lead to industry and electrical installation innovation or offer the possibility for a ‘get out of jail card’ in situations where compliance with a Part 2 remedy may not be practical or possible.

Changes listed in the preface include:

• new and revised definitions;
• removal of the mains supply definition;
• renaming direct and indirect contact to basic and fault protection;
• IP ratings;
• earthing conductors to be green/yellow;
• references to AS/NZS3018 (domestic installations) re-homed to other Standards;
• requirements for alterations and repairs clarified; and,
• guidance on Part 1 solutions.

Substantial changes from the 2007 edition in Part 1, Section 1 in page order include:

• The Standard now also recognises mitigation of foreseeable adverse effects of disruption to supply. This led to the creation of new Appendix M ‘Reducing the impact of power supply outages’ focused on continuity of supply for active assisted living and homecare medical situations. This is an informative appendix providing guidance to users for reference in situations where the owner or occupier has identified the possible need to mitigate such adverse effects. (p33, p559)
• Differentiation between ‘accessible’ (capable of being reached) and ‘readily accessible’ (capable of being reached quickly and unobstructed). (p34)
• Clarification that an alteration is a modification of an installation but a repair is not. (p35)
• Introduction of ‘arc fault detection devices’ (AFDDs). This led to the creation of a new Appendix O ‘Installation of arc fault detection devices’. This is an informative appendix providing guidance to users in situations where the owner or occupier has identified the possible need to mitigate the risk of low-level arcing faults in wiring, leads and appliances (such as electric blankets) and possible resultant fires. Use of these devices is becoming more prevalent in the United States and Europe. (p35, p565)
• Definition ‘authorised person’ is simplified as ‘selected by the person in charge of the premises’. It now excludes the terms ‘licensed electrical contractor’ or ‘electrician’ (although these can be authorised persons, where selected). (p36)
• Definition ‘de-energised’ is added as ‘being separated from the source of supply but not necessarily isolated’. Two cross-references previously under ‘damp situations’ are moved under this new heading. (p40)
• Definition ‘electrical installation, residential’ is added to define portions of an electrical installation associated with living units to differentiate it from non-residential portions of the same building or installation. Some examples are given. (p42)
• Definition ‘electrical vehicle (EV)’ is added as ‘any vehicle propelled by an electric motor drawing current from rechargeable batteries’ – clarified as ‘on board’ batteries. (p42)
• Definition ‘energised’ as ‘connected to a source of electrical supply’ is added. (p43)
• Definition ‘fire mode’ is added as ‘a specific mode of operation instigated by a fire alarm being activated within the building’. (p44)
• Definition ‘functional unit’ as ‘part of a switchboard assembly’ and clarifying that ‘conductors connected but external to it’ not being part of it is added. (p45)
• Definition ‘isolated’ as ‘separated from all sources and rendered incapable of being unintentionally energised’ is added. (p46)
• Definition ‘lamp’ as ‘an item that emits light produced by electricity’ is added. (p46)
• Definition ‘lift’ as ‘capable of raising or lowering persons but excluding hoists, dumb waiters, escalators or travelators’ is added. (p46)
• Definition ‘live’ as ‘energised or subject to hazardous induced or capacitive voltages’ is added. (p47)
• Definition ‘main switch’ as ‘a switch with the primary function of isolating a supply to an electrical installation’ and (subject to labelling) possibly fulfilling regulatory requirements is added. (p47)
• Minor revision to definition ‘MEN system’ to reflect not all electrical installations are MEN systems. This is also detailed in changes to other sections. (p47)
• Definition ‘neutral earthed system’ as ‘a system where the only connection between neutral and earth is at the generator or transformer has been added. (p48)
• Definitions ‘individual’ and ‘combined outbuildings’ are added and the differing requirements for earthing in each instance are added. (p48)
• Definition ‘protective earth neutral (PEN)’ as ‘both functions combined in a single conductor’ is added. (p49)
• Definition ‘repair’ as ‘to restore the installation to safe after damage has occurred’ is added. (p50)
• Definition ‘safety service’ listing evacuation systems separately, also reflecting a major change in lifts identified as emergency lifts requiring different electrical installation arrangements from lifts not so identified as detailed in Sections 2-8. (p50)
• Definitions ‘socket-outlets-multiple combination’ and ‘socket residual current device’ are added. (p51)
• Definition ‘soft wiring’ as ‘wiring systems using installation couplers’ is added. (p51)
• Definition ‘supply, alternative’ as ‘to maintain the supply in case of interruption to the normal supply’ is added to differentiate between alternative, normal and supplementary supplies. (p52)
• Definition ‘supply, normal’ as ‘the supply the installation is supplied from under normal operation’ is added to differentiate between alternative, normal and supplementary supplies. (p52)
• Definition ‘supply, supplementary’ as ‘a supply intended to operate in conjunction with the normal supply) is added to differentiate between alternative, normal and supplementary supplies. (p52)
• Definition ‘wiring systems’ as ‘assemblies made up of one or more conductors, cable or busbars and parts that secure their fixings and mechanical protection’, is added. (p54)
• Note is added to ‘protection by barriers and enclosures’ that ‘IP rating shall suit the environmental conditions and the relevant mounting position specified by the manufacturer’. (p57)
• Requirement under ‘design of an electrical installation’ to ‘reduce the inconvenience in the event of a fault’ is added. See also the first item in this list and new Appendix M in those situations where the owner or occupier has identified the possible need to mitigate such adverse effects. (p66, also p33, p559)
• Requirements under ‘selection and installation of electrical equipment’ are changed, including subheading ‘essential requirements’ renamed ‘general’ item (c) being modified to also require compliance with this Standard. Requirements under ‘installation work practices’ include additional items (f) adding further detail for wiring conductor identification, (i) dealing with breathers for condensation issues and (j) electrical equipment to be installed in a manner that maintains IP ratings. This being brought about at least in part due to manufacturer IP ratings often being compromised due to incorrect mounting and drilling for cable entry or mounting. (p68-69)
• Note 2 is added under ‘verification (inspection and testing)’ to draw attention to Appendix K for guidance on switchboard inspection and verification. (p70, p545)
• Text under ‘compliance with the requirements of other Standards’ is changed from a reference to domestic installations and AS/NZS3018 to now referring to Cl 7.8 and Appendix A for Standards applicable to specific electrical installations. (p71, p430)
• Text in ‘alterations and repairs’ is changed with deletion of ‘alterations’ from both the previous 2007 edition clause title and the text. A sub-heading ‘alterations’ has been added. The first two paragraphs are replaced with ‘alterations to electrical installations shall comply with all relevant provisions of this Standard’. Also, the sentence dealing with repairs has been re-homed under its own sub-heading in this clause and a reference made to Appendix I for current ratings of imperial cables. (p71, p540)
• Sentence is added under ‘acknowledgement by the owner or operator (of a Part 1 solution)’ requiring that ‘a copy of the design documentation shall be retained at site’. (p72)
• New clause is added under ‘documentation (by the designer)’ where a Part 1 solution has been adopted – to place a permanent warning to that effect on the main switchboard and on all of the distribution switchboards that are part of the Part 1 solution. (p73)