Table Of Contents
It is in your best interest to ensure that any electrical work done on your residential or commercial property is safe and compliant with regulations. This will help protect everyone from electrical hazards, and you can avoid severe fines and legal consequences.
Therefore, there is a basis for obtaining electrical safety certificates for electrical products and services. This article will provide a guide to electrical safety certificates in South Australia.
You can learn why electrical safety certificates are essential and get details about South Australian electrical safety standards and South Australia's technical regulations for electrical safety.
This post discusses the auditing of electrical installations, requirements for selling electrical products, and electrical testing and inspection requirements. Read on for more information!
Why Electrical Safety Certificates are Important
Electrical safety and compliance certificates indicate that electrical standards that protect people and properties have been met. Failing to meet these Australian standards can result in your being severely fined, and you may face legal repercussions.
South Australian Electrical Safety Standards
Every state in Australia has specific electrical safety and compliance standards. For instance, electrical industry stakeholders must abide by South Australia's regulations as specified in the Electricity General Regulations 2012. Likewise, the Australian Standard AS3000 Wiring Rules defines regulatory changes for smarter homes, such as extra low voltage requirements for power supply.
Under the Electricity Act 1996, the South Australian electrical safety regulations specify responsibilities to ensure that electrical installations and appliances on your property are safe and regulation-compliant.
For instance, electric shocks, burns, and other incidents must be reported to the Office of the Technical Regulator (OTR) Electrical Trades section. Likewise, if a workplace fire calls for the intervention of emergency services, a report must also be sent to Safework SA.
Business licence
You have to ensure you obtain relevant certification and legal recognition before you undertake certain Australian business activities. You should also have paid applicable registration fees and secured appropriate registrations.
South Australia's Technical Regulation for Safety
The Office of the Technical Regulator (OTR) has an Electrical Trades section that monitors and regulates electrical safety. It also regulates the technical standards of South Australia's electrical product safety and electrical installation industry.
You can complete an online enquiry form, email, and send complaints and feedback to this office. They can also provide information on product approvals, Australian Standards for technical infrastructure regulation, and compliance certification requirements.
What is a certificate of compliance for electrical work?
A Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW) is a document that your electrician issues to you as a client to show proof that electrical work was completed correctly and that it meets regulatory standards.
For example, before reconnection to an electricity supply can occur, the OTR must receive a copy of the Electronic Certificate of Compliance (eCOC). A licensed electrical worker must certify and confirm the integrity of the electrical installation. Only properly licensed and registered professionals can legally give out an eCOC.
Objectives of the eCOC
The eCOC is meant for the following purposes:
• To give room for self-certification of electrical jobs.
• It helps you to confirm that electrical installations and processes are done according to Australian standards.
• The Office of the Technical Regulator can use it to audit electrical installations' technical compliance and safety.
Requirement for compliance certificates
A licensed electrician who instils, modifies, or alters electrical wiring must provide a Certificate of Electrical Compliance. This applies to electrical work in domestic, industrial, oil and gas, and energy and mining locations. This certificate guarantees that the electrical work complies with your state's Electrical Safety Regulations and the Electrical Safety Act.
Electrical product approval certificates
You need a product approval certificate from a recognised Australian approving body before selling, hiring, or installing certain electrical appliances in South Australia. This applies to proclaimed products directly imported into or manufactured in South Australia. The Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS) website specifies proclaimed products equivalent to Level 3 – electrical equipment.
According to the Energy Products (Safety and Efficiency) Act 2000, the OTR can prohibit the use or sale of unsafe energy products. The OTR also issues approval certificates only for South Australian-based businesses. They then go on to label energy products using labelling standards that demonstrate the safety certification of the proclaimed products.
Application method for electrical product safety approval
You can use the EESS to submit new product approval applications. Note that there are associated application fees for creating, modifying, and renewing your approval application.
Simply contact the OTR for first-time approval application submissions. The approval certificate has a validity period of five years. Your product must carry the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) as specified in the EESS.
Training in electricity trades
You can become a trained electrician or refresh your skills as an electrician at Registered Training Organisations (RTO) in South Australia. These organisations provide nationally recognised training.
Auditing of electrical installations
The OTR's Electrical Trades section is authorised to audit electrical installations. They can also randomly audit electrical workers or contractors based on complaints and feedback. In addition, they can audit installations such as solar and battery installations and farm safety installations.
SA Power Networks' installation rules
The SA Power Network (SAPN) Service has installation rules that outline network connection requirements for electrical equipment. In addition, electrical workers who perform power-related work must fulfil set-out responsibilities. You can find service and installation rules from the SA Power Networks on the SA Power Networks website. Here are some installation rules that you should know.
New electrical equipment connections to SAPN
Only SAPN can make final connections to its network. As a customer, electrician, or meter provider, you cannot connect electrical equipment wires to SAPN at connection points for new connections.
Electricians who need to perform certain activities will have to heed this rule. Such activities include power supply reconnections after power outages, meter installations, or sorting out meter reading issues.
Australian Certification of Electrical Equipment
• The Recognised External Certification Scheme (RECS) allows you to apply to an Australian Certifier for an Australian Certification of Electrical Equipment.
• RECs issue such a certificate and indicate that your electrical equipment meets relevant standards, is electrically safe, and has been independently assessed.
• You can choose to go for a certificate of conformity that is meant for in-scope electrical equipment risk level 3. Alternatively, you can apply for the In-Scope Electrical Equipment Level 1 or 2 certificate of suitability (voluntary).
• These certificates are issued following the Equipment Safety Rules, and certificate holders are not necessarily regarded as Responsible Suppliers.
• The certificate alone does not allow you to sell electrical equipment in Australia. You have to fulfil other supplier registration requirements.
• Moreover, a Responsible Supplier has to register your electrical equipment in the EESS in line with AS/NZS 4417.1 and AS/NZS 4417.2.
• You can refer to the Electrical Safety Rules to find a suitable person to be a consultant for your electrical product certification application process. Such persons can help you compile the necessary documents for certification applications in a Certificate of Compliance folder.
Requirements for selling electrical products
The general electrical safety standard AS/NZS 3820 specifies requirements for selling electrical products. The standard contains essential electrical safety requirements for electrical equipment. The import or sale of electrical equipment in Australia must comply with this standard.
For example, there must be proof that they are electrically safe. A JAS-ANZ accredited certifier or your State Regulator must certify high-risk electrical products or articles. The approval certificate must list variations of product model types, brand names, or trade names. This requirement also applies to retailer energy products.
Electrical testing and inspection requirements
Possible risks that are associated with the installation and use of electrical equipment must be properly managed. For instance, you need to meet every product's safety requirements and other electrical safety requirements for working in ceiling spaces, virtual power plants, and solar and battery panel installations.
Role of a Competent Person
Only Competent Persons can perform electrical equipment inspection and testing. Such persons must have the relevant training, qualifications, and skills. They must have also completed relevant nationally accredited training courses with registered providers.
Meanwhile, energy workers must follow a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS). You need to make public consultations with Health and Safety Representatives and relevant workers when preparing a SWMS.
Consult Electricians About Safety Certificates
This guide to electrical safety certificates in South Australia has discussed various requirements for applying for certification. An experienced and licensed electrical contractor can provide valuable assistance to ensure electrical equipment, product, or installation compliances.
They can help with electrical safety certificates for electrical work after moving house, fixing overhead power lines, or installing energy storage systems. You can contact them to help you process product approvals or certificates of compliance.
They know the right procedures and the relevant postal addresses. Moreover, they can back their services with a guaranteed service level and provide consultation services regarding national energy supply.
