Qld extends switchboard transition period

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 installation and sale of switchboards using compliance to either AS/NZS 3439 or AS/NZS 61439 to 25 November 2022. This transition period was to allow for discussions to continue between stakeholders and Standards Australia to confirm the appropriate safety standards for these switchboards, and for AS/NZS 3000 to be amended and published to clarify the requirements for installation.

The AS/NZS 3000 amendment has not yet been published.

In Queensland, electrical contractors must ensure installation criteria for switchboards are met before they are installed, and suppliers must ensure 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AS/NZS 3439 was superseded by AS/NZS 61439 on 24 May 2021, five years after the latter was published, to allow switchboard manufacturers time to update switchboard equipment to the new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.

Since May, both standards have applied, and this decision simply provides further time for the full transition from AS/NZS 3439 to be effected. As both standards are still referenced in the Wiring Rules, the ESO is extending the use of AS/NZS 3439 as an alternate equipment standard to AS/NZS 61439.

Safety for workers and the community will not be compromised as a result of this extension to transitional arrangements. However, designers of installations are encouraged to consider specifying and designing using AS/NZS 61439 for new installations as it is the more recent standard during the transitional period.

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.

Electrical contractors must then install according to the manufacturer’s instructions and the Wiring Rules.

Repairs, alterations or additions to existing switchboards (by adding components or parts) are not considered as the sale of a new switchboard. Adding a complete self-contained pre-built switchboard module, however, is considered sale of equipment.

Image credit: iStock.com/LOUISE BEAUMONT