Changes to safety switches from 30th of April 2023

Type AC RCDs are banned from 30th of April 2023

With the introduction of renewable energy devices such as electrical vehicle chargers and battery storage systems, new AS3000 wiring rules have been introduced.

From the 30th of April 2023 Electrical Contractors must not install Type AC RCDs.

The Department of Fair Trading/Electrical Safety Office will be applying the wiring rules published in AS/NZS 3000 amendment 2 from 30 April 2023, with no exemptions for existing projects.

Installing an incorrect safety switch type, or installing fixed equipment without checking if the safety switch on the circuit is suitable, may leave the electrical installation unsafe. If this occurs, the electrical contractor has not met the duties under the Electrical Safety Act 2002 and will face enforcement action.

AS/NZS 3000 amendment 2 was published 30 April 2021. For a period of 24 months from the publication date, Clause 2.6.2.2.2 of the wiring rules provided that either a Type AC RCD (marked with the symbol) or a Type A RCDs (marked with the symbol) could be installed. After that period, Type AC RCDs must not be installed.

Electrical Contractors should review their current projects to ensure RCDs installed after 30 April 2023 comply with this requirement.

The Electrical Contractor is responsible for selecting and installing a suitable safety switch for the equipment connected to the circuit.

Type AC

Type AC symbol found on AC type RCD's (safety switches no longer permitted for electrical installations)

Type AC RCDs detect residual sinusoidal alternating currents. Type AC RCDs are suitable for general use and cover most of the applications in practice. These type of RCD's (safety switches) are no longer permitted to be installed in electrical installations

Type A

Type A symbol found on A type RCD's (safety switches)

In addition to the detection characteristics of type AC RCDs, Type A RCDs detect pulsating DC residual current. Such waveforms can be caused by diode or thyristor rectifier circuit in electronic loads. Type A RCD are specifically intended to be used for single phase class 1 electronic loads. These type of RCD's are required for new electrical installations from the 30th of April 2023.

If you have had recent electrical work carried out on your premises and are concerned if the work carried out, complies with this new regulation, feel free to contact WiseOne Electrical Services on 0418200753 to discuss, no obligation, your concerns.