In recent weeks there has been a lot of discussion on various Facebook groups and vehicle owner forums about Australian Standard AS3001.2 and how it applies to vehicles, caravans and other places you may wish to install a lithium battery system.
Whilst some battery manufacturers have chosen to highlight certain phrases and clauses from the standard to give the impression that their product is the only one you should buy, it’s important to understand what the standard is actually requiring you to do.
In this article we’ll look at the requirements of the standard, list where it is applicable and try to give you a better understanding, without needing to purchase and read the entire document yourself.
What is AS3001.2?
AS3001.2 is part of a series of Australian Standards relating to electrical installations. The full title of the document that has everyone talking is AS/NZS 3001.2:2022 Electrical installations — Connectable electrical installations and supply arrangements. Part 2: Connectable electrical installations
Despite many people thinking the requirements of the standard are new, it was published on November 18th 2022 to give the industry time to prepare for implementation in November 2023
Who wrote it?
As with most Australian Standards, AS3001.2 was developed by a group of over 20 electrical industry experts and interested parties. This included professional bodies such as Engineers Australia and Master Electricians Australia along with the Caravan Industry Association of Australia and Dometic Power & Control (Enerdrive).
With a development panel of experts and industry bodies, no one can say “they don’t know what they’re talking about”.
Does AS3000 still apply?
Most electrical installations in Australia are required to comply with AS3000, unless there is a more applicable standard. The introductory section of AS3001.2 says that it was developed at the request of industry because AS3000 was not applicable to many installations and was not practical to apply. However, where part of an installation falls out of the scope of AS3001 the installer or certifier may refer back to AS3000.
Is AS3001.2 a legal requirement?
Yes – The standard clearly states that it’s a legislative requirement which, means it can be enforced under state and territory legislation.
EDIT – Read about the legal implications of AS3001/2 in our related article, linked at the bottom of this page.
Does AS3001.2 apply to caravans and four-wheel-drives?
Section 1.1 of the standard sets out a list of installations that should comply and the key phrase is “connectable electrical installation”.
What is a “connectable electrical installation”?
Whilst the terminology is not something that most people use regularly, if at all, the standard defines it as one which “has the facility to connect to an external supply” using either a “detachable supply lead” or “a supply lead directly connected to the connectable electrical installation.”
Therefore, if your caravan can be connected to a mains power supply using a cable, it needs to comply with the requirements of AS3001.2
Most four-wheel-drives cannot be connected to a mains power supply using a cable so they don’t need to comply. However, the exceptions to this would be a motorhome or 4WD canopy installation where a battery charging system such as the Redarc BMS has been fitted with the intention of connecting to 230V whilst at a powered camp site. In that instance, the canopy system, or parts of it, would need to comply with AS3001.2
Clause 1.1.2 of AS3001.2 provides a list of inclusions. Whilst we wont copy and paste the whole list here, it includes Caravans, Camper vans, Camper trailers, pop-top caravans, tent trailers and slide-on campers.
However, even if you’ve got one of these but it’s not a “connectable electrical installation” it does not need to comply, as per clause 1.1.3(iv)
Figure 1.2 of AS3001.2 clearly states that a vehicle “without provision for an external supply” is excluded – They even include a little picture of an American Humvee as an example for anyone who’s not sure.
What does AS3001.2 say about caravan battery systems?
The standard includes several sections that relate to the requirements for batteries in a caravan, there’s even a picture that shows what is considered a “connectable electrical system battery” – Whilst copyright prevents us from reproducing that picture here, it clearly shows that a typical 12V or 24V battery system fitted in a caravan or motorhome is covered by the standard.
The exclusions to this are non-rechargeable batteries and those with a capacity less than 40Ah
Batteries installed in a caravan must be secured to prevent movement in any direction by more than 25mm when subjected to a force twice the battery weight. (Clause 5.4.5)
Can a lithium battery be installed inside a caravan?
Section 5.4.12 sets out the requirements for installation of lithium batteries in an applicable installation. Those requirements are:
Lithium batteries must be installed “externally” – The standard defines this as being behind a wall, in a separate compartment or behind a barrier and states they cannot be in the “habitable area” to prevent “egress of gases into the habitable area”.
The photo below shows a traditional under-bed or under-seat battery installation in a caravan. This would not be compliant with AS32001.2:2022 because the battery is mounted internally and is not sealed from the habitable area.
Do lithium batteries need to be in a vented box?
Not necessarily – Whilst section 5.4.11 of the standard lists requirements for lead acid batteries including venting, section 5.4.12 which, relates to lithium batteries does not directly include requirements for venting.
However, you should consider that the standard states the compartment or barrier must prevent “egress of gases into the habitable area” so you may need to put the battery in a sealed box, and/or provide a means of ventilation for the battery.