Since our recent post regarding AS3001.2 we’ve received several emails and messages asking if compliance with AS3001.2 is a legal requirement.
Whilst we’re engineers and not lawyers, here’s our understanding, based on many years industry experience, including AusMotion’s founder sitting on several Australian Standards development groups.
Are all Australian Standards legal requirements?
Generally, there is no requirement for the public or businesses to comply with Australian Standards. However, State and Commonwealth governments often refer to Australian Standards (AS) or joint Australian/New Zealand Standards (AS/NZS) in their legislation. When this happens, these standards can become mandatory.
Where people often get caught out is the way in which one Australian Standard can reference another and in doing so, broaden the scope of what’s required by legislation.
When reading Australian Standards, there are a couple of important words to understand – The word SHOULD is used to indicate something that is encouraged but is not mandatory. The word SHALL indicates a mandatory requirement that is not optional and MUST be complied with. This terminology is common through all Australian Standards.
Where an Australian Standard requires compliance with another, they commonly specify the upper level of that standard rather than all of the sub-standards. For example, were AS3000:2018 requires compliance with AS3001 the installer must ensure their work complies with the parts of AS3001 that are relevant to their work which, could be part one (AS3000.1) part two (AS3001.2) or both.
AS3000 Wiring Rules
In Australia, all electrical installations must comply with the requirements of AS3000:2018, known as the Australian Wiring Rules. Every state and Territory mandates compliance through legislation.
Many people understand that the wiring in your home, office and workshop must comply with AS3000:2018, but not many realise that AS3000:2018 reaches further than that – Including caravans, motorhomes and other vehicles that can be connected to the 230V mains power supply.
AS3000:2018 Section 7.1.2 lists a number of “special electrical” installations which have their own requirements, replacing, exceeding or supplementing those within AS3000:2018. Sub-clause 7.1.2.g.iii lists transportable structures and vehicles as special electrical installations. The intent of this clause is to point the reader toward the relevant standard for those installations – In this case AS3001
Whilst copyright prevents us from copying the exact wording here, clause 7.8 of AS3000:2018 states the requirements for “Specific Electrical Installations”.
Sub clause 7.8.2.3 states that transportable structures and vehicles with a site supply must comply with AS3001
This means that whilst AS3001.2 is not directly mandated through legislation, clause 7.8.2.3 of AS3000:2018 can make AS3001.2 a legal requirement.
Examples
We’ve listed some examples below to help you understand if your installation needs to comply. These are all made-up and the names and photos don’t represent actual people or their setup. However, the application of AS3001.2 should be as described below.
Example 1 – David’s Caravan
David lives in the ACT and has a caravan which includes a 230V inlet on the outside which he plugs-in when the caravan is at home on the driveway or away at a powered site, keeping the caravan batteries charged.
David wants to change his old AGM batteries to lithium and install an inverter for an induction hob.
In the ACT, compliance with AS3000:2018 is mandated by the “Electricity Safety Act 1971 Australian Capital Territory” and regulation “Electricity Safety Regulation 2004 Australian Capital Territory.”
This means that compliance with AS3000:2018 in the ACT is a legal requirement.
Clause 7.8.2.3 of AS3000:2018 states that a transportable installation that can be connected to a 230V mains supply must comply with AS3001.2
Therefore, modifications and new work performed on David’s caravan must legally comply with AS3001.2
Example 2 – Jane’s Ford Ranger
Jane has a Ford Ranger and wants to install a dual battery system behind the seats, using a lithium battery to run a fridge. The battery is charged only by the Ranger’s electrical system using a Redarc BCDC charger.
Because Jane’s installation is not connectable to the 230V mains supply, it does not have to comply with AS3001 or AS3000:2018. Jane can perform the work herself and it doesn’t have to comply with either AS3000:2018 or AS3001
Example 3 – Mark’s LandCruiser and Caravan
Mark lives in Queensland and buys a caravan and LandCruiser 79 to tour Australia. His auto electrician plans to install a dual battery system in the LandCruiser canopy which will be charged from the vehicle’s electrical system and solar panel on the canopy roof.
Mark’s auto electrician plans for the caravan to have a small dual battery system to run a fridge and some lights, charged only from the LandCruiser via an Anderson plug near the towbar.
Neither the LandCruiser or caravan can be connected to the 230V mains supply, so the installation would not need to comply with AS3000:2018 or AS3001
After commencing work on the caravan, Mark decides he’d like to add a 230V power inlet on the caravan to keep the batteries in the Caravan and LandCruiser charged when parked at a powered site.
Electrical installations in Queensland must comply with ”Electrical Safety Regulation 2013” which, mandates compliance with AS3000:2018
Because both the LandCruiser and caravan are now part of a connectable installation they’re a “Special Electrical Installation” and the entire dual battery system in the caravan and LandCruiser canopy must comply with both AS3000:2018 and AS3001.2