rical installation designs begun after 1 July 2008 must comply with this June 2008 version.
Designs started before 1 July 2008, and projects under construction at that date, may comply with
the earlier September 2005 version and will be accepted until 31 December 2008. The application
of WAER and subsequent amendments is not retrospective.
The publication is based on information in the September 2005 version, revised to reflect the
States electricity industry restructure on 1 April 2006. The latest version also includes more detail
concerning high voltage installations and multiple points of supply.
The document provides an authoritative reference for the safe and efficient connection of consumers
installations to electricity networks. Mandatory safety and technical requirements applicable to all
networks are set out in Sections 1 to 12. Section 12 requirements are additional to, or override,
Australian Standards. These apply also, where relevant, to consumers electrical installations not
connected to a network. Section 13 lists requirements applicable to particular electricity supply
networks (or directs the reader to where they may be viewed).
The WAER is made a mandatory guideline under Regulation 49 of the Western Australian Electricity
(Licensing) Regulations 1991
. The WAER should be read with the Electricity Regulations 1947, Part
VIII
, and the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991. Both sets of regulations take precedence.
Section 12 lists several mandatory Australian Standards. As a general rule, nothing in those Standards
is replicated in the WAER. The reader needs to refer to the Standards.
The requirements within Sections 1 to 12 are mandatory unless the Director of Energy Safety grants
a prior written exemption. Failure to comply with a requirement may result in prosecution under the
Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991
. It may also cause electricity connection delays.
A review committee assesses the WAER document regularly to ensure it remains up to date. The
committee comprises representatives from EnergySafety, network operators and the National
Electrical Communications Association of WA.
Amendments will be issued as necessary and published in the Energy Bulletin. The latest version
of the WAER and Energy Bulletins may be read and downloaded from EnergySafetys website
(http://www.energysafety.wa.gov.au).
A KOENIG
Director of Energy Safety
July 2008
Comments and suggestions on this document may be forwarded to:
Principal Engineer Electricity Utilisation
EnergySafety WA
303 Sevenoaks Street, CANNINGTON, Western Australia 6107
fax (08 9422 5244) or email (energysafety@docep.wa.gov.au).
Preface WA Electrical Requirements July 2008 Edition
1
Table of Contents
Preface ......................................................................................................................................... ii
1 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................4
2 Definitions.............................................................................................................................5
3 General Requirements .........................................................................................................9
3.1
Supply Arrangements ..................................................................................................9
3.2 Earthing System ...........................................................................................................9
3.3
Power Factor................................................................................................................9
3.4
Permanently Installed Stand-Alone Generating Sets ..................................................10
3.5
Loads Affecting Other Customers ..............................................................................10
3.6
Point of Supply (Underground) ................................................................................... 11
3.7
Removal of Existing Overhead Service .......................................................................16
3.8
Labelling ....................................................................................................................16
3.9
Multiple Points of Supply ............................................................................................ 17
4 LV Overhead Network ........................................................................................................24
4.1
Connection ................................................................................................................24
4.2
Route & Point of Attachment ......................................................................................24
4.3
Crossing an Adjoining Property ..................................................................................24
4.4
Aerial Consumers Mains ............................................................................................24
4.5
Spans and Clearances ...............................................................................................24
4.6
Point of Attachment ...................................................................................................25
4.7
Consumer and Point of Attachment Poles .................................................................26
5 LV Underground Network ..................................................................................................27
5.1
Connection ................................................................................................................27
5.2
Cables and Enclosures ..............................................................................................27
5.3
Service Connection Devices ......................................................................................27
5.4
Building Entry ............................................................................................................28
5.5
Other Services ...........................................................................................................31
5.6
Network Operators On-site Substation ......................................................................31
5.7
Contractor Termination of Consumers Mains .............................................................31 WA Electrical Requirements July 2008 Edition
2
6 Metering and Service Equipment .....................................................................................32
6.1
Basic Requirements ...................................................................................................32
6.2 Responsibilities ..........................................................................................................32
6.3
Location and Accessibility ..........................................................................................33
6.4
Unsuitable Locations ..................................................................................................35
6.5
Protection ..................................................................................................................36
6.6
Metering Configurations .............................................................................................36
6.7
Neutral Link ................................................................................................................38
6.8
Service Protection Devices ........................................................................................38
6.9
Energisation ...............................................................................................................40
7 High Voltage Installations .................................................................................................. 41
7.1
Design ....................................................................................................................... 41
7.2
Basic Requirements ................................................................................................... 41
7.3
Consumers High Voltage Electrical Installation .......................................................... 41
7.4
Submission of Proposal .............................................................................................42
7.5
Earthing .....................................................................................................................43
8 Special LV Supply Arrangements .....................................................................................44
8.1
Standby/Emergency Supply .......................................................................................44
8.2 Standby Generators ...................................................................................................44
8.3
Common Loads .........................................................................................................46
8.4
Short Term Events .....................................................................................................46
8.5
Un-metered Supply ....................................................................................................47
9 Embedded Generators Connected to Networks .............................................................48
9.1
Basic Requirements ...................................................................................................48
9.2
Safety ........................................................................................................................49
9.3
Protection, Monitoring and Control .............................................................................49
10 Construction Sites .............................................