AS/NZS 3000:2007 "wiring rules" has now been released (for how long, I don't know-been out bush & found out yesterday).

There been a few changes with the addition of more pictures, seperate section on "damp situations", changes to RCD installations (covers some of the AS3003 regulations in regards to home dialysis machines) and a few other bits & pieces.

I'm endeavouring to thumb through the 463 pages of the new book, discussion with the Aussies & Kiwis to follow...

I hope it's not following the same sort of changes due here next year, which basically seem to say, "Put it on an RCD and nothing else matters."

Sorta like the USA/Candna will use the AFCI[ RCD ] just about everywhere.

Thanks for the heads-up, Darren!

463 pages??, the 2000 version was only 271pp + index.

I printed it off the standards website on Thursday and I thought the printer was going to die on me. Took half an hour to print out.

I'm still working through it at the moment. By the way, did anyone notice that AS/NZS 3017:2007 was released? Didn't notice until I printed off a copy last week to verify some work that was being done. Once again, I'll try & spot the differences.

Note that although the update to AS/ZNS3000 has been released/published, it is not yet in force. This will happen at some point mid-way through 2008, and will require an order-in-council from the NZ Govt. So by all means study it (I know we are) and get familiar with the new rules, but don't feel that you have to apply them just yet.

When I spoke to the nice man at the ministry and he told me that they would nevertheless encourage people to install to the new standards, as they do apparently represent an increase in safety standards.

http://www.worksafe.nt.gov.au/electricalsafety/pdf/020101newwiringrules.pdf

The NT Governemt has given 12 May 08 as the mandatory compliance date for the new standard

I gather these are the Australian/New Zealand equivalent of the IEE Requirements for Electrical Installations BS7671

Yes they are.

Agree with you on that one paul

It's weird how in some countries to regulations keep getting stricter and stricter (Germany, to some extent Austria) and in others just seem to slip down...

We're now up to 10mm2 minimum requirement for a 3x25A feeder and I'm fairly sure it won't be long until this is raised to 16mm2 "to meet future demand" while the PoCo will still only accept 25A fuses...

Ragnar,
There are still houses here that have the water heated by a space heater, most of these houses only have a 6mm2 single phase supply(for the electric range and a few lights and power points).
Only when the people in the house want an electric hot water cylinder installed, does the service line get upgraded to 16mm2.
With the way that electricity consumption is going, the world over, a decent minimum conductor size is warranted.
It's no problem to change a set of fuses, it is a lot harder to upgrade mains into buildings.
Believe me, I've done it a thousand times.

Erm... I've seen places with a 2.5(!)mm2 single phase supply! Fused 20A.
Sure it's easier to just replace a fuse... still, I don't like the idea of being forced to bury so much expensive copper I'm never going to use and even might have to replace it when it ever comes to using the extra capacity.
.
Most of all, we're talking apartment here, that means it's maybe 5m, sometimes less of wire in conduit, no harm in putting in conduit large enough for 10 or even 16mm2 and just pulling larger wires whenever needed!

To put it in simple words: I'd feel pretty stupid if I put in 5x6mm2 for my single phase supply to be able to upgrade to 3 phase and when I want to upgrade to 3ph I only hear: "I'm sorry, you have to tear out all your nice extra wire and install 10mm2!" So, I don't go above code minumum in that regard.