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Version No. 001
Electricity Safety (Network Assets)
Regulations 1999
S.R. No. 141/1999
Version as at 31 December 1999
TABLE OF PROVISIONS
Regulation
Page
PART 1—PRELIMINARY
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
1
Objectives
Authorising provisions
Commencement
Revocation
Definitions
Exemptions
1
1
1
1
2
4
PART 2—REPORTING AND AUDIT
6
7.
8.
9.
Notification of serious electrical incidents
Reporting of incidents
Certain plans required and information to be given
PART 3—DUTIES OF NETWORK OPERATORS
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
Section 75 of the Act applies to this Part
Automatic disconnecting devices
Location of earth
Minimum distances between aerial lines and the ground
Minimum distances between aerial lines and parts of buildings
or structures
Minimum distances for low voltage insulated conductors
supported along the façade of a building or structure
Minimum distances between a.c. aerial lines and parts of
railway systems
Minimum distances between a.c. aerial lines and parts of
tramway systems
Minimum distances between conductors of aerial lines
Minimum distances between aerial lines and water accessible
to boats
i
6
7
9
11
11
11
11
11
13
17
18
19
20
22
Regulation
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
Page
Construction of underground lines
Mechanical protection of underground lines above the ground
Substations
Earthing and electrical protection
Access and warning signs
Poles and towers
Marking of network assets
Inspection and testing
Operation and maintenance
Standard of the Upstream Network
PART 4—DUTIES OF THE PUBLIC
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
Application
Sporting activities
Aircraft
Entangled objects
Blasting and fires
Protection of underground network assets from damage
Excavating
Altering levels
Minimum distances between parts of buildings, structures,
scaffolding and posts and aerial lines of network operators
Minimum distances between materials and network assets
Minimum distances between vehicles, plant, machinery and
vessels and overhead network assets
Minimum distances between transported loads and overhead
network assets
Minimum distances between conductors of aerial lines and
network assets
Minimum distances between persons and conductors of aerial
lines of network operators
Placing of materials
Tree clearing
Damage and interference
PART 5—TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS
47.
48.
49.
Exemption for existing aerial lines
Exemption for existing d.c. aerial conductors under bridges
and roads
Exemption for existing underground lines
__________________
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25
26
27
32
32
32
33
33
35
36
36
36
37
37
37
38
38
39
40
43
45
45
48
53
53
54
54
56
56
57
57
Regulation
Page
SCHEDULES
58
SCHEDULE 1—Electrical incident confirmation form
58
SCHEDULE 2—Electrical incident report form
60
SCHEDULE 3—Classification of roads
65
═══════════════
ENDNOTES
67
1. General Information
67
2. Table of Amendments
68
3. Explanatory Details
69
iii
Version No. 001
Electricity Safety (Network Assets)
Regulations 1999
S.R. No. 141/1999
Version as at 31 December 1999
PART 1—PRELIMINARY
1. Objectives
The objectives of these Regulations are—
(a) to prescribe standards for the design,
construction, operation and maintenance of
network assets;
(b) to protect persons from risk, and property
from damage, associated with network
assets.
2. Authorising provisions
These Regulations are made under sections 149,
151 and 157 of the Electricity Safety Act 1998.
3. Commencement
These Regulations come into operation on
31 December 1999.
4. Revocation
The Electricity Safety (Network Assets)
Regulations 19971 are revoked.
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5. Definitions
(1) In these Regulations—
"active conductor" means—
(a) a conductor of a network asset that is
maintained at a potential difference
from—
(i) the neutral conductor; or
(ii) the earthed conductor; or
(b) if a network asset does not include a
neutral or earthed conductor, each
conductor of the network;
"aerial line" means a conductor placed above the
ground or water and in the open air;
"AS" means an Australian Standard issued by
Standards Australia, as published or
amended from time to time;
"AS/NZS" means an Australian/New Zealand
Standard issued jointly by Standards
Australia and Standards New Zealand, as
published or amended from time to time;
"conductor" means the whole or any part of a
wire, cable or other thing used, or to be used,
for the purpose of transmitting, distributing
or supplying electricity, but does not include
a wire, cable or other thing directly used in
generating electrical energy or converting
electrical energy into another form of
energy;
"consumers mains" has the same meaning as it
has in AS/NZS 3000;
"d.c. traction conductor" means an overhead
tram trolley wire, a train contact wire or a
tram or train catenary or traction feeder that
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operates on direct current, but does not
include tram and train negative conductors;
"d.c. traction system" means that part of a
railway or tramway system that consists of
d.c. traction conductors and railway or
tramway tracks, negative conductors and
associated equipment that operates on direct
current;
"extra low voltage" means not exceeding
50 volts alternating current or 120 volts
ripple-free direct current;
"high voltage" means exceeding low voltage;
"live" means having a difference of electrical
potential to earth, or to non-electrical parts;
"low voltage" means exceeding extra low
voltage, but not exceeding 1000 volts
alternating current or 1500 volts direct
current;
"minimum depth" in relation to an underground
line, means the minimum depth of the line
from the uppermost surface of the line or the
conduit and pipe enclosing the line;
"negative conductor" means a conductor in a
circuit of a railway or tramway system that is
maintained at approximately the same
electrical potential as the railway or tramway
track and that is insulated from earth;
"network asset" means any asset that is owned
or operated by a network operator for the
purposes of—
(a) generating, transmitting, distributing or
supplying electricity of the network
operator; or
(b) operating a railway or tramway system;
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"neutral conductor" means a conductor of a
circuit that is earthed at its origin;
"other cable system" means—
(a) telecommunication and control cables;
or
(b) aerial earthed cables—
attached to a network operator's buildings or
structures;
"protective equipment" means equipment that is
intended to isolate the active conductors of a
circuit if an electrical fault occurs;
"service line" means the final span or section of a
low voltage aerial or underground line of an
upstream network that is connected to a point
of supply;
"substation" means a plant, building or structure
that is above ground or underground in
which electricity supply is generated,
converted, controlled or transformed;
"the Act" means the Electricity Safety Act
1998;
"underground line" means a conductor placed
under the ground and includes any part of the
conductor that is at or above the surface of
the ground.
(2) The diagrams used in these Regulations are for
illustrative purposes only and are not intended to
be a comprehensive depiction of the situations
they illustrate.
6. Exemptions
(1) The Office may, on the application of any person,
exempt a person from any requirement of these
Regulations subject to any conditions specified by
the Office.
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(2) An application under this regulation must be in
writing and must—
(a) contain details as to why the exemption is
sought; and
(b) include a statement as to whether or not the
granting of the exemption will lead to a
significant decrease in electrical safety.
(3) The fee of $1000 must accompany an application
to the Office.
(4) A person must comply with any condition
specified by the Office under sub-regulation (1).
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
(5) The Office may, at any time, revoke any
exemption granted by it in this regulation, but the
revocation does not affect the previous lawful
exercise of the exemption.
_______________
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PART 2—REPORTING AND AUDIT
7. Notification of serious electrical incidents
(1) For the purposes of sections 142(1) and (2) of the
Act, an electricity supplier who is a network
operator who owns or operates an upstream
network must—
(a) as soon as is practicable report to the Office
by telephone, on a telephone number
specified by the Office, all of the details of
the serious electrical incident within its
knowledge; and
(b) within 2 business days of the telephone
report, send to the Office by facsimile or
electronic mail a report of the incident in the
form of Schedule 1 or a form containing
equivalent information approved by the
Office; and
(c) within 20 business days of the telephone
report, send to the Office a report of the
incident in the form of Schedule 2 or a form
containing the equivalent information
approved by the Office.
(2) For the purposes of section 142(3) of the Act, a
fire control authority must—
(a) as soon as is practicable report to the Office
by telephone, on a telephone number
specified by the Office, all of the details of
the serious electrical incident within its
knowledge; and
(b) within 20 business days of becoming aware
that a fire is of an electrical nature, send to
the Office—
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(i) a report of the incident in the form of
Schedule 2 or a form containing the
equivalent information approved by the
Office; and
(ii) the results of any investigation into the
fire.
8. Reporting of incidents
(1) If a serious electrical incident occurs in relation to
a network asset of an owner or operator of a
railway or tramway system, the owner or operator
must—
(a) as soon as is practicable report to the Office
by telephone, on a telephone number
specified by the Office, all of the details of
the incident within its knowledge; and
(b) within 2 business days of the telephone
report, send to the Office by facsimile or
electronic mail a report of the incident in the
form of Schedule 1 or a form containing the
equivalent information approved by the
Office; and
(c) within 20 business days of the telephone
report, send to the Office a report of the
incident in the form of Schedule 2 or a form
containing the equivalent information
approved by the Office.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
(2) If an incident occurs involving electricity in which
a person—
(a) makes accidental contact with any live high
voltage electric line or live electrical
equipment operated at high voltage; or
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(b) receives an electric shock as a result of direct
or indirect contact with any network assets or
an electrical installation—
each person to whom this sub-regulation applies
must, within 20 business days of becoming aware
of the incident, send to the Office a report of the
incident in the form of Schedule 2 or a form
containing the equivalent information approved by
the Office.
Penalty: In the case of a natural person,
10 penalty units.
In the case of a body corporate,
20 penalty units.
(3) Sub-regulation (2) applies to—
(a) a network operator who becomes aware of
such an incident that occurs in relation to its
network assets; and
(b) an electricity supplier who becomes aware of
such an incident that occurs in relation to an
electrical installation to which it generates,
transmits, distributes or supplies electricity.
(4) A fire control authority that attends or investigates
an incident involving electricity in which a
person—
(a) made accidental contact with any live high
voltage electric line or live electrical
equipment operated at high voltage; or
(b) received an electric shock as a result of
direct or indirect contact with any network
assets or an electrical installation—
must, within 20 business days of becoming aware
that the incident involved electricity, send to the
Office a report of the incident in the form of
Schedule 2 or a form containing the equivalent
information approved by the Office and the results
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of any investigation made by the fire control
authority into the incident.
9. Certain plans required and information to be given
(1) A network operator must have a plan specifying—
(a) how the network operator will restore
electrical safety to the site of a serious
electrical incident or an incident of the nature
described in regulation 8(2) in relation to its
network assets; and
(b) if the network operator is the owner or
operator of an upstream network, how the
network operator will assist in the restoration
of electrical safety to the site of a serious
electrical incident or an incident of the nature
described in regulation 8(2) in relation to an
electrical installation to which it supplies
electricity.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
(2) A network operator must have a plan that
describes how the network operator will test,
inspect, maintain and operate its network assets to
ensure that the network operator complies with the
requirements of Part 3.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
(3) A network operator must have a plan that
describes long term strategies to prevent
unauthorised persons climbing poles, towers and
other structures supporting aerial lines
including—
(a) minimum heights from the ground for all
foot supports; and
(b) protection of the poles, towers and
structures.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
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(4) A network operator must give to the Office any
information that the Office requests in writing
concerning the network operator's testing,
inspection, maintenance and operation of its
network assets and the results of the testing,
inspection, maintenance and operation within
10 business days of the request.
Penalty: 10 penalty units.
_______________
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PART 3—DUTIES OF NETWORK OPERATORS
10. Section 75 of the Act applies to this Part
For the purposes of section 75 of the Act, network
assets that are part of an upstream network, or the
supply network of a railway and tramway system,
must be designed, constructed, operated and
maintained in accordance with this Part.
11. Automatic disconnecting devices
An active conductor of a high voltage electric line
and high voltage electrical equipment must be
protected by automatic protective equipment.
12. Location of earth
An upstream network must be earthed at a
location that permits the connection of devices for
protecting the network against earth faults.
13. Minimum distances between aerial lines and the
ground
(1) An aerial service line or an aerial line that forms
part of an other cable system must not, at any
time, be closer to the ground than the relevant
minimum distance specified in Table 13.1.
(2) Any other aerial line must not, at any time, be
closer to the ground than the relevant minimum
distance specified in Table 13.2.
(3) This regulation does not apply to a low voltage
insulated conductor supported along the façade of
a building or structure.
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TABLE 13.1—Minimum distances to the ground from aerial service lines or
aerial lines that form part of other cable systems (except low voltage
insulated conductors supported along the façade of a building or structure)
Service line and other cable system location
Minimum distance
Over a 2000mm wide strip in the centre of each
carriageway of a road
5500mm
Over any other part of a freeway, primary road, or
highway as defined in Part A of Schedule 3
5500mm
Over any other part of a secondary road, or
collector road as defined in Part B of Schedule 3
4900mm
Over any other part of any other road
4600mm
Over any part of a driveway
4600mm
Over other ground traversable by vehicles
4600mm
At the connection to a building or structure
3000mm
Elsewhere
3000mm
TABLE 13.2—Minimum distances to the ground from all other aerial lines
(except low voltage insulated conductors supported along the façade of a
building or structure)
Minimum distance
Type of aerial line
Nominal voltage ('U')
Ground
Carriageway traversable
of roads
by vehicles Elsewhere
U < 1500V d.c. traction conductor
5000mm
5000mm
4500mm
Alternating current
bare or insulated
U < 1kV
or insulated with earthed screen
U  1kV
5500mm
5500mm
4500mm
Alternating current
insulated without an earthed screen
U  1kV
6000mm
5500mm
4500mm
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Minimum distance
Type of aerial line
Nominal voltage ('U')
Ground
Carriageway traversable
of roads
by vehicles Elsewhere
Alternating current
bare or covered
1kV  U < 33kV
6700mm
5500mm
4500mm
33kV  U < 132kV
6700mm
6700mm
5500mm
132kV  U < 275kV
8700mm
6700mm
6700mm
275kV  U < 330kV
9700mm
6700mm
6700mm
330kV  U < 500kV
11400mm
10700mm
10700mm
14. Minimum distances between aerial lines and parts
of buildings or structures
(1) An aerial line carrying alternating current must
not, at any time, be closer to a building or
structure or part of a building or structure
specified in Table 14.1 (and partially illustrated in
Figures 14.1 and 14.2) than the relevant minimum
distance specified in that Table.
(2) An aerial line carrying direct current must not, at
any time, be closer to a building or structure or
part of a building or structure specified in
Table 14.2 (and partially illustrated in Figures
14.1 and 14.2) than the relevant minimum
distance specified in that Table.
(3) This regulation does not apply to—
(a) a low voltage insulated conductor supported
along the façade of a building or structure; or
(b) the connection of an aerial line to a building
or structure.
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TABLE 14.2—Minimum distances to parts of buildings or structures from all
aerial lines carrying direct current (except at connections to the building or
structure and except low voltage insulated conductors supported along the
façade of a building or structure)
Minimum distance for type of aerial
line and nominal voltage ('U')
U< 600V
Direct current aerial line
A
Vertically above those parts of a
building or structure normally
accessible to persons
B
Vertically above those parts of a
building or structure not
normally accessible to persons
but on which a person can stand
C
In any direction, other than
vertically above, from those
parts of a building or structure
normally accessible to persons
or vertically below as described
in row E, or from any part not
normally accessible to persons
but on which a person can stand
D
In any direction, other than
vertically below as described in
row E, from those parts of a
building or structure not
normally accessible to persons
E
Vertically below those parts of a
building or structure erected
over a d.c. traction system
600V < U<
1500V
Insulated
Bare
Bare or
Insulated
2700mm
3700mm
4500mm
100mm
2700mm
3700mm
100mm
1500mm
2100mm
100mm
600mm
1500mm
100mm
300mm
300mm
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15. Minimum distances for low voltage insulated
conductors supported along the façade of a building
or structure
(1) A low voltage insulated conductor supported
along the façade of a building or structure must
not, at any time, be closer to a part of a building or
structure specified in Table 15.1 (and partially
illustrated in Figures 15.1, 15.2 and 15.3) than the
relevant minimum distance specified in the Table.
(2) In this regulation a low voltage insulated
conductor is supported along the façade of a
building or structure if the conductor is supported
by the façade of the building or structure at a
distance of no more than 300 millimetres from the
façade.
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TABLE 15.1—Minimum distances to parts of buildings or structures from
low voltage insulated conductors supported along the façade of the building
or structure
Low voltage insulated conductor
Minimum distance
A
Vertically from ground
2500mm
B
Above windows and doors
300mm
C
Each side and below windows
500mm
D
Each side of doors and balconies
1000mm
E
From metallic parts of buildings or structures
50mm
16. Minimum distances between a.c. aerial lines and
parts of railway systems
(1) A low voltage aerial line carrying alternating
current must not, at any time, be above a d.c. train
traction conductor.
(2) A high voltage aerial line carrying alternating
current above a direct current catenary wire or
supervisory cable for a d.c. train traction
conductor must not, at any time, be closer than
900 millimetres above a straight line joining the
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higher of the supporting points for the span of the
catenary wire or supervisory cable.
(3) An aerial line carrying alternating current must
not, at any time, be closer to a part of a railway
system specified in Table 16 than the relevant
minimum distance specified in that Table.
TABLE 16—Minimum distances to parts of railway systems from aerial lines
carrying alternating current
Minimum distance from part of a
railway system
From d.c.
traction
conductors
From d.c.
traction
conductor
wire/cable
supports
Alternating current aerial line
Nominal voltage ('U')
Above
track
U <1kV
6700mm
Not
permitted
2700mm
1kV  U  22kV
7600mm
1200mm
3700mm
22kV  U  66kV
7600mm
1800mm
4600mm
66kV  U  132kV
7900mm
2100mm
4600mm
132kV  U  275kV
9000mm
3000mm
5500mm
275kV  U  330kV
9800mm
4000mm
6400mm
330kV  U  500kV
11300mm
5500mm
7900mm
17. Minimum distances between a.c. aerial lines and
parts of tramway systems
An aerial line carrying alternating current must
not, at any time, be closer to a part of a tramway
system specified in Table 17 than the relevant
minimum distance specified in that Table.
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TABLE 17—Minimum distances to parts of tramway systems from aerial
lines carrying alternating current
Minimum distance from part of a
tramway system
Alternating current aerial line
Nominal voltage ('U')
Above
track
From d.c.
traction
conductors
From d.c.
traction
conductor
wire/cable
supports
U  1kV
7000mm
600mm
2700mm
1kV  U  22kV
8200mm
1200mm
3700mm
22kV  U  66kV
8200mm
1800mm
4600mm
66kV  U  132kV
8200mm
2100mm
4600mm
132kV  U  220kV
9000mm
3000mm
5500mm
220kV  U  330kV
9800mm
4000mm
6400mm
330kV  U  500kV
11300mm
5500mm
7900mm
18. Minimum distances between conductors of aerial
lines
(1) A conductor of an aerial line must not, at any
time, be closer to the conductor of another aerial
line than the relevant minimum distance specified
in Table 18.
(2) An aerial line must not, at any time—
(a) be above a private electric line and be
attached to the same pole line; or
(b) cross a private electric line except where the
aerial line and the private electric line are
attached to a common pole or support.
(3) A d.c. street traction conductor must not, at any
time, cross an electrolysis drainage cable except
where the conductor and the cable are attached to
a common pole or support.
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TABLE 18—Minimum distances between conductors of aerial lines
Type and nominal voltage ('U')
of conductor
Minimum distance
Between the
points where
the
conductors
are attached
to a common
pole or
support
Between the
conductor
spans
Circuits on
same pole
line
Between the
conductor
spans
Circuits
crossing not
on same pole
line
Upper circuit
Lower circuit
Low voltage
alternating
current
aerial line
Private
electric line
380mm
Not
permitted
Not
permitted
Low voltage
alternating
current
aerial line
Other cable
system or
electrolysis
drainage
cable
380mm
900mm
600mm
Low voltage
alternating
current
aerial line
d.c. street
traction
conductor
U  600V
600mm
600mm
600mm
d.c. street
traction
conductor
U  600V
Electrolysis
drainage
cable
380mm
600mm
Not
permitted
d.c. street
traction
conductor
U  600V
Other cable
system
1000mm
1000mm
1000mm
Alternating
current
aerial line
U > 1kV
U < 11kV
Private
electric line
1200mm
Not
permitted
Not
permitted
Alternating
current
aerial line
U > 1kV
U < 11kV
Other cable
system or
electrolysis
drainage
cable
1200mm
900mm
600mm
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Type and nominal voltage ('U')
of conductor
Minimum distance
Between the
points where
the
conductors
are attached
to a common
pole or
support
Between the
conductor
spans
Circuits on
same pole
line
Between the
conductor
spans
Circuits
crossing not
on same pole
line
Upper circuit
Lower circuit
Alternating
current
aerial line
U > 11kV
U < 33kV
Private
electric line
1200mm
Not
permitted
Not
permitted
Alternating
current
aerial line
U > 11kV
U < 33kV
Other cable
system or
electrolysis
drainage
cable
1200mm
900mm
750mm
Alternating
current
aerial line
U > 33kV
U < 66kV
Private
electric line
1800mm
Not
permitted
Not
permitted
Alternating
current
aerial line
U > 33kV
U < 66kV
Other cable
system or
electrolysis
drainage
cable
1800mm
1800mm
1200mm
19. Minimum distances between aerial lines and water
accessible to boats
An aerial line must not, at any time, be closer than
13 500 millimetres to the surface of any water
accessible to boats with masts.
20. Construction of underground lines
(1) An underground line must—
(a) be directly buried; or
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(b) be directly buried and be covered with a
mechanical cover; or
(c) be buried enclosed in a conduit or pipe.
(2) An underground line must not, at any time, be
closer to the surface of the ground than the
relevant minimum depth specified in Table 20.
(3) For the purposes of Column 3 of Table 20,
"mechanical cover" means—
(a) a layer of concrete that is at least 50mm thick
with a characteristic strength defined by
AS 3600 and AS 1012 and determined to be
not less than 15 MPa at 28 days and that is
placed not less than 50mm and not more than
150mm above the cable and that overlaps the
cable by at least 40mm on each side of the
cable; or
(b) a series of concrete slabs that are at least
40mm thick with a characteristic strength
defined by AS 3600 and AS 1012 and
determined to be not less than 15 MPa at
28 days and that touch each other so that no
spaces are left between the slabs and that are
placed not less than 50mm and not more than
150mm above the cable and that overlap the
cable by at least 40mm on each side of the
cable; or
(c) a covering made of a plastic or composite
material that the Office is satisfied provides
equal protection to that provided by the
methods described in paragraph (a) or (b).
(4) For the purposes of Column 4 of Table 20—
(a) "conduit" means a rigid, non-metallic heavy
duty conduit that complies with
AS/NZS 2053;
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(b) "pipe" means a medium or heavy
galvanised steel tube that complies with
AS 1074.
TABLE 20—Minimum depths for underground lines from the surface of the
ground
1
Type of underground line
Nominal voltage ('U')
2
Directly
buried
3
Directly
buried and
covered
with a
mechanical
cover
4
Buried
enclosed in
a conduit or
pipe
U <1500V direct current
750mm
600mm
450mm
Alternating current
U < 1kV
Single core
Multi core
750mm
750mm
600mm
450mm
450mm
450mm
Alternating current
1kV < U < 22kV
750mm
600mm
600mm
Alternating current
22kV < U < 66kV
1000mm
750mm
750mm
Alternating current
66kV < U < 220kV
1000mm
1000mm
1000mm
(5) This regulation does not apply to—
(a) the first 1000 millimetres of a low voltage
underground line; and
(b) the first 2000 millimetres of a high voltage
underground line—
from the point where the underground line enters
the ground if that initial portion of the line is
protected by a mechanical cover or conduit or
pipe of a type described in sub-regulation (3)
or (4).
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(6) This regulation does not apply to—
(a) negative conductors; or
(b) those portions of underground lines above
ground.
21. Mechanical protection of underground lines above
the ground
(1) Any part of an underground line that is at or above
the surface of the ground must be mechanically
protected from the point where the line enters or
exits the ground to a height of 2400 millimetres
from any surface accessible to the public on which
a person can stand.
(2) The mechanical protection must be by—
(a) cable guard of mild steel of 25 millimetre
thickness for a high voltage underground line
and 16 millimetre thickness for a low
voltage underground line galvanised in
accordance with AS/NZS 4680 and
AS/NZS 4792; or
(b) a galvanised steel tube in accordance with
AS 1074; or
(c) other material that the Office is satisfied
gives equivalent mechanical protection.
(3) Any part of an underground line that is more than
2400 millimetres in height from a surface
accessible to the public on which a person can
stand must be enclosed in a rigid non-metallic
heavy duty conduit that complies with
AS/NZS 2053 or in metallic piping or casing that
is earthed in accordance with these Regulations if
that part is—
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(a) within reach of a person from a window or
other accessible part of a building or
structure as determined by Appendix G of
AS 2067; or
(b) high voltage and is not metallically screened.
(4) This regulation does not apply to negative
conductors.
22. Substations
(1) A kiosk substation must not, at any time, be closer
than 1200 millimetres to any building or structure
unless the wall of the adjacent building or
structure, and any fence between the substation
and the building or structure, has a fire rating of
more than 2 hours as determined by the Building
Code of Australia 1996.
(2) The walls and fences enclosing a ground type
substation must—
(a) be soundly constructed to deter unauthorised
entry with a minimum height of
2500 millimetres; and
(b) be no closer than the following horizontal
distances to any live and bare electrical
equipment—
(i) 1500 millimetres for substations having
a primary nominal voltage of up to
22kV; or
(ii) 3000 millimetres for substations having
a primary nominal voltage of more than
22kV but not more than 66kV; and
(c) be no closer than 1200 millimetres to any
other building or structure unless—
(i) the wall and any fence enclosing the
ground type substation complies with
the Building Code of Australia (as
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published or amended from time to
time) for the containment of fire; and
(ii) the wall of the other building or
structure, and any fence between the
walls and fences of the substation and
the other building or structure, has a
fire rating of more than 2 hours as
determined by the Building Code of
Australia 1996.
(3) Any part of a supporting platform and equipment
for a pole mounted substation that is mounted on,
or attached to, the pole or crossarms of the pole
(except conductors) and that is—
(a) more than 500 millimetres from the vertical
projection of the kerb line in the direction
away from a vehicular carriageway and that
is more than 200 millimetres from the
surface of the pole must be no lower than
3600 millimetres in height from the ground;
and
(b) more than 500 millimetres from the vertical
projection of the kerb line in the direction
away from a vehicular carriageway and is
less than 200 millimetres from the surface of
the pole must be no lower than
2400 millimetres in height from the ground;
and
(c) elsewhere must be no lower than
4600 millimetres in height from the ground.
23. Earthing and electrical protection
(1) Earthing and protection systems must isolate
unsafe electrical conditions.
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(2) Uninsulated metal and concrete that is accessible
to persons and that—
(a) forms part of a circuit (excluding the current
carrying conductors); and
(b) could be energised in the event of a primary
insulation failure of the circuit—
must be earthed and comply with clause 10 of the
Guidelines for Design and Maintenance of
Overhead Distribution and Transmission Lines,
HB--C(b)1 issued jointly by the Electricity Supply
Association of Australia and Standards Australia,
as published or amended from time to time.
(3) Sub-regulation (2) does not apply to uninsulated
metal or concrete bonded to a railway track.
(4) Service lines must be protected by protective
equipment that can isolate each of the active
conductors of an electrical installation.
(5) The protective equipment referred to in subregulation (4) for aerial lines must be installed—
(a) at, or next to, the point of supply; or
(b) at, or next to, any point where an unmetered
consumers mains is attached to the
consumer's premises; or
(c) at any pole to which a consumers mains is
attached; or
(d) at the network operator's pole to which a
service line is connected.
(6) The protective equipment referred to in
sub-regulation (4) for underground lines must be
installed—
(a) at, or next to, the point where the service line
is connected to the network operator's supply
mains; or
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(b) at the point, or within 3000 millimetres of
the point, where the consumers mains is
connected to the network operator's supply
main; or
(c) where an aerial service line has been
converted to an underground line, at the
point where the aerial service line is
connected to the consumer's premises; or
(d) at or next to the network operator's metering
equipment located at the consumer's
premises, but only if—
(i) the unmetered portion of the consumers
mains that runs from the property
boundary to the building or structure
housing the metering equipment is
buried at least a minimum depth of
500 millimetres below the surface of
the ground and consists of—
(A) an elastomer, thermoplastic or
cross-linked polyethylene
insulated single-core cable with
elastomer or thermoplastic
sheathing, that complies with
AS/NZS 3116, AS 3147 or
AS/NZS 3198 for underground
cable, and that is buried enclosed
in a conduit as defined in
regulation 20(4)(a) or in a pipe as
defined in regulation 20(4)(b); or
(B) an elastomer, thermoplastic or
cross-linked polyethylene
insulated multi-core cable with
elastomer or thermoplastic
sheathing, that complies with
AS/NZS 3116, AS 3147 or
AS/NZS 3198 for underground
cable, and that is buried enclosed
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in a conduit as defined in
regulation 20(4)(a) or in a pipe as
defined in regulation 20(4)(b), or
directly buried and covered with
concrete slabs in accordance with
regulation 20(3)(b); or
(C) a neutral screened cable that
complies with AS/NZS 3155 for
underground cable, and that is
buried enclosed in a conduit as
defined in regulation 20(4)(a) or
in a pipe as defined in regulation
20(4)(b), or is directly buried and
covered with concrete slabs in
accordance with regulation
20(3)(b); and
(ii) the unmetered consumers mains within
the building or structure housing the
metering equipment is enclosed in a
heavy duty non-metallic conduit of a
sort described in AS/NZS 2053.
(7) Sub-regulation (6)(d)(i) does not apply to the first
1000 millimetres of a consumers mains from the
point where the consumers mains enters the
ground if that initial portion of the mains consists
of the material, and is protected by a mechanical
cover or conduit or pipe of the type, described in
sub-regulation (6)(d)(i)(A), (B) or (C).
(8) Low voltage underground lines must—
(a) be of a double insulated construction; or
(b) be surrounded by an earthed metallic screen.
(9) High voltage underground lines must be
surrounded by an earthed metallic screen.
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(10) All joints in an underground line must be
insulated and protected with at least the same
level of insulation and protection as that
surrounding the electric lines joined.
(11) A low voltage network asset must be earthed by
means of a multiple earthed neutral system
consisting of a continuous neutral conductor that
is connected to all customers' premises in
accordance with AS/NZS 3000 and to the general
mass of the earth at each distribution substation or
generator and must have—
(a) a neutral conductor of the service line with a
resistance of not more than 1 ohm to earth;
and
(b) all parts of the equipment and conductive
structures used to support or enclose
conductors of the network asset earthed if
any part is less than 2400 millimetres from
the ground (with the exception of cable
guards used for the protection of cables on
poles).
(12) Despite sub-regulation (11), a low voltage
network asset may be earthed by any other
method approved by the Office.
(13) A neutral conductor of any aerial line that is a
service line must be bonded to a metallic part of a
building or structure if the service line is directly
supported by the metallic part or is within
25 millimetres of the metallic part, or be of a
double insulated construction.
(14) Sub-regulations (11), (12) and (13) do not apply to
d.c. traction systems or signalling systems
carrying alternating current of railway and
tramway systems.
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24. Access and warning signs
(1) Reasonable precautions must be taken to prevent
unauthorised access to network assets.
(2) All entrances to substation buildings or structures
and compounds of network assets must be clearly
and permanently marked with a warning sign
prohibiting the entry of unauthorised persons.
(3) If an aerial line crosses water, a clear and
permanent sign warning of the overhead electric
line must be erected at the normal high water
mark—
(a) at all boat ramps providing access to the
water;
(b) at all points where the electric line starts
crossing the water; and
(c) 20 metres before the electric line when
approaching the line by water.
25. Poles and towers
Poles, towers and other structures supporting
aerial lines must be as vertical as is practicable
and—
(a) must not lean over the kerb line in the
direction of a vehicular carriageway more
than 5 degrees from the perpendicular; and
(b) elsewhere, must not lean more than
10 degrees from the perpendicular.
26. Marking of network assets
(1) If aerial lines are in the vicinity of an airport or
airfield, the lines must be marked to indicate their
position and direction in accordance with
AS 3891.1 and AS 3891.2.
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(2) Underground lines, other than extra low voltage
lines, buried in any part of a road must—
(a) be clearly and permanently marked at the
points where the underground line enters and
exits the ground; and
(b) be identified by an orange marker tape in
accordance with AS/NZS 2648.1 at least
150 millimetres above the uppermost surface
of the line or the conduit or pipe enclosing
the line.
27. Inspection and testing
(1) Before a network operator first energizes any part
of a network asset, or re-energizes any part of a
network asset after the part has been declared out
of commission, the part must be inspected and
tested to ensure that it is safe.
(2) Earthing systems, except common multiple
earthed neutral earthing systems, and electrical
protection equipment, except fuses, must be
inspected and tested at least every 10 years for
compliance with regulation 23.
(3) The results of the tests and inspections referred to
in this regulation must be recorded and kept until
the results of the subsequent test or inspection
have been recorded.
28. Operation and maintenance
(1) A network operator must ensure that any person
operating or maintaining its network assets has a
standard of qualifications, proficiency and
experience that enables that person to safely
perform their function.
(2) A network operator must have written operating
and maintenance procedures that describe the
methods of operation, maintenance, earthing,
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isolation, energisation and de-energisation of its
network assets.
(3) A network operator must ensure that any person
operating or maintaining any part of any of its
network assets is trained, authorised and
instructed to perform the work on that part in
accordance with the network operator's operating
and maintenance procedures.
(4) The owner or operator of an upstream network
must ensure that any person under its control who
is working on or near its network assets or on any
other network assets—
(a) is appropriately trained and is aware of the
requirements of The Blue Book; and
(b) complies with the provisions of The Blue
Book that apply to the work that the person
is carrying out.
(5) The owner or operator of an upstream network
must ensure that a permit system for work on the
network assets as required in The Blue Book is
used and maintained.
(6) The owner or operator of a railway or tramway
system must ensure that any person under its
control who is working on or near its network
assets or on any other network assets—
(a) is appropriately trained and is aware of the
requirements of the Electrical Safety Rules;
and
(b) complies with the provisions of the Electrical
Safety Rules that apply to the work that the
person is carrying out.
(7) The owner or operator of a railway and tramway
system must ensure that a permit system for work
on the network assets as required in the Electrical
Safety Rules is used and maintained.
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(8) In this regulation—
"Electrical Safety Rules" means—
(a) for the owner or operator of a railway
system, the Train Infrastructure
Electrical Safety Rules (High Voltage
Rules) IPG OR-01 1997 published by
the Public Transport Corporation of
Victoria; and
(b) for the owner or operator of a tramway
system, the Tram Electrical Safety and
Operating Rules published by the
Public Transport Corporation of
Victoria;
"The Blue Book" means the Code of Practice on
Electrical Safety For Work On Or Near High
Voltage Electrical Apparatus published by
the Office of the Chief Electrical Inspector,
as amended from time to time.
29. Standard of the Upstream Network
An upstream network must be designed,
constructed and operated in accordance with
AS 2926.
_______________
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PART 4—DUTIES OF THE PUBLIC
30. Application
(1) A person may do anything that is otherwise
prohibited by regulations 32 to 46 if the person—
(a) does that thing with the written permission
of the relevant network operator; and
(b) complies with any conditions imposed by the
network operator in giving the permission.
(2) A person applying for permission for the purposes
of sub-regulation (1) must—
(a) make the application in writing and must
give details as to why the permission is
sought; and
(b) include in the application a statement as to
whether or not the granting of the permission
will lead to a significant decrease in
electrical safety.
(3) The relevant network operator may, at any time,
revoke any permission granted by it under this
Part, but the revocation does not affect the
previous lawful exercise of the permission.
31. Sporting activities
A person must not throw, hit, kick, launch,
discharge, fire or project, or cause to be thrown,
hit, kicked, launched, discharged, fired or
projected, any object—
(a) with intent to strike; or
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(b) if there is significant risk that the object will
strike—
an electric light on public land or any part of a
network asset.
Penalty: 10 penalty units.
32. Aircraft
(1) A person must not launch, release, operate, fly or
land any aircraft, glider, hang glider, hot air
balloon, parachute, mechanically propelled model
aircraft, model glider or kite within 45 metres of
any network asset that is above the ground.
Penalty: 10 penalty units.
(2) Sub-regulation (1) does not apply to a person who
lands an aircraft, glider, hang glider, hot air
balloon or parachute if the particular
circumstances reasonably necessitated the landing
by the person.
33. Entangled objects
A person must not pull or interfere with any object
resting on, or entangled in, any network asset
unless the action is reasonably necessary to
prevent or reduce injury to a person or damage to
property.
Penalty: 10 penalty units.
34. Blasting and fires
A person must not—
(a) blast or cause blasting to be done; or
(b) light or cause to be lit or allow to remain
alight any fire; or
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(c) install equipment or operate processes likely
to create an explosive atmosphere—
in the vicinity of any network asset in such a
manner that the asset is likely to be damaged or an
explosion is likely to occur.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
35. Protection of underground network assets from
damage
A person must not place or allow to remain, or
cause to be placed or be allowed to remain, any
corrosive, abrasive, heavy or deleterious material
or substance above or in the vicinity of any
underground network asset, the existence and
location of which should reasonably have been
known to the person, that damages or is likely to
damage the asset.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
36. Excavating
A person must not—
(a) make an excavation deeper than
300 millimetres on public land unless the
person has inspected—
(i) the register of the relevant distribution
company under section 77(1) of the
Act; and
(ii) the register of the relevant person who
operates a railway and tramway system
under section 76(2) of the Act—
and located all underground lines in the
vicinity of the excavation; or
(b) cut away, excavate or remove, or cause to be
cut away, excavated or removed, any earth or
material supporting or covering any network
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assets so as to endanger the stability of the
assets; or
(c) make an excavation deeper than—
(i) 900 millimetres closer than the distance
of 15 000 millimetres; or
(ii) 300 millimetres closer than the distance
of 1500 millimetres—
from any tower supporting any network
asset; or
(d) make an excavation deeper than—
(i) 1800 millimetres closer than the
distance of 3000 millimetres; or
(ii) 900 millimetres closer than the distance
of 1500 millimetres—
from any pole or lighting standard
supporting any network asset or from any
pole or bed log to which is affixed a staywire
used for the support of the asset; or
(e) make an excavation deeper than
300 millimetres closer than the distance of
600 millimetres from any wall, fence or
foundation of a substation of a network
operator.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
37. Altering levels
A person must not—
(a) place material above ground level below an
aerial line of a network operator in a manner
to alter the level of the ground so that the
minimum distance between the ground and
the line required by Part 3 of these
Regulations is infringed; or
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(b) place any material above ground level next
to a network asset so that any minimum
distance required by Part 3 of these
Regulations is infringed.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
38. Minimum distances between parts of buildings,
structures, scaffolding and posts and aerial lines of
network operators
A person must not build, erect or maintain a
building, structure, scaffolding or post, or part of a
building, structure, scaffolding or post, specified
in Table 38 so that, at any time, the building,
structure, scaffolding, post or part is closer to an
aerial line of a network operator than the relevant
minimum distance specified in that Table.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
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39. Minimum distances between materials and network
assets
A person must not—
(a) place or allow to remain any timber or
other inflammable material closer than
3000 millimetres in any direction from a wall
or fence of any substation or switch yard;
(b) place or allow to remain any timber or other
inflammable material vertically below an
aerial line of a network operator;
(c) place or allow to remain any timber or other
inflammable material, so that, at any time,
the timber or other inflammable material is
closer than the relevant horizontal distance
specified in Table 39 from any point of the
vertical projection below an aerial line of a
network operator;
(d) place or allow to remain any other material
so that, at any time, the material is closer
than the relevant horizontal distance marked
'h' specified in Table 39 from any point of
the vertical projection below an aerial line of
a network operator unless the material is no
closer vertically below the line than the
vertical distance marked 'v'.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
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40. Minimum distances between vehicles, plant,
machinery and vessels and overhead network assets
(1) A person must not operate a vehicle, fixed or
mobile plant or machinery, or a water borne vessel
so that any part of the vehicle, plant, machinery or
vessel or any associated attachment comes closer,
at any time, to an overhead network asset than the
relevant minimum distance specified in Table 40.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
(2) This regulation does not apply to a person
operating a vehicle to transport a load.
TABLE 40—Minimum distances from any part of a vehicle, plant,
machinery or water borne vessel to overhead network assets
Nominal voltage ('U')
Alternating current overhead
network assets
Minimum distance in all
directions
U < 1500V
d.c. traction
conductor
U < 66kV
U > 66kV
2000mm
2000mm
6000mm
41. Minimum distances between transported loads and
overhead network assets
A person must not operate a vehicle to transport
any load so that, at any time, the load is closer to
overhead network assets than the relevant
minimum distance specified in Table 41 unless the
relevant network operator is given, at least
7 business days before the load is transported,
written notice of—
(a) the nature of the vehicle and the load; and
(b) the height and width of the load; and
(c) the date and the time of the proposed
transportation; and
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(d) the starting point and finishing point of the
proposed transportation; and
(e) the proposed route; and
(f) the name and business address of the person
who is to operate the vehicle; and
(g) any other details that the network operator
may, in the circumstances, require.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
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42. Minimum distances between conductors of aerial
lines and network assets
(1) A person must not erect or maintain a conductor
of an aerial line specified in Table 42.1 so that, at
any time, the conductor is closer to a conductor of
an aerial line of a network operator specified in
the Table than the relevant minimum distance
specified in the Table.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
(2) A person must not erect or maintain a private
electric line so that, at any time—
(a) the line is below an aerial line of a network
operator that is attached to the same pole
line; or
(b) the line crosses an aerial line of a network
operator, except where the 2 lines are
attached to a common pole or support.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
(3) A person must not erect or maintain an
electrolysis drainage cable so that, at any time, it
crosses a d.c. street traction conductor except
where the conductor and the cable are attached to
a common pole or support.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
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TABLE 42.1—Minimum distances between conductors of aerial lines
Type and nominal voltage ('U') of
conductor
Minimum distance
Between the
points where the
conductors are
attached to a
common pole or
support
Between the
conductor spans
Circuits on same
pole line or
circuits crossing
not on same pole
line
Upper circuit
Lower circuit
Low voltage
alternating
current aerial
line
Private electric
line
900mm
Not permitted
Low voltage
alternating
current aerial
line
Other cable
system or
electrolysis
drainage cable
900mm
600mm
Low voltage
alternating
current aerial
line
Low voltage
alternating
current aerial
line
380mm
600mm
Low voltage
alternating
current aerial
line
d.c. street
traction
conductor
U600V
600mm
600mm
d.c. street
traction
conductor
U600V
Electrolysis
drainage cable
380mm
600mm (circuit
crossing not
permitted)
d.c. street
traction
conductor
U600V
Other cable
system
1000mm
1000mm
Alternating
current aerial
line
U > 1kV
U < 11kV
Private electric
line
1800mm
Not permitted
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Type and nominal voltage ('U') of
conductor
Minimum distance
Between the
points where the
conductors are
attached to a
common pole or
support
Between the
conductor spans
Circuits on same
pole line or
circuits crossing
not on same pole
line
Upper circuit
Lower circuit
Alternating
current aerial
line
U > 1kV
U < 11kV
Other cable
system or
electrolysis
drainage cable
1800mm
1000mm
Alternating
current aerial
line
U > 1kV
U < 33kV
Alternating
current aerial
line < 33kV
1200mm
1200mm
Alternating
current aerial
line
U > 11kV
U < 33kV
Private electric
line
1800mm
Not permitted
Alternating
current aerial
line
U > 11kV
U < 33kV
Other cable
system or
electrolysis
drainage cable
1800mm
1200mm
Alternating
current aerial
line
U > 33kV
U < 66kV
Private electric
line
2400mm
Not permitted
Alternating
current aerial
line
U > 33kV
U < 66kV
Other cable
system or
electrolysis
drainage cable
2400mm
1800mm
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r. 42
Type and nominal voltage ('U') of
conductor
Upper circuit
Lower circuit
Alternating
current aerial
line
U > 33kV
U < 66kV
Alternating
current aerial
line < 66kV
Minimum distance
Between the
points where the
conductors are
attached to a
common pole or
support
Between the
conductor spans
Circuits on same
pole line or
circuits crossing
not on same pole
line
1800mm
1800mm
(4) A person must not erect or maintain a circuit or
other cable system on a pole line so that, at any
time, the circuit or other cable system is closer to
a circuit or other cable system on another pole line
or other network asset not attached to the pole line
than the relevant minimum distance specified in
Table 42.2.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
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Part 4—Duties of the Public
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Part 4—Duties of the Public
r. 43
43. Minimum distances between persons and
conductors of aerial lines of network operators
(1) A person must not, at any time, allow any part of
his or her body or anything that he or she is
holding, or that is attached to his or her body, to
come closer to a conductor of an aerial line of a
network operator than the relevant minimum
distance specified in Table 43.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
(2) The minimum distances set out in rows 1 and 2 of
Table 43 do not apply to an electrician licensed
under the Electricity Safety (Installations)
Regulations 1999.
(3) This regulation does not apply to an authorised
person within the meaning of regulation 45(2).
TABLE 43—Minimum distances from persons to conductors of aerial lines
of network operators
Type of alternating current aerial line
Nominal voltage ('U')
Minimum distance
1.
Insulated low voltage conductors
100mm
2.
Uninsulated low voltage conductors
1500mm
3.
High voltage conductors U < 66kV
2000mm
4.
High voltage conductors U > 66kV
4000mm
44. Placing of materials
A person must not place any material, or allow
any material to remain, in a manner that will
impede access to any door, gate or entrance of any
substation or switchyard or interfere with the free
flow of air through any openings or fittings used
for ventilation in the walls of any substation or
switchyard.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
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r. 45
45. Tree clearing
(1) A person, other than an authorised person, must
not prune or clear the whole or any part of a tree if
any part of the tree will fall closer to a network
asset than the relevant minimum distance
specified in Table 45.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
(2) In this regulation "authorised person" means a
person who holds a current certificate certifying
satisfactory completion of a training course,
approved by the Office, relating to tree clearing by
non-electrical personnel.
TABLE 45—Minimum distances from falling trees or parts of trees to
network assets
Network assets
Nominal voltage ('U')
Minimum distance in
all directions
U < 66kV alternating
current or
U <1500V d.c.
traction conductor
U > 66kV alternating
current
U > 1500V direct
current
2000mm
6000mm
46. Damage and interference
(1) A person must not attach aerial lines or other
cable systems to a network asset.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
(2) A person must not damage, deface or interfere
with—
(a) a network asset; or
(b) a seal or lock protecting or affixed to a
network asset; or
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(c) a sign erected by a network operator relating
to a network asset—
so as to, or be likely to, cause risk to persons or
damage to property.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
_______________
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PART 5—TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS
r. 47
PART 5—TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS
47. Exemption for existing aerial lines
(1) It is not necessary for an aerial service line over a
driveway that was in operation before the date this
regulation came into operation to comply with
regulation 13 if—
(a) immediately before the date this regulation
came into operation the service line
complied with all the relevant requirements
of the Electricity Safety (Network Assets)
Regulations 1997; and
(b) the service line continues to comply with
those requirements as if the Electricity
Safety (Network Assets) Regulations 1997
had not been revoked; and
(c) the service line is not, at any time, closer to
the ground than 3900 millimetres.
(2) It is not necessary for any other aerial line of a
network operator that was in operation before the
date this regulation came into operation to comply
with these Regulations before 31 December 2002
if—
(a) immediately before the date this regulation
came into operation the aerial line complied
with all the relevant requirements of the
Electricity Safety (Network Assets)
Regulations 1997; and
(b) the aerial line continues to comply with those
requirements as if the Electricity Safety
(Network Assets) Regulations 1997 had not
been revoked.
(3) Sub-regulation (1) ceases to apply to an aerial
service line if any part of the line is replaced.
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PART 5—TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS
r. 48
48. Exemption for existing d.c. aerial conductors under
bridges and roads
Despite anything to the contrary in these
Regulations, d.c. aerial traction conductors that
were in place under a road or bridge immediately
before this regulation came into operation may
continue to maintain the clearance distances from
the ground that were maintained before this
regulation came into operation.
49. Exemption for existing underground lines
It is not necessary for an underground line that
was in operation before the date this regulation
came into operation to comply with regulation 26.
__________________
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S.R. No. 141/1999
Sch. 1
SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 1
ELECTRICAL INCIDENT CONFIRMATION FORM
for confirmation of serious electrical incidents reported under regulation 7
or 8 of the Electricity Safety (Network Assets) Regulations 1999
PERSON ATTENDING THE INCIDENT
Name
Company/Authority
Date of incident
Address of incident
Time of incident
Suburb
Phone or mobile phone
Postcode
am/pm
DETAILS OF INJURED OR DECEASED PERSON (if applicable)
Name
Age
Sex
Phone or mobile phone
Residential address
Suburb
Postcode
DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT
 Death
 Injury  Significant property damage or Serious Risk to
Public Safety
WORK or ACTIVITY BEING UNDERTAKEN AT THE TIME OF
INCIDENT (if applicable)
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Sch. 1
CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT
ACTIONS UNDERTAKEN TO MAKE THE SITE SAFE
_______________
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S.R. No. 141/1999
Sch. 2
SCHEDULE 2
ELECTRICAL INCIDENT REPORT FORM
(1) PERSON ATTENDING THE INCIDENT
Name
Company/Authority
Date of incident
Time of incident
am/pm
Date reported to Company/Authority
Date attended by Company/Authority
(2) LOCATION DETAILS OF INCIDENT
Incident address
Suburb/Town
Postcode
Type of premises (tick one box only)
 Residential
 Industrial
 Commercial
 Construction
 Other, Specify
Specific location (bathroom, garage)
Name of owner of premises
(3) PERSONAL DETAILS OF INJURED OR DECEASED PERSON
(if applicable)
Surname
Given name
Residential address
Age
Sex
Phone or mobile phone
Suburb/Town
Postcode
(4) INCIDENT CATEGORY
 Death
 Injury
 Minor
 Significant property damage or
Serious risk to public safety
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S.R. No. 141/1999
Sch. 2
(5) INJURIES and TREATMENT DETAILS
 Electric shock
 Electrical burns
 Flash burns
 No shock or injury
 Resulting from fall
 Other—Specify
Severity of injury/shock  Slight
 Strong
 Severe
 Trunk
 Arms
Part of body
 Head
 Eyes
 Neck
 Legs
 Feet
 Other—Specify
 Hands
Treatment
 Medical treatment
 Resuscitation
 Hospitalisation
(6) ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION
Was fixed wiring of a premises associated with the incident?
 Yes
 No, Go to 7
Give details (damaged insulation, faulty switches, uncovered junction box,
exposed wire, manufacturer, type, etc.)
Was a safety switch (RCD) installed on the circuit associated with the
incident?
 Yes
 No, Go to 7
Manufacturer
Model No.
 Yes
Did the RCD operate?
 No
 Don't know
Would you expect the RCD to have operated?  Yes  No
 Don't know
(7) DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
(a)
Was the incident associated with low voltage reticulation or
service line?
 Yes
 No, Go to 7(b)
Was it
Overhead
Underground
Reticulation Conductor
 Al
 Cu
Service Conductor
 Al
 Cu
Service Type
 N/S
 TW
ABC
 Open  Other—Specify
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Sch. 2
Was overhead line damaged by tree?
 Yes  No
Incident occurred during the course of pruning
 Yes  No
Describe the fault (eg. Pole End Fault: split bolt clamp, pole J box,
vehicle damage, etc.)
(b) Was the accident associated with other network assets?
 Yes
 No, Go to 8
(HV equipment, substations etc.)
Give details
(8) EQUIPMENT or APPLIANCES INVOLVED WITH THE
INCIDENT
(a)
Was equipment or appliance associated with the incident?
 Yes
 No, Go to 8(b)
Was equipment or appliance?  Portable  Stationary  Fixed
Type of equipment/appliance? (iron, hair dryer, HV switch, etc.)
Manufacturer
Model No.
Brand
Approval No.
Condition of equipment
Approximate Age
 Good  Fair
Poor
(b) WAS extension cord associated with the incident?
 Yes
 No, Go to 9
Correctly wired?
 Yes
 No
Condition
 Good  Fair
 Poor
(9) VOLTAGE INVOLVED
Supply voltage involved in the incident  Phase/Phaser  Phase/Earth
Voltage between points of contact
(10) DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT
Briefly describe what the victim was doing at the time of the incident, how
injury was received and the cause of the incident (Use additional sheet and
sketch if necessary for relevant detail)
(11) ACTION TAKEN AND BY WHOM
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Sch. 2
(12) OTHER CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
Briefly describe clothes worn by victim (long/short sleeve shirt,
trousers/shorts, overall, dress, skirt, etc.)
Type of shoes
Condition of shoes
Lighting (or Visibility) conditions
Type of floor
 Conductive
Weather condition (Rainy, hot,
dusty, humid, foggy, fine, cold,
etc.)
 Good  Poor
 Non conductive
 Bad
 Dry  Wet
(13) WORK RELATED INCIDENT
Did the incident occur in the course of work?
 Yes  No, Go to 14
Occupation
Victim was  Distribution Company Worker
 Non-Electrical Worker
 Other Electrical Worker
 Other—Specify
What work was the victim required to perform?
Employer's name
Phone or mobile phone
Employer's address
Suburb/Town
Postcode
(14) WITNESS DETAILS—(if applicable)
Name of the first witness
Phone or mobile phone
Residential address
Suburb/Town
Name of the second witness
Postcode
Phone or mobile phone
Residential address
Suburb/Town
63
Postcode
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S.R. No. 141/1999
Sch. 2
(15) POLICE/ MEDICAL OFFICER DETAILS—(If applicable)
Name of attending officer
Phone or mobile phone
Rank and identification number
Station
Name of attending doctor
Phone or mobile phone
Clinic or hospital address
Suburb/Town
Postcode
(16) CONTACT PERSON FOR THE REPORT
Name
Phone or mobile phone
(17) PERSON SUBMITTING DETAILS
Name
Phone or mobile phone
Title
Company
Signature
Date
_______________
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S.R. No. 141/1999
Sch. 3
SCHEDULE 3
CLASSIFICATION OF ROADS
Part A
For the purposes of Table 13.1 freeways, primary roads and highways are
defined as all those roads that are shown—
(a)
in Edition 26, 1999 of the street directory, Greater Melbourne,
published by Melway Publishing Pty. Ltd., as—
(i) freeways and primary roads on maps 3 to 468;
(ii) Over-Dimensional Routes on maps 485 to 487; and
(iii) the collector roads and local traffic streets known as—
Anderson Road, Footscray
Appleton Dock Road, Footscray
Cummins Street, Footscray
Coode Road, Footscray
Cowper Street, West Melbourne
Dahlenburg Street, Footscray
Dock Links Road, Footscray
Dudley Street, between Footscray Road and Victoria Dock, West
Melbourne
Gibbons Street, Footscray
Kermode Street, Footscray
MacKenzie Road, Footscray
North Wharf Road, Melbourne
Oliphant Street, Footscray
Phillips Road, Footscray
Pitt Street, Docklands
Sudholz Street, Docklands
Swanson Dock Road, Footscray; and
(b) in the third edition of the State Directory, published by VicRoads, as
freeways, state highways, main roads, tourists' roads and forest roads on
maps 1 to 360.
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S.R. No. 141/1999
Sch. 3
Part B
For the purposes of Table 13.1, secondary roads and collector roads are
defined as all those roads that are shown in Edition 26, 1999 of the street
directory, Greater Melbourne, published by Melway Publishing Pty. Ltd., as
secondary roads and collector roads on maps 3 to 468 except those—
(a)
collector roads named in paragraph (a)(iii) of Part A of this Schedule;
(b) Over-Dimensional Routes on maps 485 to 487.
═══════════════
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S.R. No. 141/1999
Endnotes
ENDNOTES
1. General Information
The Electricity Safety (Network Assets) Regulations 1999,
S.R. No. 141/1999 were made on 14 December 1999 by the Governor in
Council under sections 149, 151 and 157 of the Electricity Safety Act 1998,
No. 25/1998 and came into operation on 31 December 1999: regulation 3.
The Electricity Safety (Network Assets) Regulations 1999 will sunset
10 years after the day of making on 14 December 2009 (see section 5 of the
Subordinate Legislation Act 1994).
67
Electricity Safety (Network Assets) Regulations 1999
S.R. No. 141/1999
Endnotes
2. Table of Amendments
There are no amendments made to the Electricity Safety (Network Assets)
Regulations 1999 by statutory rules, subordinate instruments and Acts.
68
Electricity Safety (Network Assets) Regulations 1999
S.R. No. 141/1999
Endnotes
3. Explanatory Details
1
Reg. 4: S.R. No. 5/1997.
——
Table of Applied, Adopted or Incorporated Matter Required by
Subordinate Legislation Regulations 1994
The following table of applied, adopted or incorporated matter was included in
S.R. No. 141/1999 in accordance with the requirements of regulation 6 of the
Subordinate Legislation Regulations 1994.
Statutory Rule
Provision
Title of applied, adopted or
incorporated document
Matter in
applied,
adopted or
incorporated
document
Regulations 5(1) and
23(11)
AS/NZS 3000
Australian/New Zealand
Standard, "Electrical
Installations (known as the
Australian/New Zealand
Wiring rules)" published
jointly by Standards Australia
and Standards New Zealand
The whole
Regulations 20(3)(a)
and (b)
AS 3600
Australian Standard,
"Concrete structures"
published by Standards
Australia
Section 6.1.1.1
Regulations 20(3)(a)
and (b)
AS 1012
Australian Standard,
"Methods of testing concrete"
published by Standards
Australia
The whole
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S.R. No. 141/1999
Statutory Rule
Provision
Title of applied, adopted or
incorporated document
Matter in
applied,
adopted or
incorporated
document
Regulations 20(4)(a),
21(3) and 23(6)(d)(ii)
AS/NZS 2053
Australian/New Zealand
Standard, "Conduits and
fittings for electrical
installations" published jointly
by Standards Australia and
Standards New Zealand
The whole
Regulations 20(4)(b)
and 21(2)(b)
AS 1074
Australian Standard, "Steel
tubes and tubulars for
ordinary service" published by
Standards Australia
The whole
Regulation 21(2)(a)
AS/NZS 4680
Australian/New Zealand
Standard, "Hot-dip galvanized
(zinc) coatings on fabricated
ferrous articles" published
jointly by Standards Australia
and Standards New Zealand
The whole
Regulation 21(2)(a)
AS/NZS 4792
Australian/New Zealand
Standard, "Hot-dip galvanized
(zinc) coatings on ferrous
hollow sections, applied by a
continuous or a specialized
process" published jointly by
Standards Australia and
Standards New Zealand
The whole
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Electricity Safety (Network Assets) Regulations 1999
S.R. No. 141/1999
Statutory Rule
Provision
Title of applied, adopted or
incorporated document
Matter in
applied,
adopted or
incorporated
document
Regulation 21(3)(a)
AS 2067
Australian Standard,
"Switchgear assemblies and
ancillary equipment for
alternating voltages above
1 kV" published by Standards
Australia
Appendix G
Regulations 22(1)
and 22(2)(c)(ii)
Building Code of Australia
1996 published by CCH
Australia for the Australian
Building Code Board
Section C
Regulation
22(2)(c)(i)
Building Code of Australia
published by CCH Australia
for the Australian Building
Code Board
Section C
Regulation 23(2)
Guidelines for Design and
Maintenance of Overhead
Distribution and Transmission
Lines,
HB--C(b)1 issued jointly by
the Electricity Supply
Association of Australia and
Standards Australia 1999
Clause 10
Regulations
23(6)(d)(i)(A) and
23(6)(d)(i)(B)
AS/NZS 3116
Australian/New Zealand
Standard, "Approval and test
specification—Electric
cables—Elastomer
insulated—For working
voltages up to and including
06/1 kV" published jointly by
Standards Australia and
Standards New Zealand
The whole
71
Electricity Safety (Network Assets) Regulations 1999
S.R. No. 141/1999
Statutory Rule
Provision
Title of applied, adopted or
incorporated document
Matter in
applied,
adopted or
incorporated
document
Regulations
23(6)(d)(i)(A) and
23(6)(d)(i)(B)
AS 3147
Australian Standard,
"Approval and test
specification—Electric
cables—Thermoplastic
insulated—For working
voltages up to and including
06/1 kV" published by
Standards Australia
The whole
Regulations
23(6)(d)(i)(A) and
23(6)(d)(i)(B)
AS/NZS 3198
Australian/New Zealand
Standard, "Approval and test
specification—Electric
cables—XLPE insulated—For
working voltages up to and
including 06/1 kV" published
jointly by Standards Australia
and Standards New Zealand
The whole
Regulation
23(6)(d)(i)(C)
AS/NZS 3155
Australian/New Zealand
Standard, "Approval and test
specification—Electric
cables—Neutral screened—
For working voltages up to
and including 06/1kV"
published jointly by Standards
Australia and Standards New
Zealand
The whole
72
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S.R. No. 141/1999
Statutory Rule
Provision
Title of applied, adopted or
incorporated document
Matter in
applied,
adopted or
incorporated
document
Regulation 26(1)
AS 3891.1
Australian Standard, "Air
navigation—Cables and their
supporting structures
Mapping and marking—
Permanent marking of
overhead cables and their
supporting structures"
published by Standards
Australia
The whole
Regulation 26(1)
AS 3891.2
Australian Standard, "Air
navigation—Cables and their
supporting structures
Mapping and marking—
Marking of overhead cables
for low-level flying"
published by Standards
Australia
The whole
Regulation 26(2)(b)
AS/NZS 2648.1
Australian/New Zealand
Standard, "Underground
marking tape—Nondetectable tape" published
jointly by Standards Australia
and Standards New Zealand
The whole
Regulation 28(4)(a)
and (b) and
Regulation 28(5)
Code of Practice on Electrical
Safety For Work On Or Near
High Voltage Electrical
Apparatus published by the
Office of the Chief Electrical
Inspector
The whole
73
Electricity Safety (Network Assets) Regulations 1999
S.R. No. 141/1999
Statutory Rule
Provision
Title of applied, adopted or
incorporated document
Matter in
applied,
adopted or
incorporated
document
Regulation 28(6)(a)
and (b) and
Regulation 28(7)
Train Infrastructure Electrical
Safety Rules (High Voltage
Rules) IPG OR–01 1997
published by the Public
Transport Corporation of
Victoria
Tram Electrical Safety and
Operating Rules published by
the Public Transport
Corporation of Victoria
The whole
Regulation 29
AS 2926
Australian Standard,
"Standard voltages—
Alternating (50 Hz) and
direct" published by Standards
Australia
The whole
Schedule 3 Part A
Edition 26, 1999 of the street
directory, Greater Melbourne,
published by Melway
Publishing Pty. Ltd.
Third edition of the State
Directory published by
VicRoads
Maps 3–468
Maps 485–487
Edition 26, 1999 of the street
directory, Greater Melbourne,
published by Melway
Publishing Pty. Ltd.
Maps 3–468
Maps 485–487
Schedule 3 Part B
74
The whole
Maps 1–360