Sparks Electrical News November 2020

CABLES AND CABLE ACCESSORIES

13

Latest edition (3) of The Wiring Code (SANS 10142-1) published

T he latest edition of SANS 10142-1 The wir- ing of premises – Part 1: Low-voltage instal- lations (Edition 3: 2020) has recently been published. This vital standard is used in South Africa for all types of low voltage electrical installations. The Oc- cupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No. 85 of 1993) (OHS Act), which is administered by the Chief Inspector of Occupational Health and Safety of the Department of Labour, requires that electrical installations comply with the requirements of SANS 10142-1. It also requires that a registered person, as defined (master installation electrician, installation electrician or electrical tester for single phase), will issue a Certificate of Compliance for an electrical installation in line with the requirements set out in SANS 10142-1. John Dlamini, Chair of the technical committee for this important standard, commented on the lat- est edition in following Q&A with the Electrical Con- tractors' Association.: Why was the standard revised? SANS 10142-1 was revised due to the outdated re- quirements and to align better to the international norms. In South Africa we need to verify other tech- nologies utilised by other countries and align local conditions with such technologies. • Reference to compulsory specifications (VCs) in table 4.1 has been removed. VCs should refer to standards not vice-versa. • Combine gas and electrical installation reequip- ments have been referred to SANS 10087-1 • Introduction of arc fault detection devices in electrical installation. • Modification of earth continuity conductor re- quirements has been aligned with international norms and introducing a new table for earth continuity conductors and a new table for mini- mum size and maximum length of copper earth continuity conductors rated at 50% of phase conductor diameter, for general purpose circuit- breakers with instantaneous tripping current. • Introducing lightning protection requirements as well as informative annex which referrers to SANS 10313 and SANS 62305 series. • Reference to SANS 60439 has been replaced with SANS 61439 series. SANS 60439 series has been withdrawn by IEC 10 years ago. The rationale behind this is to be in line with the en- tire IEC National Committees which align with SANS 61439 series. • Medical location electrical installation require- ments have been aligned with SANS 10142-1-1 and international norms. • Introduce an annex to provide information how to perform neutral earth resistance test. • Modify resistance of earth continuity conductor requirements. • Modify electrical installation test report and to introduce electrical installation test report for secondary distribution. • Modify electrical installation test report in haz- ardous location. Who will need to know of these changes? Installation-electricians, single phase testers, mas- ter-electricians, electrical contractors, electrical in- spection authorities, educational bodies responsible for electrical wiring curricula and examinations, consulting engineers, engineers, technologists and technicians, local supply authorities, and people working in the electrical industry at large including commerce and government departments, munici- palities, medical location facilities, and installation component manufacturers. Are there any other points of interest? SANS 164-2 “effective from January 2018” config- uration is now compulsory for electrical installation What are the most important changes that have been made?

on newer buildings. However it is now compulsory for all new buildings to have a socket-outlet incor- porating SANS 164-2 configuration. This has been modified in the current edition 3. Some of the requirements for alternative supply have been kept in this edition 3.

To purchase the standard online, visit https://store.sabs.co.za/sans-10142-1-ed-3-00-1

Enquiries:: sales@sabs.co.za or www.ecasa.co.za

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

NOVEMBER 2020