Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 (ESR), AS/NZS 3000 FAQ’s

Required under ESR 74 for any installation that has been disconnected or isolated from supply for more than 6 months.

• Minimum testing is to Section 3 of AS/NZS 3019 (Visual inspection)
• Optionally, the person certifying can apply Section 4 (limited testing) or Section 5 (full testing) if required to gain confidence in safety.
• If using Sections 4 or 5, all listed tests in the section must be completed – cherry-picking invalidates the result.

Insurer Requirements:

• Not mandated under ESRs, but some insurers request a COV for commercial or older residential properties.
• They may dictate the section of AS/NZS 3019 to test to and often request it be “without qualification.”
  ⚠️ That means no limitations like “as far as could be seen visually.” All reasonable access points must be checked.

Myth: You do not need to be an Inspector.
ESR 74(1) only requires someone authorised to certify mains work.

Not currently cited in the ESRs – even though it’s listed as “current” by SNZ.
It is cited in NZ Building Code Clause C (since Nov 2023, mandatory from Nov 2024) to support interconnected smoke alarms.
However, ESRs still only cite AS/NZS 3000:2007 (Schedule 2).

Important: If you’re doing prescribed electrical work (PEW), you must follow the cited 2007 edition for compliance.

Exception: If doing building work where Clause C applies, the 2018 edition may be referenced – e.g. in smoke alarm installation.

Under Clause 4.7.1 of AS/NZS 3000:2007, only a hob (electric cooking appliance) requires local switching.

• The requirement is for a switch, not necessarily an isolator.
• It must be readily accessible, ideally within 2 m of the appliance, and without reaching over hot zones.
• There is no minimum distance, but AS/NZS 3000:2018 proposes 150 mm – not enforceable until cited.

Other appliances (ovens, rangehoods, fridges) do not require a local switch unless manufacturer’s instructions say so.

No prescribed exclusion zones around outdoor taps or kitchen-style ‘pasta taps’.

• Section 6 of AS/NZS 3000 defines “prescribed zones” these are typically water containers (e.g. baths, basins, pools).
• So a socket near a garden tap (without a basin), or a tap above a cooktop, is not prohibited.

However, Section 4.1 (external influences) still applies:

• Avoid placing sockets directly under taps
• Consider IP-rated fittings and mounting positions to reduce water ingress risk

Unless dealing with:

• 3-phase resistive heating
• 3-phase motors

… assume it’s unbalanced.
The presence of a neutral conductor almost always implies an unbalanced load.
Balanced protective device sizing across phases does not mean the current is balanced.

Yes – theearthing system, is considered a main earthing system and is high-risk PEW:

• MEN connection
• Main earthing conductor (MEC)
• Earth electrode

These must be inspected (ESR 6A and ESR 70).

Other work in the outbuilding (e.g. final subcircuits) is not high-risk unless other factors (e.g. medical, hazardous, mains parallel) apply.

WorkSafe EV Charging Guidelines provide best practice (not mandated by ESRs):

• Mode 2 & Mode 3 EV chargers require protection from DC leakage.
• If the charger includes a DC protection device compliant with IEC 62955 (RDC-DD), a separate Type B is not required.
• You must still provide Type A RCD protection at the switchboard.

Socket outlets intended for EV charging:
Always recommend a Type B RCD, even for Mode 2, to futureproof against user changes.

Yes – But only if:

• You did the original installation
• You issued the COC, per ESR 78(1)(c)

Use Appendix C of AS/NZS 3001 and the EWRB checklist.
Stickers can be ordered through your EW portal (print portal).
If you’re new to it, consider peer-review from an Inspector.

Not necessarily.

ESR 59(3)(b) allows replacement of fittings in “original condition.”
Switchboards are assemblies, not single fittings, so each item is assessed on its own.

Replacing an old switch with a new DIN-mount one serving the same purpose = acceptable as replacement

If relocating significantly (e.g. across the house), or upgrading capacity (e.g. 63 A to 100 A), this is not a ‘like-for-like’ replacement and must comply fully with AS/NZS 3000 – including height limits.

Under ESR 6A, limited relocation or extension of a conductor to facilitate replacement of a fitting is allowed.

Extending to suit a new neutral bar layout or reconfiguring around a DIN rail = justified
Relocating the mains entry point, or lengthening for capacity upgrades = new installation, full compliance required.

High-risk PEW may still apply – refer to Schedule 1 and ESR 6A interpretation.

AS/NZS 3000:2007 allows non-ignition sources (like earth electrodes) inside hazardous zones under 4.18.2/3.
BUT: ESR Schedule 2 modifies these clauses:

Only items directly associated with the gas supply can be installed in the hazardous zones shown in Figures 4.10/4.11.

So: Don’t install an earth electrode within these zones.

No hazardous zone or exclusion zone is defined under ESRs or AS/NZS 3000.

However, Section 4 still applies:

• Avoid areas with potential splash or high humidity
• Consider mechanical protection or IP-rated accessories

Not mandatory.
ESR 113 (grandfather clause) allows older wiring to remain if:

• It was compliant when installed
• It is still electrically safe
• It remains compliant to at least its original standard

IR readings < 1 MΩ or brittle, degraded insulation?  It must be replaced.
No, you shouldn’t reuse old cable – even if it “looks fine.”

Technically yes, but not ideal.

Per Note 3 of Clause 3.11.2, it’s not considered an underground wiring system.
Other exclusions include cable in ventilated troughs or embedded in concrete.

Use Section 3 of 3000 – installation must be:

• Mechanically protected
• Rated for external influence
• Safe from water, pests, foot/vehicle traffic

Ground-mounted cabling often fails this bar unless very well protected (e.g. in conduit with mechanical shielding).

It depends.

• Main parallel generation = always high-risk PEW
• Solar PV = only high-risk PEW if it exceeds ELV thresholds

ESR Schedule 1 excludes extra-low voltage (ELV) systems from being PEW if:

• Not in a hazardous or medical location
• Operate below 50 V AC or 120 V ripple-free DC

So:

• ≤120 V DC off-grid PV = not PEW, no inspection
• 120 V DC = PEW, and if solar, then high-risk → requires inspection

Not mandatory.

Prior to the 2010 ESRs, multiple MENs were acceptable.
If the installation predates 2010 and the MEN at the sub-board isn’t creating EFLI or bonding issues, it can stay.

Removing it could push fault loop resistance out of spec. Use judgement.

No – thermal imaging is not PEW, and not cited in regulations.
Anyone can use a thermal camera, but…

Removing a switchboard cover is PEW (maintenance).
So while thermography itself isn’t restricted, accessing live terminals is – must be done by a licensed person.

Insurers may require a Category 1 thermography certification – check their terms.

No. ESR 10 requires a Certificate of Compliance to be issued after completing PEW.
Not issuing one:

• Is a breach of the regulations (Level 2 offence)
• Weakens your position in any payment dispute

Issue the COC, then pursue payment through normal channels (e.g. debt recovery).