'Don't take chances' - power warning

Ruapehu Bulletin, 13 April 1993, Page 11

'Don't take chances' - power warning

"Don't take any chances" is the safety warning soon to be targeted at amateur electricians by the Ministry of Commerce. The warning comes in response to changes in Government legislation which, from April on, make it possible for home owners to do more electrical work on their homes than ever before. It also allows people to repair domestic electrical

appliances, provided that they are the owners. According to Mr Jim Green, Manager, Energy Inspection, "Our interest in this legislation can be summed up in a word - Safety. The campaign is designed to ensure people are equipped with the facts needed to maintain safety." The campaign is a safety leaflet which will be distributed to people's homes. It explains what

electrical work the homeowner can now do around the home and identifies the Codes necessary for him or her to do it safely. The leaflet starts out by qualifying whether the reader is allowed to do any electrical work. For instance, regardless of whether the work is relatively minor like repairing an electrical appliance or major such as wiring a home extension, ownership of either the

appliance or the home is essential. Details about New Zealand Electrical Codes of Practice are given and where these may be purchased. This is followed by a list of the types of work the law now allows the informed amateur to do. It points out that in many cases the work must be tested, certified and connected by a registered electrical inspector after completion of the

job and before the wiring is connected to the power supply. Throughout the emphasis is on safety and to quote from the leaflet, "... If you don't know how to go about it, get a registered electrical trades-person to do the job...". Readers are also told that if they decide to use an electrician to do work for them they should ask for a Certificate of

Compliance - an assurance that the work has been tested and complies with electrical safety regulations and codes of practice. In planning the publicity campaign the Ministry is concemed to pick up the home-owner who may want to do electrical work sometime in the fiiture. Said Mr Green "We've . produced a warning sticker which is to be

fixed to switchboards or in meter boxes." The sticker directs people to ask a registered electrical inspector about what electrical work they are and are not allowed to do. For further information contact Mr Jim Green, Manager Energy Inspection, Energy and Resources Division, Ministry of Commerce, PO Box 1473, Wellington or phone 04-472-0030.