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E Cables remedial
actions approved
Replace or remediate: Steps to keep E Cables cable within a safe operating temperature range
have been approved by ESV for some situations.
By Sharon Rainsbury, Executive Manager
Media and Communications
ESV has issued new advice regarding
the mandatory recall on E Cables, outlining
situations where it is safe to perform
remediation rather than replacing
affected cable.
ESV issued a mandatory recall of E Cables
in December 2014 after testing showed that its
copper clad aluminium cable with RE110 insulation
was non-compliant.
The recall was based on concerns the
insulation may soften if exposed to excessive
temperature, allowing access to live parts if cable
was subject to pressure or mechanical damage.
Subsequent testing showed that the cable
does not present a safety risk if the operating
temperature remains below 50 Degrees Celsius,
so ESV has approved remediation actions that are
designed to ensure the cable temperature remains
at safe levels.
The cable does not need to be replaced if
the remediation steps succeed in reducing the
operating temperature to acceptable levels.
Since the recall was announced, E Cables has
gone into liquidation and Hamilton Murphy has
been appointed liquidator.
ESV recently sent a letter to consumers
advising that contractors who installed E Cables
should have been contacted by representatives of
E Cables or Hamilton Murphy to explain the steps
that need to be implemented to mitigate risks
posed by this product.
Contractors should assess the cable
operating conditions such as the maximum
current demand and ambient temperature.
Changes to the cable’s circuit breaker protection
may be required and all identified cable must
be labelled at the relevant switchboard.
ESV also recommends that affected
installations are inspected every six months by
a licensed electrician as a precautionary measure.
It is expected that this will become part of the
installation’s regular maintenance program.
There have been no reported E Cables
incidents but ESV will continue to audit and
inspect affected installations to ensure that
the remediation action is successfully preserving
the cable’s integrity.
For more information contact
ESV’s Electrical Equipment
Safety Team on (03) 9203 9700
Autumn 2016
energysafe issue 43
Have your
say on new
wiring rules
Standards Australia is currently seeking
public comment on proposed new
Australian and New Zealand
Wiring Rules, AS/NZS 3000:2007
Electrical Installations.
The draft standard is available for public
comment through Standards Australia’s
website until June 20, 2016. It has been
substantially updated with new definitions
and changes for additional clarity.
Draft changes include:
»» a restructure of the “Safety Services”
Clause in Section 7
»» a number of new definitions including
“main switch”, “arc fault detection
device” and “combined outbuilding”
»» clarity on exclusion zones in wet areas
and clearances around switchboards
»» new appendices providing
guidance on:
›› switch gear and control gear
›› loss of supply
›› electrical conduits
›› arc fault detection devices
›› electric vehicle socket outlets
and charging stations
›› D.C. circuit protection.
Standards Australia is interested
in receiving feedback from consumers
and individuals across industry who use
and are affected by the wiring rules.
Following the nine-week public
comment period, the committee will
consider all comments in detail and,
if necessary, further drafting will be
undertaken.
All draft standards are available for
review and comment via the Standards
Australia website. Click here to go to the
site and have your say on the proposed
new wiring rules.