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    Default safety switch requirement

    Hi a questiop for all those sparkies out there. I am currently considering replacing my gas hot water system with an electric storage system. I have been shopping around and I am getting conflicting information. My question is "Should a storage Hot Water Service use a safety switch in the switchboard". My quotes are quite different with and without the safety switch. thank you.
    Last edited by gordonwh40; 22-11-20 at 05:59 AM.



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    Quote Originally Posted by gordonwh40 View Post
    "Should a storage Hot Water Service use a safety switch in the switchboard".
    Yes on a dedicated single circuit to the heater

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    As of January 1 2019, the new AS3000 comes into effect and among numerous changes, how we (and you) treat hot water circuits from now on is one of them.
    If a hot water system is:

    • replaced and it had to be relocated in any way
    • replaced and the heating element in the new tank is larger than the original (eg. 2.4 k/w to a 3.6 k/w)
    • installed with a new circuit

    A safety switch, NOT just a circuit breaker is now required to protect the circuit AND an isolator must be installed within “arms reach” of the hot water system.

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    Does that mean replacing a HWS in the same place with an identical one you don't need the RCD?

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    Quote Originally Posted by gulliver View Post
    Does that mean replacing a HWS in the same place with an identical one you don't need the RCD?
    yep

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    Quote Originally Posted by wotnot View Post
    AND an isolator must be installed within “arms reach” of the hot water system.
    An interesting requirement - our hot water system is under the house and definitely not easy to get at.

    One has to ask, " How qualified/experienced in the appropriate field are the people that prepare "our" standards?"
    If Australia is a democracy why, then, is voting compulsory?

    "What has changed between the arrival of the First Fleet and today?"
    "Wearing leg irons is now not required."

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    That just lists the latest changes in effect, you'd need look at previous incantations to get all the HWS history ; they hang heavily of the words 'new installation' ; old, existing installations may be another matter ; I'd imagine they rely on the fact a HWS will eventually fail, and if you have to fit a new unit you're subject to the latest wiring rules. Basically they're now treating the HWS wiring, in the same way the rules are for the electric oven/stove.

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    Quote Originally Posted by wotnot View Post
    I'd imagine they rely on the fact a HWS will eventually fail, and if you have to fit a new unit you're subject to the latest wiring rules. Basically they're now treating the HWS wiring, in the same way the rules are for the electric oven/stove.
    we had a whole new kitchen installed last year , with all new appliances in the same places , and no changes were made to any wiring , except the old wall oven was hard wired in , and the new wall oven now plugs into a 10A single power point in the cabinet .

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    Thank you all for that information. I will ensure the electrician who fits the heater fits a safety switch.

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