Clause	VM/AS	Clause relevance to electrical design/installation
B2 Durability	B2/VM1	Cites evaluation of durability by taking into account: • in-service history • laboratory testing • performance of similar materials.
	B2/AS1	Specifies the durability requirements of building elements that have a performance requirement under the Building Code based on the difficulty to detect problems or access or replace them.
C Protection from fire	C/AS1	Part 7: Prevention of fire occurring
E2 External moisture	E2/AS1	To maintain weathertightness of roof and wall cladding systems: 9.1.9.3 Pipes and service penetrations. Refer also to individual cladding sections (9.2 to 9.9 incl.) for specific requirements.
E3 Internal moisture	E3/AS1	Mechanical ventilation, if used, complying with G4 Ventilation supply. Building Code does not specify minimum heating requirements except for retirement homes and early childhood education centres.
F2 Hazardous building materials	F2	Performance requirement F2.3.1 states: “concentrations of radiation shall not be in harmful concentrations”.
G2 Laundering	G2/AS1	1.1.2 Space provided for a washing machine shall have a cold water supply, a discharge pipe, a water trap and an adjacent 10 amp power outlet.
G4 Ventilation	G4/AS1	Includes mechanical extract fans to remove moisture from rooms with cooktops, showers and baths as a compliant way to ventilate bathrooms and kitchens
G5 Interior environment	G5/AS1	Methods of providing the heating requirements for habitable spaces, bathrooms and recreation rooms of retirement homes and early childhood centres.
G6 Airborne and impact sound	G6/AS1	Prevention of sound transfer through electrical wiring in or adjacent to inter-tenancy walls or floors.
G8 Artificial light	G8/AS1	To provide a minimum illuminance of 20 lux (lumens per m2 of floor area) to enable safe movement.
G9 Electricity	G9/VM1	The following documents shall be accepted as a method of verifying compliance with the relevant performances of NZBC G9: AS/NZS 3000, NZECP 34, NZECP 36 and NZECP 54.
	G9/AS1	Cites NZECP 51 as an acceptable solution for domestic dwellings. Sets rules for switches for use by people with disabilities.

New Zealand and Australian standards

The current electrical standards include:

NZS 4512:2021 Fire detection and alarm systems in buildings
NZS 6110:2007 Electrical installations – floor and ceiling heating systems
AS/NZS 2201.1:2007 Intruder alarm systems – Client’s premises – Design, installation, commissioning and maintenance
AS/NZS 1680.1:2006 Interior lighting – general principles and recommendations
AS/NZS 1768:2007 Lightning protection
AS/NZS 3000:2018 Electrical installations – Known as the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules
AS/NZS 3008.1.2:2017  Electrical installations – Selection of cables – Cables for alternating voltages up to and including 0.6/1 kV – Typical New Zealand conditions
AS/NZS 3012:2019 Electrical installations – construction and demolition sites
AS/NZS 3013:2005 Electrical installations – classification of fire and mechanical performance of wiring system elements
AS/NZS 3017:2007 Electrical installations – verification guidelines
AS/NZS 3019:2007 Electrical installations – periodic verification
AS/NZS 3760:2022 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment and RCDs
AS/NZS 3010:2017 Electrical installations – generating sets
AS/NZS 4701:2000 Requirements for domestic electrical appliances and equipment for reconditioning or parts recycling
AS/NZS 4777.1:2016 Grid connection of energy systems via inverters – Part 1: Installation requirements
AS/NZS 4777.2:2020 Grid connection of energy systems via inverters - Part 2: Inverter requirements
AS/NZS 4783.1:2001 Performance of electrical lighting equipment – ballasts for fluorescent lamps – method of measurement to determine energy consumption and performance of ballasts lamp circuits
AS/NZS 5033:2021 Installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic (PV) arrays
AS/NZS 60598.1:2017 Luminaires – Part 1: General requirements and tests
AS/NZS 60598.2.2:2016 Luminaires – Part 2.2: Particular requirements – Recessed luminaires
AS/NZS 60598.2.4:2005 Luminaires – Particular requirements - Portable general purpose luminaires
AS/NZS 60968:2001 Self-ballasted lamps for general lighting services – safety requirements
AS/NZS 60898.1:2004 Electrical accessories – circuit-breakers for overcurrent protection for household and similar installations – circuit-breakers for a.c. operation
AS/NZS 60898.2:2004 Electrical accessories – circuit-breakers for overcurrent protection for household and similar installations – circuit-breakers for a.c. and d.c. operation
AS/NZS 61046:2001 Auxiliaries for lamps – d.c. or a.c. supplied electronic step-down convertors for filament lamps – general and safety requirements
AS/NZS 61347.2.2:2007 Lamp controlgear – particular requirements for d.c. or a.c. supplied electronic step-down convertors for filament lamps
AS/NZS 61347.2.3:2004 Lamp controlgear – particular requirements for a.c. supplied electronic ballasts for fluorescent lamps
AS/NZS 61347.2.8:2003 Lamp controlgear – particular requirements for ballasts for fluorescent lamps
AS/NZS 61558:2008 Safety of power transformers, power supply units and similar – general requirements and tests
AS/NZS CISPR 14.1:2003 Electromagnetic compatibility – Requirements for household appliances, electric tools and similar apparatus – Emission
AS/NZS 4509.2:2010 Stand-alone power systems – System design
AS/NZS 4509.1:2009 Stand-alone power systems – Safety and installation
AS 60529:2004 Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)

New Zealand electrical codes of practice

NZECP 34:2001 Electrical safe distances
NZECP 35:1993 Power system earthing
NZECP 36:1993 Harmonic levels
NZECP 50:2004 Repair and maintenance of domestic electrical appliances by the owner of the appliance
NZECP 51:2004 Homeowner/occupier’s electrical wiring work in domestic Installations
NZECP 55:2016 New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice for Managing Electrical Risks Associated with Electrically Conductive Thermal Insulation

Homeowners doing their own electrical work

Most electrical wiring work must be carried out by a qualified and licensed electrician. However, under the Electricity Act 1992 (Section 79) homeowners can carry out some domestic electrical wiring work on their own homes. The work has to comply with the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 (Part 5, Regulation 57) and NZECP 51.

Homeowners can:

• remove and replace fuse links
• connect and disconnect fixed-wired appliances
• relocate existing switches, socket outlets and lighting outlets that are supplied with electricity by tough plastic-sheathed cables
• remove and replace the following fittings, as long as it doesn’t involve work on a switchboard:
  • switches, socket outlets and light fittings
  • permanent connection units, ceiling roses, cord-grip lamp-holders and flexible cords connected to any of them
  • batten holders
  • water heater switches
  • thermostats
  • elements.

Homeowners can also install, extend and alter subcircuits (including submains), provided that:

• they do not enter any enclosure where live conductors are likely to be present, and
• the work is tested and certified by a licensed inspector before being it is connected to a power supply.

Landlords and business owners cannot carry out electrical work in their rental properties or workplaces unless they have the applicable practicing license(s).

 

Updated: 21 July 2023