review of general information notices and safety alerts

55 For Official Use Only

Review of General Information Notices and Safety Alerts

SA04_17 – Cable strike incident

• When working near or around underground cables always follow the requirements of NS156 and where required NS165 (in or around substations)

• Preparation: Ensure that DBYD / up to-date network plans / GIS / service location diagram/s are onsite and reviewed in full prior to starting mechanical excavation works

• Excavating: Carefully hand dig / pothole / vacuum excavate until all known cables are positively identified. Use observers and approved safe work methods at all times when mechanical excavation is taking place



• NS199 was recently updated and has been renamed to ‘Safe Electrical Work on LV Underground Assets’

• As a result of this change the section on overhead mains connection boxes has been removed

• T0077 Overhead Mains Connection Boxes, has been created separately and will be available on the Ausgrid website

NS199 Review & New Technical Guide T0077 OH Mains Connection Boxes



NS199 Safe Electrical Work On Low Voltage Underground Assets• Non compliant pillars

• In general ASP’s MUST NOT terminate UG services in pillars that contain LIVE exposed parts, these pillars MUST be de-energised by Ausgrid prior to terminating the new service or modified by Ausgrid

• NS199 should be referred to for a more in depth list of pillars that are non compliant. Below are some examples



NS199 Safe Electrical Work On Low Voltage Underground Assets• Compliant Pillars

• ASP’s can terminate UG services in pillars that have been modified by Ausgrid

• NS199 should be referred to for a more in depth list of pillars that can be modified. Below are some examples



NS199 Safe Electrical Work On Low Voltage Underground Assets• Service termination boxes

• Service termination boxes pose a serious risk if worked on whilst the UG service mains are energised

• ASP’s Electrical contractors and Ausgrid staff MUST NOT remove the cover or perform any work on these boxes, unless arrangements have been made with Ausgrid to isolate the supply to the box

• NS199 should be referred to for more information if you are required to access a service termination box like this



T0077 - Overhead Mains Connection Boxes (MCBs)

• MCBs that appear very old or deteriorated, pose a serious risk to workers who remove the cover or perform any work on the MCB whilst the OH service mains are LIVE, particularly in damp weather conditions

• Due to the possible deterioration of the internal electrical connections of these MCBs, there is a high risk of a short circuit and electrical arcing occurring

• Workers MUST carry out a thorough risk assessment prior to performing work at one of these MCBs

• Ausgrid recommends these MCBs are replaced if the risk assessment carried out deems the MCB unsafe


Notification of Customer Outages

Brendon Burns / Joshua Brown – Project OfficerASP Compliance and Practices


Level 2 Service Main Change Over Process - Level 1 Contestable Project

Customer Notification

Scenario 1: • LV network isolated by Ausgrid• All customers are notified of the interruption to electrical supply by ASP1

Requirement: All services can be changed over, no customer contact required by the ASP2, unless access arrangements are required to gain access to a property

NECF – minimum four (4) clear business days notice of the planned outage




Customer Notification

Scenario 2: Replace bare low voltage mains with ABC or OH to UG mains• No network isolation• LV network in LV parallel• Progressive service change overs

Requirement: The ASP2 is to make contact with each customer and make arrangements to transfer each LV service to new LV ABC

Note: The ASP2 can’t demand the customer take an isolation it must be negotiated




Paperwork required to be submitted to Ausgrid

• For all service work a NOSW must be submitted to Ausgrid Installation & Data Operations (IDO) and must include a diagram of the new connection. This allows service work to be captured in GIS

• Note: A job number is not required, the level 1 contestable project number (SC-#####) is to be put in the top right corner of the NOSW to indicate it is part of a level 1 project

• This is very important as the LV connection may have changed substantially from its original location

• NOSW service fee charges and normal inspection audits will apply



Electrical Safety Update

Colin Curry – Safety SpecialistElectrical Safety & Authorisations


• Use of DBYD – Why do we need to use DBYD

• Expiry Date for DBYD of plans – 30 days

• Ability to read and understand plans – Ausgrid home page and with plans

• Excavating and Working near Underground mains – Warning signs

• Ausgrid’s NS 156 – What is it and how do I get a copy?

• Additional symbol now used to identify the prescience of LV HDPE cables

• Currently all live low voltage jointing is suspended on Ausgrid’s network (Note: this does not include the termination of service cables into compliant live low voltage pillars)




SA03_17 - Changes to symbology for LV HDPE cables• HDPE cable is susceptible to deterioration and can

pose a risk of electric shock

• Ausgrid has made changes to the symbology which will be reflected on DBYD plans and in the future certified designs

• Where reasonable these cables should be de-energised when working on or near (ie. in the same trench)

• Where it is not reasonable, or until the cable has been proven de-energised, you must wear an insulating glove on each hand and if the trench is damp wear a safety gumboot on each foot that complies with AS/NZS 2210, stamped with the symbol “I” (non-conductive)

• Further information can be found in NS199 Safe Electrical Work On Low Voltage Underground Assets



SA03_17 - Changes to symbology for LV HDPE cablesInformation on how to read Ausgrid Dial Before You Dig plans, including information about Aluminium Single Core cables, can be found on our website at:

http://www.ausgrid.com.au/Common/Safety/Working-safe/DialBeforeYouDig

Arc Flash


Thomas Street Incident:• DBYD plans onsite – not used

• No one onsite could read the plans

• No knowledge of cables below pit - 1 X 11,000V & 1 X 415V

• After incident contractor claimed cables at incorrect depth – not the case


What Could Happen

71


Thomas Street incident


Arc Flash Burn

73


Safe Methods of Work

• Ensure your documentation and work practices are inclusive of the need to identify and expose all conduits and or cables within the work area

• Ensure you have a clear distance around the conduit or cable to be cut

• Additionally your documentation should clearly state the prohibited use of reciprocating saws when working in a trench or joint bay



Why are you required to wear ARC Rated clothing when working on or near Ausgrid’s assets?

• Mandatory as from 1st July 2015

• PPE is the lowest level of control. It will not stop an incident or injury



Ausgrid Electrical Safety Rules

• If you complete your ESRs with Ausgrid, there will be future changes to the quiz eg. reduced animations, no critical questions, limit of three attempts at any time to achieve a pass mark of 90% and questions closer matched to learning outcomes

• A new addition of the ESR’s will be released towards the end of 2017



Service Testing Requirements

Brendan Sloey - Authorisations Compliance OfficerElectrical Safety & Authorisations


Australian Standard Requirements

AS4741 - Testing of connections to low voltage electricity networks, sets the minimum safety principles to test for correct polarity or neutral connection integrity within a low voltage electricity network and to a customer electrical installation supplied from the network

UETTDRRF11A – Testing of connections to low voltage electricity networks, is the training to this standard



Hazards and Risk Controls

The following elements help to manage workplace risk:• A workplace assessment is conducted in accordance with

the SafeWork NSW, use of Written Risk Assessment/ HACform and relevant Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS)

• Personal Protective Clothing and Personal Protective Equipment (as required by Ausgrid’s ESR)

• Safety equipment must be inspected by the user before use and replaced if defective

• Appropriate emergency rescue kit for the type of work being undertaken must also be made available when working on mains and apparatus



Distribution System and Voltage Rises

The difference in voltage between the network and the earth is negligible at the source of supply (transformer)

• This is due to the earth cable connected to the neutral is large and short in length, therefore the impedance is low and the voltage difference between earth and the neutral is very close to zero

• As the network moves away from the source of supply, the impedance of the network will increase slightly due to the length of the distributor route

• This can cause the voltage to become unstable



Voltage Rise on the Neutral

• Balanced loads on the network will limit the amount of current flow in the neutral

• Unbalanced loads = more current in the neutral = voltage rise on the neutral which may result in a difference between earth and neutral

• This may result in an electric shock if a person was in contact with the ground (earth), as well as a customer’s installation earthing conductor or other exposed earthed metal (e.g. a water pipe) at a different potential (voltage)



Changes to the Service Testing Procedures

• Polarity Testing• Phase rotation• Phasing confirmation

However to comply with AS4741, authorised persons are required to conduct the following tests:

• Confirmation of supply• Neutral integrity*

*A neutral integrity test involves checking the electrical connections of the active and neutral, between the test point and the substation. A poor connection may result in an unsafe voltage on the neutral and earth of an installation



Disconnection and Reconnection

Whenever performing a disconnection or reconnection it is absolutely essential that the neutral is:

connected first and disconnected last

Failure to do so will cause a dangerous situation e.g. the voltage to be raised at the MEN connection at the electrical installation



Unacceptable Results – Voltage Method

If the result of the test is > 6 volts then you must take the following action:

• Check connections• Re – test• If the result is still greater than 6 volts:

• Isolate supply• Disconnect neutral from neutral link• Stand by and call Ausgrid’s emergency number (13 13 88)

• Co-operate with investigation when Ausgrid arrives



Unacceptable Results – Loop Impedance Method

If the result of the test is > 0.4 ohms then you must take the following action:

• Check connections• Re – test• If the result is still greater than 0.4 ohms:





Unacceptable Results – Current Method

If the result of the test is > 50% current flow through earth then you must take the following action:

• Check connections• Re – test• If still greater than 50% current flow through





Category Rating Requirements• A Category Rating (CAT Rating) is given to all electrical equipment,

including testing and measurement devices• This rating reflects a device’s capacity to resist a voltage spike or impulse• Electrical testing devices are rated according to four different categories:

Category I, II, III, IV. The higher the category rating of a device, the higher its capability to resist a voltage spike or impulse


For ASP/2 connection works, Cat IV equipment

is required


Advanced Metering Legislation Update

Wayne Turner – Metering Policy


Metering Policy Changes• New National Electricity Rules:

• Introduced 26 November 2015• Applicable from 1 December 2017 – and confirmed

• NSW Electricity Supply Amendment (Advanced Meters) Bill 2016:• Introduced 1 July 2016• Changes inspection obligations for advanced meter installations• Transitional arrangements for flat rate and ToU metering

• NSW Regulations changes for Metering:• Service & Installation Rules review – Aug 2016 & Nov 2016• Code for Safe Installation of Direct-Connected Whole Current

Electricity Metering in NSW - Minimum requirement for safety management systems – July 2016

• Solar Bonus Scheme (SBS):• Scheme closed 31 December 2016• Options for conversion to Net metering



New National Electricity Rules• Previous three seminars discussed “Competition in Metering” rule

change. National initiative, not instigated by Ausgrid

• Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC):• COAG Energy Council proposed reforms• Changes in National Electricity Rules (NER) proposed• Consulted throughout the industry in 2014 and 2015• Draft Determination 26 March 2015• Final Determination 26 November 2015• Rules Implementation Date 1 December 2017

For further details:• http://www.aemc.gov.au/Rule-Changes/Expanding-competition-in-

metering-and-related-serv



New National Electricity Rules• Impact of Rules Change (for small customers):

• Retailer responsible for appointing Metering Coordinator (MC)• MC appoints Metering Provider (MP)• MP install and maintains Advanced Meter (not ASP)• ASP still responsible for installation of service works (not MC/MP)• A Class 2D ASP is still responsible for energising new and

upgraded installations – being clarified (excluding like for like meter replacement)

• All new, upgrade and replacement must be Advanced Meter (at 1 Dec 2017)

• Network is initial MC for existing Type 5 and 6 metering:• No new Type 5 or 6 meters to be installed (after 1 Dec 2017)

• No customer opt out for a new advanced meter, unless current meter is compliant (ie. proposed rollout)

• Customer can opt for advance meter without the communications device installed



New National Electricity Rules• What is an Advanced Meter?

• Meter on remote communications• Registered as Type 4 in the National Electricity Market• Supports the Minimum Services Specification (MSS)• Option for Type 4A for customer opt out or where no communications

are available

• What is the Minimum Services Specification (MSS):• Remote disconnection service• Remote reconnection service• Remote on-demand meter read service• Remote scheduled meter read service• Meter installation inquiry service• Advanced meter reconfiguration service



NSW Electricity Supply Amendment (Advanced Meters) Bill 2016The Proclamation of the above Bill was 1 July 2016What does it mean?• A person does not need to be an ASP to install advanced meter (NEM

Type 4)

• Between 1 July 2016 and 30 November 2017, the installation of flat rate and ToU meters (NEM Type 5 and 6) must still be conducted by a Class 2D ASP

• The Metering component of Class 2D ASP Accreditation is expected to become redundant from 1 December 2017

• Confirmation regarding the Energising component of Class 2D ASP Accreditation and the requirements for energising new and upgrades is being sought from the Department of Planning & Environment



What about the other Classes?

For Class 2A, 2B and 2C ASPs:

• A NOSW is still required to be submitted for Disconnect/ Reconnect & service works

• A CCEW must still be submitted by the ASP when there is associated electrical installation work

• ASPs submitting Connection Applications will be notified of the retailer to contact to arrange an Advanced Meter

• ASPs must not alter, remove or install advanced meter unless engaged by the Metering Provider



What regulations do the Metering Providers work to?

NSW Government introduced a Code of Practice for Metering July 2016, titled ‘Code for Safe Installation of Direct-Connected Whole Current Electricity Metering in NSW’ that includes:• Minimum requirement for safety management systems• Managed and enforced by NSW Fair Trading• Obligations on Metering Provider and retailers when installing

advanced meters, including:• Training• Installation• Meter Safety Management System, registered with NSW Fair

Trading• PPE



Who inspects the Advanced Metering work?

Electricity meter now a part of the customer’s “electrical installation”:• NSW Fair Trading (FT) to manage inspection of Advanced Meters• CCEW has been modified by FT:

• Now includes meter details• Contact NSW FT if you have a previously approved CCEW

Transitional arrangements for flat rate & ToU metering (NEM Type 5 & 6):• Present rules apply for Type 5 and 6 until 1 Dec 2017• Ausgrid to manage inspection of flat rate and ToU meters



Service & Installation Rules of NSW (SIR) review

• ToU & Flat Rate metering installation rules remain the same• Advanced Meter installation treated as “replacement” rather than

“new / upgrade”:• Aimed to minimise cost for consumers opt-in to advanced

meters• Key safety and access obligations will remain

• Introduction of individual Meter Protection Device (MPD) – 80A HRC for all direct-connected installations

• Expected that NSW Department of Planning & Environment and SIR committee to review SIRs for December 2017 implementation



How will the new connection process work?

From 1 December 2017 potential options for new and upgrades (depending on business models of retailers and Metering Providers):

1. Class 2B or 2C ASP conducts service work and leaves site ready for Metering Provider to install meter; or

2. Class 2B or 2C ASP conducts service work and is engaged by Metering Provider to install meter; or

3. Metering Co-ordinator/Metering Provider conducts service (as an ASP) and metering works

Unless NSW legislation or the ASP scheme changes, a Class 2D ASP is still required to energise new and upgraded installation wherever contestable works (ie. provision of customer connection services) has been carried out. Further advice will be provided once known



What Notifications are required? • Connection Applications (CA) to Ausgrid• CCEW for Advanced Meter installations submitted to NSW Fair

Trading• CCEW for all other work continue to be sent to Ausgrid• For new or upgraded installations (including solar installs), the

CCEW continues to be the responsibility of the Class 2D ASP• The Class 2D ASP must continue to submit the NOSW for flat

rate and ToU metering to Ausgrid - Until 1 Dec 2017• Class 2A, 2B, 2C & 2D (energisation only) ASPs NOSWs

continue to be sent to Ausgrid within 2 days of completing the work

• The Class 2B or 2C ASP should provide a copy of their service paperwork to the Class 2D for energisation



ES3 – Metering Installations - Part A Published May 2017The changes include:• Additions to Type 1-4 metering section• Removal of AMR spacing requirements• NSW Solar Bonus Scheme roll off• Ausgrid has introducing three new Time-of-Use (ToU) meters:

– ECA – Single Phase Single Element Direct Connected – E1 equivalent – ECJ – Single Phase Dual Element Direct Connected – E2 equivalent– ECP – Three Phase Single Element Direct Connected – E3 equivalent

• These meters contain a disconnect contactor, however for Type 5 metering installations, the contactors have been disabled. Full details of these meters are available in ES3 Part B

• A further review will occur later this year



Solar Bonus Scheme

• The scheme ended 31 December 2016• 60c and 20c per kWh payments cease for complying generators• NSW Government and retailers have written to SBS customers• Options for gross connected customers, converting to net:

• Encouraging the replacement of existing meters with advanced meters through retailer

• ASP2 can install a ToU net meter

For further information visit, http://www.ausgrid.com.au/Common/ Customer-Services/Homes/Solar-power-and-batteries.aspx



Ausgrid Connection Application Form Changes• The process of applying to connect is being streamlined, with the

introduction of a smart online form and payment of the associated connection fee at the time of an application submission

• The following forms will be replaced by one online application system:• NECF01• NECF02• NECF03• NECF04• NECF05• Permanent disconnection

• Expected to be implemented within 12 months, subject to change



Frequently Asked QuestionsQ: Can ASP2 break seals of Metering Provider meters to replace faulty meter panels?A: Clarification should be sought from NSW Department of Planning & Environment / Metering Providers

Q: What is the process for permanent disconnections?A: For Type 5 and 6 meters, the current process remains. The ASP completes service work, Ausgrid owned meters are returned to Ausgrid.For Type 4 meters, as per Type 5/6 with addition of contacting Retailer for meter removal and returns

Q: What is the process for the relocation of meter panel with an Advanced Meter installed?A: Expected to be OK if meter seals not broken. The NSW Department of Planning & Environment would need to clarify



Review 2016 Seminar Q&As and RSVP Questions

Liam Baker – Project OfficerElectrical Safety & Authorisations


• We received feedback from the forms and via the ASP/2 inbox

• The Q&As were sent via the ASP/2 inbox and published on Ausgrid’s website

• We will welcome feedback again:

• use the feedback form handed to you today

• via the ASP/2 inbox

• phoning an Authorisations Compliance Officer

• speak to an Ausgrid representative after the seminar



Updated 2016 Seminar Q&A – issued 13 March 2017

Q: ASP2s usually coordinate all the associated connection work, will the MP be responsible in coordinating the electrical contractor, ASP2 and meter installer?

A: The coordination of connection work will be resolved between providers and will be dependent on their business model

Q: If your onsite as a Cat 2 or 3 and a MP is installing the meter, who submits what paperwork?

A: This process is being discussed between the Department of Planning & Environment and Office of Fair Trading. When a resolution is determined we will communicate the details to ASP2s prior to 1 December 2017



QUESTIONS?

ASP/2 Seminar June 2017

review of general information notices and safety alerts

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