The shot of a scene from "Electricity Work Safety (2) - How to Conduct Periodic Inspections and Testing for Electrical Installations Properly" is used on the cover of this issue of Electricity News. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) is producing a short publicity video to raise the electrical trade's awareness of the importance of periodic inspection, testing and certification for electrical installations (WR2), the responsibilities of registered electrical contractors and registered electrical workers and the proper procedures for conducting inspections and testing.
The short video is based on the safety measures and procedures that may be easily overlooked by electrical workers when conducting periodic inspections and testing. Through the stories of Master Wong and his apprentices Ah On and Ah Chuen, it reminds the trade of the right attitude and method in carrying out periodic inspections and testing. The short video looks at eight proper working procedures, scope of work for periodic inspection and testing, timetable for work, coordination with the estate management office and tenants, and arrangements for power suspension. It reminds registered electrical contractors of the need to arrange registered electrical workers of the appropriate grade to carry out inspections and testing. It also reminds registered electrical workers of the need to ensure that the inspection and testing results are in compliance with the safety requirements of the Code of Practice for the Electricity (Wiring) Regulations.
The video will be released before the end of the year. It can be viewed at the EMSD website with DVD copies available at the Customer Services Office of EMSD.
The 2009 edition of the Code of Practice for the Electricity (Wiring) Regulations (the new CoP) was published in February 2009. The grace period of about two years will end in late March 2011. Electrical installations completed and connected to electricity supplies on or after 31 March 2011, including newly installed and altered electrical installations, must comply with the requirements of the new CoP.
The soft copy of the CoP is available for free download from the EMSD website. Hard copies are available for sale at the Publications Sales Unit of the Information Services Department at Room 402, Murray Building, Garden Road, Central, or order by calling 2537 1910, by visiting the online Government Bookstore or by email.
This issue continues to look at the major amendments to the new CoP already featured in the last two issues of Electricity News.
Code 26I Lightning Protection Installation
The international standards IEC 61024 and BS 6651 as listed in the Code of Practice for the Electricity (Wiring) Regulations (2003 Edition) (the old CoP) have become outdated and have been replaced by IEC 62305 (equivalent to BS EN 62305). This new international standard, published in 2006, provides detailed technical guidelines on the design of lightning protection system, with special emphasis on evaluating the risk of lightning, so that suitable lightning protection installations for buildings can be designed and constructed accordingly. This standard also requires that electrical installations and electronic equipment in buildings be suitably installed with surge protective devices to prevent damage to or failure of such systems due to lightning strikes.
Other equivalent national standards, such as the Australian/New Zealand Standards AS/NZS 1768 and the American Standards NFPA 780, are still accepted.
Code 26L Hot Air Saunas Installation
In accordance with the relevant international standards set down in the 2004 Edition of IEC 60364-7-703, the zones of a sauna are changed from Temperature Zones A, B, C and D to Zones 1, 2 and 3. Zone 1 extends to the ceiling above the sauna heater.
Saunas and bathrooms are both humid environments. As such, the circuits of a sauna (except for a sauna heater) should be installed with an RCD in the same way as those of a bathroom, for better protection against electric shock. Sauna heaters need not be protected by RCDs unless otherwise recommended by manufacturers.
Code 26K Temporary Supply Installation for Construction and Demolition Sites or Repair and Testing Purposes
The TN-S earthing system which should be used for temporary generators in construction sites. Temporary generators are commonly used in construction sites, and there is no requirement for their earthing arrangement in the old CoP. As advised by the Labour Department (LD), the new CoP stipulates that these temporary generators should be earthed using the TN-S system and installed with separate protective conductors to enhance electrical safety.
Code 26M Swimming Pools and Fountains Installation
In accordance with the changes in the 2008 edition of BS 7671 (i.e. IEE Wiring Regulations - 17th Edition), the zone names of swimming pools are changed from Zones A, B, C to Zones 0, 1, 2, but the division of zones remains unchanged. The new names and division of zones tally with the relevant international standard IEC 60364-7-702.
It should be noted that the installation requirements for different zones have changed. For example, in the old CoP, only separated extra-low voltage (SELV) lighting equipment can be installed in Zone 1 or 2. This requirement is relaxed in the new CoP. For swimming pools where there is no Zone 2, 220V lighting equipment may be installed in Zone 1 on a wall or on a ceiling, provided that the following requirements are fulfilled:
Code 26P Renewable Energy Power System (REPS)
Application of REPS (e.g. solar or wind power) has become more and more widespread and some systems are connected to the electricity supplier's grid. To ensure safety and reliability of electricity supply to users, it is stipulated in the CoP that REPS should be designed and installed in accordance with the requirements specified in the Technical Guidelines on Grid Connection of Renewable Energy Power Systems published by the Energy Efficiency Office (EEO) of EMSD and in compliance with the appropriate and other relevant national/ international standards, so as to ensure safe operation and ease of maintenance at all times.
The code aims to safeguard the safety of electrical workers. For example, warning labels should be displayed on REPS after it is connected to the grid to alert the maintenance personnel to the dual power supply sources of the electrical equipment. When the electricity supply from the grid is disrupted, the REPS should automatically be disconnected from the grid. During maintenance by electrical workers, the power generation side of the REPS should be isolated.
Code 26Q Temporary Electrical Installation for Exhibitions, Shows, Stands and Festive Lighting
The old code (i.e. Code 26K) only sets down specific requirements for temporary supply installations for construction sites, but not for common temporary installations used for exhibitions, shows, stands and festive lighting. Since the latter are mostly installed outdoors, they are affected by the weather and easily accessed by members of the public. Hence, this new code is added to enhance electrical safety.
The new CoP draws reference from the provisions of relevant standards, viz. IEC 60364-7-711 and BS 7671. The major requirements include:
Safety of temporary electrical installations must not be ignored
The Secretary for the Environment appointed in March this year the membership for the new term of the Electrical Safety Advisory Committee (ESAC), comprising of 12 serving members and six new members. Their appointments are for a term of two years from 6 April 2010 to 5 April 2012. The membership list of the ESAC is as follows:
Members
* New member
The terms of reference of the committee are to advise the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services on any matters relevant to the safety of electrical supply, electrical installations, wiring and products, or the safe use of electricity.
According to the records of the Labour department (LD), serious accidents related to electrical work occur more often in summer than in other seasons. A number of serious accidents related to electrical work occurred in 2008. As such, LD collected cases on electrical work-related fatalities for analysis and published a casebook of fatal electrical work-related accidents in July for experience sharing. It is hoped that front line workers and managers will learn from the casebook, and safety training institutes will use it as teaching materials for case studies, so as to help prevent the occurrence of such accidents. The casebook is available for free at offices of the Occupational Safety and Health Branch of LD or download from the LD website.
The EMSD noticed that a number of registered electrical workers had used false documents to support their electrical work experience when applying for registration. After investigation, the Independent Commission Against Corruption charged nine registered electrical workers with conspiracy to defraud by using false documents to apply for registration. They were found guilty by the court. In accordance with section 36(2)(a) of the Electricity Ordinance (Cap 406), the registration of these electrical workers were cancelled.
The EMSD would like to remind registered electrical contractors and registered electrical workers that any person who makes a false declaration in any form for use by another person in applying for registration as an electrical worker or any person who uses false documents to apply for registration commits an offence.
The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine ("AQSIQ") and EMSD held the seventh Annual General Meeting on the Cooperation Arrangement on Electrical and Mechanical Products Safety in Mudanjiang City, Heilongjiang Province from 26 to 30 July 2010. The meeting was attended among others by the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services Mr CHAN Hung-cheung and members of the four working groups on electrical products, gas appliances, lifts & escalators and energy efficiency led by him, and Mr Wang Xin, Director General of the Department for Supervision on Inspection, AQSIQ and Mr Leng Lianbo, Deputy Director of the Heilongjiang Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau. Also attending the meeting were other officials from the AQSIQ and related inspection and quarantine bureaux directly under the AQSIQ.
Group photo of the Mainland and Hong Kong delegations for the 7th AGM
During the five days of meeting, AQSIQ arranged visits for the EMSD delegation to the Beijing B.J. Electric Motor, the Mudanjiang Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, the Suifenhe Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau and the Suifenhe Cyberport to enable the Hong Kong representatives to have a better understanding of the production technologies and quality control adopted by factories on the Mainland, and the regulatory approach of the monitoring authority. Co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong was reviewed and strengthened at this annual meeting. Through enhancing information notification, technical exchange, training and product certification, greater and more effective protection on electrical and mechanical product safety and energy efficiency are provided to consumers in both the Mainland and Hong Kong.
To enhance the standard of the PITC work for fixed electrical installations, EMSD has put in place the following "Standard Guidelines for the Periodic Inspection, Testing and Certification Work (WR2) for Fixed Electrical Installations" for compliance by the trade:
The Electrical Products (Safety) Regulation aims to control the safety of all household electrical products supplied in Hong Kong. In general, the suppliers should ensure that their household electrical products conform to the latest requirements of the applicable International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) safety standards (or other equivalent international standards). In addition, the electromagnetic field (EMF) generated by the household electrical products must not produce radiation likely to cause danger to the general public and must comply with the relevant international EMF safety standards. EMSD has reached with the trade a consensus that starting from 1 January 2011, imported electrical products must comply with the relevant EMF safety standards, i.e. IEC 62233/EN62233 or EN50366.
For stocks of electrical products which comply with the current safety standards but fail to meet the above-mentioned EMF safety standards, the suppliers may continue to supply the market with their remaining stocks of electrical products which comply with the current safety standards and have been registered with EMSD. However, suppliers must register with EMSD details of their remaining stocks of electrical products on or before 31 December 2010 before they can continue to supply them in Hong Kong. Please note that the details must be submitted in table form as shown below:
Information of Supplier | ABC Company Limited Address: Telephone: E-mail address: |
---|---|
Type of Product | e.g. electric dryer, air conditioner, etc. |
Brand | XYZ |
Model | 00001-1-N |
Estimated stock | 100 |
Date of submission | 1 September 2010 |
Suppliers may submit details of various models of electrical products in
Excel format to EMSD for registration.
For information of the relevant EMF safety standards, please visit our website.
According to the Electricity Supply Lines (Protection) Regulation and the requirements of its code of practice, before commencement of works in the vicinity of any underground electricity cable (U/G cable), all reasonable steps must be taken to ascertain the existence of any such U/G cable within the proposed works site and its vicinity as shown in the cable plan from the electricity supplier. Prior to commencement of works, the working party should obtain a cable plan from the electricity supplier. If the cable plan indicates the existence of any U/G cable within the proposed works site or within a specified distance from the works site, the working party should appoint a competent person to carry out the cable detection work.
The appointed competent person should refer to the cable plan from the electricity supplier and undertake an investigation to ascertain the existence of any U/G cable within the proposed works site and its vicinity and determine its alignment and depth. He or she should provide the working party with a written report of his or her findings and give a briefing on it as required by the working party. The appointed competent person should undertake the investigation and supervise the excavation of trial holes in person, and should not delegate the function and duty of the investigation to another person. Assistance from the electricity supplier should be sought if difficulty is encountered in locating U/G cables.
The Electricity (Registration) Regulations requires that registered electrical workers and contractors should submit to EMSD applications for renewal of registration at least 1 month before, and no earlier than 4 months before, the expiry date of the current registration. Registered electrical workers and contractors are reminded to submit their renewal applications within the above-mentioned period. Applications submitted after the expiry date of the current registration will be treated as new registration applications, and will be assessed in accordance with the statutory requirements at the time of receiving such applications. These include requiring registered electrical workers to possess recognised academic qualifications on electrical engineering and electrical work experience. Applicant who does not possess the required academic qualifications will be considered as unable to fulfil the registration requirements that apply, and the application will be rejected regardless of the previous registration history of the applicant.
In addition, the renewal of registration will be effective from the date of approval. Any electrical worker or contractor who carries out electrical work or undertake business as an electrical contractor during the period between the expiry date of the last certificate of registration and the effective date of the renewal of registration commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to a fine and to imprisonment for 6 months.
The large-scale annual technical seminar jointly organised by EMSD, the Hong Kong and Kowloon Electrical Engineering and Appliances Trade Workers Union and the Hong Kong Electrical Contractors' Association has been well supported and received by the electrical trade. The seminar, which is into its tenth year, will be held at 7.30 p.m. on 21 January 2011 (Friday) at the Jockey Club Auditorium of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The seminar will cover the following topics:
Those who are interested in attending the seminar may obtain admission tickets at the branch offices of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Electrical Engineering and Appliances Trade Workers Union (Tel: 2626 1927). Ticket application forms may also be downloaded from the EMSD website. Completed application forms should be sent to the Electricity Legislation Division, EMSD by fax (fax no. 2895 4929) or by mail (7/F, EMSD HQ, 3 Kai Shing Street, Kowloon) before 31 December 2010. Successful applicants will be notified by fax or email before 7 January 2011.
Ticket application form download page.
The Performance Monitoring Point System for registered electrical workers and contractors was drawn up and put into effect in 1994. As the system has been implemented for many years, it is now being reviewed by EMSD with a view to enhance its effectiveness and transparency, and to keep pace with new developments. Results of the review, together with improvement recommendations, will be released to the trade for consultation in due course.
The friendly triangular badminton match jointly organised by EMSD, the Hong Kong Electrical Contractors' Association and the Hong Kong and Kowloon Electrical Engineering and Appliances Trade Workers Union was held on the evening of 22 March 2010.
Group photo of the three contesting teams with honoured guests after the match
EMSD has long established mutual trust and good communication with the trade. Close collaboration in staging the badminton match and active participation has deepened mutual understanding and friendship. The event not only brought benefits to our physical and mental well-being, it also created a new channel for communication through sports. The match on that evening was both exciting and captivating. Players and spectators inside and outside the court played hard and cheered enthusiastically. Applause and cheers were heard every now and then. After a hard fought battle, the Hong Kong Electrical Contractors' Association beat EMSD by a very narrow margin and won the championship.
The Kowloon Electrical Engineering and Appliances Trade Workers Union also fought hard and came third.
Video clip on electrical safety has been uploaded to YouTube
The Electricity Legislation Division (ELD) of EMSD has been conveying the electrical safety message to the public and the electrical trade in various ways. Recently, ELD has created a channel on the video sharing website YouTube where various promotional video clips including "Electrical Work Safety" have been uploaded. More people can now view videos on electrical safety in a more convenient and easy way.
Related link to the channel: www.youtube.com/user/eldppsd
1. |
The cross-sectional area of the wiring cables used by temporary electrical installations for exhibitions, shows, stands and festive lighting should not be less than ___ mm2. |
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2. |
When multiplying the rated operating current of a residual current device by the earth fault loop impedance, the product should not exceed ___ volts. |
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3. |
What kind(s) of safety certificate(s) should a supplier has in order to sell electrical products in Hong Kong? |
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4. |
The overall diameter of the copper rod electrode of a fixed electrical installation should not be less than ___ mm. |
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5. |
The competent person responsible for the detection of underground electricity cable, in undertaking an investigation of the underground electricity cable, has to measure:(i) the alignment of the electricity cable(ii) the depth of the electricity cable (iii) the size of the electricity cable |
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( Answers : 1C, 2A, 3D, 4B, 5A )
Electricity Legislation Division, EMSD, 3 Kai Shing Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong
1823
2895 4929