Cover girl

Cover Girl Icy

Reporter: R
Icy: I

R:	Hi, Icy, how are you? I know that you are the hostess of a short film for the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD). Can you tell us more about it?
I:	You are right. I will appear in this episode of Video for Electrical Workers called "Switch off electricity supply before electrical work". We will talk about the procedure for issuing permit-to-work and the arrangements that must be made in shutting down power for different kinds of electrical works so as to raise the safety awareness of electrical workers involved. I hope the episode which I am hosting will be refreshing.
R:	In Hong Kong, registered electrical workers and registered electrical contractors must carry out electrical works in accordance with the requirements of the Electricity Ordinance. Relevant regulations also stipulate that all personnel engaging in the electrical works are required to take adequate safety measures to prevent accidents from occurring. What do you think of the professionalism and safety standards of the local electrical trade?
I:	I think our electrical practitioners are highly professional, but they may not always remember the safety requirement to switch off power before commencing work, because they are too busy. I believe that short films like Video for Electrical Workers can help in reminding them to pay attention to electrical safety.
R:	Do you know that our registered electrical workers have to undergo continuing education?
I:	Yes, I do. They have to complete two training modules prior to license renewal every three years. I believe that this will further enhance their professional and safety standards.
R:	Can you tell me where can I get hold of this short film?
I:	It is on DVDs which are freely available at the Customer Services Office of the EMSD Headquarters, or the offices of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Electrical Engineering & Appliances Trade Workers Union. You may also view it by visiting the following websites: EMSD web page: Video for Electrical Workers EMSD@YouTube video channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/emsdgovhk
R:	Thank you so much, Icy. All the best for your showbiz career.

Feature Article 1 - Electromagnetic Field Safety Standards

The European Union (EU) requires that any household electrical product imported into the EU market must meet the specification that the electromagnetic field (EMF) generated by that household electrical product shall not produce radiation likely to cause danger to the general public. It has been decided following EMSD discussion with the trade that in addition to the relevant safety standards, household electrical products imported into Hong Kong on or after 1 January 2011 must also comply with the EMF safety standards. The applicable standard is IEC 62233 or EN 50366 or EN 62233, but it does not apply to electrical products such as audio, video and information technology equipment as well as luminaires. The respective standards applicable to audio and video electrical products, information technology equipment and luminaires are IEC 60065, IEC 60950 and IEC 60598-1.

Feature Article 2 - LED Lighting Safety Standards

As LED lighting grows in popularity, so does public concern over their safety standards. According to the guidelines set down by the relevant Technical Committee of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the applicable safety standards for LED light tubes and LED bulb lamps are IEC 62471 and IEC 62560, and those for LED downlights and LED floodlights are IEC 60598, IEC 62031 and IEC 62471. In addition, the applicable safety standards for LED lighting chains are IEC 60598, IEC 61347-2-13 and IEC 62471, and those for LED MR spotlights are IEC 62031 and IEC 62471.

Feature Article 3 - Signing of the New Cooperation Arrangement on Electrical and Mechanical Products Safety and Energy Efficiency between AQSIQ and EMSD

The ninth annual general meeting in progress

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) and EMSD held the ninth annual general meeting on the Cooperation Arrangement on Electrical and Mechanical Products Safety and Energy Efficiency ("Cooperation Arrangement") in Ningxia from 8 to 10 August last year. Mr. CHAN Fan, Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, was the leader of the Hong Kong members attending the meeting, representing the four working groups on electrical products, gas appliances, lifts and escalators and energy efficiency. The Mainland members attending the meeting were led by Mr. WANG Xin, Director General of the Department of Supervision on Inspection. They included officials from relevant working groups of the Ningxia Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau and other Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureaux. 

During the meeting, the representatives from both sides reported on and summed up the work and progress under the framework of the Cooperation Arrangement over the previous year, and finalised the cooperation plan for the coming year. Looking back on the past several years, the working groups were working closely on matters pertaining to electrical and mechanical products safety and energy efficiency. With close liaison maintained by both sides, the work plans were successfully taken forward and implemented. During the period, both sides were able to further strengthen market monitoring, including emergency handling and reporting, investigation and feedback on cases of unsafe and non-compliant products, etc. The cooperation on technology exchange, staff training and certification has been widened as well, with a number of technical seminars held. Through continuous cooperation and exchange, the standards of electrical and mechanical products safety and energy efficiency in the markets of both the Mainland and Hong Kong were enhanced effectively.

Exchange of the new Cooperation Arrangement between Mr. WANG Xin, Director General, AQSIQ (right) and Mr. CHAN Fan, Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services (left)

Since the official implementation of the Cooperation Arrangement in 2003, fruitful results were achieved during the nine years. Consumers in both the Mainland and Hong Kong have been able to enjoy substantive protection on electrical and mechanical products safety and energy efficiency. A mutually beneficial and win-win situation has been brought about. It is for this reason that AQSIQ and EMSD reached an agreement that the Cooperation Arrangement be extended to 2015. The new Cooperation Arrangement was signed at the annual general meeting to facilitate the opening up of more work items and the development of more comprehensive cooperation in the future.

Feature Article 4 - When is "Supplementary Bonding" Required?

We have recently received a number of enquiries regarding when "supplementary bonding" is required, and would like to take this opportunity to revisit with you the requirements for "supplementary bonding" as specified in the Code of Practice for the Electricity (Wiring) Regulations (CoP). 

Before going any further, we first have to understand that "supplementary bonding" is, in fact, a type of protective conductor. According to 11C(1)(a) of the CoP, the types of protective conductors include:

1. circuit protective conductors;
2. main equipotential bonding conductors;
3. supplementary bonding conductors; and
4. earthing conductors.

Code No. 11; Figure No. 11(1)

Figure No. 11(1) of the CoP shows the application of the above four types of protective conductors and their interrelationships.

We will not talk about the circuit protective conductor and the earthing conductor here, as the application methods for which are relatively clearer.

Main equipotential bonding conductors are connected to the main earthing terminal chiefly through the main water pipes, gas installation pipes, other service pipes and ducting, risers and ductings of central heating and air-conditioning systems and exposed metallic parts of structural framework to create an equipotential zone. This is to ensure that zero electrical potential difference for all "extraneous conductive parts" in these equipotential zones is maintained at all times, so as to reduce the risk of electric shock.

It can be said that the supplementary bonding conductor, whose main function is to extend the equipotential zone, is an extension of the main equipotential bonding conductor.

According to 11F(a) of the CoP, within the zone formed by the main equipotential bonding, local supplementary bonding connections should be made to the following metal parts to maintain the equipotential zone:

1. extraneous conductive parts; and
2. parts simultaneously accessible with exposed conductive parts or other extraneous conductive parts (note 1); and
3. parts not electrically connected to the main equipotential bonding by permanent and reliable metal-to-metal joints of negligible impedance.

Simply put, supplementary bonding connects "extraneous conductive parts" and their nearby "exposed conductive parts" or other "extraneous conductive parts" which are at a separation of not more than 2 m, in order to effectively reduce the risk of injury from electric shock.

So, does it follow that every type of "extraneous conductive part" has to be connected to its nearby accessible "extraneous conductive parts" and "exposed conductive parts" through supplementary bonding?

According to Appendix 12(C) of the CoP, to determine whether conductive parts such as metallic bathroom accessories, metallic windows or metallic door handles are extraneous conductive parts, a measurement should first be carried out to measure the insulation resistance between the conductive part and the main earthing terminal. For a typical single-phase supply system with a nominal supply voltage of 220V, if the measured resistance can be maintained at not less than 45,000 Ohm (Note 2) even under the worst conditions (e.g. high moisture), the metallic part can be considered as a "non-extraneous conductive part". Therefore, registered electrical contractors and registered electrical workers may determine in accordance with the above-mentioned Appendix whether supplementary bonding is required for metallic bathroom accessories, metallic windows or metallic door handles.

News-in-brief 1 - Installation of Earth Electrode Involving Excavation Work

Registered electrical workers and registered electrical contractors are reminded to take note of the requirement on installation of earth electrode as specified in 12C(5) of the Code of Practice for the Electricity (Wiring) Regulations, i.e., installation of earth electrode should comply with the Electricity Supply Lines (Protection) Regulation as appropriate.

Under general circumstances, if the installation of earth electrode involves excavation work, the working party should adhere to the requirements of the Code of Practice on Working near Electricity Supply Lines and take all reasonable steps including the appointment of a competent person approved by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department to ascertain the alignment and depth of underground cables, so as to comply with the Electricity Supply Lines (Protection) Regulation.

For details, please refer to the Code of Practice on Working near Electricity Supply Lines available at the following EMSD web page:
Codes of Practice

or the publicity leaflet "Properly Protect Electricity Supply Lines to Prevent Accident and Power Interruptions" at:
Leaflet_RS.pdf

News-in-brief 2 - CPD Scheme for REWs Implemented

To upgrade the standard of Registered Electrical Workers (REWs), the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Scheme for REWs is included as a requirement for renewal of registration starting 1 January 2012. According to the CPD Scheme, all REWs are required to have completed two modules of training, including Module 1: Legislative and Safety Requirements and Module 2: Technical Knowledge, before submitting their renewal application. 

REWs are welcome to attend relevant seminars organised by EMSD or training courses conducted by recognised trainers. For information on the seminars and courses, please visit the EMSD website.

To comply with the continuous professional development requirement, REWs who have not attended any seminars or classes may receive training at the CPD Centre as they visit the EMSD Customer Services Office in person to apply for renewal of registration. The CPD Centre is at the EMSD Customer Services Office, open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5:15pm, but closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.
As registration renewal will peak in 2013, REWs are advised to complete the necessary training as soon as possible, in order to avoid any delay in registration renewal due to their failure to satisfy the training requirement in time.
For details of the CPD Scheme, please visit the EMSD website.

News-in-brief 3 - Registered Electrical Workers and Contractors - Apply for Registration Renewal in Time

The Electricity (Registration) Regulations requires that registered electrical workers (REWs) and contractors (RECs) should submit to EMSD applications for renewal of registration at least 1 month in advance, but no more than 4 months before the expiry date of the current registration. All REWs and RECs are reminded again 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 of the day. These include requiring REWs to possess recognised academic qualifications in electrical engineering and electrical work experience. If the applicant does not possess the required academic qualifications and is thus considered to be unable to fulfil the relevant registration requirements, the application will be rejected regardless of the previous registration history of the applicant.

For renewal of registration, the applicant is required to submit the duly completed Form 8 together with a copy of HKID card and a colour passport photograph in plain white background, and pay the application fee.

Tidbits 1 - The Annual Technical Seminar "Enhancing Professionalism and Safety-Towards a New Milestone for the Electrical Trade"

The Annual Technical Seminar jointly organised by EMSD, the Hong Kong and Kowloon Electrical Engineering & Appliances Trade Workers Union and the Hong Kong Electrical Contractors' Association was successfully concluded in the evening of 19 November 2012. It was the first time that the seminar was held at the Auditorium of Tsuen Wan Town Hall. It was enthusiastically attended by more than a thousand participants from the electrical trade.

The theme of the seminar was "Enhancing Professionalism and Safety – Towards a New Milestone for the Electrical Trade". All topics for the evening were centered around professionalism and safety. Speakers shared case analyses using their professional expertise to enable participants to have a more in-depth understanding of different kinds of electrical works and to encourage the building of a safety culture among electrical practitioners to switch off power before commencing work. The speakers for the evening included two engineers from EMSD and two guests from the Labour Department and the Hong Kong Electrical Contractors Association. They shared with the audience their case analyses involving safety precautions for electrical works at height, and common malpractices of electrical workers and relay protection for low voltage installations.

The seminar was enthusiastically attended by more than 1000 members from the electrical trade

A group photo taken on stage featuring our Deputy Director Mr W.H.SIT, JP, colleagues of the Electricity Legislation Division and representatives of the electrical trade

Electrical Safety Quiz

Feedback

We look forward to receiving your valuable feedback about this newsletter for continuous improvement. Please complete the feedback form below and return it to our Electricity Legislation Division by post, fax or e-mail on or before 30 Jun 2013 (please refer to the contact information at the bottom of this page).

Contact Information

Electricity Legislation Division, EMSD, 3 Kai Shing Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong

1823

2895 4929

info@emsd.gov.hk