Electrical Safety Regulation 2013

The works of an electricity entity must incorporate an earthing and protection system, to a recognised electricity supply industry standard, capable of ensuring the following—

reliable passage of fault current;

reliable passage of single wire earth return load currents to ground or source;

reliable operation of circuit protection devices;

safe step, touch and transfer potentials for all electrical equipment;

appropriate coordination with the earthing and protection systems of other electricity entities;

protection against likely mechanical damage, inadvertent interference and chemical deterioration;

mechanical stability and integrity of connections.

Without limiting subsection (1), the following specific requirements apply for the works of an electricity entity—

to stop, as far as practicable, a person suffering electric shock—

if the multiple earthed neutral system of earthing is used—the neutral conductor of the system must be effectively earthed; and

each non-current carrying exposed conductive part of an electric line or generating plant must be effectively earthed;

each non-current carrying exposed conductive part of a substation must be effectively earthed;

a system of earthing must be tested as soon as practicable after its installation to prove its effectiveness;

a high voltage electric line must be protected by a suitable fuse, circuit breaker or equivalent device.

Earthing is not required under subsection (2)(a)(ii) or (b) in circumstances where the electricity entity, in accordance with a recognised practice in the electricity industry, considers that for safety reasons earthing is not appropriate.