Summary of State, Territory and New Zealand Service and Installation Requirements for Electrical Equipment

Links to requirements for current limiting and "Soft Start Devices" for air conditioners

State and Territory Service and Installation Requirements which contain information on soft start / maximum current requirements can be accessed at the links below.

Victoria - www.victoriansir.org.au/

South Australia - www.etsautilities.com.au - go to Customer Forms and Downloads, Service and Installation Rules, Clause 4.3.7.

Queensland - www.energex.com.au > for Home > Home products > Home Air Conditioning > Important information > soft starters

Western Australia - Department of Consumer and Employment Protection - WA Electrical Requirements

New Zealand - There are no specific regulations that mandate the installation of "soft start devices" in air conditioning units in New Zealand. However, Regulation 56 of the Electricity Regulations 1997 provides a generic obligation in regard to quality of supply. The regulation states;

56. Quality of Supply

No person may use or continue to use any fittings or electrical appliance that unduly interferes with the satisfactory supply of electricity to any other person, or that impairs the safety of, or unduly interferes with the operation of, any fittings or electrical appliance.
Compliance with ECP 36 is deemed to be compliance with sun-clause (1), in respect of interference from harmonics.

New South Wales - NSW Service and Installation Rules excerpt below:

1.10.1.1 General

The equipment in an electrical installation must be arranged and operated so as to minimise or prevent adverse effects to the distribution system and other electrical installations connected to the distribution system.

The effects may be considered under the following categories:

(a) Excessive fluctuations - equipment which would cause excessive voltage disturbances on the distribution system as a result of large or fluctuating load demands, e.g. arc furnaces, welding machines, x-ray units, frequently started motors including air conditioning equipment. Must comply with AS/NZS 61000.3.3 or AS 61000.3.5 and AS/NZS 61000.3.11.

1.10.1.4 Limitations - Motors

The starting current of motors, which is significantly higher than running current, can cause a significant fluctuation of the supply voltage. Motor installations with associated starting/control devices must be designed to ensure that the starting current will not cause the reduction in voltage measured at the point of supply to exceed 5% for more than 20 milliseconds.

Table 1.3 provides a general guide for different types and uses of motors.

In areas limited to 230/460 volt supply, contact the electricity distributor for advice on special supply arrangements.

Table 1.3: Limits of Motor Starting Currents

Motor Type
Starting Current (A)
Single Phase, 230V
45
Three phase 400V
Domestic
53
Three phase, 400V
non Domestic
3.3k + 53
Three phase, 400V
lift motor
200
Three phase, 400V
fire and smoke control equipment
1.5 (3.3k+53)

Note: k = the continuous output rating in kW of the largest motor in the installation or group of motors that are started simultaneously.

This page last modified 02 February 2009