Power Supply Law Changes

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31315, 10 March 1967, Page 3

Power Supply Law Changes

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 9. The Minister of Electricity (Mr Shand) today announced the issue of new electrical supply regulations which replace regulations promulgated in 1935.

“Together with the revised Electrical Wiring Regulations issued in 1961,” he said, “these new supply regulations will provide a modern code of conditions for the electrical industry.” Mr Shand said in many instances new provisions had been made for increased safety—and one interesting . example was that the electri- , cal supply authority could be [ required to test without charge, the safety of any portable appliance delivered by a ! consumer to the authority’s nornial place of business. “It is hoped that the public ; will play its part by making full use of this facility,” he ■ he said. On Safety “Provisions as to the ■ safety of personnel are also > grouped together as a more • or less self-contained code for the protection of workers,” ■ he said. i Another point of interest • was an amendment of the regulations dealing with the i rights of consumers and the ; conditions on which they I could obtain supply—including the assessment of guarantees. Cost Allocation “These provisions, which were rather obscure, have been rewritten to provide reasonably clear rules about the erection, maintenance and upgrading, when required, of lines leading to the consum- . ers’ installation and as to a fair allocation of cost between consumers and supply ’ authorities,” said Mr Shand. Mainly Principles 1 The Minister said although •in 1935 it was considered ■ necessary to detail design i and construction provisions extensively—the new regula- • tions now deal mainly with - principles, leaving details to . be covered in codes of prac- - tice. 5 He said the Electric Supply s Authority Engineers’ Institute was preparing codes of • practice which would supplement the regulations to a considerable extent