Compliance Insights September 2024

New standard/amendment publication

IEC 60335-2-83:2024

Household and Similar Electrical Appliances – Safety – Part 2-83: Particular Requirements for Heated Gullies for Roof Drainage

New edition published Sept. 20, 2024

• Alignment with IEC 60335-1:2020 (Ed. 6)
• New Test Probe 18 assessment per IEC 60335-1:2020 is not applicable (Cl. 8.1.1, 20.2, B.22.3, B.22.4)

Draft standard/amendment publication

DR AS/NZS 60598.1:2024

Luminaires, Part 1: General Requirements and Tests
Modified adoption of IEC 60598-1:2020, Ed. 9.0
Proposed for three-year (36-month) transition timing

Significant changes or updates (“ND” indicates AU/NZ national differences from the IEC version of the standard)

• Cl. 3 – Marking and instruction requirements added as below:
  1. Rated input power, rated input contact current/constant voltage
  2. Protective conductor current for Class 1 luminaire
  3. Instruction for replaceable components
  4. UV information
  5. Luminaire with external cable
• Cl. 3.2.8 – ND input power to be measured and shall not be more than 110% of marked input power
• Cl. 3.2.12 – Leads (tails) can now be marked with symbols (as alternative to previous red/black requirement)
• Cl. 4.8 – ND switches (including electronic switches, sensor switches and similar circuits incorporated in the luminaire) to comply with AS 3133, AS 60669 series or AS/NZS 60158 series as applicable
• Cl. 4.12.5 – Relaxation in torque required for metal cable glands (reduced from 6.25 Nm down to 4 Nm)
• Cl. 4.13.6 – Tumbling barrel test of 100 falls introduced for plug in independent control gear with mass less than 100 g
• Cl. 4.14.1 – Change in Test E: Clip-mounted luminaires can now start moving as long as they remain on the glass.
• Cl. 4.30 – Reduction in number of fixings requiring a tool reduced from two to one
• Cl. 4.31 – Protective extra-low-voltage (PELV) system introduced
• Cl. 4.32 – ND adds requirement for SPCs to comply with relevant tests of AS/NZS 3100
• Cl. 4.33 – Testing requirements introduced for luminaires powered via information technology communication cabling (Power over Ethernet (PoE), etc.)
• Cl. 4.34 – EMF test requirement added
• Cl. 4.35 – Protection against moving fan blades requires inspection and testing.
• Cl. 4.36 – Track-mounted luminaires require testing as per Annex A of IEC 60570.
• Cl. 4.37-4.38 – ND small battery requirements from AS/NZS 60598.1:2017 carried over to new edition
• Cl. 4.39 – ND portable rechargeable battery-operated luminaires to comply with AS/NZS 60335.1:2022 Cl. 12, Cl. 19.17 and Annex B, or with AS/NZS 62368.1:2022 Annex M
• Cl. 5.2.1 – Luminaires with connecting leads (tails) require more information on terminal block
• Cl. 5.2.2 – New wiring size requirement added for safety extra-low voltage (SELV), PELV, luminaires with sockets, etc.
• Cl. 5.4 – Test introduced for reduced size of internal wires
• Cl. 5 – ND supply cord and plug requirements from AS/NZS 60598.1:2017 carried over to new edition
• Cl. 8.2 – ND requirements regarding access to live parts if luminaire is opened for user cleaning/maintenance from AS/NZS 60958.1:2017 carried over to new edition with further clarification about what constitutes a “protective cover”
• Cl. 9.2.10-9.2.11 – IPX9 introduced for jet-proof luminaires
• Cl. 10.2.2 – Alternative electric strength test with a DC test voltage introduced for luminaries with coupling capacitors
• Cl. 11 – Slight relaxation of creepage/clearance (cr/cl) distances for more than 600 V PTI
• Cl. 11.2.2 – Linear interpolation between columns has been removed for creepage distances for reinforced insulation.
• Cl. 13 – ND flammability requirements from AS/NZS 60598.1:2017 carried over to new edition
• App D test method for recessed luminaires introduced

Closing date for comments: Nov. 13, 2024

Note: This is the second version draft for public comments, hence the shorter six-week period for responses — https://comment.standards.org.au/.

Regulatory changes

Electrical safety – Australia

Queensland Electrical Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024

Updated both the Queensland Electrical Safety Act and Electrical Safety Regulation:

• To include extra-low-voltage (ELV) devices and technology to be defined as being within scope of the act/regulation
• Clarification regarding replacement of similar appliances (“like-for-like changes”)
• Further changes and enhancements to the implementation of electrical energy storage systems (EESS)

https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/laws-and-compliance/electrical-safety-and-other-legislation-amendment-act-2024

Mandatory Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) – Australia

Improving the energy efficiency of light bulbs

• Phasing out incandescent lamps
• Revoked Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) determination for ballasts for fluorescent lamps and transformers and electronic step-down converters for ELV lamps

https://www.energyrating.gov.au/news-and-stories/improving-energy-efficiency-light-bulbs

Standards/amendments published but pending application

The following standards have an application date within the next six months.

AS/NZS 60335.2.4:2021

Household and Similar Electrical Appliances – Safety – Part 2.4: Particular Requirements for Spin Extractors
New edition published Nov. 26, 2021
Superseding AS/NZS 60335.2.4:2010
Identical adoption of IEC 60335-2-4:2021. Ed. 7.0

• Aligns the text with IEC 60335-1, Ed. 5.2
• Includes Test Probe 18 (child’s finger) assessment when defining “accessible part”
• Includes Test Probe 18 for accessibility of live parts (Cl. 8)

Application date: Nov. 26, 2024

AS/NZS 60335.2.24:2021  

Household and Similar Electrical Appliances – Safety – Part 2.24: Particular Requirements for Refrigerating Appliances, Ice-Cream Appliances and Ice-Makers

New edition published Nov. 26, 2021
Superseding AS/NZS 60335.2.24:2010
Modified adoption of IEC 60335-2-24:2020, Ed. 8

• Multiple notes promoted to normative text throughout
• Definition of “free space” has been clarified (Cl. 3.6.104) by suggesting that a 150 mm sphere or 200 mm cube can be used to identify volumes to be disregarded from the calculation
• Measurement of input current of refrigerating appliances using inverter-driven motor compressors is included (Cl. 10.2); duration of test is six hours (instead of one hour for conventional motor compressors)
• Compatibility tests for winding insulation of motor compressors used with different types of refrigerants and oils have been introduced (Cl. 22.9); not required if the motor compressor component complies with IEC 60335-2-34
• Multiple changes to and clarifications of flammable refrigerant testing requirements (Cl. 22.108, 22.109) due to changes in the IEC 60079 series of standards
• Aluminium fins of heat exchangers and other aluminium parts in contact with outer surfaces of copper pipes excluded from galvanic assessment (Cl. 22.111)
• Added enhanced mechanical strength classification and test to accessible glass panel assessment (Cl. 22.116)
• In refrigerating appliances, new requirements for material encasing and in contact with thermal insulation have been introduced, replacing needle flame testing or V-0- or V-1-classified material (added Cl. 22.117 and Annex EE; removed Cl. 30.2.101). Note: AU/NZ national differences replace Annex EE with “void” and only accept metallic material or 5VA polymeric materials.
• Additional requirements for motor-running capacitors (capacitor simply housed within metallic or ceramic housing would not comply) (Cl. 24.5, 24.8)

Date of application: Nov. 26, 2024

AS/NZS 60335.2.34:2021

Household and Similar Electrical Appliances – Safety – Part 2.34: Particular Requirements for Motor-Compressors
New edition published Nov. 26, 2021
Superseding AS/NZS 60335.2.34:2016
Identical adoption of IEC 60335-2-34:2021, Ed. 6

• Use of a motorette for winding wire compatibility tests introduced (Cl. 3.8.102, Annex BB)
• Optional pressure endurance test introduced (Cl. 18.101, Annex EE)
• Compatibility test for insulation inside the housing clarified (Cl. 22.9)
• Clarification of clearances inside the housing for motor compressors suitable for use at altitudes exceeding 2,000 m (Cl. 29.1)
• Breaking strength of tie cord after temperature heating cycle has been updated (Annex CC)

Date of application: Nov. 26, 2024

AS/NZS 60335.2.113:2017 Amendment No. 1  

Household and Similar Electrical Appliances – Safety – Part 2.113: Particular Requirements for Cosmetic and Beauty Care Appliances Incorporating Lasers and Intense Light Sources
Amendment 1 published Nov. 25, 2022
Identical adoption of IEC 60335-2-113, Ed. 1, Amendment 1

• Removed definition for embedded laser and maximum permissible exposure
• Change of laser beam warning symbol (Cl. 7.6)
• Added different leakage current limit for applicator and additional leakage current assessment between applicator and piles of supply with each supply conductor (Cl. 13.2, 13.101)
• Added mechanical strength against crushing and drop test for detachable power supply (Cl. 21.102, 21.103)
• Adjustment to laser type grouping/classification (Cl. 22.107)
• Change of stray optical radiation exposure limit (Cl. 22.108, 22.109, 32.101, 32.102)
• Considers beauty care appliances with lasers or intense light source as unattended appliances and others as attended appliances for glow wire (Cl. 30.2)

Date of application: Nov. 25, 2024

AS/NZS 62841.2.1:2018 Amendment No. 1  

Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools and Lawn and Garden Machinery – Safety – Part 2.1: Particular Requirements for Hand-Held Drills and Impact Drills
Amendment 1 published Nov. 25, 2022
Identical adoption of IEC 602841-2-1, Ed. 1, Amendment 1

• Clarifies that rotary screwdrivers, impact wrenches and rachet drivers are not within the scope of this standard, but IEC 62841-2-2 (Cl. 1)
• Splits the safety-critical function (SCF) for output speed prevention in Table 4 into two categories (greater than 150% of no-load speed is less than 3,500 rpm, and greater than 130% of no-load speed is greater than 3,500 rpm) (Cl. 18.8)
• Modification that no-load speed at rated voltage shall be less than 120% of rated no-load speed (Cl. 19.6)
• Additional handle hazard assessment for electronically controlled torque (Cl. 19.102.3, 19.102.4, Annex K.18.8, K.19.102)
• Power switch trigger and lock-off devices to prevent inadvertent starting are not applicable (Cl. 21.18.1.2)
• Clarification for impact drills and diamond core drills during noise and vibration emissions (Annex I)

Date of application: Nov. 25, 2024

AS/NZS 62841.3.10:2017 Amendment No. 1

Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools and Lawn and Garden Machinery – Safety – Part 3.10: Particular Requirements for Transportable Cut-Off Machines
Amendment 1 published Nov. 25, 2022
Identical adoption of IEC 602841-3-10, Ed. 1, Amendment 1

• Updated SCF Table 4 by including SCF for “Prevent exceeding thermal limits” and “Function to have two separate actions before motor start” and removed “lock-off function” and “prevent self-resetting SCF;” also changed “desired switched off power switch” minimum performance level to 50 years (Cl. 18.8)
• Removes recording requirement for wheel speed during wheel guard strength test (Cl. 20.102.1)
• Dust collection requirement (Cl. 21.35) and non-self-resetting protection device or circuit (Cl. 23.3) are not applicable
• Clarifies the steel bar type for cutting during noise test (Annex I.2.5)

Date of application: Nov. 25, 2024

AS/NZS 62841.4.2:2018 Amendment No. 1

Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools and Lawn and Garden Machinery – Safety – Part 4.2: Particular Requirements for Hedge Trimmers
Amendment 1 published Nov. 25, 2022
Identical adoption of IEC 602841-4-2, Ed. 1, Amendment 1

• Clarifies that maximum speed is attained when adjusted in accordance with manufacturer’s specs and/or instruction; when maximum speed is not attended under no-load condition, manufacturer shall provide special hardware or software to attain this (Cl. 3.11, 5.103)
• Minor modification to marking and instructions (Cl. 8.2, 8.14)
• After ingress protection (IPX) testing, the appliance should not start with the power switch in the off position. The insulation creepage distance shall not be reduced by traces of water. If creepage distances can be reduced, the appliance will be short circuited and evaluated for fire risk and loss of SCF. (Cl. 14.2.2)
• Added warning for overheating of cutting device during continuous operation (Cl. 17.2)
• Minor change to handle perimeter dimension (Cl. 19.101.1.1)
• Additional requirement for 25 mm clearance around blade control (Cl. 19.101.1.2, 19.101.1.3, 19.101.2.1, 19.101.2.2, 19.101.2.3)
• Added torque (2 Nm) used for adjustable handle assessment (Cl. 19.101.3.2)
• Additional requirement for hand protection for single-sided hedge trimmers (Cl. 19.102.2.1)
• Blunt extension exempted for Category 4 hedge trimmer with a blade configuration where there are only two handles and the front handle is a stick-type handle that is permanently fixed to the smooth side of a single-sided cutting device (Cl. 19.103.2.4)
• Clarifies that same sample can be reused for drop test if without failure (Cl. 20.3.1)
• Change of measurement point for deflection/deform strength from blade control and cutter blade to power switch and cutter blade (Cl. 20.101.3.3)
• Additional requirement for operator presence sensor whose motion is mechanically obstructed; response time of returning to locked state upon release of blade control extended from one second to five seconds (Cl. 21.17.1, 21.18.102.3)
• Minor modification to handle and shaft of extended-reach hedge trimmer (Cl. 21.30.101)
• Non-self-resetting protection devices are not applicable for extended-reach hedge trimmers and machines fitted with two blade controls that require simultaneous actuation (Cl. 23.3)
• Considers cr/cl requirement for transient overvoltages originating in the equipment not exceeding 4,000 V and clarifies method of how to protect against deposition (Cl. 28.1)

Date of application: Nov. 25, 2024

AS/NZS 62841.4.3:2021

Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools and Lawn and Garden Machinery – Safety – Part 4.3: Particular Requirements for Pedestrian Controlled Walk-Behind Lawnmowers
New edition published Nov. 26, 2021
Supersedes AS/NZS 60335.2.77:2002
Identical adoption of IEC 62841-4-3:2020, Ed. 1

Date of application: Nov. 26, 2024

AS/NZS 62841.4.4:2021

Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools and Lawn and Garden Machinery – Safety – Part 4.4: Particular Requirements for Lawn Trimmers, Lawn Edge Trimmers, Grass Trimmers, Brush Cutters and Brush Saws

New edition published Nov. 26, 2021
Supersedes AS/NZS 60335.2.91:2008
Identical adoption of IEC 62841-4-4:2020, Ed. 1

Date of application: Nov. 26, 2024