AS/NZS Regulations and Standards for EV Charging

Electrical Certification and registration of manufactured and imported Electric Vehicle Charing Stations can be a little confusing, and like most legislation, can be open to wide and varied interpretations.  Here is a summary of the facts, to assist you to manage risk:

All electrical equipment imported, and sold in, Australia must be proven to be electrically safe. All electrical products, regardless of use, must comply with AS/NZS 3820, which is the general electrical safety standard.  Specifically:

• Electrical equipment must be marked in English with the rated voltage and frequency, and Australian or New Zealand contact details of the Supplier.
• The Supplier shall demonstrate compliance to the relevant standard with test reports, or in lieu of test reports then certificates issued by an Australia or New Zealand regulatory authority.  Noting that CE Certification is not recognised in Australia or New Zealand, as this certification is not a third party verification.

A person conducting a business or undertaking has the primary duty under the WHS Act to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that workers and other persons at the workplace are not exposed to electrical risks arising from the business or undertaking. This duty requires eliminating electrical risks or, if that is not reasonably practicable, minimising the risks so far as is reasonably practicable.

If the item is for use in a house, or is to be sold over the internet to individuals without a registered ABN, then the product must comply with the requirements of the RCM, as detailed in AS/NZS 4417.2 and on www.eess.gov.au.  

In-Scope Electrical Equipment:

The term “in-scope” is defined in law and means electrical equipment that is:

• rated at a voltage greater than 50 V AC RMS or 120V ripple-free DC; and
• rated at a voltage less than 1000V AC RMS or 1500V ripple-free DC; and
• is designed or marketed as suitable for household, personal or similar use.

It is immaterial whether the equipment is designed or marketed for commercial or industrial purposes as well as for household use. If Regulatory Authorities (RAs) claim that an item is in-scope , it will be taken that way unless the Responsible Supplier can prove otherwise.

Note: Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (at this time) have not been classified as in or out of scope, by a Regulating Authority.  AC Stations do however meet the criteria of 'in-scope'.  If argued that they are out-of-scope, then the applicable Regulations dictate that they must still at least meet AS/NZS 3820 above.

Risk Levels – Definition:

EESS provides for in-scope electrical equipment to be classified into three levels:

• Risk Level 3 –electrical equipment that is classified as high risk and is defined in AS/NZS 4417.2. 
• Risk Level 2 – electrical equipment that is classified as medium risk and is defined in AS/NZS 4417.2.
• Risk Level 1 – electrical equipment that is classified low risk or unknown risk and is any in-scope electrical equipment not classified as Risk Level 3 or Risk Level 2.  Level 1 equipment must be electrically safe, meet the relevant standard and be covered by a responsible supplier's declaration before being placed on the market.

Note: At this time, Electric Vehicle Charging Stations themselves are not classified by the Authority as either Level 3 or Level 2.  Therefore, are deemed to be Level 1.  Although, portions of the Electric Vehicle Charging Stations could be deemed as Risk Level 3, via definitions of:

• B2.3  Appliance Connector
• B.2.56  Residual Current Device

Since almost all Electric Vehicle Charging Stations have built-in Radio transmitters, with an integral antenna, for 3G, 4G or 5G; Bluetooth; Wi-Fi; and RFID, then they need to meet and comply with the ACMA requirements of the RCM, as detailed in AS/NZS 4417.2 and on www.eess.gov.au.  Including:

• Telecommunications (Labelling Notice for Customer Equipment and Customer Cabling) Instrument 2015 (TLN)
• Radiocommunications (Compliance Labelling—Devices) Notice 2014(RLN)
• Radiocommunications Labelling (Electromagnetic Compatibility) Notice 2017 (EMC LN)
• Radiocommunications (Compliance Labelling - Electromagnetic Radiation) Labelling Notice 2014 (EMR LN)

• AS IEC 62196.2.2014 – Plugs, socket outlets, vehicle connectors of electric vehicles
• AS/NZS 3112 - Approval and test specification - Plugs and socket-outlets
• AS/NZS 60335.1 - Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety - Part 1: General requirements

 Appendix P: Page 568 

• Design: EV Charging Stations should be designed in accordance with IEC TS 61439-7 
• Outdoor Protection: At least IP44
• Mechanical Protection: Minimum IK07, as per IEC 62262

Appendix P: Page 568

Periodic Inspection: 

• Publically available EV Charging Stations should be inspected at least once per week, in order to verify that there is no visible damage or operational fault.
• Publically available EV Charging Stations should be inspected at least once per year to verify correct operation.

Regular inspecting and testing of electrical equipment can save lives. It helps identify damage, wear and electrical faults.  Click here.

You can detect many electrical defects such as damaged cords just by examining them, but regular inspection and testing will make sure you detect electrical faults and deterioration you can’t see. 

A PCBU must ensure electrical equipment is regularly inspected and tested if it is supplied with electricity through an electrical socket outlet and used in a ‘hostile operating environment’. A ‘hostile operating environment’ is an environment in which the normal use of electrical equipment exposes the equipment to operating conditions that are likely to result in damage to the equipment or a reduction in its expected life span, including conditions that involve exposure to moisture, heat, vibration, mechanical damage, corrosive chemicals or dust. 

Inspections and testing must be carried out by a competent person, which depending on your jurisdiction might be a licensed or registered electrician or a licensed electrical inspector. The nature and frequency of inspection and testing depends on factors such as the nature of the electrical equipment, how it is used, and its operating environment. For advice on inspection and testing for your workplace, seek the advice of a competent person. 

As a general rule, electrical equipment used in ‘hostile operating environments’ should be tested at least once every 12 months. Further guidance may be found in manufacturer’s recommendations and Australian Standards, for example: 

• AS/NZS 3760:2010 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment