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  • AS 4871.2012 Part 1

AS 4871.2012 Part 1

2.1

2.1.1 Risk Management

  • Risk management techniques shall be employed. This includes identification, assessment,<br>control, implementation and validation, covering the full life cycle including the design and<br>use of the equipment. Techniques may include hazard analysis, risk assessment, failure<br>mode and effect analysis, and functional safety analysis. Control measures shall be<br>implemented as appropriate to account for all foreseeable hazards. Reference should be<br>made to AS 4024 (series), AS/NZS 4240 series , AS/NZS ISO 31000, AS 60204.1, AS 61508 series <br>and AS 62061.<br>The end user/operator should provide adequate information relating to the mine or quarry’s<br>Environment, electrical systems and protection schemes to the equipment designer.<br>NOTE: Information to be supplied by the purchaser is listed in Appendix A.<br>Where personnel may be in proximity of any moving machinery or plant during normal<br>mining activities, consideration should be given to appropriate technologies such as<br>proximity detection of persons to provide a means of ensuring power is removed if<br>personnel are in an area not deemed to be a safe working zone, i.e. personnel entering an<br>area of danger and not required to be there as part of normal operation of the equipment.NOTES:<br>1 For information on integrated control systems refer to Appendix B.<br>2 The use of programmable electronic systems introduces an additional possibility of failure or<br>defeat if access to safety related software is not properly designed and monitored.

2.1.2 Supply System

  • The supply system associated with power to mining and quarrying equipment and machines<br>covered by this Standard shall have earth-fault current limitation, i.e. an IT system.<br>NOTE: AS 3007 provides detail of the IT system and other systems.<br>Except for battery powered mobile machines, electrical equipment shall be suitable for<br>operating on a power supply that incorporates earth-fault current limitation.<br>Consideration should be given to voltage and frequency regulation, when designing<br>equipment.

2.1.3 System Faults

  • Consideration shall be given to the fault levels of electrical circuits to ensure the electrical<br>equipment and cabling are selected and installed to match the system design fault level.<br>Any protection study undertaken should consider the affects of minimum and maximum<br>possible fault levels.

2.1.4 Equipment Section

  • For further information, selection of equipment is covered by AS 60204.1.<br> Electrical components and devices shall —<br>(a) be suitable for their intended use; <br>(b) conform to relevant standards where such exist; and<br>(c) be applied in accordance with the supplier’s instructions.<br>The electrical equipment should be suitable for the switching and interrupting capacity<br>relevant to rated voltages and short-circuit currents.

2.1.5 Temperature Rating

  • To protect against the risk of burn injury, the maximum external surface temperature of<br>Accessible parts of electrical equipment enclosures intended to be touched shall not exceed <br>70˚C under normal operating conditions.<br>Refer to AS 60204.1 for use of appropriate warning signs.<br>Additional precautions may be necessary to prevent the risk of injury to persons. Refer to<br>Section 3 for hazardous areas.<br>The temperature rating of all selected electrical/electronic equipment to be installed within<br>the enclosure shall be suitable for use at the operational temperature within the enclosure, at<br>maximum load.<br>In accessing service temperature, the ambient temperature at the mine or quarry shall be considered.<br>NOTE: See Appendix A, Paragraph A1.

2.1.6 Assembly

  • The equipment shall be assembled so as to guard against mechanical and electrical failure<br>under normal conditions of use, and to maintain the degree of protection (IP rating)<br>required by component parts.<br>The equipment shall be arranged to be accessible for mounting, wiring, maintenance and<br>replacement.<br>Operating devices such as handles, push buttons and levers, shall be accessible and<br>designed and arranged to minimize the risk of inadvertent operation or damage.<br>Components should be installed and wired in such a manner that proper functioning is not<br>impaired by interactions, including heat, arcs, vibration and fields of energy under normal<br>and rated-through-fault conditions.

2.1.7 Construction

  • Consideration, during the design stage, shall be given to the arduous handling and<br>transportation conditions to which the equipment is to be subjected. Suitably rated lifting<br>and towing points, skid bases, fork lift facilities and the like should be included in the<br>design.

2.1.8 Arc Blast Protection

  • Consideration shall be made for the prevention of arc blast injury. This shall include the<br>positioning of operating handles, explosion vents, integrity and guarding of windows.<br>Consideration should be given to the use of remote switching.<br>NOTE: Further information is given in IEEE 1584 and NFPA-70E.

2.2 Enclosure Enquires

2.2.1 General

  • The design of all enclosures used in both safe and hazardous areas shall consider the<br>following parameters:<br>(a) Component layout.<br>(b) Shock loading and vibration levels.<br>(c) Operator safety by means of—<br>(i) doors, fixed panels and partitions to prevent contact with live conductors and<br>exposure to arcing products;<br>(ii) an enclosure rated to contain or control the effects of the prospective fault energy;<br>(iii) vents located in a position to direct any arc products away from the operator; and<br>(iv) pressure relief to atmosphere for any abnormal pressures developed in safe area<br>equipment directed away from and with due regard to the safety of the operator.<br>The location and size shall be adequate for the nominated fault rating and to<br>Limit internal pressures to safe limits for the equipment.<br>(d) Operating environment.

2.2.2 Ingress Protection (IP)

  • Enclosures shall -<br>(a) have a minimum degree of protection IP 55 in accordance with AS 60529; or<br>(b) be located in a controlled environment that eliminates exposure to water spray.<br>NOTE: In selecting an appropriate IP rating, consideration should be given to the intended<br>Operating environment including physical location and level of exposure to water and dust. <br>Refer to Appendix A for guidance on supplying information.<br>This requirement applies to non-hazardous and hazardous areas.

2.2.3 Internal Segregation

  • Where possible, components and wiring of high voltage, low voltage and extra-low voltage<br>installed in a common enclosure, should be segregated. Where compartmental segregation<br>is not possible then techniques including insulation, earth barrier, restraint, creepage and<br>clearance between different voltages should be employed.

2.2.4 Withdraw-able and plug-in equipment

  • Enclosures with withdraw-able and plug in equipment shall be constructed so the equipment<br>modules cannot be dislodged from their position during normal operation.<br>Withdrawable and plug-in equipment containing power circuits shall not operate unless<br>fully engaged.

2.2.5 Unused openings and threaded entries

  • Unused openings and threaded entries shall be closed or plugged so the degree of protection<br>(see Clause 2.2.2) or the explosion-protection integrity of the enclosure or both is<br>maintained. Precautions shall be taken to prevent release during normal service conditions.

2.2.6.1 General

  • The requirement to fit interlocking shall be determined by risk management. The following<br>factors shall be considered when determining if and where required:<br>(a) Exposure to live conductors.<br>(b) Accessibility to the enclosure.<br>(c) Special fasteners and tools.<br>(d) Live line indication.<br>Equipment shall be designed to minimize the risk of inadvertent exposure to live electricity.<br>Interlocking shall not be relied upon as a means of isolation to gain access to enclosures<br>supplied with greater than extra-low voltage.<br>The system shall be designed to prevent the easy or inadvertent removal of access covers on<br>enclosures when the power is switched on, and in addition shall prevent restoration of<br>power to the enclosure while the access cover is open.<br>Access covers shall be interlocked with a switching device, or padlocked or bolted with<br>warning signs so it is not possible to inadvertently open or remove the cover with the power on.<br>Interlocking systems shall have a category of protection consistent with AS 4024.1501 or<br>safety integrity levels consistent with AS/NZS 62061.<br>If the enclosure to which the cover provides access contains live conductors above ELV that<br>either—<br>(i) can be contacted by persons; or<br>(ii) are not protected by acceptable insulation material of thickness and grade appropriate<br>to the voltage, to prevent inadvertent contact by a person, then covers and access<br>covers shall be marked in accordance with Clause 5.4.

2.2.6.2 Interlocking

  • <br>Every interlocking system that dies not have a rigid mechanism link between the isolating<br>device and the latch on the enclosure being protected shall be designed using functional <br>safety principles. Refer Clause 2.1.1<br>Acceptable interlocking methods are as follows:<br>(a) Mechanical interlocking - where mechanical system of interlocking may be used in<br>conjunction with an isolating switch, the following may apply:<br>(i) The isolating switch, assembly shall be arranged so that, when mounted in its<br>enclosure it is only possible for the actual position of the isolating switch <br>contacts to correspond to the external position indicator forming part of the operating handle<br>(ii) A method of captive interlocking will be acceptable as mechanical interlocking <br>between the isolating switch and enclosures(s).<br>(b) Electrical interlocking - Undervoltage releases, providing the function of 'no volt, no<br>close' is the preferred form of the electrical release for electrical interlocking.<br>Where a shunt trip device is the only form of tripping, a safety appraisal in<br>Accordance with Clause 2.1.1 shall be undertaken. Appropriate facilities to monitor or<br>test the functionality shall be provided as determined in the safety appraisal.<br>Only totally enclosed interlock switches of robust construction shall be used. Switch<br>terminals shall be shrouded.<br>Any electrical interlocking switch circuit shall be ELV.<br>(c) Electromechanical interlocking — Where electromechanical interlocking is used, it<br>shall comply with the relevant parts of the requirements in Items (a) and (b), to<br>achieve an equivalent level of safety.<br>NOTE: It is recognized that methods of interlocking to prevent inadvertent access to <br>HV enclosures may not be possible due to the use of HV supply cables not having pilot cores<br>(e.g. PILSWA cable). Consideration should be given to alternate control measures such as an<br>audio/visual device inside the enclosure to warn if the cover is removed with the enclosure <br>energized.

2.2.6.3 Electrical interlocking of restrained plugs

  • Where restrained plugs and receptacles above ELV are used and there is likelihood of a<br>person coming in contact with live pins, provision shall be incorporated to automatically<br>disconnect electricity when the plug is removed, and to prevent automatic restoration of<br>electricity on the insertion of the plug into its receptacle.<br>The interlocking shall not be relied upon as a means of isolation.

2.2.7 Protection against direct and indirect contact

  • Design considerations shall include protection from electric shock caused by direct or<br>indirect contact with electricity.<br>NOTE: See Appendix C. Also refer to AS/NZS 3000, AS 60204.1 and AS 60204.11 for guidance.

2.3 Component Requirements

2.3.1 Creepage and clearance

  • It is recommended that the characteristics of the component and the insulation of the<br>associated circuit be examined to assess the need for protection against transient over<br>voltages that may occur during closure or interruption of the circuit.<br>Consideration should be given in the design to the selection and construction of electrical<br>components to prevent the occurrence of an arcing fault. The following provisions apply:<br>(a) All insulation other than battery cells and boxes shall have a minimum comparative<br>tracking index (CTI) of 400 in accordance with AS/NZS 60112 or a suitable BIL or<br>impulse level. Refer to AS 1824.1.<br>(b) Insulation techniques, creepage and clearance dimensions shall be appropriate for<br>each system voltage and operating condition.<br>NOTES: <br>1. Appendix D provides recommendations for minimum creepage and clearance distances in<br>air and in clean environments. In abnormally dusty, moist or corrosive environments<br>greater distances should be considered.<br>2. In IT systems the phase-to-earth creepage and clearances distances should match the<br>phase-to-phase distances. On a three-phase impedance earthed (IT) system, the two <br>Unfaulted phases will rise from phase-to-earth voltage to phase-to-phase voltage.<br>(c) Impulse testing may be applied as an alternative to establish suitable creepage and<br>Clearances distances. Refer to Clause 4.5 and Appendix H, Paragraph H1.5.<br>The manufacturer's recommendations shall be followed regarding special measures to<br>prevent a gradual reduction in the insulation values due to unfavourable ambient<br>conditions (e.g. deposits of conductive dust and chemical attack).<br>(d) Components shall be adequately rated.<br>(e) Interphase barriers shall be either earthed metal or insulated types.<br>(f) Cable terminations shall meet the general electrical requirements and, where relevant,<br>the specific standards relating to explosion-protection techniques.

2.3.2 Switching Devices

2.3.2.1 General

  • Switching devices, as detailed below, shall comply with a relevant standard appropriate to<br>the application.<br>Reference should be made to manufacturers published performance data to ensure the <br>Protection provided is appropriate to the application, including maximum and minimum <br>fault currents and maximum clearance time.<br>Consideration shall be given to the mechanical endurance requirements of switching<br>devices, the electrical switching capacity (including short-circuit) and low power factor<br>when subject to frequent operation.<br>All switching devices shall be mounted, keeping spaces, clearances and orientation in<br>accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and in a manner provides optimum<br>accessibility for maintenance purposes.<br>Where the switching device is required for the purpose of isolation for the safety of<br>personnel carrying out maintenance or repair, provision shall be made for locking the<br>switching device in the off position.<br>Where the switching device is required to be operated by the general workforce at the mine <br>or quarry, the device should not be capable of being locked in the on position. A safety<br>Assessment shall be conducted where a device is capable of being locked in the on position.<br>See also Clause 2.3.2.2(c).<br>Where required, switching devices may have provision for the following features associated<br>with the means of isolation:<br>(a) Test position.<br>(b) Earth position.<br>(c) Phase reversal position.

2.3.2.2 Isolating switches (disconnectors)

  • Isolating switches shall be mounted for ‘dead front’ operation.<br>Isolating switches shall be of the following types:<br>(a) Fault make, fault break.<br>(b) Fault make, load break.<br>(c) Off load make, off load break. Where used, this type shall be equipped with and<br>interlocking device that removes the load before the device is operated and has a<br>suitable category or safety integrity level relevant to the risk. Refer to Clause 2.1.1.<br>Isolating switches shall be capable of being locked into the open position.

2.3.2.3 Circuit Breakers

  • The mounting of the circuit breaker shall provide for ‘dead front’ operation.<br>Where a trip-free mechanism forms part of the main power supply switching device, it shall<br>not be possible for the moving contacts to close onto the fixed contacts while the trip<br>mechanism is held in the tripped position, either by manual means or under the influence of<br>a de-energized under voltage release.<br>The circuit breaker tripping device shall trip the circuit breaker operating mechanism by<br>one or more of the following methods:<br>(a) Direct electromechanical operation.<br>(b) Operation of an undervoltage release.<br>(c) Operation of a shunt release.<br>Where a shunt release is provided as the only means to trip the circuit breaker, the<br>following requirements shall apply:<br>(i) The shunt release system shall be subject to a safety assessment in accordance with<br>Clause 2.1.1.<br>Where a shunt release is used as the only form of tripping it shall have two energy<br>sources available for normal operation. One source may be a stored energy type that<br>is capable of operating the shunt release at least once when the normal power supply<br>is removed. Appropriate facilities to monitor or test the functionality shall be<br>Provided as determined in the safety assessment.<br>(ii) Where access to the stored energy device is required, tripping of the circuit breaker<br>shall occur and access to the stored energy device shall not be possible until the<br>stored energy device has discharged to a safe level.

2.3.2.4 Contactors

  • Electrically operated contactors, where used, shall comply with the relevant standards.<br>All contactors shall be mounted—<br>(a) so the contactor cannot close inadvertently;<br>(b) in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations, including adequate arc<br>ventilation for air break contactors; and<br>(c) so as to provide optimum accessibility for maintenance purposes.<br>Where more than one contactor is required to maintain an operation sequence and reversing<br>or speed changing and failure of a contactor may create a risk due to incorrect movement or<br>damage to equipment then suitable interlocking shall be employed.

2.3.3 Transformers

2.3.3.1 General

  • Transformers can be dry, gas filled (pressurized) or contain an insulating liquid as a<br>coolant.<br>

2.3.3.2 Power Transformers

  • Power transformers shall comply with AS 60076.1 or an equivalent and applicable standard.<br>NOTE: Consideration should be given to the duty cycle to which the power transformer will be<br>subjected.<br> <br>The core of all power transformers and any associated non-current-carrying metal shall be<br>effectively connected to the enclosure earth by an earthing conductor.

2.3.3.3 Control Transformers

  • Control Transformers<br> <br>Control transformers shall comply with the following requirements:<br>(a) Be of the dry type construction.<br> <br>(b) Have separate input and output windings electrically isolated from each other.<br>(c) Have an earthed shield placed between the primary and secondary windings.

2.3.3.4 Current and instrument transformers

  • Current and instrument transformers used for measurement or protection shall be selected<br>relative to the requirements of the protection or instrumentation equipment duty. Current<br>transformers shall comply with AS 60044.1. Instrument transformers shall comply with<br>AS 60044.2.<br><br>

2.3.4 Measuring Instruments

  • Where measuring instruments are fitted, they shall comply with the following <br>requirements:<br>(a) Measuring instruments shall be adequately protected from impact damage.<br>(b) Measuring instruments shall not be connected into any protective circuit such that the<br>measuring instrument may impair the operation of the protective circuit.

2.3.5 Terminals

  • The method of termination should be suitable for and maintain contact pressure for<br>conductors rated to the proposed current and prospective fault level.<br>Terminals intended for the connection of external conductors should be so arranged that<br>they are readily accessible.<br>The method of termination shall be such that conductors of dimensions compatible with the<br>rated current values may be readily connected and that contact pressures are permanently<br>maintained without detriment to the conductors.<br>NOTE: The majority of mining cables have flexible multi-stranded conductors and consideration<br>should be given to the different cross sections and manufacturers recommendations when<br>selecting the dimensions of the terminals and crimp lugs to which they may be connected.<br>Where connecting screws are employed, tightening of the screws shall be possible without<br>excessive turning or displacement of the terminal and displacement of the conductor.<br>The effectiveness of a terminal shall not depend upon pressure on insulating material which<br>may shrink or deform in service.<br> <br> <br> <br>

2.3.6 Cable Connections

  • Facilities shall be provided for the connection of cable(s) so as not to compromise the<br>enclosure integrity regarding the degree of protection (see Clause 2.2.2) or explosion-<br>protection characteristics.<br>

2.3.7 Motors

  • All motors shall comply with the relevant standards.<br>For all types of motors, maximum surface temperature is an important consideration. It is<br>recommended that all motors be fitted with internal temperature detection.<br>It is recommended that motor enclosures have a minimum IP rating of IP 55 in accordance <br>with AS 60529 unless in a controlled environment.<br>Motor connection operating temperatures should be considered when selecting motor<br>cables.

2.3.8 Variable Speed Drives

  • Variable speed drive (VSD) systems shall comply with this Standard. In particular, <br>Section 4 tests shall apply having regard to the full range of operating conditions, including <br>speed range, voltage and supply frequency.<br>VSD technology represents a range of operating conditions that may be different to the<br>normal electrical conditions expected, such as with motor drives running at relatively<br>constant speed and on 50 hertz sinusoidal supply. These different operating conditions may<br>create increased levels or new types of risk not covered by the traditional protection<br>measures covered elsewhere in this Standard. With the rapidly changing range of<br>technologies, switching devices and operating conditions of use, it is not possible to specify<br>in this Standard all possible risks and control measures. Manufacturers and users of these<br>technologies should consider the differences that may create additional or new hazards, e.g.<br>changing operating power supply frequency, high frequency switching harmonics, power<br>segregation and common mode voltages between incoming and outgoing VSD circuits.<br>Before installing any VSD, operators should review the manufacturer’s recommendations<br>for the safe use of this equipment to make sure the device is used within its safe limits.<br>NOTE: Appendix E provides a list of possible risks and guidance notes. This list is not<br>exhaustive, but is a reference list of the typical range of possible risks that need to be considered<br>with any VSD system when complying with this Standard.<br>Undesirable outcomes may exist where an inappropriate combination is used or where one<br>component is not compatible with the application.<br>

2.3.9 Resistors

  • Where resistors are used, they shall be designed so that any operating condition shall not<br>cause the enclosure surface temperature to rise above that specified in Clause 2.1.5.

2.3.10 Electronic Based Systems

2.3.10.1 General

  • Where any electronic/programmable electronic based system (E/PE system) is employed<br>and relied upon for safety critical applications on any plant or equipment, these shall be<br>subjected to a safety assessment in accordance with AS 62061 or AS 61508 series.<br>Overall system functional safety is of prime importance. It is recommended that<br>management plans be implemented at all phases of the life cycle of the equipment. This will<br>include definitions of responsibility, risk assessment, safety integrity levels,<br>commissioning, maintenance, and revision control.<br> <br>The complexity of these plans should be appropriate for the E/PE system.<br>NOTE: AS 62061 provides typical guidelines for the design and management of safety<br>related E/PE systems.<br>

2.3.10.2 Hardware

  • Electronic-based systems shall be manufactured in accordance with a recognized Standard,<br>appropriate to the application. All printed circuit boards shall be adequately protected from<br>the environment. The maximum internal temperature of the enclosure shall be no greater<br>than the temperature rating of any component. The power supply to these units should have<br>suitable noise immunity and performance for the intended application. Where<br>microprocessors or other electronic equipment are used they shall be installed in an<br>enclosure that provides a minimum degree of ingress protection suitable for the applicationand design of the equipment.<br> <br>NOTE: Environmental conditions or the type of machine may call for the flameproof enclosures<br>to have a degree of protection that complies with either the first or second numeral or both,<br>according to the assessed condition of operation.<br> <br>All electronic apparatus shall be designed to satisfy the maximum internal temperature that<br>may occur in the enclosure in which it is installed. (This applies to microprocessors,<br>barriers, electronic devices and protection/relays.) In accessing service temperature, the<br>Ambient temperature at the mine or quarry shall be considered.<br>NOTE: See Appendix A, Paragraph A1.

2.3.10.3 Isolation of data and communication lines

  • Where data communications devices are used they should be arranged to minimize the<br>coupling of hazardous voltages onto data communications lines.<br> <br>In particular, data modems that connect or couple to power cables should be suitably rated<br>for the application and type tested to withstand the expected voltage range.<br>This should include consideration of any coupling to any energized circuits at remote<br>locations and possibly different voltages to ensure, these circuits are effectively isolated.<br>NOTE: For hazardous areas, this requirement applies to all non-IS applications.

2.3.10.4 Software

  • Software shall be considered an integral part of any safety related E/PE system.<br>An appropriate software quality management plan should be adopted for any E/PE system<br>or piece of equipment. The plan shall cover the complete life cycle and include<br>responsibilities, risk management, specification and safety integrity levels, commissioning,<br>change control, and documentation.<br> <br>NOTE: AS 61508.3 provides typical guidelines for software management.

2.3.11 EMC Immunity and Emission

  • The equipment shall not generate electromagnetic disturbances above levels that areappropriate for its intended operating environment. In addition, the equipment shall have a<br>level of immunity to electromagnetic disturbances so it can function in its intended<br>environment.<br>The equipment shall be installed in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations.<br>NOTES:<br>1 Measures to limit the generation of electromagnetic disturbances and enhance the immunity<br>are provided in AS 60204.1.<br>2 Refer to AS/NZS 61000 series for guidance.<br>Spectrum management for radio controlled equipment shall be considered. Refer<br>to AS/NZS 4240 (series).

2.4.1 Conductor Isulation

  • Adequate steps should be taken in the selection of conductor insulation and the types of<br>terminations and materials employed to prevent insulation deterioration which, due to<br>partial discharge and surface tracking, could result in an arcing fault.<br>Insulating materials should comply with relevant standards.<br> <br>

2.4.2 Protective Earthing Covers

  • The minimum cross-sectional area of any earthing conductor shall comply with<br>AS/NZS 3000 or AS 3007 or as specified for cables in Clause 2.4.7. This may be as detailed<br>in Table 5.1 of AS/NZS 3000 for copper earthing conductor sizes or by calculation.

2.4.3 Neutral Earthing Conductors

  • The cross-sectional area of the neutral earthing conductor between the transformer neutral<br>terminal and the earth-fault limitation device shall be one of the following:<br>(a) Fifty percent of the cross-sectional area of the main power conductor, up to and<br>including 70 mm2.<br>(b) Thirty-three percent of the cross-sectional area of conductors above 70 mm2, with a<br>minimum cross-sectional area of 35 mm2.<br>(c) Rated by calculation for the full unrestricted phase to earth-fault current and clearing time (I2t).<br>NOTE: Cables need not exceed 95 mm2 when provided with additional mechanical protection and<br>should be kept as short as practical.<br>The conductor connecting the earth-fault limiting device to earth shall be rated at twice the<br>fault limited current or have a minimum cross-sectional area of 4 mm2, whichever is the<br>greater.<br>The conductors shall be mechanically protected.

2.4.4 Power Conductors

  • When selecting the conductor insulation type and size, the cyclic (RMS) loading and the<br>fault capacity for the time taken to interrupt the fault shall be taken into account.<br>NOTES:<br>1 Refer to AS/NZS 3008, Parts 1.1 and 1.2, for calculating the cyclic loading and fault capacity.<br>2 Consideration should be given to conductors for any through feed/extension supply.

2.4.5 Control, protection and auxiliary conductors

  • Where there is a reduction of cross-sectional area of conductors connecting the power<br>source to an auxiliary circuit protective device, the conductors shall be double insulated and<br>as short as possible.

2.4.6 Internal Wiring

  • Internal wiring in the enclosure shall be restrained to prevent mechanical damage and the<br>fouling of moving components.<br>Through-conductors should maintain the same phase rotation on any extension supply.<br>All wiring and conductor ends shall be identified with a durable system of marking.<br>All wiring shall be selected, installed and protected in accordance with the particular<br>environment, including exposure to high temperatures.

2.4.7 Cables

  • Cables used for power supply and distribution in any mine or quarry for equipment covered<br>In this Standard shall be suitable for the intended application, duty and environment, <br>Including exposure to high temperatures.<br>Cables shall comply with one of the following as appropriate for the application:<br>(a) For below ground reeling and trailing cable applications, power cables shall comply<br>with AS/NZS 1802.<br>(b) For below ground machine cable applications, cables shall comply with AS/NZS 1972<br>Or AS/NZS 1802. Refer also to Section 3.9 for hazardous areas.<br>(c) For above ground reeling and trailing cable applications, power cables shall comply<br>with AS/NZS 2802.<br>NOTE: This Standard does not exclude the use of polymeric cables in other parts of the mining<br>operation.

2.5 Connection Facilities For Earthing And Equipotential Bonding Conductors

2.5.1 General

  • A connection facility for the connection of an earthing conductor shall be provided inside<br>any electrical enclosure.<br>Metal gland(s) and cable armouring (if any) shall be connected or bonded to earth.<br>Electrical apparatus, operating above ELV, with a metallic enclosure shall have an<br>additional external connection facility for an equipotential bonding conductor. This external<br>connection facility shall be electrically continuous with the internal earthing connection<br>facility.<br>NOTE: The expression ‘electrically continuous’ does not necessarily involve the use of a<br>conductor.<br>The connection facility shall be suitable for the effective connection of at least one<br>conductor with a cross-sectional area as required by Clause 2.4.2 and shall be protected<br>against corrosion. The connection facility shall be designed so that the conductors are <br>secured against loosening and twisting and maintain contact pressure.<br>The main incoming earth shall be electrically bonded to the equipment frame.

2.5.2 Cables containing only analog/or digital signals

  • For screened cable containing only analog and/or digital control signals, the screen should<br>be earthed, at one end only, usually at the non-field end.

2.5.3 Circuits requiring earthing

2.5.3.1 General

  • Where it is necessary to provide for earthing of circuits, an earth switch shall be provided<br>on the load side of the isolating switch. Where the earth switch does not earth external<br>circuits, an additional earthing facility shall be provided to discharge the external circuits.<br>The earth switch should be fault-make rated equivalent to the fault rating of the enclosure<br>with its contacts.<br>The earth switch shall be interlocked with the circuit isolating switch. Where a fault-make<br>rating is not practicable, the interlock shall be rated in accordance with a functional safety<br>analysis.<br>Circuit earthing procedures shall be clearly identified.

2.5.3.2 Visibility of contacts

  • The position of the disconnector and earth switch blades shall be visible from outside the<br>enclosure housing the live parts or be indicated by means of a mechanical linkage directly<br>coupled to the switch contacts that can only indicate open when all contacts are open and<br>indicate closed when all contacts are closed.<br>Live line indication shall be provided.

2.5.3.3 Live Line Indication

  • Live line indication shall be provided. The location of the indication shall be determined by<br>safety assessment and may be on the line side, load side or both.

2.6 Protection Requirements

2.6.1 General

  • For electrical protection of circuits and equipment, automatic circuit opening devices of<br>adequate rating shall be used. The range of recommended settings of each device shall be<br>specified for overload and short circuit currents consistent with the normal operating loads,<br>maximum fault current of the electrical equipment, and current rating and impedance of<br>cables. The resetting of any electrical fault protection device shall not result in automatic<br>restarting.

2.6.2 Earth Protection Scheme

2.6.2.1 General

  • The electrical earthing protection strategy shall be such that the level of step and touchpotential and time exposed is limited to acceptable levels when the equipment is under fault<br>conditions.<br> <br>The acceptable levels of prospective touch voltage and operating time shall be obtained from Figure 1.<br>NOTE: Refer to Appendix C for guidance.<br>To ensure touch potentials caused by electrical faults on equipment are managed to<br>acceptable levels, the complete electrical system should be designed and assessed and a<br>protection scheme implemented in accordance with design and assessment. The protection<br>system design shall consider the total clearance time of protection and switching devices.<br>The protection scheme limits the risk of—<br> <br>(a) an ignition of gas or dust;<br> <br>(b) high resistance earth return paths;<br> <br>(c) explosion or fire initiated by electrical arcing; and<br> <br>(d) exposure to electrical contact with live parts.<br> <br>NOTE: The relevant regulatory authority may specify additional requirements and setting values.<br>This Clause does not apply to battery-powered machines or alternator systems associated<br>with diesel powered machines. Refer to AS/NZS 4871.5 and AS/NZS 4871.6 for<br>requirements for these systems.<br> <br>The protection scheme shall employ each of the following (see Clause 2.6.2.2 to 2.6.2.6) as<br>required.<br>

2.6.2.2 Earth-fault Current Limitation

  • Where earth-fault limitation is required under Clause 2.6.2.1, a device complying with the<br>performance and construction requirements of AS/NZS 2081 shall limit the earth-fault<br>current.<br> <br>The ratio of earth-fault current to earth leakage protection trip should be at least 10.<br>For systems where capacitive charging currents may cause spurious tripping, a lower ratioof at least 5 may be used subject to a detailed system assessment, including charge current<br>and time, component reliability and operating tolerance. For reliable operation, the earth-<br>Fault limitation should be as low as possible and the tripping ratio should be as high as<br>possible.<br> <br>NOTE: A system assessment should take into account the functional safety of the protection <br>systems.

2.6.2.3 Earth-continuity Protection

  • Earth-continuity protection devices complying with the performance and construction<br>requirements of AS/NZS 2081 shall be used to protect any circuit employing restrained<br>receptacles or supplying mobile or portable equipment through trailing or reeling cables.<br>In the event the earth impedance exceeds the value as nominated in the mine or quarry’s<br>earth-protection scheme, the device shall cause switching device controlling the power to <br>the supply cable to—<br> <br>(a) open, if it is in the closed position; and<br> <br>(b) not to close if it is in the open position.<br> <br>Each earth-continuity monitoring circuit shall have a test facility to verify the operation of<br>the protection system.<br> <br>See Clause 3.4.3 for special requirements for hazardous zones.

2.6.2.4 Earth Leakage Protection

  • On external circuits where the supply is above ELV, earth-leakage protection devices shall<br>be used to detect earth-leakage currents and shall comply with the design and construction<br>requirements of AS/NZS 2081.<br>Facilities to prevent resetting by unauthorized persons shall be provided.<br>Each earth leakage protection circuit shall have a test facility to verify the operation of the<br>protection system. The test leakage current should not exceed 1.2 times the earth-protection<br>trip setting.<br>

2.6.2.5 Earth-fault Lockout Protection

  • Where power is supplied to a mobile or portable machine by a trailing or reeling cable,<br>protection shall be provided to prevent the introduction of electrical power if an earth-fault<br>is detected on the circuit to be energized.<br> <br>Lockout earth-fault protection devices shall comply with the requirements of AS/NZS 2081.<br>See Clause 3.4.5 for special requirements for hazardous zones.

2.6.2.6 Neutral-connection Current Limitation System Integrity Protection

  • Where an earth-fault current limitation device is used, a facility shall be provided to test the<br>state of the earth-fault current limitation circuit. This may be a current limited phase to<br>ground test for testing of earth leakage or a neutral monitoring device.Where a neutral monitoring device is used, it shall comply with the performance and<br>construction requirements of AS/NZS 2081.<br> <br>NOTE: The purpose is to ensure the earth-fault current limitation circuit remains effective. An<br>open circuit failure would allow a single earth-fault to go undetected, and a second earth-fault<br>may then create unsafe touch voltages.<br>

2.6.3 Protection Devices

2.6.3.1 General

  • General<br>In addition to earth-protection requirements in Clause 2.6.2, the requirements for <br>protection devices in following Clauses 2.6.3.2 to 2.6.3.8 shall apply. The selection of<br>protection devices shall be based on sound electrical protection principles and be provided<br>for the safe operation of the electrical equipment and outgoing circuits, including the<br>protection of persons and the operating environment. Protection settings shall be in<br>accordance with the mine’s electrical protection scheme. Protection devices shall comply<br>with the relevant standard.

2.6.3.2 Emergency Stop Devices and Associated Circuitry

  • Emergency stop devices and associated circuitry<br>The requirement for emergency stop devices shall be determined by a risk management<br>process. This should consider the integration of individual machines within a system.<br>Emergency stop devices and associated circuitry shall stop all processes or movements that<br>may become hazardous irrespective of the mode of control. Resetting of the emergency stop<br>shall not cause an unplanned or automatic restart. Emergency stop circuits shall be<br>considered a safety function and shall be subject to a functional safety analysis.<br>Control/machine stop devices shall not be used as an emergency stop device.<br>The device shall be of the stop lockoff (latching-in) manual reset type unless allowed <br>otherwise by the risk management process and shall cause the electrical equipment to stop <br>all functions irrespective of the mode of control.

2.6.3.3 Short Circuit Protection

  • Short-circuit protection<br>Short-circuit protection shall be provided to protect in the event of a short-circuit occurring<br>in any part of the circuit being protected.<br>Short-circuit protection may be incorporated in or external to the electrical equipment.<br>Facilities to prevent resetting by unauthorized persons shall be provided for circuits that<br>supply reeling, trailing or feeder cables. For other circuits, facilities to prevent resetting by <br>Unauthorized persons should be provided where possible. These facilities may be a part of<br>the short-circuit detection device or a part of a separate device that will prevent restoration <br>of power to the faulted circuit while providing indication of the trip.

2.6.3.4 Overload Protection

  • Overload protection shall have inverse time characteristics appropriate to the load or circuit<br>being protected. Service factor of the protective device shall be considered when<br>determining trip settings.

2.6.3.5 Undervoltage Protection

  • Where undervoltage protection is fitted, the undervoltage release device shall open the<br>switching device when the voltage across the terminals of the release device falls below a<br>predetermined value.

2.6.3.6 Loss of Vacumm/Frozen Contact Protection

  • Where a switching device is used for the control of restrained outlets, and elsewhere where<br>determined by the risk management process, an upstream switching device shall be fitted<br>with a shunt and/or undervoltage release to remove power from the faulted switching<br>device.<br>Where loss of vacuum/frozen contact protection is required, the device shall operate under<br>the following conditions:<br>(a) The switching device failing to open when required. e.g. welded contacts.<br>(b) The loss of the insulating medium of the switching device.<br>The protection shall prevent reclosure of the circuit under the above conditions. Facilities<br>shall be provided to prevent resetting by unauthorized persons.<br>Loss of vacuum/frozen contact protection devices shall comply with the requirements of <br>AS/NZS 2081.

2.6.3.7 Under/Over Pressure Protection

  • Equipment that is dependent upon the maintenance of a relatively constant pressure within<br>its enclosure shall be fitted with a pressure sensing device to automatically cut off the<br>power supply to the incoming switching device when the pressure reaches a predetermined<br>value.

2.3.6.8 Over Temperature Protection

  • Where fitted, an overtemperature device shall automatically cut off the power supply to the<br>protected device when the temperature reaches a predetermined value.

2.6.4 Transformer Protection

  • The primary winding of all transformers shall be protected by a suitably rated fault-break<br>device in each supply line.

2.6.5 Motor Protection

  • Each motor shall be protected by devices that detect overload and/or short-circuit. The<br>overload device shall have an inverse time characteristic. Temperature sensing devices may<br>be built into the motor to initiate a control-circuit trip when a predetermined temperature is<br>exceeded and may be arranged for automatic reset.<br>NOTE: Temperature and other sensing devices should not be connected into intrinsically safe<br>circuits where there is a possibility of a breakthrough of mains voltage without further <br>protection.

2.6.6 Control, Protection or Auxiliary Circuits

  • Where control, protection or auxiliary circuits are connected across the power circuit, they<br>shall be protected by a suitable over-current protection device located as close as possible<br>to the power circuit connection point (see Clause 2.4.5).<br>Where the control supply is earthed via the centre tap of a transformer, operating coils shall<br>not hold in at a voltage that exists between one leg and the earth point.<br>NOTE: This may require the addition of further protection such as 30 mA earth-leakage<br>protection or insulation monitoring.<br>Where the control supply is earthed at one leg of a transformer, operating coils shall have<br>one side directly connected to the earthed leg via a dedicated return conductor.<br>Extra-low voltage a.c. and d.c. circuits may need to be referenced to earth, to prevent<br>inadvertent operation of equipment.<br>NOTE: This may not apply to IS circuits, where the conditions of certification must <br>be followed.

2.7 Remote Control

  • For remote control of mobile mining machinery, refer to AS/NZS 4240 series.<br>For remote operation of equipment or plant, such as a circuit-breaker operated by a pendant<br>or a pump float control, the safety of the control shall be taken into account and shall be<br>rated in accordance with a functional safety analysis.

2.8 Proximity Detection

  • A generic approach is needed to identify hazards relevant to each application where<br>personnel may be in proximity of any moving machinery or plant during normal mining<br>activities. Appropriate technologies should be considered such as proximity detection of persons to provide a means of ensuring power is removed if personnel are in an area not <br>deemed to be a safe working zone, i.e. personnel entering an area of danger and not <br>required to be there as part of normal operation of the equipment. Refer to AS/NZS 4240<br>Series for information.

2.9 Thermography

  • Thermography may be considered as a means of preventative maintenance for identifying<br>hot joints in high current applications. Consideration shall be given to potential hazards<br>associated with installation of thermopraphic viewing windows. These may include<br>switchgear manufacturer’s validation of type tests for switchgear enclosures, operator<br>access level (front, rear, lateral, etc.), venting direction of explosion vents, and material of<br>viewing windows if used in underground coal mines.

Section 3: Hazardous Area Requirements

3.1 Scope

  • This section sets out additional requirements for electrical equipment located in hazardous<br>areas.

3.2 Explosion Protection

  • All electrical equipment and circuits shall comply with the AS/NZS 2381 series or the<br>AS/NZS 60079 series.<br>Not withstanding any regulatory requirements, designated hazardous areas in underground<br>coal mines shall be regarded as gas group I. Hazardous areas for other applications shall be<br>as determined in AS/NZS 60079.10.1.<br>NOTE: Equipment certified to the AS 2380 series may be deemed to comply with this Clause.

3.3 Aluminium Or Light Metal Alloys Parts

  • Any item, structure or plant used in gas group I hazardous areas shall not be made of alloys<br>of aluminium, magnesium, titanium and zirconium in which the total content of these<br>metals exceeds 15% by mass and in which the content of magnesium, titanium and<br>zirconium together exceeds 7.5% by mass, where exposed.<br>NOTES:<br>1 This is to avoid the potential of an incendive spark.<br>2 Special arrangements for transport should be considered for replacement of any internal<br>electrical components such as heat exchangers, containing aluminium or light alloy.

3.4 Interlocking

3.4.1 General

  • The requirement to fit electric interlocking shall be determined in accordance with<br>Clause 2.2.6.1, with due consideration for the additional risk of inadvertent ignition of gas<br>in the hazardous zone. Where electrical interlocking is deemed to be not required, a <br>warning label shall be permanently fixed to any enclosure (See Clause 5.4), stating the following: <br><br>DANGER: ISOLATE ELSEWHERE BEFORE REMOVING COVER<br>NOTE: The purpose of this interlocking is to prevent a non-intrinsically safe energy source being<br>present when the enclosure is in a non-explosion protected state.

3.4.2 Electrical Interlocking

  • Any circuitry used for electrical interlocking shall be intrinsically safe while the access<br>cover is open.<br> <br>Only totally enclosed interlock switches of robust construction shall be used. Switch<br>terminals shall be shrouded. Consideration should be given to the prevention of defeating of<br>the switch.<br> <br>Adjacent to each interlock switch shall be a warning label (See Clause 5.4) stating the <br>following:<br>WARNING: SAFETY INTERLOCK—DO NOT OPERATE<br>

3.4.3 Pilot Protection Restrained Receptacles

  • In addition to the requirements of Clause 2.6.2.3, the circuit shall be intrinsically safe in<br>Accordance with Clause 3.4.5. Refer also Clause 3.11.1.<br>This feature shall ensure the power is removed prior to the power connections being<br>separated (shorter pilot pin interrupts the control circuit first). This feature ensures the<br>flameproof integrity of the plug and socket is maintained while the plug is energized and<br>prevents inadvertent contact with live parts.

3.4.4 Earth-fault Lockout

  • Earth-fault lockout circuits used in a hazardous zone shall be intrinsically safe in<br>Accordance with Clause 3.4.5.

3.4.5 Earth Continuity and Earth-fault Lockout Protection in Hazardous Zones

  • Earth continuity and earth-fault lockout protection in hazardous zones<br>For the applications in Clause 3.4.3 and 3.4.4 it is possible that earth continuity and earth-<br>fault lockout systems used in a hazardous zone may be energized in a cable or machine that<br>Is located in an area outside the area containing the supply outlet and which may contain a <br>high level of methane. These systems should be certified to Ex ‘ia’ standards.<br>Where a mine is able to demonstrate that it is not possible for these circumstances to existat their mine, then Ex ‘ib’ certification may apply. A suitable warning label (See Clause 5.4)<br>shall be fitted adjacent to outlets.<br>A typical warning label is as follows:<br>WARNING: Ex ‘ib’ INTERLOCKS. NOT TO BE USED FOR SUPPLY TO<br>CIRCUITS INSIDE A HAZARDOUS ZONE WHEN AN ELEVATED LEVEL OF<br>GAS IS DETECTED.

3.5 Enclosures

3.5.1 Stored Energy Devices Other than Batteries

  • Enclosures that contain stored energy devices other than batteries conforming to Clause 3.7<br>or components that may have a surface temperature above the temperature class of the<br>electrical apparatus and may be opened faster than the time necessary to allow the devices<br>to discharge or the components to cool shall comply to the requirements of<br>AS/NZS 60079.0.<br>The enclosure shall be marked with the following warning:<br>AFTER DE-ENERGIZING, DELAY Y MINUTES BEFORE OPENING<br>Y being the value in minutes of the delay required.<br>NOTE: Consideration needs to be given to the risk of electric shock and open arcing <br>in the design of this type of system.

3.5.2 Explosion-protected Enclosures

  • Explosion-protected enclosures<br>Explosion-protected enclosures shall comply with AS 60079 series and shall be certified for<br>the relevant gas group. See Clause 3.2.<br>For flameproof enclosures Ex ‘d’ special attention shall be given to the following aspects:<br>(a) Lubricants Only lubricants that have been tested and verified by the manufacturer to<br>Show that they will not cause a flame transmission shall be used on flanges, spindles and<br>push button operators. Some lubricants have extremely low flashpoints and during an<br>internal explosion they could transmit flame to the outside atmosphere. <br>Lubricants, if applied, shall be of a type that does not harden because of aging, does <br>not contain an evaporating solvent and does not cause corrosion of joint surfaces. <br>(Refer to AS/NZS 60079.1)<br>(b) Fasteners Fasteners used for joints on flameproof enclosures shall not be used for<br>any other purpose.<br>(c) Sealing Where conductors are extended through a common wall between two<br>flameproof enclosures or from a flameproof enclosure to external atmosphere, they<br>shall be sealed in accordance with the enclosure certification.<br>Where multicore or data cables, including fibre optic, are used they shall be sealed<br>with a certified barrier gland or be verified by test for non-transmission of flame. This <br>requirement is not applicable to cables complying with AS/NZS 1972 or<br>AS/NZS 1802.<br><br>NOTE: Cables complying with AS/NZS 1972 type 9 require verification by test in accordance<br>with AS/NZS 1972.

3.5.3 High Energy Arcing Faults

  • High energy arcing faults<br>The design of flameproof enclosures should take into account high energy faults that can be detrimental to the integrity of flameproof enclosures.<br>NOTE: See Appendix F for additional information on flameproof enclosures.

3.5.4 Temperature Rating

  • To protect against fire caused by heating of coal dust, the maximum external surface<br>Temperature of accessible electrical equipment enclosures shall not exceed 150˚C under all<br>Conditions of operation including overloads and faults. Additional precautions may be<br>necessary to prevent the risk of injury to persons. Refer to Clause 2.1.5 and Appendix H.

3.6 Motors

  • All motors shall be fitted with overtemperature protection devices.

3.7 Batteries

  • Batteries and energy devices used for memory backup and real time clock batteries used in <br>hazardous areas that are not certified as explosion protected and any associated circuits <br>(except batteries covered by AS/NZS 4871.5 and AS/NZS 4871.6) shall be assessed by an <br>IEC Ex recognized test laboratory to one of the following:<br>(a) Be Ex ‘ia’ or Ex ‘ma’ Ex ‘s’ (zone 0) when the mains supply is removed from the enclosure.<br>(b) Conform to AS/NZS 60079.11 ‘simple apparatus’ requirements.<br>(c) Pass a conformity assessment undertaken in accordance with AS/NZS 60079.14.<br>(d) Be housed in explosion protected enclosures meeting the requirements of EPL Ma as<br>documented in AS/NZS 60079.14.<br>NOTES:<br>1 Unless demonstrated otherwise it should be assumed all programmable logic controllers and <br>like devices reliant on programming or memory include a battery.<br>2 The requirements of this Standard may be read in conjunction with, but do not take<br>precedence over, regulations of a regulatory authority that may apply in a specific area.

3.8 Cable Hose

  • Where protective cable hose is used it shall be flame resistant and anti-static in accordance with<br>AS 2660. Consideration should be given to the identification of hoses and to differentiate<br>between electrical and other applications, e.g. hydraulics.

3.9 Machine Cables

3.9.1 General

  • Cables should be selected for their suitability to the electrical, mechanical and physical<br>environment. This shall include operating temperatures, chemical exposure, mechanical<br>damage exposure and flexibility.<br>

3.9.2 Machine Power Cables

  • Machine power cables rated in excess of 20 A a.c. shall be symmetrical and comply with<br>AS/NZS 1972 or AS/NZS 1802.

3.9.3 Machine Control Cables and Extra-low Voltage Power Cables

  • Machine control cables and extra-low voltage power cables<br>Machine control cables and extra-low voltage power cables shall comply with<br>AS/NZS 1972 or AS/NZS 1802.<br>Type 1 machine cables complying with AS/NZS 1972 shall be protected by flame resistant<br>cable hose where not mechanically protected.

3.9.4 Intrinsically Safe Data or Fibre Optic Cables

  • Where intrinsically safe data and fibre optic cables are not installed or bundled with<br>power/control cables and are run clear of fire hazard areas and clear of grease or oil areas,<br>the sheath need not be flame resistant.

3.9.5 Fibre Optic Cable and Light Source

  • Refer to AS/NZS 60079.28 for guidance on protection of systems using optical equipment<br>and transmission systems using optical radiation.

Intrinsically Safe Cables

  • Intrinsically safe cables shall be in accordance with the relevant sections of<br>AS/NZS 60079.11 and AS/NZS 60079.14.

Intrinsically Safe Cable Parameters

  • Intrinsically safe cable parameters<br>Cables forming part of a system concept certification shall comply with the conditions of<br>certification. For cables used with entity concept certified components, the following<br>important characteristics need to be assessed, to determine maximum cable lengths, for<br>compliance to the component certification:<br>(a) Resistance per unit length.<br>(b) Capacitance per unit length.<br>(c) Inductance per unit length or L/R ratio.<br>Intrinsically safe circuits shall comply with AS/NZS 60079.14. They may be run in the same multicore cable. <br>Consideration shall be given to the following:<br>(i) Faults between circuits.<br>(ii) Protection against mechanical damage.<br>(iii) The cable being adequately secured.<br>(iv) Each circuit occupying adjacent cores.

3.9.8 Non-intrinsically Safe Data and Communication Cable

  • Non-intrinsically safe data and communication cables shall comply with AS/NZS 1972 or<br>AS/NZS 1802 and shall be assessed for the system energy levels and appropriate protection<br>methods adopted as determined by the risk management process.<br>NOTE: Type 9 cable to AS/NZS 1972 is one type of cable suitable for these applications.

3.9.9 Light Alloy Screening

  • Light alloy screening is acceptable provided the cable is sheathed and protected against<br>damage.

3.10 Intrinsically Safe Plugs and Sockets

  • Plugs and sockets used for the connection/disconnection of intrinsic safety circuits shall<br>comply with the requirements of AS/NZS 60079.0 and AS/NZS 60079.11 in respect of the<br>following:<br>(a) Facilities for connection of external circuits.<br>(b) Insulation.<br>(c) Creepage and clearance.<br>The plug or socket assembly shall carry a minimum IP 54 rating, in accordance with AS 60529.<br>The in-line plug or socket shall incorporate a cable clamping/restraining facility. The cable<br>clamping/restraining facility shall—<br>(i) be sized to the cable, to maintain the IP rating; and<br>(ii) be installed in such a manner that tension on the cable is not transmitted to the electrical connections.<br>Electrical continuity of screening, where applicable, shall be maintained through plug and<br>socket connections.

3.11 Intrinsically Safe Conductors

3.11.1 General

  • Plugs and sockets used for the connection/disconnection of intrinsic safety circuits shall<br>comply with the requirements of AS/NZS 60079.0 and AS/NZS 60079.11 in respect of the<br>following:<br>(a) Facilities for connection of external circuits.<br>(b) Insulation.<br>(c) Creepage and clearance.<br>The plug or socket assembly shall carry a minimum IP 54 rating, in accordance with AS 60529.<br>The in-line plug or socket shall incorporate a cable clamping/restraining facility. The cable<br>clamping/restraining facility shall—<br>(i) be sized to the cable, to maintain the IP rating; and<br>(ii) be installed in such a manner that tension on the cable is not transmitted to the electrical connections.<br>Electrical continuity of screening, where applicable, shall be maintained through plug and<br>socket connections.<br>Any external cabling and components connected to these circuits shall be explosion<br>Protected for hazardous areas.<br>Where the pilot circuit can extend outside the explosion-protected compartment housing the<br>main isolating device, the pilot circuit shall be isolated with the main isolating device or<br>other means employed to ensure the explosion-protected properties are maintained.<br>NOTE: Pilot circuits may be subject to system voltage under fault conditions.

3.11.2 Earthing of Intrinsically Safe Circuits

  • Earthing of intrinsically safe circuits<br>Any connections to earth shall be made in accordance with the relevant certification<br>documentation. Not all intrinsically safe circuits need to be earthed.<br>Normally earthing is performed at one point only, usually in the non-hazardous area.<br>Where earth connections are necessary to preserve the integrity of an intrinsically safe<br>system (e.g. a diode safety barrier earth, a transformer screen earth, a barrier relay frame<br>earth) such connections shall be made to a high integrity earth in such a way that the<br>impedance from the point of connection to the main power system earth point is less than 1 Ω.<br>A low impedance earth may be achieved by connection to an earth bar. The conductor used<br>for the connection shall be equivalent to a copper conductor of 4 mm2 minimum cross-sectional area.<br>NOTES:<br>1 The sole purpose of this earthing is to protect the circuit in the hazardous area in the event of<br>invasion in the safe area portion of the circuit by mains voltage, by providing a secure safe<br>return path to the origin of the invading mains voltage. A poorly conductive joint in structural<br>metal may then give rise to arcing or sparking or high temperatures, sufficient to ignite an<br>explosive atmosphere. Additionally, it would then be possible for earth-fault currents<br>originating elsewhere to invade the intrinsically safe circuit and cause problems.<br>2 AS/NZS 60079.14 provides additional earthing requirements for intrinsically safe applications.

Section 4 : Tests

4.1 General

  • The tests to verify the characteristics of an assembly include—<br>(a) type tests; and<br>(b) routine tests.<br>Tests shall be performed where required, to verify compliance for electrical equipment<br>covered in this standard and the other 5 parts of the AS/NZS 4871 series.

4.2 Type Tests

4.2.1 General

  • Type tests are intended to verify compliance with the requirements laid down in this<br>Standard for a given type of assembly.<br>Type tests will be carried out on a sample of such an assembly or on such parts of<br>assemblies manufactured to the same or a similar design. These tests shall be carried out by<br>the manufacturer or supplier.<br>Type tests shall include the following where required in accordance with Appendix H, Paragraph H1:<br>(a) Verification of temperature-rise limits.<br>(b) Verification of the short-circuit withstand strength.<br>(c) Verification of the effectiveness of the protective earth circuit.<br>(d) Verification of clearances and creepage distances.<br>These tests may be carried out in any order and/or on different samples of the same type.<br>If modifications are made to the components of the assembly, new type tests shall be<br>carried out only if such modifications are likely to adversely affect the results of these tests.

4.2.2 Certificates of Type Tests

  • Type test certificates shall be made available to demonstrate compliance with this standard<br>and other relevant standards, together with detailed particulars of the equipment tested.

4.2.3 Exemption for Re-Test

  • Re-test of the electrical equipment is not required if it can be established that any alteration<br>in design will not adversely affect the type test performance.

4.3 Routine Tests

  • Routine tests are intended to detect faults in materials and workmanship. They shall be<br>out on every new assembly after it has been assembled or on each transport unit. <br>Another routine test at the place of installation is not required.<br>Equipment that is assembled from standardized components outside the works of the<br>manufacturer of these components, by the exclusive use of parts and accessories specified<br>or supplied by the manufacturer of the components, shall be routine-tested.<br>Routine tests shall include the following where required in accordance with Appendix H,<br>Paragraph H2:<br>(a) Verification of construction in accordance with type tests.<br>(b) Inspection of the assembly including inspection of wiring and, if necessary, electrical<br>and mechanical operation test.<br>(c) Dielectric and insulation test.<br>(d) Checking of protective earth measures and of the electrical continuity of the<br>protective earth circuit.<br>(e) Partial discharge in accordance with Clause 4.5.<br>These tests may be carried out in any order.

4.4 Testing of Devices And Self-Contained Components Incorporated in the Assembly

  • Type tests or routine tests are not required on devices and self-contained components<br>incorporated in the assembly when they have been supplied with copies of the test<br>documentation and installed in accordance with the instructions of the <br>manufacturer.

4.5 High Voltage Tests

  • Partial discharge testing should be undertaken on all equipment operating above 3.3 KV <br>after final assembly of new or rebuilt plant. This is to assist in the identification of defects<br>in both materials and workmanship, and to establish baseline characteristics (signature<br>readings) of the plant for future reference.<br>Additional testing of components and assemblies should be considered, as determined by<br>risk management for all the possible equipment applications (see also Clause 2.3.1). The<br>risk management process should consider factors such as exposure to lightning impulse,<br>network switching surges and longer term deterioration due to partial discharges.<br>For further information refer to Appendix H, Paragraph H1.5 for lightning impulse testing<br>and Paragraph H2.5 for partial discharge testing.

Section 5: Marking and Labelling

5.1 Equipment Marking

  • This Section sets out requirements and guidance on good practice in labelling of equipment.<br>It shall apply when purchasing, repairing or overhauling equipment.<br>All external labels should be of brass or stainless steel and the marking thereon should be<br>inscribed by etching, engraving or stamping. Labels shall be located in a prominent<br>location. Labels shall be securely attached.<br>Design of labelling should comply with AS 1319 or appropriate International standards.

5.2 Component Marking

  • All components mounted internally or externally on enclosures should be identified by<br>labels.

5.3 Wiring Marking

  • All wires associated with power, control, protection and auxiliary circuits should be<br>identified with non-metallic durable numbers.<br>The requirements for the marking of the terminals for the external earthing conductors shall<br>be to AS/NZS 3100.<br>Marking of terminals for other than external earthing conductors should be as follows:<br>(a) Mains supplied equipment:<br>(i) Line terminals ...................................................................................................L1 — L2 — L3.<br><br>(ii) Earth terminals .............................................E or earth or the international earth symbol.<br>(iii) Outgoing terminals ...............................................................A — B — C (see AS 60076.1).<br>(iv) Colour code<br>The following colour code should be used to indicate terminals:<br>(A) L1 or A ............................................................................................................................Red.<br>(B) L2 or B .........................................................................................................................White.<br>(C) L3 or C ...........................................................................................................................Blue.<br>(D) E..............................................................................................................Green and Yellow.<br>Identification of the conductors of main and auxiliary circuits should be to the<br>requirements of AS 2067.<br>(b) Battery power equipment:<br>(i) Battery output terminals .............................................................................................. +,−.<br>(ii) Earth terminal ....................................E or the international earth symbol (Clause 2.5.1).<br>(iii) Outgoing terminals to motors:<br>Armature................................................................................................A1, A2 or equivalent.<br>(iv) Colour code:<br>(A) Battery mains cabling:<br>+............................................................................................................................................Red.<br>−..........................................................................................................................................Black.<br>(B) Other cabling:<br>Colour code may be considered and where used defined in documentation.

5.4 Warning Labels

  • Reflective danger and warning labels shall be provided as required and determined by risk<br>management.<br>Labels shall comply with AS 1319 and be permanently fixed in the appropriate location.<br>Typical labels include the following:<br>(a) A warning label shall be prominently displayed adjacent to each interlock switch with<br>wording as follows:<br>WARNING: SAFETY INTERLOCK—DO NOT OPERATE<br>(b) On any cover or door the removal or opening of which exposes live conductors:<br>DANGER XXXX VOLTS. (Highest voltage within the enclosure)<br>DANGER: ISOLATE ELSEWHERE BEFORE REMOVING COVER<br>(c) In close proximity to the incoming and, where fitted, the through-bolted cable<br>coupling adaptor or other connecting device:<br>WARNING: THIS..............IS NOT CONTROLLED BY THIS SWITCH<br>(d) In proximity to all high voltage cable coupling adaptors:<br>WARNING: PRIMARY SIDE CABLE ADAPTORS ARE NOT ISOLATED BY<br>OPENING THIS PRIMARY SIDE CIRCUIT DISCONNECTOR<br>(e) In proximity to any off-load tap changing device:<br>DANGER: OFF-LOAD TAP CHANGER—DO NOT ALTER SETTING WHEN ENERGIZED<br>(f) Multiple power sources:<br>WARNING: MULTIPLE POWER SUPPLIES WITHIN THIS ENCLOSURE.<br>ISOLATE AT ……………….. BEFORE OPENING COVER

5.5 Rating Plate

  • A rating plate indicating operating ratings of the equipment shall be fitted.<br>This should include the following:<br>(a) Manufacturer.<br>(b) Serial number.<br>(c) Plant number.<br>(d) Volts.<br>(e) Fault capacity.<br>(f) Load ratings.<br>(g) Connected load (where applicable).<br>(h) Total mass of the assembly.

Section 6: Documentation

6.1 Safety File

  • A safety file shall be provided with any plant and maintained to provide a record of<br>Information about the safety of the plant over the full life cycle.<br>NOTE: Guidance on documentation is given in Appendix G.

6.2 Technical Maintenance and Operational Manuals

  • Technical manuals shall be included in the safety file to provide information of the correct<br>Operation, maintenance and any limits of safe use of the plant over the full life cycle.<br>These shall include any manuals required under any ANZEx and IECEx certification <br>scheme for explosion-protected certified equipment.

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  • AS 4871.2010 Part 2

Section 2: Common Requirements

2.1 General

2.1.1

  • This Standard specifies additional requirements to those in AS/NZS 4871.1.

2.2 Electrical Equipment

2.2.1 Enclosures

  • Enclosures shall comprise single or multiple compartments, each fitted with suitable covers<br>or access covers, and should incorporate facilities for lifting and transport.

2.2.2 Coupling of Enclosures

  • Where enclosures are required to be coupled together, the coupling arrangement shall<br> prevent, in normal use, undue strain being placed on any busbars, flanges or interconnecting<br> cable coupling devices.

2.3 Means for Isolation

  • A means shall be provided to isolate all circuits above extra-low voltage (ELV), except as<br> set out in Clause 3.5.2.<br> All isolators shall be externally operated and fitted with lockout facilities. The Switched<br> position and function of all isolators shall be clearly labelled.<br> The isolating device shall be located in a seperate compartment, together with any control<br> devices necessary for the operation of the isolating device.<br> Auxiliary circuits that are required to remain energized while the main power is isolated,<br> such as lighting and power sources, shall be provided with a means of isolation.

Section 3: Ancillary Plant

3.1 General

  • This Section covers belt starters, fan starters, splicing equipment, and welders.

3.2 Electrical Protection Systems for Auxiliary Fans

3.2.1 General Requirements for Auxiliary Fans

  • The following electrical protection shall be provided as a minimum on auxiliary ventilation<br> fans:<br> (a) Thermal overload protection shall be provided on the electric motor of the fan.<br> (b) All bearing temperatures shall be monitored and shall have alarm and trip facilities<br> incorporated into the fan control systems. The trip facilities shall remove power from<br> the fan motor. Set points for the trip facility shall be determined by the fan designer<br> or a properly conducted engineering review. The trip indication from the bearing<br> temperatures shall be latched and access to the reset facilities restricted.<br> (c) Motor winding temperatures shall be monitored and shall remove power from the fan<br> motor in the event of an overtemperature of the windings. This shall be suitable for<br> the class of insulation that is to be used in the motor.<br> (d) Radial and axial vibration protection shall monitor all bearings that support the fan<br> Impellor.<br> (e) Anti-windmilling protection shall be provided and interlocked with the fan control<br> panel to ensure no generated residual voltage is present before access is permitted<br> into the fan control panel.<br> NOTE: Facilities should be provided for locking rotating parts prior to any access.<br> (f) Where the fan control panel may not be readily accessible due to site location, remote<br> stop and start facilities that enable starting and stopping of the fan from a safe<br> location shall be provided. <br> (g) An emergency stop facility that is readily accessible from both sides of the auxiliary fan<br> and removes power from the fan supply cables shall be provided.<br> (h) A phase rotation interlocking facility shall be provided in the fan control circuit to<br> prevent the starting of the fan should the phase rotation of the supply be reversed.<br> (i) An hour run meter shall be provided to monitor the actual run time of the fan.<br>

3.2.2 Additional Requirements for Fans used with Explosive Gases

  • Access to the fan start facilities shall be restricted.<br> Provision shall be made for the fitment of gas monitoring system suitable for the intended<br> environment. <br> Where an explosive gas monitoring system is provided the system shall have the following<br> features:<br> (a) The trip mechanism shall isolate the power supply to the fan.<br> (b) A lockout mechanism shall be fitted that will prevent the restoration of power to a fan<br> until the trip mechanism is reset.<br> (c) There shall be a visual indication of the gas trip.<br> (d) Where air flow is reduced, such as by venturi bypass, the system shall detect any<br> dangerous concentration of gas in the main air flow within an appropriate time as<br> determined by the risk management process.<br> Electric motors shall not be exposed to gases drawn through the vent ducting.<br> Facilities shall be provided for the interlocking of the fan operation with power supplies<br> that enter all areas that are dependent on the fan operating to maintain a safe environment. <br> Facilities shall be provided to detect any restriction of air flow such as vent tube collapse or<br> restriction. This interlocking shall be rated in accordance with a functional safe analysis.<br>

3.3 Conveyor Starters

3.3.1 General Requirements for Conveyor Starters

  • General requirements for conveyor starters<br> The following requirements are in addition to those contained within AS 1755. Controllers<br> for conveyor systems shall be fitted with the following;<br> (a) The starter design shall incorporate a single point of isolation, i.e. Main isolator. This<br> main isolator shall-<br> (i) comply with AS/NZS 4871.1; and<br> (ii) be located in its own compartment.<br> (b) All field control devices shall be supplied at voltages not exceeding ELV.<br> (c) The risk management process shall consider the incorporation of vibration and<br> temperature monitoring of each drive motor assembly, drive pulley and other major<br> turning pulleys on the conveyor.<br> (d) Where mechanical braking facilities are provided on a conveyor, these shall be<br> monitored to ensure the brakes are released while the drive motors are energised.<br> (e) Brakes that are used to decelerate a conveyor shall be monitored for over-<br> temperature.<br> Consideration of a means of isolation for individual conveyor drive or auxiliary motors<br> should be addressed, during the risk management process. <br> The risk management process should consider the level of inter-tripping between multiple<br> drive motors of the conveyor in the case a fault occur on any drive motor on that conveyor.

3.3.2 Conveyors for use in Hazardous Areas

  • All electrical sections of the conveyor that are located within a hazardous area shall be<br> certified to the conveyor explosion protection Standard.

3.4 Belt Splicing Equipment

3.4.1 Splicing Equipment Shall Comply with all General Requirements of AS/NZS 4871.1

  • Splicing equipment shall comply with all general requirements of AS/NZS 4871.1.<br> <br> Equipment used on site for the purposes of forming hot vulcanized spliced joints in<br> conveyor belting shall conform to the following minimum standards:<br> <br> (a) The splicing equipment shall have an earth leakage circuit breaker having an earth<br> leakage trip value not greater then 30mA for protection of any hand held electrical<br> equipment used in conjunction with the splicing equipment.<br> <br> (b) The splicing control box shall contain circuitry that ensures the platens have an<br> effective earth connection at all times. (A form of pilot circuit will be regarded as<br> <br> complying with this requirement.)<br> <br> (c) The resetting device for the short circuit and earth leakage protection shall be capable<br> of being locked to prevent unauthorised resetting.<br> <br> (d) The plug connecting the platen cable shall be secured with a retention<br> <br> device to ensure the plug cannot inadvertently come free from the platen.<br>

3.5 Welding Equipment

3.5.1 General

  • Welding equipment shall be in accordance with the following:<br> <br> (a) Welding power sourced shall comply with AS 60974.1, AS 60974.6, AS60079.11,<br> and AS/NZS 3100.<br> <br> (b) All welding machines shall be suitable for use with Category C environment as<br> <br> defined in AS 1674.2. This requirement need not apply if a fully documented<br> <br> assessment of the work environment has been undertaken and implemented in<br> <br> accordance with AS 1674.2.<br> <br>

3.5.2 Isolation

  • For welding machines a means of isolation as specified in Clause 2.3 is not required if the<br> welding machine is supplied by a switched plug socket.<br>

Section 4: Distribution Control Boxes

4.1 General

  • This Section specifies additional requirements to those in AS/NZS 4871.1.

4.2 Construction

  • Distribution control boxes (DCBs) shall be of robust construction suitable for relocation<br> and shall be designed to facilitate inspection and maintenance. The equipment shall be of<br> good quality workmanship, based on sound engineering principles and suitable for its <br> intended use.

4.3 Enclosures

  • Enclosures shall comprise single or multiple individual compartments, each fitted with <br> suitable covers or access covers.

4.4 Means for Isolation

  • The incoming supply from the isolation compartment to single or multiple compartments,<br> other than intrinsically safe circuits, shall be fitted with a switching device, lockable in the<br> "off" position, in each active line to isolate all sourced of supply to the main or multiple<br> compartment.<br> The switching device(s) together with any ancillary equipment essential for the safe<br> operation of the device, such as potential transformers, control relays, voltmeters and<br> indication devices, shall be housed in the isolator compartment. <br> An externally operated switching device, lockable in the "off" position, shall be provided<br> for each auxiliary circuit, such as lighting and power sources, that is required to remain<br> energized while the main power is isolated, provided such apparatus and cabling associated<br> with the auxiliary circuits are not housed in the same compartment(s) as equipment isolated<br> by the main switching device. <br> The isolation compartment cover shall be interlocked and suitably labelled in accordance<br> with AS/NZS 4871.1, Clauses 2.2.5 and 3.1.4.<br>

4.5 Protection

  • Outlets at DCBs should be provided with the following protection devices complying with<br> AS/NZS 4871.1:<br> (a) Loss of vacuum/frozen contact protection.<br> (b) Short-circuit.<br> (c) Overload.<br> (d) Earth leakage.<br> (e) Earth continuity.<br> (f) Earth-fault lockout.

4.6 Positioning of Outlets

  • Consideration should be given to locating incoming outlets on the opposite side to switched<br> outgoing circuits.<br> NOTE: It is recommended that in addition to the colouring required in AS/NZS 1300, the switch<br> outlets be painted with a band of colour to distinguish between incoming, through feeds and<br> switched outgoing circuits, e.g. Yellow for switched outgoing circuits.

4.7. Lighting

  • Provision of area lighting should be considered to improve the visibility of labels,<br> indicators, instructions and outlets.

4.8 Labelling

  • In addition to requirements in AS/NZS 4871.1, labelling shall include the following:<br> (a) Operational instructions.<br> (b) Identification of outlets.<br> A durable label shall be placed adjacent to and in an unambiguous location for each<br> of the following cable connection facilities:<br> (i) For the supply connection - <br> DANGER - SUPPLY CONNECTION. THIS CONNECTION IS NOT<br> ISOLATED BY THIS CIRCUIT BREAKER<br> (ii) For the extension supply - <br> DANGER - EXTENSION SUPPLY CONNECTION. THIS CONNECTION<br> IS NOT ISOLATED BY THIS CIRCUIT BREAKER<br> (c) Identification of switching devices.<br> Labelling shall be clear and unambiguous. All switched positions of the switching device<br> shall be clearly indicated externally.

Section 5: High Voltage Section Isolators

5.1 General

  • Section isolators are used to provide isolation and earthing of an individual section of the<br>electrical distribution system of the mine.<br> <br>The position of the isolating switch and earth switch blades shall be visible from outside the<br>enclosure housing the live parts or to be indicated by means of a mechanical linkage directly<br>coupled to the switch contacts that can only indicate open when all contacts are open and<br>indicate closed when all contacts are closed.<br> <br>Live line indication shall be provided.<br> <br>NOTE: Section isolators may also incorporate a circuit-breaker providing functionality as per the<br>requirements of Section 6.<br>

5.2 Interlocking

  • Mechanical interlocking shall be provided between the earth switch and the isolator to<br>prevent - <br> <br>(a) accidental closure of earth switch to an energized circuit; and<br> <br>(b) accidental application of power to a closed earth switch.<br>

5.3 Rating of Switching Devices

  • The isolator (disconnector) shall have a load and short-time withstand current rating at least<br>equal to the nominated design rating. The isolator shall have a fault-make load-break rating.<br>The earth switch on the load side of the isolator shall - <br> <br>(a) be a fault-make rated earth switch; or<br> <br>(b) where a fault-make rated earth switch is not practicable then an interlock shall be<br>fitted to open the isolator before the earth switch contacts close. The interlock shall<br>be rated in accordance with a functional safety analysis.<br>

5.4 Positioning of Outlets

  • Consideration should be given to locating incoming outlets on the opposite side to a switched<br>outgoing circuits.<br> <br>NOTE: It is recommended that in addition to the colouring required in AS/NZS 1300, the switch<br>outlets be painted with a band of colour to distinguish between incoming and switched outgoing<br>circuits: yellow for switched outgoing circuits, red for supply side circuits.<br>

5.5 Explosion Vents

  • Explosion vents that allow the free passage of escaping gases and vapours that may be<br>present during an arcing fault shall be provided on all non-explosion protected high voltage<br>isolators.<br> <br>Such explosion vents shall be capable of allowing the pressure created to be dissipated<br>without explosive release of energy that could cause injury to personnel.<br> <br>Explosion vents shall be positioned such that escaping gases are directed away from<br>Personnel.<br>

5.6 Labelling

  • In addition to requirements in Part 1, labelling shall include the following:<br> <br>(a) Operational instructions.<br> <br>(b) Identification of outlets.<br> <br>A durable label shall be placed adjacent to and in an unambiguous location for each<br>of the following cable connection facilities:<br> <br>(i) For the supply connection -<br> <br>DANGER - HIGH VOLTAGE SUPPLY CONNECTION. THIS<br> <br>CONNECTION IS NOT ISOLATED BY THIS SWITCHING DEVICE.<br> <br>(ii) For the extension supply - <br> <br>DANGER - HIGH VOLTAGE EXTENSION SUPPLY CONNECTION.<br> <br>THIS CONNECTION IS NOT ISOLATED BY THIS SWITCHING DEVICE<br> <br>(iii) For the load side - <br> <br>DANGER - HIGH VOLTAGE LOAD CONNECTION.<br> <br>(c) Identification of switching devices.<br> <br>(d) Labelling shall be clear and unambiguous.<br>

Section 6: Section Circuit Breaker

6.1 General

  • In addition to providing the functionality of a section isolator, section circuit-breakers<br> provide a means of protection against a range of fault conditions.

6.2 Circuit Breakers

  • Circuit-breakers may be either fixed or withdrawable type to provide isolation.<br> Where a withdrawable circuit-breaker is used it shall - <br> (a) have a fault-make rated earth switch on the load side of the circuit breaker; or<br> (b) where a fault-make rated earth switch is not practicable, an interlock shall be <br> fitted to open the circuit breaker before the earth switch contacts close. The interlock shall be<br> rated in accordance with the functional safety analysis. <br> Where a fixed type circuit-breaker is used the following requirements apply;<br> (i) It shall be fitted with a load break disconnect switch and fault-make earth switch.<br> (ii) Where a load break rated disconnect switch is not practicable, an interlock shall be<br> fitted to open the circuit breaker before the disconnect switch contact open. <br> Where a fault-make rated earth switch contacts close. The interlocks shall be rated<br> in accordance with a functional safety analysis.<br> (iii) Circuit earthing procedures shall be clearly identified.<br> (iv) Live line indication shall be provided.

6.3 Under-Voltage Mechanisms

  • Consideration should be given to the use of circuit-breakers fitted with an undervoltage<br> mechanism, to prevent automatic restoration of power.<br> For underground coal mines circuit-breakers shall be fitted with an undervoltage<br> mechanism to prevent automatic restoration of power.

6.4 Rating

  • The section circuit-breaker assembly shall be adequately rated for the intended application.

6.5 Protection

  • The following protection shall be provided in compliance with AS/NZS 4871.1:<br> (a) Short-circuit.<br> (b) Overload<br> (c) Earth leakage.<br> A positive means of fault diagnosis shall be provided to identify individual fault trips after<br> loss of power.<br>

6.6 Remote Operation

  • For remote operation of fixed switchgear the safety of the control shall be taken into<br> account and shall be rated in accordance with a functional safety analysis, e.g. Fixed<br>switchgear may be a circuit-breaker operated by a pendant.<br> <br>

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AS 4871.2010 Part 3 Audit Check Sheet

2.1 General Requirements

  • Substations shall be of rugged construction and shall be capable of withstanding the<br>arduous conditions of handling to which they may be subjected. They shall comply with the<br>following requirements: <br>(a) Where a liquid-filled transformer or oil-filled switch gear is used in an underground<br>mine, a means of containing the total volume of liquid in case of leakage shall be<br>provided.<br>NOTES: <br>1. Risk management in accordance with AS/NZS 4871.1 should be applied in regard to the <br>use of oil-filled transformers or oil-filled switch gear in an underground mine.<br>2. A base in the form of a tray capable of containing 110% of the total volume of liquid in<br>the substation and designed to facilitate easy cleaning would fulfil this requirement.<br>(b) Substations shall be of robust construction, suitable for relocation and shall be<br>designed to facilitate inspection and maintenance. The equipment shall be of good<br>quality and workmanship, based on sound engineering principles and suitable for its<br>intended use.<br><br>(c) Transportable substations shall incorporate facilities for lifting, transport and towing.<br>NOTE: This should take into account the need for relocation of transportable substations. <br>(d) Each sub-assembly of the substation shall be securely fixed to a frame in a manner<br>that shall prevent detrimental flexing of the substation.<br>Push-buttons and control operators should be located or suitably guarded to prevent<br>damage.<br>

2.2 Labelling

  • In addition to requirements in AS/4871.1, labelling shall include the following:<br>(a) Operational instructions.<br>(b) Where a lifting facility of a sub assembly is not capable of being used to lift the<br>complete substation assembly, means shall be provided to warn/prevent them being<br>used after the substation is assembled.<br>(c) Identification of outlets.<br>A durable label shall be placed adjacent to and in an unambiguous location for each <br>of the cable connection facilities, as follows:<br>(i) For the supply connection.<br>DANGER - HIGH VOLTAGE SUPPLY CONNECTION. THIS <br>CONNECTION IS NOT ISOLATED BY THIS CIRCUIT BREAKER.<br>(ii) For the extension supply.<br>DANGER - HIGH VOLTAGE EXTENSION SUPPLY CONNECTION.<br>THIS CONNECTION IS NOT ISOLATED BY THIS CIRCUIT BREAKER.<br>(d) Identification of switching devices.<br>(e) Labelling shall be clear and unambiguous.<br>(f) Outlets shall be coloured to the colouring required in AS/NZS 1300.

2.3 Lighting

  • Area lighting should be considered to improve the visibility of labels, indicators,<br>instructions and outlets.<br>

2.4 Explosion Vents

  • Explosion vents that allow the free passage of escaping gases and vapours that may be<br>present during an arcing fault shall be provided on all non-explosion protected high voltage<br>switchgear assemblies.<br>Such explosion vents shall be capable of allowing the pressure created to be dissipated<br>without explosive release of energy that could cause injury to personnel.<br>Explosion vents shall be positioned such that escaping gases are directed away from personnel.

2.5 Primary Switchgear Assembly

2.5.1 General

  • Circuit-breakers or combination fuse switch (CFS) units shall be provided in conjunction<br>with protection devices to provide a means of protection against a range of fault conditions.<br>An externally operated switching device, lockable in the "off" position shall be provided for<br>auxiliary circuits, such as lighting and power sources. The externally operated switching<br>device shall remain energized while the main power is isolated, provided such apparatus<br>and cabling associated with the auxiliary circuits are not housed in the same<br>compartment(s) as equipment isolated by the main switching device.

2.5.2 Circuit-breaker

  • Circuit-breakers may be either fixed or withdrawable type to provide isolation.<br> <br>Where a withdrawable circuit-breaker is used it shall - <br> <br>(a) have a fault-make rated earth switch on the load side of the circuit breaker; or<br>(b) where a fault-make related earth switch is not practicable, an interlock shall be fitted to<br>open the circuit breaker before the earth switch contacts close. The interlock shall be<br>rated in accordance with a functional safety analysis.<br> <br>Where a fixed type circuit-breaker is used, it shall-<br> <br>(i) be fitted with a load break disconnect switch and fault-make earth switch; or<br> <br>(ii) where a load break rated disconnect switch is not practicable, an interlock shall be<br>fitted to open the circuit breaker before the disconnect switch contacts open. Where a<br>fault-make rated earth switch is not practicable, an interlock shall be fitted to open <br>the circuit breaker before the earth switch contacts close. The interlocks shall be rated<br>in accordance with a functional safety analysis.<br> <br>NOTE: Consideration should be given to the installation of a load break switch as on the line<br>side of any potential transformers associated with the sub-station, refer to figure A1. <br>Circuit earthing procedures shall be clearly identified.<br> <br>Live line indication shall be provided.<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br>

2.5.3 CFS Unit

  • Where a CFS unit is used it shall have a fault-make earth switch on the load side.<br>The contacts of the earth switch and the disconnect switch shall be visible from the outside<br>of the enclosure.<br>The position of the contacts of the earth switch and the disconnect switch shall be reliably<br>indicated from the outside of the enclosure as specified in AS/NZS 4871.1.

2.5.4 Undervoltage Mechanism

  • Consideration should be given to the use of circuit-breakers fitted with an undervoltage<br>mechanism, to prevent automatic restoration of power.<br>For underground coal mines circuit-breakers fitted with an undervoltage<br>mechanism to prevent automatic restoration of power.

2.5.5 Rating

  • The primary switch gear assembly shall be adequately rated for the intended application and<br>at least equal to the transformer full-load rating. <br>

2.5.6 Protection

  • The following protection shall be provided:<br>(a) Short-circuit.<br>(b) Overload.<br>(c) Secondary side earth leakage.<br>(d) Circuit-breaker loss of gas/vacuum.<br>(e) Transformer over-temperature.<br>(f) Transformer loss of gas, if gas pressurized.<br>(g) Transformer low oil, if oil filled.<br>For short-circuit, earth leakage and loss of gas/vacuum trips, a positive means of fault<br>diagnosis shall be provided to identify individual fault trips after loss of power.

2.5.7 Interlocking

  • Mechanical interlocking shall be provided between the earth switch and the primary<br>switching device to prevent - <br>(a) accidental closure of earth switch to an energized circuit; and<br>(b) accidental application of power to a closed earth switch.

2.5.8 Positioning of Outlets

  • All outlets shall be positioned to allow ease of connection or removal of plugs and adequate<br>bending radius of cables.

2.6 Secondary Switchgear Assembly

2.6.1 General

  • Where by design, circuit interruption of the secondary side of the substation is desired, it<br>shall be fitted with a switching device.<br>

2.6.2 Protection

  • Outlets at the secondary side should be provided with the following protection devices<br>complying with AS/NZS 4871.1:<br>(a) Failure of a circuit opening device to cause any phase to remain energizes to trip the<br>supply.<br>(b) Short-circuit<br>(c) Overload.<br>(d) Earth leakage.<br>(e) Earth continuity.<br>(f) Earth-fault lockout.<br>(g) Earth-fault current limiting.<br>(h) NER monitoring or test facility.<br>NOTE: Refer to Appendix A for illustration of these devices.

2.6.3 Positioning of Outlets

  • All outlets shall be positioned to allow - <br>(a) ease of connection or removal of plugs;<br>(b) adequate bending radius of cables; and<br>(c) ready access to outlet controls.

2.7 Transformers

2.7.1 General

  • The transformers of a substation shall either be of the dry sealed, encapsulated, gas filled<br>(pressurized) type or contain an insulating liquid as the coolant.<br>Power transformers shall comply with AS 2374.1 or equivalent and applicable standard and,<br>unless otherwise specified by the purchaser, its design shall comply with short circuit<br>currents listed in AS/NZS 4871.1 Paragraph H1.2, Appendix H<br>The core and coils of the transformer be securely clamped in order to ensure the whole<br>assembly is sufficiently rigid to withstand and electrical or mechanical stresses, caused by<br>the arduous cyclic duty, which may occur in service and when being transported around <br>the mine.

2.7.2 Lifting and Anchoring of Core

  • Guides, locating lugs or a combination of both, with adequate fixing bolts shall be mounted<br>inside the tank to register the location of the core.<br>Means for attaching lifting tackle shall be provided on the core frame.

2.7.3 Off-load Tap Changing

  • A tap changing device, having all positions clearly marked and with provision for locking<br>in all positions, should be provided.<br>Where a hand-wheel operated tap changer is used, it shall be designed to suit the rated<br>temperature and have provision to ensure it cannot be left in any position other than one of<br>the tap positions.<br>Where bolted links are used, they shall be arranged to avoid incorrect connection.<br>The insulating material used shall be of the same temperature class as used for the<br>transformers windings and shall have a comparative tracking index (CTI) of 400 minimum in<br>compliance with AS/NZS 4695.112.<br>Any internal connections including transformer bushing shall be rated to suit the operating<br>temperature.

2.8 Explosion Protected Substations

2.8.1 Construction

  • Where a substation is constructed as an explosion-protected unit, the transformer shall be of<br>the dry type. The primary, secondary and transformer enclosures shall be certified to the<br>appropriate parts of either AS/NZS 60079 or IEC 60079.<br>

2.8.2 Mixed Explosion Protection Techiniques

  • Where mixed explosion-protection techniques are used, the interfaced between each<br>component shall not compromise the protection technique of the other. <br>

2.8.3

  • Transformer enclosures that are constructed as pressurized shall have automatic<br> <br>disconnection of supply from the transformer in the event of the internal pressure rising to <br>10% above the maximum operating pressure or falling to not less than 1.5kPa above<br>atmospheric pressure.

2.9 Earthing

2.9.1 General

  • Provision shall be made on each enclosure of the substation for the attachment of an<br>external earthing terminal in accordance with AS/NZS 4871.1.

2.9.2 Earth Terminal

  • Internal and external earth terminals shall be -<br>(a) readily accessible; and<br>(b) all connected together by means of copper straps or flexible conductors.

2.9.3 Attachment of Earth Strap

  • Provision shall be made for the attachment of an earth strap - <br>(a) on all outlets on both the primary and secondary enclosures; and<br>(b) between the core and the transformer enclosure.

Section 3: Testing

3.1 General

  • Tests shall be carried out in accordance with Section 4 of AS/NZS 4871.1 on each of the <br>following sections.<br>

3.2 Test Section

  • The substation shall be tested either as a complete unit or in individual sections provided<br>each individual section includes terminations that are representative of the adjacent section<br>as follows:<br> <br>(a) Primary section enclosure.<br> <br>(b) Transformer section enclosure.<br> <br>(c) Secondary section enclosure.<br>

3.3 Primary Section

  • Tests shall be applied as follows:<br> <br>(a) Power supply through connection - The main through busbars shall be tested<br> <br>(b) Power supply T-off to the switching device - From one end of the main through<br> <br>busbars, via the T-off busbars through the switching device, up to and including the<br>Transformer terminals shall be tested. The short circuit is to be applied to the output<br>side of these terminals.<br>

3.4 Secondary Section

  • Tests shall be applied as follows:<br> <br>(a) Power supply through connection - The secondary busbar and cabling between the<br>Transformer secondary and line terminals of the circuit interrupters shall be tested.<br>(b) Power supply take off - From the secondary busbar through the switching device(s) up<br>to and including the outgoing adaptor or receptacle shall be tested. The short circuit<br>shall be applied at a point beyond the associated plug, and shall be equal to the <br> <br>preferred short-circuit currents given in AS/NZS 4871.1 Table 4.1.<br> <br>The values of rated conditional short-circuit current or rated short-time withstand current<br>shall be determined by such tests and the relationship between peal and r.m.s values shall<br>be as given in AS/NZS 4871.1 Table 4.1.<br>

3.5 Transformer Section

  • In addition to the test requirements in Section 4 of AS/NZS 4871.1, the transformer test<br>shall comply with AS 2374.5 or AS 60076.<br> <br>Where the transformer manufacturer can substantiate, from other tests and calculations, that<br>the transformer is capable of withstanding the specified through fault levels, type tests on<br>individual transformers may be waived. Through-fault testing that includes the transformer<br>may be undertaken but it is recommended that the transformer manufacturer should be<br>consulted before proceeding with this test.<br>

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