2011 amendments for gas and electricity regulations – changes to cited Standards
Issue 33 – November 2011
A number of amendments to the Gas (Measurement and Safety) Regulations 2010 and the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 come into force on 10 November 2011.
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[more]Energy Safety 2010-2011 Annual Report now available
Issue 33 – November 2011
The Energy Safety 2010-2011 Annual Report and 2011-2014 Business Outlook is now available. The 2010-2011 Annual Report highlights Energy Safety's achievements over the past year. The 2011-2014 Business Outlook focuses on projects planned for the next 3 years.
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[more]Energy Safety – new website coming
Issue 33 – November 2011
Energy Safety will launch a new website later this year to offer improved services to industry and consumers. The restructured website will provide each Energy Safety visitor with enhanced navigation to find the information and web services they require.
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[more]New Zealand energy strategies released
Issue 33 – November 2011
The government recently released New Zealand's energy strategies. The New Zealand Energy Strategy 2011 – 2021 sets the strategic direction for the energy sector and the role energy will play in the New Zealand economy. The strategy sets out four priority areas.
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[more]Large fine issued for sale of unsafe plug adaptors
Issue 33 – November 2011
An online trader who repeatedly sold unsafe plug adaptors has been convicted and fined $10 500 for the sale of unsafe electrical goods. Despite repeated warnings Digital Tronics Limited continued to sell unsafe plug adaptors and external power supplies for Bluetooth headsets, says Energy Safety, the government agency tasked with promoting the safe supply and use of electricity and gas.
Energy Safety Compliance Officer Richard Lamb says, 'Traders like this are extremely careless, selling dangerous plug adaptors that present very real risks of fire and electrocution. They provide little protection from live parts, which is concerning, given that plugs are used at skirting board level and easily accessible by infants and young children.'
The company was convicted in Manukau District Court this month. This prosecution follows an earlier case of an individual Trade Me member who was fined $2800 for selling unsafe electrical products, despite warnings.
Energy Safety has become increasingly concerned at the level of unsafe electrical goods being sold on online auction sites, says Lamb. 'A recent survey of online traders showed a significant number of external power supplies offered for sale failed to meet necessary safety checks. By issuing such a large fine, the judge has sent a clear message to online traders to clean up their act. We do not want to be dealing with the potentially tragic consequences of unsafe electrical goods.'
Energy Safety is continuing to work with online traders to advise them of their legal responsibilities. The government has simplified regulations to make clear that electrical items with a foreign plug and different voltage are deemed unsafe and will be treated as such. Lamb says buyers can also take steps to make sure they are purchasing safe goods. 'Only buy from a reputable seller, never accept anything that is supplied with an adaptor, and if in doubt, ask to see a safety declaration signed by the New Zealand importer.'
Summarised from a Ministry of Economic Development media release 8 November 2011.
IEC Standards – harmonisation of safety requirements for batteries is underway
Issue 33 – November 2011
Batteries are used in numerous devices and their safety determines the lifespan and faultless operation of countless products. With converging technologies and the advent of horizontal Standards comes the need to regularly review, compare, and update the Standards that define safety requirements in order to ensure that testing and conformity assessment processes are coordinated. This is what is currently happening for the Standards issued by IEC Technical Committee (TC) 108 and IEC SC 21A.
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[more]IECQ certification ensures reliability and consistency in electronics
Issue 33 – November 2011
Electronic components. We don't see them. Most of us don't even know what they look like. But we cannot do without them. Homes, offices, factories, and transportation systems all rely heavily on them. Mobile telephones, computers, car, and aircraft navigation systems, and automated production chains wouldn't exist without them.
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[more]NEW AMENDMENTS
Free to download from our website: www.standards.co.nz
Or hard copy available at $32.00+GST (Members), $40.00+GST (Retail)
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[more]NEW JOINT STANDARDS
AS/NZS 2081:2011 Electrical protection devices for mines and quarries
Specifies the performance requirements for protection devices intended for use with electrical supply networks utilizing earth fault current limitation techniques (IT networks).
Supersedes AS/NZS 2081.1:2002, AS/NZS 2081.2:2002, AS/NZS 2081.3:2002, AS/NZS 2081.4:2002 and AS/NZS 2081.5:2002
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[more]DRAFT STANDARDS FOR COMMENT
Free to download from our website: www.standards.co.nz
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