'Like for like' replacement of electrical equipment in hazardous areas
Following electrical installation work or electric line work which consists only of replacing electrical equipment with similar electrical equipment (‘like for like’) in an electrical installation located in a hazardous area, inspection by an accredited auditor is not required prior to connection or reconnection to a source of electricity where the following occurs:
- the electrical equipment being replaced is not a switchboard, cable or wire; and
- the replacement of electrical equipment meets prescribed circumstances.
Note that the installation of switchboards in hazardous areas are restricted by the Wiring Rules.
What is ‘like for like’ replacement of electrical equipment?
‘Like for like’ refers to replacing electrical equipment with similar electrical equipment in respect to the: voltage rating, power rating, current rating, functions, electrical characteristics, and frequency range of the equipment.
The replacement of the electrical equipment is not intended to alter the nature of the electrical installation in a hazardous area in such a way that an inspection by an accredited auditor is required.
What is a prescribed circumstance?
For replacement of electrical equipment to meet a prescribed circumstance the electrical equipment must fulfill specific criteria in relation to its: voltage rating, current rating, power rating, function, electrical characteristics, and frequency range.
Circumstances are prescribed for electrical equipment that consumes or controls electricity.
Prescribed circumstances are outlined in section 221A of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013.
Key concepts
Electrical characteristics refers to characteristics such as the ingress protection rating, insulation, earthing, operating temperature, and breaking current rating.
- Common classifications include: explosion (EX) ratings, temperature (T) classifications, and hazardous area atmosphere (Group) classifications.
Current rating means the current stated on the electrical equipment as the current the equipment will consume or control when operating in normal circumstances.
Frequency range means the frequency or range of frequencies stated on the equipment as the frequency or range of frequencies the equipment is designed to safely operate at in normal circumstances.
Power rating means the power stated on the electrical equipment as the power the equipment will consume when operating in normal circumstances.
Voltage rating means:
- for electrical equipment that consumes electricity – the maximum voltage that the equipment is designed to be supplied with to operate in normal circumstances; or
- for electrical equipment that controls electricity – the voltage that the electrical equipment can safely control in normal circumstances.
Prescribed circumstance for the ‘like for like’ replacement of electrical equipment that consumes electricity in an electrical installation located in a hazardous area
If the electrical equipment being replaced in the electrical installation in a hazardous area consumes electricity, the replacement equipment must meet all the prescribed circumstance criteria for electrical equipment that consumes electricity in order for the replacement to be ‘like for like’ and does not require inspection by an accredited auditor.
The replacement of electrical equipment that consumes electricity, must meet all the following prescribed circumstance criteria:
The replacement electrical equipment must -
- have the same voltage rating as the equipment being replaced; and
- have a current rating that is not greater than the current rating of the equipment being replaced; and
- have a power rating that is not greater than the power rating of the equipment being replaced; and
- perform its function in the same way as the equipment being replaced; and
- have electrical characteristics that are the same as or better than the electrical characteristics of the equipment being replaced including when the equipment is operating in circumstances other than normal circumstances; and
- be designed to operate at the same frequency range as the equipment being replaced.
Examples of replacement of electrical equipment that consumes electricity in a n electrical installation located in a hazardous area.
A light fitting failed in service and required replacement.
| The light fitting removed from service | The replacement light fitting | Prescribed circumstance criteria | Meets criteria? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 230/240 volts | 230/240 volts | The replacement equipment has a voltage rating the same as the replaced equipment. | Yes |
| 1 amps | 0.2 amps | The replacement equipment has a current rating not greater than the replaced equipment. | Yes |
| 240 watts | 48 watts | The replacement equipment has a power rating not greater than the replaced equipment. | Yes |
| enclosed fluorescent lamp with electronic ballast | enclosed fluorescent lamp with electronic ballast | The replacement equipment performs its function in the same way as the replaced equipment. | Yes |
|
EX ‘d’ rated
Group IIC T4 |
EX ‘d’ rated
Group IIC T4 | The replacement equipment has the same electrical characteristics as the replaced equipment. | Yes |
| 50Hz | 50-60Hz | The replacement equipment is designed to operate at the same frequency (or range of frequencies) as the replaced equipment. | Yes |
The licensed electrical contractor determined that the replacement equipment met all of the prescribed circumstance criteria, and therefore an inspection by an accredited auditor was not required before the hazardous area electrical installation was reconnected to the source of electricity.
Example 2A: As part of regular maintenance, a pump was removed from service and replaced.
| The pump removed from service | The replacement pump | Prescribed circumstance criteria | Meets criteria? |
|---|---|---|---|
230/240 volts | 230/240 volts
| The replacement equipment has a voltage rating the same as the replaced equipment. | Yes |
10 amps | 20 amps
| The replacement equipment has a current rating not greater than the replaced equipment. | No |
2200 watts | 4200 watts
| The replacement equipment has a power rating not greater than the replaced equipment. | No |
earthed metal body induction motor with a pumping function | earthed metal body induction motor with a pumping function | The replacement equipment performs its function in the same way as the replaced equipment. | Yes |
|
Ex ‘e’ rated
Group IIA T5 |
EX ‘e’ rated
Group IIC T6 | The replacement equipment has the same electrical characteristics as the replaced equipment. | No |
50-60Hz | 50-60Hz | The replacement equipment is designed to operate at the same frequency (or range of frequencies) as the replaced equipment. | Yes |
The licensed electrical contractor identified that the replacement equipment failed to meet all the prescribed circumstance criteria. The licensed electrical contractor identified that inspection by an accredited auditor is required before the electrical installation is connected or reconnected to a source of electricity.
Example 2B: As part of a regular maintenance program, a light fitting was removed from service and replaced.
The light fitting removed from service | The replacement light fitting | Prescribed circumstance criteria | Meets criteria? |
|---|---|---|---|
230/240 volts | 230/240 volts | The replacement equipment has a voltage rating the same as the replaced equipment. | Yes |
1 amp | 0.2 amps | The replacement equipment has a current rating not greater than the replaced equipment. | Yes |
240 watts | 48 watts | The replacement equipment has a power rating not greater than the replaced equipment. | Yes |
Incandescent light fitting | LED light fitting | The replacement equipment performs its function in the same way as the replaced equipment. | No |
Ex ‘e’ rated | EX ‘e’ rated | The replacement equipment has the same electrical characteristics as the replaced equipment. | Yes |
50-60Hz | 50-60Hz | The replacement equipment is designed to operate at the same frequency (or range of frequencies) as the replaced equipment. | Yes |
The licensed electrical contractor identified that the replacement equipment failed to meet all the prescribed circumstance criteria. The licensed electrical contractor identified that inspection by an accredited auditor is required before the electrical installation is connected or reconnected to a source of electricity.
Prescribed circumstance for the ‘like for like’ replacement of electrical equipment that controls electricity in an electrical installation located in a hazardous area
If the electrical equipment being replaced in the electrical installation in a hazardous area controls electricity (for example a switch or relay), the replacement equipment must meet all the prescribed circumstance criteria for electrical equipment that controls electricity in order for the replacement to be ‘like for like’ and not require inspection by an accredited auditor.
The replacement of electrical equipment that controls electricity, must meet all the following prescribed circumstance criteria:
The replacement electrical equipment must -
- have the same voltage rating as the equipment being replaced; and
- have the same current rating as the equipment being replaced; and
- perform its function in the same way as the equipment being replaced; and
- have electrical characteristics that are the same as or better than the electrical characteristics of the equipment being replaced including when the equipment is operating in circumstances other than normal circumstances; and
- be designed to operate at the same frequency range as the equipment being replaced.
Examples of replacement of electrical equipment that controls electricity in an electrical installation located in a hazardous area.
A heat sensor failed in service and was replaced.
| The heat sensor removed from service | The replacement heat sensor | Prescribed circumstance criteria | Meets criteria? |
|---|---|---|---|
24 volts (dc) | 24 volts (dc) | The replacement equipment has a voltage rating the same as the replaced equipment. | Yes |
0.002 amps | 0.002 amps | The replacement equipment has a current rating the same as the replaced equipment. | Yes |
heat sensor | heat sensor | The replacement equipment performs its function in the same way as the replaced equipment. | Yes |
|
EX ‘ia’ rated Group IIB T1 |
EX ‘ia’ rated Group IIB T1 | The replacement equipment has the same electrical characteristics as the replaced equipment. | Yes |
50Hz | 50Hz | The replacement equipment is designed to operate at the same frequency (or frequency range) as the replaced equipment. | Yes |
The licensed electrical contractor determined that the replacement equipment met all the prescribed circumstance criteria, and therefore an inspection by an accredited auditor is not required before the electrical installation is connected or reconnected to a source of electricity.
As part of regular maintenance, a control switch was removed from service and replaced.
| The control switch removed from service | The replacement control switch | Prescribed circumstance criteria | Meets criteria? |
|---|---|---|---|
250 volts | 250 volts | The replacement equipment has a voltage rating the same as the replaced equipment. | Yes |
20 amps | 25 amps
| The replacement equipment has a current rating the same as the replaced equipment. | No |
electromechanical rotary contact switch | an electronic switch | The replacement equipment performs its function in the same way as the replaced equipment. | No |
EX ‘d’ rated Group IIB T1 | EX ‘d’ rated Group IIB T1 | The replacement equipment has the same electrical characteristics as the replaced equipment. | Yes |
50Hz | 50Hz | The replacement equipment is designed to operate at the same frequency as the replaced equipment. | Yes |
The licensed electrical contractor identified that the replacement equipment failed to meet all the prescribed circumstance criteria. Therefore, an accredited auditor inspection is required before the electrical installation is connected or reconnected to a source of electricity.
What does a licensed electrical contractor need to do where the replacement of electrical equipment meets the prescribed circumstance criteria?
A licensed electrical contractor must not connect an electrical installation on which electrical work has been performed to a source of electricity unless the contractor is satisfied that the Electrical Safety Act 2002 and the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 have been complied with.
The licensed electrical contractor must ensure that the electrical equipment has been tested to ensure the electrical equipment and electrical installation is safe, in line with duties under the Electrical Safety Act 2002. This requirement is independent of the need for an inspection by an accredited auditor.
Licensed electrical contractors are encouraged to retain a record where the replacement of electrical equipment has met the prescribed circumstances and has not required an accredited auditor inspection.
More information
- Find a hazardous area installation accredited auditor
- Hazardous areas
- Section 221 and 221A of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013