Crown Publications - Requirements of SANS 10142-1

IT is astonishing that, after many years of exposure to the SANS 10142-1 Wiring Code, many electrical contractors still regard the Code as a quagmire of rules and regulations meant to deceive them into doing the impossible in an attempt to comply with the law.
It is, in fact, an amusing pastime of mine to listen to the seamless interminable arguments surrounding the difficulty of compliance to the Code, whereas in truth, the Code merely provides a practical guide for safeguarding persons and property from the hazards associated with the use of an electrical installation.
Having said this it is, however, essential that we understand that the Code is not a ‘recipe book' or ‘instruction manual' for untrained persons.

In understanding the ‘Fundamental Requirements" it is important to ascertain where to start.
Understand that ‘Fundamental Requirements' is applicable to any electrical installation irrespective of the age or date of original construction.
The ‘scope' of the Code is clearly indicated under Section 1.2 in terms of what is covered and under Section 1.3 in terms of what is not covered.
The introduction section of the Code provides the basic criteria, which are further clarified in Section 5 to ensure safety.
The aim of the code is therefore to ensure that an electrical installation provides protection against:
• Shock current
• Over current
• Fault current
• Over voltage
• Under voltage
• Excessive temperatures, and
• Electric arcs
The above hazards are simple enough for any person with a basic electrical understanding to evaluate and take the appropriate measures to minimise or mitigate the risks associated therewith. In so doing, the Code then expands into various parts to isolate each part of an electrical installation and provide guidance into installation methods, which will provide the electrician with the means to achieve the above.

The installation method of the protective equipment that will be required to be installed after such an evaluation must therefore automatically disconnect the supply or limit currents and voltages to safe values.
I will expand on all parts of Section 5 over the next few months but wish to start with what I believe is the most important part of fundamental requirements - Section 5.3.1 General Characteristics.
"The characteristics of the selected equipment shall be appropriate to the conditions and parameters on which the design of an installation is based."
In understanding this requirement, it is also important to reference the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85, of 1993 - Definitions (Properly Used). ‘Properly used' means used with reasonable care, and with due regard to any information, instruction or advice supplied by the designer, manufacturer, importer, seller or supplier;
In evaluating an electrical installation therefore, it will be essential that a registered person look at the general installation and clearly identify the ‘conditions and parameters on which the design of the installation is based'. Furthermore, any ‘manufactures' information, instruction or advice' must also be applied.

Case in question
An installation containing primarily PVC conduit and PVC insulated cables.
The general design of a conduit system must be complied with, simply put:
The conduit must be connected using specified couplers and adaptors where required.
No parts of the system must be damaged or altered to make provision for cables to enter the conduit, other than at appropriate junction boxes.
Where junction boxes are used, covers that are specifically designed for the purpose must also be used.
Where PVC insulated cables are required to be joined to the system, correct glands must be used to terminate the cable to the junction box. It is not acceptable practice for the cable to pass directly through the opening of the enclosure designed to accept conduit or the top of the enclosure with modification to the cover or resultant omission of the cover.
Conduits may not pass through wall enclosures and must be correctly terminated onto such enclosures by means of adaptors.
Conduits must be fixed at appropriate intervals.
Simply put, the Code makes general reference to ‘General Characteristics', but once evaluated, very specific reference in terms of Section 6.5 - Wireways.
The same criteria will be applied to the PVC insulated cables in terms of their general installation based on the design of the installation and more specific reference is then made under Sections 6.2.4 and 6.3.

The above example has been used as a simplistic measure of how to apply the various sections of the Code to various parts of an electrical installation and it is important that registered persons include this method of evaluation and mitigation of risk.
The Code is suitable for mandatory application by Approved Inspection Authorities under instruction by the Department of Labour for enforcement activities. These AIAs, having jurisdiction for enforcement of the Code, have the responsibility for making interpretations of the rules and applying them where necessary. It is also important that where such interpretations require further clarification, that the legislated processes be utilised to ensure that the Code remains an acceptable measure of good electrical practice and a mechanism to level the playing fields by enforcing compliance thereto.
GEIA, in association with P and T Technologies, is currently busy with a process of delivering workshops designed to transfer the required skills to registered persons in understanding the application of the Code. Registered Persons can contact me in this regard on 082 877 7223.