High voltage installations

A high voltage installation is a group of items of electrical equipment permanently connected and can be supplied with electricity from the works of an electricity entity or from a generating source at voltages greater than 1000V AC RMS or 1500V ripple-free DC.

This includes electrical equipment associated with protection and earthing systems up to and including any low voltage cables and switchgear associated with high voltage installations. High voltage installations do not include:

• electric discharge illumination systems
• x-ray equipment
• high frequency equipment
• high voltage wiring and electrical equipment enclosed within self-contained electrical equipment and supplied at low voltage where precautions have been taken to prevent contact with high voltage conductors.

Section 221 of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 (the ES Regulation) requires that an auditor inspect high voltage electrical installations before connection or reconnection to a source of electricity, if:

• the high voltage electrical installation is being connected for the first time
• electrical installation work has been performed on the high voltage electrical installation.

The pre-commissioning inspection ensures that the installation, related electrical equipment and protective equipment comply with appropriate standards.