Frequently Asked Questions
What is SANS 10142 and how does it impact on me as a citizen or resident of South Africa?
The South African National Standards (SANS) 10142, previously known as SABS 0142, are legislative requirements / guidelines to which fixed electrical installations used within the borders of South Africa has to comply to.
What is an Electrical Certificate of Compliance ( CoC ) And what is the aim of it?
An Electrical Certificate of Compliance is a certificate that is issued by a registered person in respect of an electrical installation or part of an electrical installation. The aim of the Electrical Certificate of Compliance is to ensure that the electrical installation is of such a nature that people, animals and property are protected from hazards that can arise from the operation of an electrical installation under both normal and fault conditions. An electrical installation has to provide protection against the following:
- Shock current
- Over current
- Fault current
- Over voltage
- Under voltage
- Excessive temperatures
- Electric arcs
If any of the above arises, the protection should automatically disconnect the supply or limit currents and voltages to safe values. In case of under voltage, he protections should ensure that dangerous situations, due to the loss and restoration of supply, or due to a drop in voltage, cannot occur.
What is an Electrical Installation?
Machinery, in or on any premises, that is used for the transmission of electrical energy from a point of control to a point of consumption anywhere on the premises, including any article that forms part of such an installation, irrespective of whether or not it is part of the electrical circuit, but excluding
- Any machinery of the supplier that is related to the supply of electricity on the premises.
- Any machinery that is used for the transmission of electricity of which the voltage does not exceed 50V, where such electricity is not derived from the main supply of a supplier, and
- Any machinery that transmits electrical energy in telecommunication, television or radio.
Fixed appliances do not form part of the electrical installation, but the circuit breakers, switches, socket outlets, isolators & cabling does.
How long is an Electrical CoC valid for?
A CoC is valid for a period of two years from the date of issue only with reference to a change of ownership of the property or premises. Should the CoC be older than two years at the time of selling a property or premises, a new COC has to be obtained.
An existing CoC is valid for as long as the electrical installation to which it refers is not altered in any way whatsoever. As soon as an alteration or addition to the installation is done, a new CoC covering at least the additions / alterations needs to be issued and attached to the original CoC.
From a safety and maintenance perspective, it is advisable to have your electrical installation tested and inspected every 3 to 5 years to ensure that all areas of the installations are still safe to use.
Who is responsible for the safety and maintenance of an electrical installation?
It is the responsibility of the user or lessor to ensure the safety, safe use and maintenance of the electrical installation he or she uses or leases. It is also the responsibility of the user or lessor, as the case may be, to ensure the safety of the conductors on his or her premises connecting the electrical installation to the point of supply, in the case where the point of supply is not the point of control.
With regards to an electrical installation that existed prior to 23 October 1992, and where there was no change of ownership after 1 March 1994: Provided that, if any addition or alteration is effected to such an electrical installation, the user or lessor of the electrical installation, as the case may be, shall obtain a certificate of compliance for the whole electrical installation.
Frequently Asked Questions.
