Earth potential rise - Protection of telecommunications network users, personnel and plant - Part 2: Application guide

AS/NZS 3835.2:2006: Earth Potential Rise - Application Guide for Telecommunications Safety

In the intricate world of telecommunications infrastructure, ensuring the safety of users, personnel, and valuable plant is paramount. Electrical faults and external power system influences can create hazardous ground potential differences. AS/NZS 3835.2:2006 provides an authoritative and comprehensive application guide to tackle these risks effectively. This essential standard equips engineers and designers with the practical knowledge needed to implement robust safety measures, making it a cornerstone for anyone involved in telecommunications network design and maintenance.

What is AS/NZS 3835.2:2006?

AS/NZS 3835.2:2006 is the application guide companion to the code of practice for Earth Potential Rise (EPR) in telecommunications networks. Developed jointly by Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand, this standard offers practical guidance on how to apply the principles outlined in its companion document, AS/NZS 3835.1. Its primary purpose is to translate theoretical safety requirements into actionable design and operational strategies to protect against the dangers posed by earth potential rise.

Scope & Purpose

This industry-leading standard governs the practical application of safety measures to mitigate the risks associated with earth potential rise phenomena within telecommunications networks. It provides detailed guidance for assessing potential EPR and implementing appropriate protective designs and procedures. While it focuses on protecting users, personnel, and plant from electrical hazards originating from ground potential differences, it does not cover the detailed design of the power systems themselves, nor does it prescribe specific cable manufacturing standards.

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary audience: Electrical Engineers, Telecommunications Engineers, Network Designers, Safety Officers, and Senior Network Technicians.
• • Industries affected: Telecommunications, Electricity Utilities, Electrical Contracting, and any sector involved in the installation or maintenance of telecommunications infrastructure in proximity to power systems.
• • Compliance nature: While not always legally mandatory in all contexts, compliance is highly recommended and often a contractual requirement for best practice and risk mitigation.
• • Enforcement: Compliance is typically overseen by network operators, regulatory bodies (such as the ACMA in Australia and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment in New Zealand), and through internal safety management systems.

Key Requirements Overview

The standard requires professionals to conduct thorough risk assessments for potential earth potential rise scenarios. Key provisions include the application of protective measures to limit hazardous voltages experienced by personnel and the public. It guides the selection and implementation of earthing arrangements and bonding strategies to control potential differences. Furthermore, the standard emphasizes the importance of regular review and maintenance of protective systems to ensure their continued effectiveness.

Related Standards & References

AS/NZS 3835.2:2006 works in conjunction with AS/NZS 3835.1:2006, the Code of Practice for Earth Potential Rise, which lays the foundational principles. Complementary guidance can also be found in AS/NZS 3835.3:2006, which addresses specific isolation arrangements for metering and control services. For practical examples and further illustration, professionals often refer to handbooks like HB 219, which provides worked examples for the application guide.