Isolation Switch
Requirements
2.3.4.5 or 4.8.2.3 and 4.19
Isolation Switches
Every water heater, air-conditioning and heat pump system shall be provided with an independent isolating switch (lockable) installed adjacent to but not on the unit (at arms length or 1.25 metres).
4.18.1.1
Gas Appliances - Australia only
The means of isolation shall be a plug to an accessible switched socket-outlet.
What you need to know
A combined gas and electric cooker
An Isolating switch (switching all Active & Neutral conductors) and located in a “readily accessible” position (within 2m of cooker and not where you have to move things out of the way to get to it).
Air conditioner single unit plugged into a GPO
As long as the GPO is ‘Readily Accessible”, this is enough – no other Isolation is required.
Hot water system heat pump or gas plugged into a GPO
As long as the GPO is ‘Readily Accessible”, this is enough – no other Isolation is required.
A gas hob with electric ignition
It is OK to put a GPO in the cupboard under the appliance and to plug into the GPO. Even if there are pots & pans in the way, this is OK because the GPO need only be ‘Accessible” not ‘Readily Accessible’.
Built in electric oven or microwave
No isolation next to the built in unit is required.
Air conditioning and heat pump systems fixed wired
Readily accessible, lockable isolation switch adjacent to each air conditioner (do not mount on the air conditioner). No need to switch the neutral, but it is recommended for a safer installation.
Motor or load with low power factor
Use an isolation device with the utilisation category AC23 or a significant de-rating shall be applied.
Hot water system fixed wired, gas or electric
Readily accessible, lockable isolation switch adjacent to the hot water system (do not mount on the hot water system). No need to switch the neutral, but it is recommended for a safer installation.
Switches for
cooking appliances (4.7.3)
A circuit for a fixed or stationary cooking appliance having an open cooking surface incorporating electric heating, shall be provided with a switch operating all active conductors, mounted near the appliance in a visible and readily accessible position.
Note: the switch shall not be mounted
on the cooking appliance.
