Please note we have these plugs on our rangehoods already.

Approv:let:SAIPPC201 ED48/1/10 29 May 2001

CIRCULAR LETTER TO MANUFACTURERS AND SUPPLIERS OF
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT: INSULATED-PIN PLUGS

The latest publication of AS/NZS 3112:2000 Approval and test specification - Plugs and socket outlets introduced requirements and tests for the insulation of the live pins (active and neutral pins) of plugs.

Objects such as a metal blind slat or the edge of a sheet of roofing iron or jewellery have been known to touch the exposed live plug pin and caused electrocution of or shock to the person in contact with the object. Recessed cord extension sockets and the optional recessing of fixed socket outlets were introduced in Australia in response to a number of incidents including fatalities involving plugs or plug-in devices partially removed from a socket outlet or cord extension socket.

Insulated plug pins will further reduce the danger of this type of incident and enhance the safety improvements already afforded by recessed sockets.

It will be mandatory for all plugs and plug-in devices to incorporate insulated live pins from 3 April 2005. It is understood that manufacturers will have insulated pin plugs available shortly, and at least one manufacturer has insulated pin plugs already on the market.

In the interests of enhanced safety, to ensure rapid dispersion in the marketplace, Electrical Regulatory authorities will require all plug-in electrical equipment to be supplied with insulated pin plugs, at all points of sale, by no later than 3 April 2005.

Current approvals and those granted in the future for plugs without insulated pins will be withdrawn or expire, as appropriate, on 3 April 2005.

If you are a retail distributor of electrical equipment, you are urged to ensure that your stock of electrical equipment including direct plug-in devices without insulated-pin plugs is depleted before 3 April 2005.

If you are a manufacturer, wholesaler or trade distributor of electrical equipment, you are advised to alert your customers of these requirements and ensure that your customers are supplied with equipment including direct plug-in devices manufactured with insulated-pin plugs in sufficient time to meet the 3 April 2005 deadline.

Please contact one of the following approval offices should further advice be required:

Mr Mark Emrose    T. (08) 8226 5561 F. (08) 8226 5531
                           E. emrose.mark@saugov.sa.gov.au
Mr Brian King        T. (08) 8226 5530 F. (08) 8226 5531
                           E. king.brian@saugov.sa.gov.au

Yours faithfully

Dr C W Fong
Technical Regulator