Singapore legislation
Regulation 17
Regulation 17
Switchboard
Subregulation 1
The licensed electrical worker responsible for the installation of an electrical installation shall ensure that the general arrangement of every switchboard of that electrical installation shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, be such that —
all parts which need to be adjusted or handled in the course of operation or maintenance of the electrical installation are readily accessible;
the course of all conductors can be readily traced;
a clearly drawn diagram of the circuit of such electrical installation is displayed near the switchboard;
all conductors not intended for connection to such electrical installation are separated or kept well apart and are readily distinguishable from those that form part of the electrical installation; and
all bare conductors are so placed or protected as to prevent any danger arising from accidental contact with any of them.
Subregulation 2
Where a switchboard of an electrical installation is not located in an area set apart as a switchroom, the person responsible for such electrical installation shall ensure that the switchboard is securely fenced or enclosed.
Subregulation 3
No person other than a licensed electrical worker shall enter any part of an area set apart as a switchroom or any area which is fenced or enclosed in the manner stated in paragraph (2).
Subregulation 4
The person responsible for the electrical installation shall ensure that a notice which complies with the requirements of paragraph (5) is placed in a conspicuous position near every switchboard.
Subregulation 5
The notice referred to in paragraph (4) shall —
be made of durable material;
have the word “DANGER” and the operating voltage of the switchboard inscribed —
in block characters of at least 30 millimetres high and 5 millimetres wide;
in the English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil languages; and
in black against a yellow background; and
be maintained in a clear and legible condition at all times.
Subregulation 6
The licensed electrical worker responsible for the installation of an electrical installation shall ensure that —
all apparatuses pertaining to any switchboard of the electrical installation that must be handled in the course of operation or maintenance of the electrical installation are, so far as is reasonably practicable, placed or arranged so that the apparatuses can be operated from a working platform of the switchboard; and
all measuring instruments and indicators connected with the apparatuses are, so far as is reasonably practicable, placed so that the measuring instruments and indicators can be observed from the working platform.
Subregulation 7
If the apparatuses, measuring instruments and indicators referred to in paragraph (6) are to be operated or observed from any other place, the licensed electrical worker referred to in that paragraph shall take adequate precautions to prevent danger.
Subregulation 8
The person responsible for an electrical installation shall provide either a working platform for the switchboard of such electrical installation or a passage leading thereto.
Subregulation 9
The person referred to in paragraph (8) shall ensure that the working platform or passage referred to in that paragraph is —
of sound construction and has a firm and even floor;
of adequate height and width to facilitate the safe operation or maintenance of the switchboard; and
properly maintained and kept free from any obstruction.
Subregulation 10
The licensed electrical worker responsible for the installation of any electrical installation shall ensure that there is adequate clear space around every outer edge of the front, sides and back of the switchboard of the installation to enable the safe operation, inspection, testing and maintenance of the installation.