Electricity Safety (Stray Current Corrosion) Regulations 2009
i
Electricity Safety (Stray Current Corrosion)
Regulations 2009
S.R. No. 32/2009
TABLE OF PROVISIONS
Regulation Page
PART 1—PRELIMINARY 1
1 Objectives 1
2 Authorising provisions 2
3 Revocation 2
4 Definitions 2
5 Prescribed systems 3
6 Existing cathodic protection systems 4
PART 2—REGISTRATION OF CATHODIC PROTECTION
SYSTEMS 5
7 Application for registration of cathodic protection system 5
8 Exemption from requirements 7
9 Further information for purposes of consideration of application 7
10 Registration 7
11 Refusal of registration 8
12 Register of certificates 8
13 Details of change 9
14 Withdrawal of registration 9
15 Renewal of registration 9
PART 3—OPERATION OF CATHODIC PROTECTION
SYSTEMS 11
16 Operation of cathodic protection systems 11
17 Notice of operation 13
18 Provision for testing 13
19 Audit by the owner 13
20 Notification of modification or removal of cathodic protection
system 14
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Regulation Page
ii
PART 4—INFRINGEMENT OFFENCES 15
21 Provisions for which infringement notices may be served 15
__________________
SCHEDULE—Fees for Cathodic Protection Systems 16
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ENDNOTES 17
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1
STATUTORY RULES 2009
S.R. No. 32/2009
Electricity Safety Act 1998
Electricity Safety (Stray Current Corrosion)
Regulations 2009
The Governor in Council makes the following Regulations:
Dated: 31 March 2009
Responsible Minister:
PETER BATCHELOR
Minister for Energy and Resources
RYAN HEATH
Clerk of the Executive Council
PART 1—PRELIMINARY
1 Objectives
The objectives of these Regulations are—
(a) to prescribe cathodic protection systems and
mitigation systems for the purposes of the
Electricity Safety Act 1998; and
(b) to prescribe standards for the operation of
cathodic protection systems; and
(c) to provide procedures for the registration of
cathodic protection systems; and
(d) to protect metallic structures from damage
associated with stray current corrosion and
interference from cathodic protection
associated with other metallic structures in
the vicinity; and
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Part 1—Preliminary
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2
(e) to prescribe certain provisions of these
Regulations that create offences as
provisions in respect of which infringement
notices may be served; and
(f) to make a related consequential amendment
to the Electricity Safety (Infringements)
Regulations 2000.
2 Authorising provisions
These Regulations are made under sections 155
and 157 of the Electricity Safety Act 1998.
3 Revocation
The Electricity Safety (Stray Current Corrosion)
Regulations 1999 1 are revoked.
4 Definitions
In these Regulations—
Cathodic Protection Standard 1 means
AS 2832.1, Australian Standard 'Cathodic
protection of metals—Pipes and cables' as
published or amended from time to time;
Cathodic Protection Standard 2 means
AS 2832.2, Australian Standard 'Cathodic
protection of metals—Compact buried
structures' as published or amended from
time to time;
Cathodic Protection Standard 3 means
AS 2832.3, Australian Standard 'Cathodic
protection of metals—Fixed immersed
structures' as published or amended from
time to time;
Cathodic Protection Standard 5 means
AS 2832.5, Australian Standard 'Cathodic
protection of metals—Steel in concrete
structures' as published or amended from
time to time;
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Part 1—Preliminary
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electrolysis drainage bond means the path by
which stray traction current from an
underground or underwater metallic structure
is returned to its originating source;
galvanic anode means an electrode used to protect
a structure by galvanic action;
impressed current means direct current supplied
by an external power source;
registered cathodic protection system means a
cathodic protection system registered under
Part 2;
stray current means current flowing through paths
other than an intended circuit;
stray traction current means current flowing
through the ground or water as a result of the
operation of any railway by a path other than
the intended circuit;
the Act means the Electricity Safety Act 1998.
5 Prescribed systems
(1) For the purposes of the definition of cathodic
protection system in section 3 of the Act, a
prescribed system is a system that—
(a) uses one or more galvanic anodes connected
at a single point to a structure to provide
intentional cathodic protection; or
(b) uses impressed current connected at a single
point to a structure to provide intentional
cathodic protection—
but does not include a system that is designed to
protect the internal surfaces of a structure.
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(2) For the purposes of the definition of mitigation
system in section 3 of the Act, a system that uses
electrolysis drainage bonds and associated
apparatus, cable and drainage equipment is a
prescribed system.
6 Existing cathodic protection systems
If a cathodic protection system was registered
under the Electricity Safety (Stray Current
Corrosion) Regulations 1999 and that registration
was in force immediately before commencement
of these Regulations, the cathodic protection
system is to be taken to be registered under these
Regulations—
(a) in the case of a cathodic protection system
with an output greater than 2 amperes—
(i) until the date that is 10 years after the
date the cathodic protection system was
registered under the Electricity Safety
(Stray Current Corrosion) Regulations
1999; or
(ii) until the registration is withdrawn
under these Regulations—
whichever occurs first; or
(b) in the case of any other cathodic protection
system, until registration is withdrawn under
these Regulations.
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Part 2—Registration of Cathodic Protection Systems
Electricity Safety (Stray Current Corrosion) Regulations 2009
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5
PART 2—REGISTRATION OF CATHODIC PROTECTION
SYSTEMS
7 Application for registration of cathodic protection
system
(1) The owner of a cathodic protection system who
intends to operate that system, or intends to allow
that system to be operated, must apply to Energy
Safe Victoria to have the system registered.
(2) An application for registration of a cathodic
protection system with a total output of
250 milliamperes or less must—
(a) be in writing; and
(b) include the name and address of the owner of
the cathodic protection system; and
(c) include the name of the operator or proposed
operator of the cathodic protection system if
the operator is not or will not be the owner;
and
(d) indicate the proposed operating current of
the cathodic protection system; and
(e) be accompanied by—
(i) a map showing the proposed location of
the cathodic protection system, the
metallic structure it is intended to
protect and all metallic structures likely
to be affected by the system; and
(ii) drawings detailing the cathodic
protection system; and
(iii) the relevant registration fee set out in
the Schedule.
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(3) An application for registration of a cathodic
protection system with a total output of more than
250 milliamperes must—
(a) be in writing; and
(b) include the name and address of the owner of
the cathodic protection system; and
(c) include the name of the operator or proposed
operator of the cathodic protection system if
the operator is not or will not be the owner;
and
(d) indicate the proposed operating current of
the cathodic protection system; and
(e) be accompanied by—
(i) a map showing the proposed location of
the cathodic protection system, the
metallic structure it is intended to
protect and all metallic structures likely
to be affected by the proposed system;
and
(ii) drawings detailing the proposed
system; and
(iii) a report on all consultations carried out
between the applicant and the owners
of metallic structures (metallic
structure owners) likely to be affected
by the cathodic protection system
including—
(A) the names, addresses and
telephone numbers of the metallic
structure owners consulted; and
(B) the dates each of the metallic
structure owners were consulted;
and
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Part 2—Registration of Cathodic Protection Systems
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(C) any known objections to the
registration of the system; and
(iv) the relevant registration fee set out in
the Schedule.
8 Exemption from requirements
Energy Safe Victoria may exempt an applicant for
registration of a cathodic protection system from
the requirements in regulations 7(2)(e) or 7(3)(e).
9 Further information for purposes of consideration
of application
Energy Safe Victoria may require the applicant for
registration under regulation 7 to provide any
other information relating to the application that it
considers necessary to determine whether to
register the cathodic protection system.
10 Registration
(1) If Energy Safe Victoria is satisfied with a cathodic
protection system, Energy Safe Victoria may
register the system and grant a certificate of
registration for the system to the owner of the
system.
(2) Registration of a cathodic protection system
ceases—
(a) in the case of a cathodic protection system
with an output greater than 2 amperes—
(i) 10 years after the date on which
registration is granted, or
(ii) when withdrawn under these
Regulations—
whichever occurs first;
(b) in the case of any other cathodic protection
system, if withdrawn under these
Regulations.
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Part 2—Registration of Cathodic Protection Systems
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11 Refusal of registration
(1) Energy Safe Victoria may refuse to register a
cathodic protection system—
(a) until any testing required by Energy Safe
Victoria has been completed to the
satisfaction of Energy Safe Victoria; or
(b) if it reasonably believes that any metallic
structure, other than the one to which the
system is or will be connected, may have its
electrical potential with respect to earth
changed due to the operation of the system.
(2) If subregulation (1)(b) applies, Energy Safe
Victoria may require the cathodic protection
system to be modified, to its satisfaction, before it
registers the system.
12 Register of certificates
(1) Energy Safe Victoria must keep a register of
cathodic protection systems registered under these
Regulations.
(2) A register kept under subregulation (1) must
contain—
(a) the names and addresses of the owners of
registered cathodic protection systems; and
(b) particulars of each cathodic protection
system, including—
(i) the location of the system; and
(ii) the type of system (being either a
system that uses galvanic anodes or
impressed current);
(iii) the approved maximum operating
current of the system; and
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(iv) the terms of every modification
contained in a determination made
under regulation 16(4).
13 Details of change
(1) The owner of a registered cathodic protection
system must give Energy Safe Victoria details of a
change of name or address or of ownership within
20 business days of the change occurring.
Penalty: 10 penalty units.
(2) If Energy Safe Victoria is notified under
subregulation (1) of a change in ownership of the
cathodic protection system, Energy Safe Victoria
may grant a new certificate of registration to the
new owner of that system.
14 Withdrawal of registration
(1) Energy Safe Victoria may withdraw the
registration of a cathodic protection system if a
person to whom a notice is given under section 96
of the Act fails to comply with the directions in
that notice.
(2) Energy Safe Victoria must give written notice of
its intention to withdraw registration to the owner
of the cathodic protection system 10 business days
before it withdraws the registration.
15 Renewal of registration
(1) The owner of a registered cathodic protection
system may apply to Energy Safe Victoria to
renew the registration of the system.
(2) The application may be made at any time before
the registration of the registered cathodic
protection system expires or is withdrawn under
these Regulations.
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Part 2—Registration of Cathodic Protection Systems
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(3) Regulations 7(2) to 11 apply to an application
under this regulation as if a reference to cathodic
protection system were a reference to the
registered cathodic protection system in respect of
which the application has been made.
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Part 3—Operation of Cathodic Protection Systems
Electricity Safety (Stray Current Corrosion) Regulations 2009
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PART 3—OPERATION OF CATHODIC PROTECTION
SYSTEMS
16 Operation of cathodic protection systems
(1) For the purpose of section 93(2) of the Act—
(a) a cathodic protection system for the
protection of a buried or submerged metallic
pipe or cable must be operated in accordance
with—
(i) Cathodic Protection Standard 1; or
(ii) if Energy Safe Victoria determines,
under this regulation, that Cathodic
Protection Standard 1 should apply as
modified by Energy Safe Victoria, the
applicable Standard as modified;
(b) a cathodic protection system for the
protection of the external surfaces of a
compact buried structure must be operated in
accordance with—
(i) Cathodic Protection Standard 2; or
(ii) if Energy Safe Victoria determines,
under this regulation, that Cathodic
Protection Standard 2 should apply as
modified by Energy Safe Victoria, the
applicable Standard as modified;
(c) a cathodic protection system for the
protection of the external surfaces of a fixed
immersed structure must be operated in
accordance with—
(i) Cathodic Protection Standard 3; or
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(ii) if Energy Safe Victoria determines,
under this regulation, that Cathodic
Protection Standard 3 should apply as
modified by Energy Safe Victoria, the
applicable Standard as modified;
(d) a cathodic protection system for the
protection of steel in concrete that is exposed
to air or buried or submerged must be
operated in accordance with—
(i) Cathodic Protection Standard 5; or
(ii) if Energy Safe Victoria determines,
under this regulation, that Cathodic
Protection Standard 5 should apply as
modified by Energy Safe Victoria, the
applicable Standard as modified.
(2) A person who owns a cathodic protection system
to which a standard specified in subregulation (1)
applies may, in writing, apply to Energy Safe
Victoria for the relevant standard to apply to that
system in a modified way.
(3) An application under subregulation (2) must set
out the terms of the modification sought.
(4) On receiving an application under subregulation
(2), Energy Safe Victoria may determine that a
relevant standard specified in subregulation (1)
applies to the system as modified by the
determination.
(5) A determination under this regulation must—
(a) set out the terms of the modification; and
(b) be given to the applicant.
(6) The terms of a modification must be entered onto
the register kept under regulation 12.
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Part 3—Operation of Cathodic Protection Systems
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17 Notice of operation
The owner of a registered cathodic protection
system that uses impressed current must give
Energy Safe Victoria at least 5 business days
notice of intention to commence operation of the
system.
18 Provision for testing
(1) The owner of a registered cathodic protection
system that uses impressed current must ensure
that a time switch is able to be inserted in the
system to enable the power supply to be
interrupted for test purposes.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
(2) The owner of a registered cathodic protection
system that uses galvanic anodes must ensure that
the circuit between any anode of the system and
the metallic structures to be protected is able to be
readily disconnected for test purposes.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
19 Audit by the owner
(1) The owner of a registered cathodic protection
system with a total output of more than
250 milliamperes must annually inspect and
record the operating current of the system.
(2) The owner of a registered cathodic protection
system must ensure that a record prepared under
subregulation (1) is available for inspection at all
reasonable times by—
(a) Energy Safe Victoria; and
(b) persons whose metallic structures are
affected or likely to be affected by that
cathodic protection system.
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Part 3—Operation of Cathodic Protection Systems
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20 Notification of modification or removal of cathodic
protection system
(1) The owner of a registered cathodic protection
system with a total output of more than
250 milliamperes who—
(a) changes the operation of that system; or
(b) becomes aware of a change in the operation
of that system—
must notify Energy Safe Victoria within
4 business days and give written notice within
10 business days, after that change or becoming
aware of that change.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
(2) The owner of a registered cathodic protection
system with a total output of more than
250 milliamperes who—
(a) removes that system; or
(b) becomes aware of the removal of that
system—
must notify Energy Safe Victoria within
4 business days and give written notice within
10 business days, after that change or becoming
aware of that change.
Penalty: 20 penalty units.
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Part 4—Infringement Offences
Electricity Safety (Stray Current Corrosion) Regulations 2009
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15
PART 4—INFRINGEMENT OFFENCES
21 Provisions for which infringement notices may be
served
(1) For the purposes of paragraph (b) of the definition
of prescribed offence in section 140A of the Act,
regulations 13(1), 18(1), 18(2), 20(1) and 20(2)
are prescribed provisions.
(2) Regulation 5(g) of the Electricity Safety
(Infringements) Regulations 2000 2 is revoked.
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Electricity Safety (Stray Current Corrosion) Regulations 2009
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SCHEDULE
Regulation 7(2)(e)(iii) and
7(3)(e)(iv)
FEES FOR CATHODIC PROTECTION SYSTEMS
Item Description Fee
1 Registration fee for a cathodic protection system
with a total output up to and including
250 milliamperes
8·77 fee
units
2 Registration fee for a cathodic protection system
with a total output over 250 milliamperes and up
to and including 2 amperes
21·95 fee
units
3 Registration fee for a cathodic protection system
with a total output over 2 amperes
49·57 fee
units
═══════════════
Sch.
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Electricity Safety (Stray Current Corrosion) Regulations 2009
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ENDNOTES
1 Reg. 3: S.R. No. 50/1999.
2 Reg. 21(2): S.R. No. 136/2000 as amended by S.R. No. 114/2004.
——
Table of Applied, Adopted or Incorporated Matter Required by the
Subordinate Legislation Regulations 2004
Note that the following table of applied, adopted or incorporated matter is
included in accordance with the requirements of regulation 5 of the Subordinate
Legislation Regulations 2004.
Statutory Rule
Provision
Title of applied, adopted or
incorporated document
Matter in
applied,
adopted or
incorporated
document
Regulation 16(1)(a) Australian Standard 2832.1
'Cathodic protection of
metals—Pipes and cables', as
published or amended from
time to time.
All
Regulation 16(1)(b) Australian Standard 2832.2
'Cathodic protection of
metals—Compact buried
structures', as published or
amended from time to time.
All
Regulation 16(1)(c) Australian Standard 2832.3
'Cathodic protection of
metals—Fixed immersed
structures', as published or
amended from time to time.
All
Regulation 16(1)(d) Australian Standard 2832.5
'Cathodic protection of
metals—Steel in concrete
structures', as published or
amended from time to time.
All
Endnotes
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