Electrical - C5B

National Standard for Commercial Vessels 

Part C - Design and construction

Section 5 - Engineering

Sub-section 5B - Electrical

Edition 3

Commenced 1 January 2020

The National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) Sub-section C5B provides the standards for design, construction, installation and repair of electrical systems on vessels <35m measured length.

This sub-section is to be read in conjunction with Part B: General Requirements.

The main change to the electrical standard, is the requirement for vessels to comply with their state or territory electrical regulator’s requirements as applicable.

New or modified electrical installations on vessels less than 35 metres will also need to comply with either:

• Australian Standard (AS/NZS 3004.2:2014) and the ‘required outcomes’ of NSCV subsection C5B, or
• Class Rules (without being required to obtain a certificate of classification).

This sub-section contains the following information:

• Requirements for electrical systems
• Electrical Safety
• Emergency electrical installations
• Common requirements for electrical equipment and installations
• High voltage systems
• Low voltage systems
• Extra-low voltage systems

New AMSA requirement for vessels to comply with their state or territory electrical regulator’s requirements as applicable.

Be aware that there are state and territory electrical licencing requirements that must be met by persons performing electrical work on low and high voltage systems. Contact your local electrical safety or WHS regulator for details.

• NSCV Part B - General requirements
• Residual Current Devices (RCDs)
• Extra Low Voltage (ELV) electrical systems guide (DCV-ITS-015)
• Uniform Shipping Laws code

Links to Electrical Safety Regulators:

• Queensland
• New South Wales
• Victoria
• Tasmania
• South Australia
• Western Australia
• Northern Territory