Government reverses 'lethal' electrical rule change after inspectors' warnings

Government reverses 'lethal' electrical rule change after inspectors' warnings The government has reversed a rule change following warnings from electrical inspectors that homes and businesses would be exposed to a new lethal risk. As part of changes to electricity rules, regulators late last year lifted a ban on putting a switch or fuse into mains power earthing systems. RNZ revealed at the time that inspectors in multiple meetings and letters had pleaded unsuccessfully with officials to do a U-turn.

The Electrical Inspectors Association said the removal of the Protective Earth Neutral (PEN) protections could render entire systems "lethal, possibly with multiple injuries or fatalities" even when they were operating normally. Energy Minister Simon Watts said he was taking the feedback seriously.