Working or building near MainPower’s overhead power lines
Planning to build or extend?
Know the rules of working around or building near overhead power lines.
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What is NZECP 34 – New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice for Electrical Safe Distances?
Service lines carry electricity from the distribution network to properties.
Anyone working or building near power lines and power poles must understand their legal obligations. The Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 require that a person who carries out any construction, building, excavation, or other work on or near an electric line must maintain safe distances in accordance with NZECP 34.
NZECP 34 is the New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice for Electrical Safe Distances. It exists to protect people, property, vehicles, and mobile equipment from the risks of electrocution, serious injury, and costly damages or remedial work.
Anyone involved in building or working near power lines and poles has responsibilities under NZECP 34. This includes property developers, architects, surveyors, builders, scaffolders, roofers, even homeowners carrying out property maintenance or improvements such as putting up a fence, cleaning gutters, or laying a driveway.
Having an approved resource or building consent does not guarantee compliance with NZECP 34.
Ensuring compliance with NZECP 34 early in your planning process is essential for safely working near power lines and power poles. This can help you avoid disruptions, additional costs, and changes to architectural plans, or the need to relocate overhead power lines later.
What is covered under NZECP 34?
All types of permanent or temporary buildings and work or excavation near power poles and overhead lines must comply with the requirements of NZECP 34.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- Houses/buildings
- Using scaffolding
- Portable buildings and marquees
- Building fences
- Digging/laying a driveway
- Raising ground levels
- Erecting signs
- Artificial shelter belts and canopies
Operating a mobile plant near overhead lines
- When you plan to work near overhead lines you must follow the minimum safe distances as set down by NZECP34.
- Follow the 4.0 metre rule when operating mobile plant: All mobile plant must be kept at least 4.0 metres from overhead lines.
- If your mobile plant needs to get closer to our overhead lines, you must apply for a close approach consent before starting construction.
Digging and excavation near power poles
- Do not dig within 5.0 metres of one of our power poles without a close approach consent.
- Excavations within 5.0 metres could cause the pole to collapse! We will provide guidance – in some instances this may be on-site.
- Reminder: Materials excavated become the new point of measurement to line.
Compliance with NZECP 34
Failure to comply with NZECP 34 could lead to prosecution by WorkSafe.
NZECP 34 specifies minimum safe distances permitted for any work near power poles and overhead lines. If you need to work within the specified minimum safe distances, you must apply for and receive a close approach consent from MainPower in writing first.
Requirements for operating mobile plant and digging/excavation around overhead lines:
NZECP 34 specifies minimum distances when working around overhead lines and supporting structures (poles/towers).
Requirements for buildings/structures:
NZECP 34 specifies minimum distances between any new buildings/structures and overhead lines. See the table below for requirements.
The minimum safe distances change depending on the voltage of the overhead lines. If you need to build closer to overhead lines, you will need to speak to MainPower and arrange for the lines to be moved or placed underground before you start construction.
Distances may be reduced in accordance with NZECP 34 if a site-specific engineering study is carried out by a competent overhead line designer and an NZECP 34 compliance report is produced. These must be approved by MainPower prior to any work being carried out.
All work must be a safe distance away from overhead lines. Please refer to Table 2 in NZECP 34 for the distances that apply at points ‘X’ and ‘Y’ in the diagram below in different circumstances.
| NZECP34 Table 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Voltage |
Minimum distance beneath power lines
X
|
Minimum distance beneath power lines
Y
|
|
Not exceeding 1 kV |
4.0 m |
3.5 m |
|
Exceeding 1 kV but not exceeding 11 kV |
5.5 m |
5.0 m |
|
Exceeding 11 kV but not exceeding 33 kV |
7.0 m |
8.5 m |
|
Exceeding 33 kV but not exceeding 110 kV |
7.5 m |
9.5 m |
For more information/other resources
Speak to your building professionals (for example, your surveyor).
Contact MainPower on 0800 30 90 80.
Information about working near electricity can be found on the WorkSafe website.
A copy of NZECP 34 can be obtained from WorkSafe free of charge.
If your work is outside of the MainPower network, you will need to contact your local electricity lines company. For a list of all New Zealand lines companies, visit the Electricity Networks Aotearoa website.
And, as always; we’re happy to assist, get in touch if you are still unsure or visit our FAQs.
Do you need a site-specific engineering study or further independent electrical engineering advice?
The following consultants may provide these services.
Connetics: enquiries@connetics.co.nz
Independent Line Services: operations@ils.net.nz
WSP: op.pole.inspections@wsp.com
The information provided on this page is for guidance only. MainPower makes no warranties, guaranties, or undertakings as to the accuracy, completeness, reliability, adequacy, or completeness of the information contained on this page.
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If you need some assistance or advice, please get in touch with our team.