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What is SANS 10142-1?

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SANS 10142-1: the South African standard for low-voltage wiring in premises, made compulsory by the Electrical Installation Regulations, against which a registered person inspects and tests an installation before issuing a Certificate of Compliance.[1][4][3]

Also called The wiring code, The wiring of premises Part 1: Low-voltage installations, Code of practice for the wiring of premises

What does SANS 10142-1 cover, and what does it not?

SANS 10142-1, The wiring of premises Part 1: Low-voltage installations, covers low-voltage wiring in premises. Its SABS abstract names residential, commercial, public and industrial premises, construction sites, medical locations, temporary installations and street lighting, among others.[1]

In law, according to the Department of Labour's notes, SANS 10142-1 "is only applicable with respect to an 'electrical installation' as defined". Regulation 1 defines that as everything on the premises that carries electricity from the point of control to each outlet or machine's supply terminals, with the articles forming part of it, excluding, among other things, the supplier's equipment and communication, control, television and radio circuits.[5][3]

The conductors between the point of supply and the point of control, and items no incorporated standard covers, are installed to the electricity supplier's by-laws or regulations (regulation 5(3)). Medium-voltage installations above 1 kV a.c., up to 22 kV a.c. and 3 MVA installed capacity, fall under Part 2, SANS 10142-2 (edition 1.03 of 2023), which the 2009 incorporation notice does not list.[3][2][4]

Installations in explosive atmospheres, the petroleum industry, hazardous locations and medical locations are "specialised electrical installations", defined by reference to SANS 10086-1, SANS 10089-2, SANS 10108 and SANS 10142-1, and only a master installation electrician may certify them (regulation 1).[3][4]

Is SANS 10142-1 compulsory in South Africa?

Yes. GN R.243 of 6 March 2009 incorporated SANS 10142-1 into the Electrical Installation Regulations under section 44 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Regulation 5(1) says no person may "authorise, design, install or permit or require the installation of an electrical installation" other than in accordance with an incorporated standard.[4][3]

Section 44(3) of the Act deems an incorporated standard "to be a regulation", in so far as it is not repugnant to any regulation made under section 43. The Department's notes add that it has the power of a regulation "only in so far as the regulation permits".[6][5]

Components must comply with the standards SANS 10142-1 refers to, with proof on the component or certification from its manufacturer or supplier (regulation 5(2)).[3]

What is the latest edition of SANS 10142-1, and what must older installations meet?

The latest is edition 3.03 (SANS 10142-1:2026), approved on 24 June 2026. It replaces edition 3.02 of 2024, and the SABS store lists three national amendments, dated 18 October 2021, 9 August 2024 and 24 June 2026.[1]

A new edition of SANS 10142-1 needs no new notice: under section 44(4) of the OHS Act, the incorporating notice, unless it states otherwise (GN R.243 does not), is "deemed to refer to that health and safety standard as so amended or substituted".[6][4][5]

Before issuing a Certificate of Compliance (CoC), the registered person must be satisfied by inspection and test (regulation 9(2)) that, for each kind of installation:[3]

  • New installation: it complies with SANS 10142-1 and was done under the registered person's general control.[3]
  • Installation older than the current edition: it meets the standard's "general safety principles".[3]
  • Older installation with extensions or alterations: the old part meets those principles and is "reasonably safe", and the new work complies with SANS 10142-1 and was done under the registered person's general control.[3]

How does SANS 10142-1 tie to the Certificate of Compliance?

A registered person may issue a CoC only after an inspection and test shows the installation meets SANS 10142-1 as regulation 9(2) applies it. No completed or partly completed installation may be connected to the supply without a CoC, except a connection for testing or a reconnection after a disconnection for non-payment or a change of tenant without a change of owner (regulation 8(2)).[3]

The CoC must come with "a test report in the format approved by the chief inspector" (regulation 7(1)). On the Annexure 1 form, the registered person deems the installation "reasonably safe when properly used".[3]

Before work starts, a buyer can ask for:[3]

  • Which CoC box applies: new, existing, or existing with extensions or alterations (regulation 9(2)(a), (b) or (c)).[3]
  • The test report in the approved format, with the CoC number entered on it (Annexure 1).[3]
  • The registered person's certificate of registration and its category (regulation 11(4)).[3]

Questions buyers ask

Where can I get a copy of SANS 10142-1?

The SABS sells the current edition on its webstore. The chief inspector must keep a register of where each incorporated standard and its amendments were published and can be obtained or inspected, and must let anyone with an interest inspect that register free of charge (OHS Act section 44(5)).[1][6]

Does a new edition of SANS 10142-1 make an existing CoC invalid?

A new edition is not among the events in regulation 7 that call for a new CoC: an addition or alteration (regulation 7(4)), a change of ownership with a CoC over two years old (regulation 7(5), subject to section 10(4) of the OHS Act) and a fault found by an inspector, approved inspection authority or supplier who requires one (regulation 7(7)). The regulations set no expiry date, and a CoC issued under the 1992 regulations still counts (regulation 1).[3][6]

Who settles a disagreement over what SANS 10142-1 requires?

The chief inspector, on appeal by a user, registered person, electrical contractor, approved inspection authority or supplier who disputes another's reading of the standard. The chief inspector confirms, sets aside or varies that interpretation, or substitutes the one that ought to have been given (regulation 10).[3]

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