Electricity (Public Safety) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (No. 1)

The Minister of Energy and Power Development has amended the Electricity (Public Safety) Regulations, 2018, tightening who may do electrical work and adding new safety duties for property owners.

Every owner must fit premises with a residual current circuit breaker (RCCB) or earth leakage circuit breaker (ELCB) matching the supply capacity — within twelve months of the regulations being promulgated for already-connected premises (they were gazetted on 31 July 2026), and on application for any new connection. Breakers must meet ZWS400, IEC 61008, IEC 62423 or an equivalent. The licensee must disconnect premises without one, or where it has been tampered with. Owners and consumers must also ensure there are no illegal connections on their property.

Electrical work may be done only by a certified journeyman, with at least a Class IV Electrician Journeyman or Apprenticeship certificate from the National Apprentice Board; line work needs at least a Linesman 1 (up to 11kV; Class 2 up to 33kV; Certificate up to 420kV). Replacing a broken socket, circuit breaker, light fitting or switch is not treated as an electrical repair. No installation work — including additions, alterations, split-metering and repairs — may be energised without the licensee's approval. Switching and supervision must follow the 1998 ZESA Electrical Safety Rules.

New rules set out when works, fittings and appliances count as electrically safe, including standard colour coding (red, yellow and blue phases, black neutral; red or brown phase with black neutral for single phase; green-and-yellow or bare earth). Handheld appliances may not be supplied above 240V AC to earth; repurposed appliances must be altered by a competent person and stay safe; cables must meet SAZS 240:1999 and SAZS 680:1999; licensees must report electrical accidents to ZERA within ten working days, inspect and approve all new infrastructure and keep records for five years; and licensee inspectors may enter any premises with a service connection at reasonable times.

ZERA will register certified electrical personnel for five years at a time, for US$15 to US$40 for journeymen by class and US$15 for linesmen. After each job and the licensee's inspection, the electrician issues a completion of works certificate signed by the client. Most new offences carry a fine up to level 5, up to six months' imprisonment, or both.