scope:

This Handbook provides guidance on the design and application of electrical protection for the electrical power supply systems of mines and quarries.

This Handbook applies to all types of mines and quarries where mining regulators in each state or territory have jurisdiction. Typical facilities include the following:

(a) Extractive quarries.

(b) Gem mines.

(c) Open cut coal mines.

(d) Open cut metalliferous mines.

(e) Processing plants (e.g. metals and coal).

(f) Underground coal mines.

(g) Underground metalliferous mines.

(h) Mineral and gas exploration sites.

This Handbook covers AC systems and all power supply voltages from low voltage to high voltage. This Handbook does not cover DC power systems, inverters and UPSs.

NOTE It is anticipated that a later version of this Handbook will be extended to cover these applications.

This Handbook applies where the mine installation is supplied from -

(i) the mains supply of electrical distribution utilities; or

(ii) standalone generating plants.

This Handbook covers abnormalities and failures resulting in the flow of fault current and provides a discussion of overvoltage protection devices and techniques.